Last updated: November 2026. Permit prices below are the currently published rates for travelers from outside East Africa. Rwanda's 2027 permit announcement from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) is still pending, and we will update this page the day it is released.
If you are choosing between Rwanda and Uganda for mountain gorilla trekking, you are choosing between two excellent options. Both give you one hour with a habituated gorilla family in a protected forest, with expert guides and trackers, and both fund the conservation work that keeps these animals alive. The differences are in price, travel time, terrain, and what else you can do on the same trip.
The short answer: Choose Rwanda if you have limited time, want the easiest access, or want to combine gorillas with golden monkeys, Dian Fossey's conservation story, and a Kigali stay. Choose Uganda if the permit price matters most, you have a week or more, and you want a wider safari with chimpanzees, Big Game, and more gorilla families to choose from.
Rwanda vs Uganda Gorilla Trekking at a Glance
| Factor | Rwanda | Uganda |
|---|---|---|
| Where you trek | Volcanoes National Park, Musanze | Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park |
| Permit (foreign non-resident) | USD 1,500 | USD 800 (discounted USD 600 in April, May and November) |
| Getting there | Roughly 2 to 3 hours by road from Kigali airport | A long road transfer from Entebbe or Kampala, or a domestic flight to the Bwindi region |
| Permits per day | Capped at 96 across the park | Spread across many sectors and gorilla families |
| Terrain | Volcanic slopes, bamboo and farmland edges, often shorter approaches | Dense, steep, misty rainforest, often more demanding |
| Minimum age | 15 years | 15 years |
| Best add-ons | Golden monkeys, Dian Fossey Campus, Nyungwe chimpanzees, Akagera Big Five | Batwa cultural experience, Kibale chimpanzees, Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls wildlife |
| Best for | Short trips, first-time visitors, comfort and convenience | Lower permit cost, longer multi-park safaris, adventurous trekkers |
Price: Is Uganda Really Cheaper?
On the permit alone, yes. Rwanda's permit is USD 1,500 per person, while Uganda's is USD 800, a difference of USD 700 per traveler. Uganda also offers a reduced rate of USD 600 for treks in April, May and November, which are the rainier months.
The permit is only part of the bill, so compare the whole trip:
- Transfers and flights. Bwindi is a long way from Entebbe and Kampala. Travelers either spend most of a day on the road each way or pay for a domestic flight. Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park is a short drive from Kigali.
- Days on the ground. Rwanda can be done well in two to four days. Uganda usually needs more time, which means more nights of accommodation.
- Accommodation. Both countries offer everything from mid-range lodges to luxury camps near the parks, so your choice of lodge often affects the budget more than the country does.
For travelers with a short window, Rwanda's higher permit can be partly offset by lower transport costs and fewer nights. For travelers with more time, Uganda's lower permit leaves more of the budget for other wildlife.
Pricing note: Uganda's current tariff runs to the end of 2026, and some operators report a revision from 1 January 2027. Rwanda's 2027 permit rates have not yet been announced. Contact us for the latest confirmed figures before you book.
The Trekking Experience
Rwanda: Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park sits in the Virunga mountains, with volcanic peaks rising above the forest. Treks begin from Kinigi, and the effort ranges from moderate to strenuous depending on where your assigned family is feeling that day. Trekkers are grouped by fitness and preference where possible, and the park is well organized, with clear briefings and consistent standards.
The wider experience is a strength. You can add golden monkey trekking, visit the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund campus to learn how conservation here began, and fit in a Kigali city tour on the same short trip.
Uganda: Bwindi and Mgahinga
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a dense, ancient rainforest with steep ridges and valleys, and the name is earned. Treks can be tougher and muddier, but they feel like true jungle expeditions. Bwindi has several sectors and many habituated gorilla families, so there is more choice of where to trek, and permits are generally easier to find at short notice than in Rwanda's smaller system.
Uganda also lets you build a longer safari around the gorillas, with a Batwa cultural experience, chimpanzee trekking in Kibale, and game drives in Queen Elizabeth or Murchison Falls national parks.
What is the same in both countries
- One hour with the gorillas once you find them, in a group of up to eight visitors.
- Guides, trackers and armed rangers for your safety and the gorillas'.
- A minimum age of 15 and a requirement to keep your distance and stay healthy around the animals.
- Permits that must be booked well in advance for peak months.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Rwanda if:
- You have 3 to 7 days and want a smooth, easy-to-organize trip.
- You are visiting for the first time and want comfort and convenience.
- You want gorillas plus golden monkeys, Dian Fossey, Nyungwe or Akagera in one itinerary.
- You prefer shorter transfers and a premium, well-managed park experience.
Choose Uganda if:
- The lower permit cost is a priority.
- You have a week or more and want a wider wildlife safari.
- You want more choice of gorilla families and sectors.
- You are comfortable with longer travel days and tougher forest terrain.
Can You Do Both?
Yes, and it is a favorite among experienced travelers. Kigali is a convenient gateway for southwest Uganda, so a Rwanda and Uganda combination can pair Volcanoes National Park with Bwindi in one trip, and lets you compare the two experiences for yourself. Because Vazquez Tours & Travel operates across Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, we can arrange the permits, transfers and lodges for both countries in one itinerary.
Booking Tips
- Book early. Permits for the June to September dry season and the December to February holiday period go first.
- Use a licensed operator. In Uganda, permits for foreign non-residents are booked through licensed Ugandan tour operators. In Rwanda, permits are issued by RDB and can be secured for you by your operator.
- Be flexible on dates. Permits are tied to a specific date, and changes are limited, so confirm your flights before you pay.
- Pack for rain. Waterproofs, sturdy boots, gloves and gaiters help in both forests at any time of year.
Plan Your Gorilla Trek With Vazquez Tours & Travel
Not sure whether Rwanda or Uganda suits you? Tell us your travel dates, group size and budget, and we will recommend the best option and secure your permits.
Email info@vazqueztours.com, call +250 781 445 000, or visit www.vazqueztours.com. Ask to be notified the moment the 2027 Rwanda gorilla permits are released.