Uganda is the better value: the gorilla permit costs $800 against $1,500 in Rwanda, and Bwindi has twice as many families open to visitors (25 against 12). Rwanda is quicker and easier to plan — Volcanoes National Park is 2–2½ hours from Kigali, and you can trek and fly out the same day. A one-day trip from Kigali costs about $1,200 into Uganda and about $2,075 in Rwanda.
Updated Oct 2026 · Prices checked Oct 2026
Both countries share the same mountain gorillas and the same one-hour rule. Underneath, the trips differ in price, numbers, flexibility and comfort.
Sources: Uganda Wildlife Authority and Visit Rwanda rates · IGCP gorilla censuses · UNESCO · Africa Geographic · operator guides
The permit gap is $700 per person. On a real trip from Kigali the gap is smaller in money but larger in hours.
Bars drawn to scale, $0–1,800 · per person, foreign non-resident
$1,200$400 tour + $800 permit
$2,075Operator price, permit included
Uganda saves about $875 per person; Rwanda saves about four hours on the road.
Sources: Uganda Wildlife Authority (refund scale as reported by operators) · Visit Rwanda · eastafricantrails.com (Rwanda day trip) · GetYourGuide (Uganda day trip)
Kigali is the nearest big airport to both parks. That is why so many Uganda gorilla trips start in Rwanda.
2–2½ hto Volcanoes NPRwanda
Briefing at Kinigi at 07:00 — a same-day trip leaves Kigali at 04:30
4–5 hto southern BwindiUganda
Via the Cyanika or Katuna border to the Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors
8–10 hto BwindiUganda
Uganda’s own airport is much further from the gorillas
Line length drawn to scale, 0–10 hours by road
Yes — 1-day tours leave Kigali before dawn and return at night. It works, but two or three days is easier.
Sources: operator itineraries on GetYourGuide · eastafricantrails.com
The numbers behind the hour with the gorillas — and why they matter when you book.
One dot = one gorilla family open to visitors
iYour Uganda permit is for one sector, so the sector decides your lodge and your drive. Rushaga and Nkuringo are closest to Kigali.
Rwanda names its newborn gorillas each year at Kwita Izina in Kinigi — 22 babies in 2026.
iNeither trek is easy. Porters are available in both countries and worth hiring.
Sources: IGCP and GVTC census releases · ATC News (Bwindi groups) · Visit Rwanda · UNESCO · Africa Geographic · ATTA
Lodges are where the two countries differ most after the permit. Rwanda’s top camps cost more than twice Bwindi’s.
“From” per person per night, as listed by The Africa Specialists for 2026. Budget guesthouses cost less in both countries. Bars to scale, $0–3,700.
Luxury gorilla trekking in Uganda →Most of the 22 tours that combine both countries trek gorillas in Uganda and use Rwanda for the airport, Kigali, golden monkeys or Akagera.
TOP PICKGolden monkeys in Rwanda, gorillas in Uganda — permit included
BEST REVIEWEDRwanda for the wildlife, Uganda for the gorillas
PERMIT INCLUDEDThe classic 4-day loop from Kigali
THREE PRIMATESGolden monkeys, gorillas and chimps in a week
One listing adds the Democratic Republic of Congo: an 8-day Rwanda, Uganda and DRC trip at $5,600 with the permit included. Check current travel advice for eastern DRC before booking.
8-Day Rwanda, Uganda & Congo (DRC) Gorilla Trekking Trip$5,600Check availability on GetYourGuide (opens in a new tab)Sources: Visit Rwanda · Uganda Wildlife Authority · IGCP · UNESCO · Africa Geographic · The Africa Specialists · GetYourGuide listings
For value and choice, Uganda: the permit is $800 against $1,500, and Bwindi has 25 families open to visitors against Rwanda’s 12. For a short trip with little driving and better photo light, Rwanda.
Rwanda charges $1,500 for the same one hour and sells only 96 permits a day. Uganda charges $800, or $600 in April, May and November 2026.
Yes. 22 tours on GetYourGuide combine the two; most trek gorillas in Uganda and add golden monkeys or Kigali in Rwanda.
Both are hard in different ways. Bwindi treks run 2–8 hours through dense, wet forest; Volcanoes treks are often shorter but start at 2,500 m or higher, where the air is thinner.
The East Africa Tourist Visa, $100, covers Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya. Otherwise Uganda is a $50 online visa and Rwanda gives visas on arrival, free for many nationalities.
Yes — about $1,200 all in, leaving Kigali before dawn and returning at night. In Rwanda the same day trip costs about $2,075 but is four hours shorter.
In Uganda, partly: 75% at 91+ days, falling to nothing within 8 days, and $600 low-season permits can’t be moved. Rwanda permits are generally non-refundable.
Yes, 15 in both countries.
More gorilla trekking Uganda pages
Prices and dates come straight from GetYourGuide.
Same gorillas, $700 apart
Trek in Uganda for value, or combine both countries on one trip.