Cross border gorilla trekking is one of the enthralling safaris in Africa. This is commonly done between Uganda and Rwanda because of the advantage of sharing the Virunga Volcanoes area where Mt Gahinga, Mt Muhabura and Mt Sabyinyo are home to the gorillas.
One may decide to track gorillas in Uganda but spend the night in Rwanda. We organise such trips, secure for you the required documents and provide relevant information concerning both countries. Since gorilla tracking starts as early as 8:00am in Uganda and 7:00 am in (Kinigi)Rwanda, clients have to report to the ranger station earlier for briefing on how to behave while in the forest, the rules of gorilla tracking, the gorilla trekking gears, advise on the porters and other jungle behaviour.
ROUTES TO TAKE AND BORDER POSTS TO USE FOR CROSSING INTO RWANDA OR UGANDA FOR GORILLA TREKKING
Tracking gorillas while coming from Uganda or Rwanda necessitates that you spend a night in either countries to avoid risking the chance of waking up very early to drive long for about 2 hours to catch up with the gorilla tracking time. To cross to Rwanda from Uganda via Kisoro, you may drive for about 40 km through Cyanika border to Musaze or from Buhoma to Cyanika border post, the drive is about 4 to 5 hours for about 250 km
HOW TO APPLY FOR RWANDA OR UGANDA VISA BEFORE A GORILLA TREK SAFARI
Before crossing the border, you must to apply for a visa to Rwanda online through www.migration.gov.rw . Although, a visa can be acquired at the border, it is advisable to apply for it at least two weeks in advance of travel to reduce on the time taken at the boarder.
At times, to complete all the border procedures you may take about 2 hours yet you need to get there on time and relax. However nationals from Germany, Tanzania, Uganda, United Kingdom, Mauritius, Kenya, Singapore, South Africa, Burundi, D.R. Congo, USA and Canada may enter freely in Rwanda. Other travellers must apply for there visa in advance of travel.
For Uganda, one can acquire a tourist visa at any Ugandan entry point like Entebbe immigration, Cyanika and the procedures do not take long.
WHERE TO STAY BEFORE GORILLA TREKKING IN RWANDA
Various accommodations available in Musaze and to be closer to the gorillas you may spend the night in Kinigi.
Some of the accommodations available include:
Sabyinyo silverback Lodge
Kinigi guest House
Virunga Volcanoes Lodge
Golden monkey Hotel
La Palme
Lebambou
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
WHERE TO STAY BEFORE GORILLA TREKKING IN UGANDA
In Uganda, gorilla trekking is done in Bwindi National park but this is divided into two sectors that is the northern sector which is further divided into Buhoma and Ruhija and the southern sector. It is advisable to book accommodation in the sector where you are going to do gorilla tracking because of the long distance between the two sectors.
Buhoma gorilla safari accommodations include
Gorilla Forest Camp
Buhoma Community Rest House
Engage lodge
Silverback lodge
Bwindi View Bandas
Ruhija Gorilla Safari accommodations include
Ruhija Gorilla Lodge
Trekker’s Tavern
Ruhija Community Rest Camp
Nkuringo/ Rushaga Gorilla Safari accommodations include
Nkuringo Gorilla Camp
Clouds lodge
Gorilla Safari Lodge
Mgahinga National park gorilla safari lodges
Kisoro Traveller’s Rest Camp
Mt Gahinga Lodge
Kisoro Tourist Hotel
Please note that before you arrive in either Uganda or Rwanda for a memorable gorilla trekking experience, you will need to have purchased a gorilla trekking permit which can be obtained through a licensed tour operator through Uganda Wildlife Authority in Uganda and through the Rwanda Development board as well in Rwanda. Permits cost $800 per person per trek and $1500 per person per trek in Uganda and Rwanda respectively.
Why Book your gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda and Uganda with us
Our Expertise in organizing Mountain Gorilla safaris, advise on Gorilla Trekking Tour healthy tips and regular research on how to make our clients’ trips better has worn us return clients and incredible safari reviews. All our clients’ feedback is very vital and key to our success because we follow up every detail that we get after and while on Safari.
We answer Questions About Gorilla Trekking Safaris and other Uganda safari issues.Our guides are professionally trained and refresher courses have kept them updated with the latest trends dealing with clients on holiday and other tours.
We check Gorilla Trekking Permit Availability on our clients behalf and give an immediate response.
We advise our clients on What Items To Pack For Gorilla Tracking Safari and what is necessary for their trips including free of charge gorilla tracking information like;