What are the cheapest ways to trek gorillas in Uganda

What are the cheapest ways to trek gorillas in Uganda? Booking tips for budget Uganda gorilla tours to Bwindi Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla Parks: Seeing mountain gorillas in Uganda is a dream come true for many travellers on Uganda safaris, but the experience is undeniably costly. It feels expensive, especially for travellers on a tight budget.

Understanding the Costs First

First, understand the overall cost breakdown for the gorilla tour and identify any costs you can cut or minimise. The biggest and most unavoidable part of the trip is the gorilla permit, which covers Park entry, Ranger guides, trackers and an hour with the endangered gorillas.

While permit costs remain fixed, you can significantly reduce your total trip cost by minimising transportation, lodging, activities, and meal expenses. By focusing on these flexible variables, you can easily plan a budget-friendly gorilla trek.

Tips for Trekking Uganda Gorillas Cheaply

Choose the Most Affordable Travel Style

The travel lifestyle you choose determines the overall cost of the gorilla tour. Booking directly or joining a budget-friendly group can cut costs. Private gorilla tours are the best but also the most expensive.

On a group safari, all travellers share the cost of Accommodation, transport, and guiding fees, making the trip affordable per person, unlike private safaris, where a vehicle, guide, and fuel charges all fall to just one person.

Use Public or Shared Transport Where Possible

Public transport connects Entebbe to Kampala, then Kampala to Kabale, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Kisoro, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Budget travellers can therefore use cheap public buses. From Kabale or Kisoro, they can hire taxis or private cars to reach the respective gorilla parks.

Stay in Budget Accommodation or Community Lodges – Budget Lodges in Bwindi Forest

Accommodation also accounts for a large share of the overall cost of a gorilla safari. Choosing a budget Hotel/Lodge is a big deal if you want to minimise the costs. Interestingly, both Bwindi and Mgahinga offer a wide range of budget lodging options with excellent, affordable service.

These places are super clean, friendly, and much cheaper than mid-range or high-end lodges. We at Uganda Travel help you reserve affordable lodges, saving you from high lodging costs.

Trek in the Sector Closest to Your Route

For travellers visiting Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, try to visit the gorilla sector closest to your route. Each sector has the easiest route to connect, depending on where you’re coming from.

The four gorilla regions in Bwindi Forest are Buhoma in the b north, Ruhija in the east, and Rushaga and Nkuringo in the south. If you are connecting from Kabala, Buhoma and Ruhija are your suitable sectors.

For travellers connecting from Kisoro, Rushaga and Nkuringo in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are the best options. Trekking in a closer sector saves you transport costs and time.

Travel During the Low or Shoulder Seasons

Beyond the fixed cost of gorilla permits, budget travellers should prioritise the low season. Because tourist numbers drop during this time, service providers such as lodges, hotels, and transport companies often slash their rates.

In the low season, between March and May and between October and November, there is room to negotiate, making services cheaper and more affordable for budget travellers. Low-cost accommodation and transport services let you lower the total cost without compromising the trek itself.

Bring Your Own Trekking Gear

You can also trek with gorillas cheaply by bringing your own gear and avoiding rental costs. Essentials include closed hiking shoes, a rain jacket, a long-sleeved shirt, Long pants, and gardening gloves, among others.

You can rent optional items like walking sticks cheaply at the trailhead, but bringing your own saves a little money.

Also, while porters are extremely helpful, you can carry your own bags up to the gorilla trek and save the $15 to $20 you might have spent on hiring a porter. However, to support the local community, you can still hire a porter and help improve living standards.

Skip Add-On Safaris and Focus on the Gorillas

Adding other activities to your gorilla trekking adventure costs extra. You can therefore skip all other add-on activities and focus only on gorilla trekking.

However, if you can adjust your budget, add-on activities such as game viewing, chimpanzee trekking, boat cruise and community tours, which we highly recommend as they add to the overall experience, rewarding you with lifetime memories

Book Early and Plan Logically

Early booking gives you enough time to plan, negotiate discounted rates, and explore different options. Try to secure a gorilla permit early, book cheaper Accommodation, find a group to join, and choose the best route to reduce transport costs. Avoid last-minute bookings, which are costly and have no options.

The Cheapest Practical Gorilla Trekking Strategy

The possible ways to minimise expenses and trek gorillas in Uganda cheaply

• Book a gorilla permit early.
• Join a budget group or use public transport to reach Kabale or Kisoro.
• Stay in budget accommodations near your trekking sector.
• Trek from the closest sector to minimise local transfer costs.
• Travel during the low season for lower lodging rates.
• Bring your own hiking gear.
• Limit the itinerary to the gorilla trek only.

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