The impenetrable jungles forests of Bwindi are famous for hosting a considerable population of the mountain gorillas in Uganda while Volcanoes National Park is home to Rwanda’s mountain gorillas. It should be noted that, in the past five year, Volcanoes National park has been the prime destination for gorilla safaris receiving most tourists interested in seeing the mountain gorillas. Tourists on Rwanda safaris were paying US$750 per permit which was slightly more expensive that the Bwindi permit. From 5th may 2017, Rwanda increased the cost of gorilla permit from US$ 750 to US$ 1500. The 100% increment of the gorilla passes shocked many tourists who were planning to do gorilla treks in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, thus pushing a considerable number of visitors to Bwindi.
Many tourists cancelled their plan to avoid high cost of Rwanda gorilla permit and decide to visit Bwindi Impenetrable national Park. If you book 2 days Uganda Gorilla safari with budget accommodation, US$ 1500 can pay for the whole trip but in Rwanda it only cater for gorilla permit.
Uganda gorilla permit is maintained at US$ 600 amidst Rwanda’s high cost so, tourists find much cheaper to trek gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable national park. In addition to that, Uganda offers discounted gorilla permits in low season (April, May and November). In low season, Uganda gorilla permit cost US$ 450 to foreign visitors, UGX150,000 to Ugandans and US$400 to east African residents. Such offers act as pull factor to many visitors to come to Uganda instead of going to Rwanda.
The UNESCO world heritage site of Bwindi hosts a larger number of mountain gorillas. It is believed that half of the world’s mountain gorillas are found in Bwindi Forest. Many tourists are attracted to the park where they will see a variety. Currently, Bwindi Impenetrable National park hosts 14 habituated Gorilla groups while Volcanoes National Park has ten.
Bwindi Impenetrable National park has four gorilla trekking centres or trails namely: Nkuringo trail, Rushaga trail, Buhoma trail and Ruhija trail. Tourists are free to trek gorillas where they feel like basing on the type of accommodation they want to stay. Guests, whose travel dates are flexible, can visit all the four trails to explore the park.
The short distance from Kigali, Rwanda to Bwindi impenetrable National Park. The 3- 4 hours’ drive from Kigali to Bwindi attracts visitors from Rwanda to trek Uganda gorillas. Most of the visitors fly into and depart from Kigali Airport.
Presence of Entebbe and Kigali Airport- some visitors use Entebbe Airport while other uses Kigali Airport. The two major entry points make it easier for visitors to trek Uganda Gorillas. Flight fares also determine the number of visitors to visit the country. It is believed that Rwandair offers pocket friendly flight to Entebbe and Kigali Airport.
Presence of East Africa tourist visa which allow visitors to enter all East African countries with much ease. East African countries include Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, South Sudan and Uganda where you can enter using the same visa at US$ 100 each. Â It should be noted that visas are booked on line in advance but payment is done on arrival at Entebbe or Kigali Airport. The easy procedure to get East Africa Tourist visa has boosted tourism in East Africa.
Bwindi Offers a variety of tourist attractions and activities like gorilla trekking, birding, nature walks, Batwa community tour, Forest walks among others. Such attractions forces visitors to go to Bwindi Impenetrable National park.
Presence of better safari Lodges ranging from Budget to Luxury accommodation. Bwindi offers world class accommodation and among the best accommodation include Mahogany spring Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Gorilla safari Lodge, Silverback Lodge, Clouds Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge and so on.
Uganda offers the best gorilla trekking experiences in rain forest – the tall trees offers pure oxygen and breath taking view of the green vegetation. Volcanoes National park is made up of bamboo forest.
