How To Trek Uganda Gorillas On A Budget
Even after increasing the cost of Uganda gorilla permits, travelers can still visit gorillas in Bwindi Forest and Mgahinga gorilla national parks on budget. YES, you still have a chance to trek Uganda gorillas at a very low cost despite the recent hike. With effect from 1st July 2010, Uganda gorilla permit costs are set to rise from $600 to $700. The increase of Uganda gorilla permits comes 2 years after Rwanda doubled her gorilla permit from $750 to $1500 since May 2017. After various proposals to increase the cost of a Uganda gorilla permit, Uganda Wildlife Authority and the entire Uganda tourism fraternity reacted by adding $100 to the cost of a gorilla permit making it $700. However, Uganda gorilla tours are still affordable, especially for budget travelers. Africa Adventure Safaris guides you on how you can trek gorillas in Uganda on budget.
Book and pay for the permit before July 2020
Endeavor to book and pay for the permit before July 2020. At present, Uganda gorilla permits still cost $600 for foreign non-residents, $500 for foreign nonresidents and 250,000shs for East African residents. Do not be confused or cheated, all permits booked and confirmed before 1st July 2020 cost $600. Contact Africa Adventure Safaris today, tell us your desired trekking date and month and we shall reserve for you a permit at $600 saving you the extra $100.
Visit gorillas in a low season
Despite the uniform gorilla permit costs throughout the year, trekking gorillas in a low season between the months of September, October November, March, April and May is quite cheap. During this time, hotels, lodges and other service providers tend to cut prices to encourage more visits. The season is associated with heavy rains, which limit the number of travelers coming to see gorillas. If you are traveling on a budget, therefore, book your gorilla trip in the low season and grab the chance of low-cost accommodation and transport services.
Stay in budget lodges/hotels
Consider staying in budget lodges if you want to cut gorilla tour costs. The lodging and hotel services in gorilla tour destinations are categorized into luxury, mid-range, and budget. You are therefore advised to opt for budget lodges if you want to spend less. Fortunately, the budget lodges also provide quality food and sleeping services but at affordable rates. Budget lodges in Bwindi forest include Bwindi backpackers Lodge, broadbill forest camp, Buhoma community rest camp, Wagtail Eco Safari Camp, Bwindi View Bandas, Gift of nature lodge, Nshongi Camp, Ruhija Community Rest Camp, Ruhija gorilla friends resort, and Trekkers Tavern Lodge among others. A say in any of these budget lodges will help you pay less for food and sleeping services.
Travel with your mates
Group tours are cheap and affordable for a budget traveler compared to private tours. In a group tour, travelers share costs for rooms, transport and also get discounts from service providers which is not a case with a private solo trip. Contact your mates, travel with them and pay less.
Fly to Rwanda and trek gorillas in Uganda
Flying to Kigali International airport and crossing to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda makes your Uganda gorilla trip affordable. The drive from Kigali to Bwindi/Mgahinga is roughly 4 hours, which saves you from the high costs of full-day driving from Entebbe International airport to Bwindi Forest. Check with the Rwanda-Uganda entry border points of Cyanika in kisoro and Katuna in Kabale.
Gorilla permits availability in Uganda
The fact that Uganda has the highest population of mountain gorillas, available permits are more than in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Every day, Uganda has 144 gorilla permits available for sale 136 in Bwindi Forest and 8 in Mgahinga Gorilla National park. The Pearl of Africa is home to 18 gorilla families 17 of which live in the Bwindi forest while 1 Nyakagyezi gorilla family in the Mgahinga Forest.
In general, gorilla trekking remains the best wildlife experience worth doing. Contact Africa Adventure Safaris, check gorilla permit availability and book your budget Uganda gorilla safari to Bwindi Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks.
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