Compare gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda with Mgahinga in Uganda.
Trekking with gorillas in Volcanoes against Mgahinga National Park
Given the similar environment in both parks, the full truth is that gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda and Mgahinga contain mountain gorillas and there is not much difference in the experience obtained at the conclusion of your trip.
Nonetheless, for you to decide where to book and go for your gorilla trekking, there are many variables you may depend on to compare gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park with that in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
The habitat of the Mountain gorillas in both Volcanoes National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is in the Virunga/hills with mostly bamboo as the main vegetation, this makes it easy to walk through and better viewing of the gorillas because of the kind of vegetation giving you opportunity to take clear photographs and encounter experience.
One might so say that compared to Bwindi impenetrable National Park, habituated mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park and Mgahinga National Park are more apparent. Therefore, individuals who like clear movies and photos should choose from these two national parks.
When it comes to the distance from the Airport to the park itself, Volcanoes National Park and Mgahinga Volcanoes National Park is a better choice than Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. One should support this as Volcanoes National Park is two to three hours’ drive from Kigali city/International Airport and Gorillas can readily observed with a short journey time feasible even in one day.
Nobody can get away from this; it is really true. People used to avoid gorilla trekking in Mgahinga because of the 9-10 hours travel from Entebbe International Airport to Mgahinga; currently, we offer trips to Mgahinga via Kigali, which then becomes 3-4 hours’ drive only.
You then arrive in Kigali, get the East African Tourist Visa (which lets you enter both nations at once), and then reasonably hike gorillas in Mgyhinga. This is why even tour providers from Rwanda are marketing Mgahinga rather than Volcanoes from their own land.
Regarding lodging in Volcanoes National Park and Mgahinga, Budget, Mid Range, and Upmarket Lodges abound where you could choose to spend your trip. For those wishing to stay in ultra luxury hotels on worldwide standards, Volcanoes National Park is the ideal location for gorilla trekking.
Some of these lodges, including Bisate Lodge and Singita Kwitonda Lodge in Volcanoes National Park, are regarded among the finest in Africa and the nation at large for exceptional and luxurious services. But for those searching for much more affordable lodging, Mgahinga is the perfect choice as the nearby Kisoro town offers plenty of choices for where to stay ranging from $30 to $100 as per your booked package.
The price of gorilla trekking permits, the kind of cars advised for safari, and constantly growing and new Luxury Lodges surrounding Volcanoes National Park compared to those in Mgahinga clearly show Rwanda as a Luxury destination in Africa. In truth, Mgahinga has just one luxury Lodge among the several up-market hotels in Volcanoes NP. Volcanoes National Park so ranks #1 if one is seeking High quality Lodges and hikes.
Regarding habituated Gorilla families in Volcanoes vs Mgahinga NP, Volcanoes National Park boasts more gorilla families available for tourism than Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Whereas Mgahinga only has one gorilla family and hence just 8 permits daily, Volcanoes National Park boasts 10 Gorilla families and so offers 96 Gorilla permits daily for gorilla trekking.
Especially in the high season months, this makes it more flexible to get gorilla trekking permits in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda than in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Originally from Uganda or Rwanda, the one gorilla family living in Mgahinga National Park has lately established on the Uganda side.
Mgahinga National Park has just one habituated mountain gorilla family, hence the experience of gorilla trekking is personal and unique as you will only be eight people in the park for that purpose on a particular day.
Still, Volcanoes National Park has more families than Mgahinga, and gorilla treks there are costly but competitive when compared to Mgahinga. There are thus many reasons this is true. Rwanda advertises herself much more than Uganda. As a leading primate and gorilla trekking vacation nation, Uganda’s government has to increase marketing investment for Uganda.
Regarding the top gorilla trekking experience.
When it comes to gorilla treking worldwide, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda ranks first. This is true because gorilla trekking and habituation began here, therefore mountain gorilla families here became used to the presence of people before those in Mgahinga.
Those who have seen mountain gorillas can attest to you that the pre-, during-, and post-trip experience at Volcanoes National Park is first-rate. From the manner one is greeted on the day of trekking, the traditional dances and performances before briefing, to the experience during the hike, the trip is well worth it.
Both Volcanoes National Park Rwanda and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park have mountain gorillas and chances of seeing gorillas in Volcanoes National Park Rwanda and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are 98% so whatever park you visit you will be able to see these amazing apes in their natural environment.
Considering cost, Volcanoes NP vs Mgahinga
Seeing mountain gorillas at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is much less expensive than in Volcanoes National Park. This disparity in pricing is mostly the result of policies divergent between Uganda and Rwanda. While Uganda seeks to present itself as a reasonably priced country, Rwanda wants to be known as a luxury destination.
Is the time and experience spent with gorillas still the same? Actually, one would much rather schedule two gorilla treks in Mgahinga for USD1400 and spend up to two days and save USD100 with mountain gorillas than splurging 1500 in Volcanoes National Park for only one hour.
The Gorilla permit in Mgahinga costs $800 per person for the Foreign non-residents, $700 per person for residents, and $70 for East African Citizens (Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, and South Sudan). This allows you to spend one hour encounter with the mountain gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
The Gorilla permit in Volcanoes National Park costs $1500 Per person for the Foreign non-residents, $500 Per person for foreign residents, and $300 for East African Citizens (Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, and South Sudan). This gives you an opportunity to spend one hour encounter with the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.
Therefore, considering the cost of a gorilla trekking permit in Volcanoes National Park, $1500, compared to Mgahinga, $800, Volcanoes National Park is much more costly a place for gorilla treking. Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is not for individuals looking for reasonably priced gorilla trip possibilities.
Which park—between Volcanoes and Mgahinga—has simpler treks?
Walking either a short or a longer distance depends on the gorilla family assigned to you on the day of the trekking trip at one of the national parks. Gorilla families are assigned in both parks based on individual interest and degree of physical ability. If you choose a shorter trip, for instance, you will have to let the park officials know the exact day you are trekking to ensure you are allotted such a family.
You do the same whether you want a medium-long or longer walk. Although they will strive to provide you a family that needs shorter journeys, gorilla behavior might influence the experience should, for example, gorillas decide to migrate further as you search for them you will have to go a greater distance yet.
Ideal time for gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Volcanoes National Park Rwanda
All year long, gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Volcanoes National Park Rwanda is available. Since the jungle is less muddy and the ideal months to monitor gorillas in these parks are June to August and December to February, which have the lowest rainfall.
Conversely, if you find yourself traveling in March through May and November there may be more rain; so, certain hotels may be able to provide discounts for your lodging. It should be mentioned that gorilla licenses tend to sell out rapidly during high or peak seasons in Uganda and Rwanda; so, one must book gorilla permits at least one year in advance to be assured a site to watch mountain gorillas. Contact Katland safaris to arrange your Mgahinga or Volcanoes gorilla trekking permit.
Why schedule your gorilla excursion with Katland Safaris to Rwanda and Uganda?
Established in 3003, Katland safaris is proud of creating specifically designed safaris. Its staff is very conscientious and reliable. Our staff of seasoned tour advisers responds to your questions in twenty minutes. These advisers will answer all your queries, create your travel schedule for you, and ensure that all of your services are reserved ahead of time to help you to prevent any trouble.
Depending on your language choice, we also offer well informed safari guides. Depending on your taste, there are several Mountain Gorilla Safari Packages to Volcanoes National Park and Bwindi impenetrable National Park; the 2-day Volcanoes National Park Gorilla safari, the 3 days Mgahinga Gorilla safari, 4 Day Gorilla fly-in safari. Contact us at your free will.
