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 the total cost of your trip by minimising transportation, lodging, activities, and meal expenses. Once you focus 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 the trip directly or joining a budget-friendly group is one way of cutting expenses. Private gorilla tours are the best, though 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
There are public transport services connecting Entebbe to Kampala, then from Kampala to Kabale, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Kisoro, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Budget travellers can therefore use cheap public buses. Upon reaching Kabale or Kisoro, they again hire taxis or private cars connecting them to 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 have a wide range of budget lodging options that offer excellent yet 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, endeavour to visit the gorilla sector close to the route you are using. Each sector has the easiest route to connect, depending on where you will be coming from.
The four gorilla regions in Bwindi Forest are Buhoma in the b north, Ruhija in the east, 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, these are your suitable regions. Trekking in a closer sector is an opportunity to save on 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 for negotiation, making services cheaper and more affordable for budget travellers. The low-cost Accommodation and transport services allow you to 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 trekking gear and avoiding the cost of renting. The essentials you should bring include closed hiking shoes, a rain jacket, a long-sleeved shirt, Long pants and gardening gloves, among others.
Optional items like walking sticks can be rented cheaply at the trailhead, but carrying your own saves every small cost.
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, for the sake of local community support, you can still hire a porter and help them improve living standards.
Skip Add-On Safaris and Focus on the Gorillas
Adding other activities to your gorilla trekking adventure comes with an extra cost. You can therefore skip all other add-ons to 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. Endeavour to secure a gorilla permit early enough, book cheaper accommodations, look around for any 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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