How much does it cost to go gorilla trekking in Uganda?.
A typical gorilla Safari in Uganda begins at US Dollars 900 but can go to more than US Dollars 5000 per person. It is very clear that a gorilla trekking safari will cost you time, money and energy. Yes you will have to walk to the gorillas. They live in thick rain forests and at some point you will have to walk or be hand lifted by the porters at an extra cost. This is why gorilla trekking is not your average trip, its an adventure safari. Getting to the question, how much does it costs to go gorilla trekking in Uganda, we have to consider the following factors;
Gorilla permit cost:
Before you participate in a gorilla trekking expedition, you should have secured a gorilla permit. The Uganda gorilla trekking permit normally costs USD 700 each and is non refundable. It is also secured several months in advance due to limited availability. This is the evidence that you paid for the gorilla trekking expedition at either Bwindi or Mgahinga gorilla forests.
Transport to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
To travel from Entebbe to Bwindi, you need a reliable vehicle. The journey takes roughly 9 hours and takes you through some difficult roads where a 4WD is a must. This is why we at Mandela Safari Holidays use Toyota Land cruiser for your African Safari. The African roads can be rough and unpredictable and yes, the Land cruiser is the most reliable car for an African expedition.
Budget/ Travel style.
The travel style/budget of the traveler is a very crucial factor. As one is willing to spend a night in a budget lodge, the other is ready to splash a lot more money. In Bwindi and Mgahinga, there is accommodation at all levels. That’s to say, budget, mid-range, luxury and high end accommodation. It is also possible to do a camping safari to see gorillas. Let us know which level of luxury you are considering and we shall get you a free quote instantly.
Length of travel for your gorilla adventure
The length of travel will determine whether someone has to fly or drive to the gorilla parks. A flying safari is always more convenient for individuals who have very limited time but want to see gorillas. You fly to Bwindi Forest and it takes less than two hours to arrive. It is also recommended for people who want to mix gorillas with a safari to Kenya or Tanzania. It saves a reasonable amount of time. However, this is a more expensive option than overland travel.
Number of people on your gorilla trekking safari.
The number of people on your gorilla safari also highly determines how much you will spend. Normally, group tours are cheaper than private safaris because there are some costs like transport to be shared. Much as private safaris are more expensive, if you go for a private gorilla safari as a family, you pay less per person than others who travel solo or as a couple. The more the people on safari, the less the cost and vice-versa.
Season of travel
The season of the year when you want to go on a gorilla safari determines the price a lot. If you travel in the busy months of July-September or December and January, expect to pay more. Unlike when you travel in the low season months of March to June and September to November. This is because the African safari lodges/accommodation tend to charge high prices in the high season months when there are many safari goers unlike in the low season. Some accommodations cut their prices to half of that in the high season hence making it cheaper to travel in the low season than in the high season. Thus answering the question,
“how much does it cost to go gorilla trekking in Uganda?”.