Gorilla Trekking: A Bwindi vs. Volcanoes National Park Guide.

Mountain gorillas in East Africa are hosted in the countries of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Their habitats are found in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda. We compare Bwindi National Park and Volcanoes National Park because they offer different trekking experiences and distinct environments. Both parks ensure the safety and the protection of the mountain gorillas for future generations.

Location and accessibility

Volcanoes National Park is located in the northwestern part of Rwanda, featuring the panoramic landscapes and bamboo forest with a gentle terrain that is less challenging. Volcanoes National Park on a Rwanda safari can be accessed by road from Kigali International Airport, and the drive takes about 2 to 3 hours to arrive at the park premises. This national park favors tourists that do not need challenging treks and prefer short journeys.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in southwestern Uganda near the districts of Kisoro, Kabale, and Kanungu. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site with a rich ecosystem with an ancient, dense rainforest that has lived for over 25,000 years. It comprises a rugged terrain, deep valleys, and deep hills. Bwindi National Park on a Uganda safari can easily be accessed by both road and air transport. By road from Entebbe International Airport via the Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale route, it takes about 8 to 9 hours to reach the park boundaries. Some tourists travel to Bwindi from Rwanda’s Kigali International Airport via the Gatuna or Cyanika border, and the journey takes about 3 to 4 hours to reach the Bwindi premises. By air, you can book domestic flights from Uganda Aero Link from either Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Airstrip to Kisoro or Kihihi Airfield, and these flights take about 2 to 3 hours. Then from the airfield, the tourism van drives you to the lodge or the park headquarters, and the ride takes about 1 and a half hours.

Gorilla trekking experience

Gorilla trekking in both countries offers a great opportunity for tourists to see the stunning behaviors and social interaction of the endangered species. Gorilla trekking in both countries starts with a briefing, which is done by the trained guides and rangers to ensure the safety and protection of the tourists and the mountain gorillas.

Volcanoes National Park comprises gentle terrain with moderate vegetation in the high altitudes of the park, making it less challenging to navigate through the forest vegetation and terrain. It comprises openness, making the hiking in the forest easier. The habituated families that are usually visited for the trekking experiences are about 12 gorilla families, which may include Susa, Kwitonda, and others. Trekking sessions in volcanoes are done in groups of 8 individuals, and each group is given one hour to observe and see the social behaviors of the mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking lasts for 2 to 4 hours since the mountain gorillas are in open space, making it easy to spot them.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park comprises misty, lush, dense tropical rainforest with a steep terrain, requiring physical fitness to hike through the forest, making the gorilla trekking sessions more challenging. It is adventurous to trek through Bwindi because you get to spot various creatures in the thick forest besides mountain gorillas. Habituated gorilla families that are trekked in Bwindi are 19 gorilla families, which include Mubare, Bweza, and Nshongi, among others. Before hiking through the jungle, you are allocated to groups of 8 members during the trekking adventure, and each group is given one hour to observe and see the mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking can last for 2 to 8 hours depending on where the mountain gorillas spent the night or how fast you spot a gorilla family.

Cost comparison

The gorilla trekking permit costs for Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, range from $1,500 for foreign non-residents, $1,000 for foreign residents, and $500 for East African citizens. Volcanoes National Park offers accommodation facilities that range from luxury to mid-range and budget-friendly. The cost of the lodges ranges from $60 to $1,800 depending on the lodge you have chosen.

Bwindi National Park gorilla trekking permits are more affordable compared to those of Volcanoes National Park. The trekking permits cost $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents, and UGX 300,000 for East African citizens. Accommodation costs for Bwindi lodges range from $200 to $4,000 per night depending on the choice of the lodge, whether it’s luxury or mid-range or budget-friendly facilities. These lodges offer free services, namely, free parking space, Wi-Fi connections, and laundry services.

Landscape and scenery

The landscape of Bwindi National Park differs from that of Volcanoes National Park.

Volcanoes National Park comprises open bamboo and thick Afro-alpine montane forest with misty volcanoes with open slopes. It provides panoramic views of the mountains with vegetation in the high altitudes that range from 2,400 m to 4,507 m above sea level in the park, making it easy to trek and hike through the forest.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is characterized by an ancient rainforest with misty, lush, dense vegetation that comprises afro-montane vegetation, tropical lowland forest, bamboo forest, and canopy trees. It has a steep rugged terrain with deep valleys featuring the rushing rivers like River Ivy with an altitude of about 1,160 m to 2,600 m above sea level. The park offers beautiful scenery of the stunning Rwenzori Mountains and the Virunga Volcanoes in the DRC from the highest hill of the park, called the Rwamunyonyi Hill.

Wildlife and biodiversity

Mountain gorillas being the main attraction in both national parks. Both parks are habitats to various wildlife creatures.

Volcanoes National Park spans an area of about 160 square kilometers and is known for the rare golden monkeys that stay in the bamboo forest; forest elephants; buffaloes; giant forest hogs; and over 178 bird species, with 13 endemic species.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has a rich, unique, diverse biodiversity that comprises over 120 mammal species, for example, chimpanzees, L’Hoest’s monkeys, forest elephants, colobus monkeys, giant forest hogs, bush pigs, duikers, and others. Over 350 different bird species with 23 Albertine endemic species and migratory species. Dense undergrowth with 104 fern species, 200 tree species, and various plant species.

Cultural experiences

In Volcanoes National Park, visitors explore the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, where the local people show their unique traditional dances and their history.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is known as a home for the Batwa people, also known as the forest dwellers, who have a unique culture and traditional skills like hunting, energetic dances and songs, and storytelling sessions where you get to know about the ancient people who lived in the forest.

In conclusion

Bwindi and Volcanoes National Parks offer stunning views of the panoramic scenic features and ultimate gorilla trekking adventures that offer a life-changing experience. Many travelers visit both parks to create unforgettable moments.