If you are planning a mountain gorilla trekking holiday in East Africa, two destinations usually come into consideration: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
Both destinations offer the opportunity to trek mountain gorillas in their natural forest habitat, but the overall travel experience can be different. Location, trekking conditions, permit prices, accommodation, transport and the rest of your safari plans can all influence which destination fits your trip.
So, should you choose Bwindi or Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking?
The answer depends on what you want from your trip.
Bwindi vs Volcanoes National Park at a Glance
| Feature | Bwindi, Uganda | Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Uganda | Rwanda |
| Main experience | Mountain gorilla trekking | Mountain gorilla trekking |
| Landscape | Dense ancient forest and mountainous terrain | Mountain forest and volcanic landscapes |
| Access | Entebbe or Kigali | Kigali |
| Trekking sectors | Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo | One main gorilla trekking area |
| Safari combination | Wildlife, chimpanzees, birding and gorillas | Gorilla trekking, Kigali and other Rwanda experiences |
| Travel style | Often suited to longer Uganda safaris | Convenient for shorter Rwanda-based trips |
| Accommodation | Options around different Bwindi sectors | Lodges around Volcanoes National Park |
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in southwestern Uganda and is one of the country’s major destinations for mountain gorilla trekking.
One of the important differences is the size and structure of the destination. Bwindi has several trekking sectors, including Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo.
Your gorilla permit is associated with a particular sector, so your accommodation and transport arrangements should be planned around the sector shown on your permit.
Bwindi also fits naturally into a longer Uganda safari. Travellers can combine gorilla trekking with chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest, wildlife viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park, or other Ugandan experiences.
This makes Bwindi particularly relevant for visitors who want their gorilla trek to be part of a wider Uganda itinerary.
Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park is located in northern Rwanda, close to the town of Musanze.
It is one of Rwanda’s main destinations for mountain gorilla trekking and is relatively accessible from Kigali.
The road journey from Kigali to the Volcanoes National Park area can be completed within a few hours, making it possible to build a shorter gorilla trekking holiday around Kigali.
Volcanoes National Park is also known for its volcanic mountain scenery. The Virunga volcanoes provide an important part of the landscape around the park.
For travellers who have limited time or want to concentrate mainly on Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park can fit conveniently into a shorter itinerary.
Bwindi vs Volcanoes: Trekking Experience
Gorilla trekking in both destinations involves walking through forest and mountainous terrain in search of a habituated gorilla family.
The difficulty of a trek can vary considerably from one day to another. Gorilla families move through the forest, so the amount of walking required cannot always be predicted in advance.
In Bwindi, the experience can differ between trekking sectors because of the terrain and location of the gorilla groups.
In Volcanoes National Park, trekking also takes place in mountainous terrain and can involve walking at altitude.
Your physical preparation, footwear and clothing are therefore important whichever destination you choose.
Which Is Easier to Reach?
Your starting point makes a significant difference.
If you are already in Rwanda or flying into Kigali, Volcanoes National Park offers a relatively straightforward road transfer from Kigali.
Kigali can also be used as a gateway to Bwindi. Travellers can cross the Rwanda-Uganda border and continue towards southwestern Uganda.
For example, a Kigali to Bwindi itinerary can pass through the Cyanika border and continue towards Kisoro and the relevant Bwindi sector.
If your wider trip is centred around Uganda and begins in Entebbe, travelling to Bwindi may make more sense because you can combine the trek with other Ugandan destinations.
Which Has the Better Safari Combination?
This depends on the rest of your itinerary.
Bwindi can be combined with several major Ugandan safari destinations. A typical itinerary might include:
Kibale → Queen Elizabeth → Bwindi
This allows you to combine chimpanzee trekking, savannah wildlife and mountain gorillas.
You could also include Murchison Falls National Park on a longer Uganda safari.
Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park can be combined with Kigali and other Rwandan attractions. Travellers can also extend their trip across the border into Uganda.
Therefore, rather than comparing the gorilla trek alone, consider the entire journey you want to experience.
Gorilla Trekking Costs
Permit prices are an important consideration when comparing Uganda and Rwanda.
Uganda’s standard gorilla trekking permit is generally lower in price than Rwanda’s standard permit. Rwanda is known for its higher-priced gorilla trekking experience.
However, the total cost of a safari involves more than the permit.
You should also consider accommodation, transport, meals, guide services, border crossings where applicable and the number of nights you spend in the destination.
A lower permit price does not automatically mean a lower total trip cost if the itinerary requires additional travel or nights.
Bwindi or Volcanoes for a Short Trip?
If you have only a few days and are flying into Kigali, Volcanoes National Park can fit naturally into a short Rwanda itinerary.
A typical short trip could include:
Day 1: Kigali to Musanze
Day 2: Gorilla trekking
Day 3: Return to Kigali
The exact itinerary will depend on flight schedules and your preferred activities.
Bwindi can also be visited from Kigali, particularly through southwestern Rwanda and the Uganda border. However, you should allow enough time for the border crossing and the journey to your particular Bwindi sector.
Bwindi or Volcanoes for a Longer Safari?
For a longer Uganda safari, Bwindi can be incorporated into a wider route.
For example:
Entebbe → Kibale → Queen Elizabeth → Bwindi
This type of itinerary combines several different landscapes and wildlife experiences.
If you want to combine Uganda and Rwanda, another option is to start in Kigali, trek in Bwindi and then continue through Uganda.
The best route depends on your international flights, available days and the experiences you want to include.
What Should You Consider Before Choosing?
Before booking your gorilla trek, consider these factors:
- Where you will arrive and depart
- Gorilla permit price
- Available travel time
- Preferred accommodation
- Trekking sector or location
- Other destinations you want to visit
- Whether you want a Uganda-only or Rwanda-Uganda itinerary
- Your overall safari budget
- How much road travel you are comfortable with
It is also important to book your gorilla permit before building the final itinerary, particularly if you have fixed travel dates.
So, Bwindi or Volcanoes?
There is no single choice that suits every traveller.
Bwindi offers several trekking sectors and can be incorporated into a broader Uganda safari involving chimpanzees, wildlife and other activities.
Volcanoes National Park provides a convenient option for travellers basing their trip around Kigali and Rwanda, particularly when time is limited.
If your main interest is a longer Uganda safari, Bwindi may fit naturally into your route. If you are planning a short Rwanda-based trip from Kigali, Volcanoes National Park may fit more directly into that itinerary.
The important thing is to compare the complete trip rather than looking only at the gorilla permit price.
Plan Your Gorilla Trekking Safari
Whether you choose Bwindi or Volcanoes National Park, gorilla trekking requires advance planning.
Feather Trail Safaris can arrange gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda, including gorilla permits, accommodation, transport and safari extensions.
If you are unsure which destination fits your travel plans, we can help you build an itinerary around your available days, starting point and preferred safari experiences.