Booking a Budget gorilla tour in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo
Budget gorilla tours and safaris are available on a daily in Uganda, Rwanda, and The Democratic Republic of Congo, with Uganda generally considered the most budget-friendly and safe option because of lower permit costs ($800 compared to $1500 in Rwanda).
Affordable gorilla trekking packages typically include 2-4 day trips and may include basic but descent accommodation, private road transport, and a trained driver guide, with some options costing around $1100-$1300 per person sharing in a minimum group of two people for a 3-day trip.
Cheapest Gorilla trekking destination in Africa
A budget gorilla trekking safari is influenced by the price of a gorilla permit in the three countries offering gorilla trekking excursions since it is the most driving factor.
The cheapest gorilla permit price and best overall value can be found in Uganda, with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Uganda is the most preferred budget friend gorilla trekking destination because of security and safety compared to The Democratic Republic of Congo with lowest gorilla permit price but with significant insecurity.
Rwanda on the other hand offers a more expensive but high-end luxury experiences to the extent that a price of gorilla permit in Uganda is equivalent to a 2 or 3 day all-inclusive budget gorilla tour in Uganda or Democratic Republic of Congo
Therefore, when planning or booking a budget gorilla tour in Africa aimed at reducing the overall cost, make sure you choose the gorilla trekking destination wisely, consider traveling in low seasons, opt for budget lodges and campsite as well as seeking advice from reliable tour operators like Encounter Africa Safaris.
The only ways for reducing the total cost include choosing your destination wisely, traveling during the low season, and opting for budget lodging.
How does Uganda feature as a budget Gorilla safari destination?
Generally, Uganda the most affordable and safe gorilla trekking destination, especially when it comes to combining gorillas with other activities.
- A Gorilla Permit in Uganda costs are lower ($800 for foreign nonresidents, $700 for foreign residents and $500 rest Africa while East Africans pay UGX300,000 only) allowing you to allocate the rest of the money to other costs such transport, accommodation and optional activities
- When planning a budget gorilla safari in Uganda, Look for safaris that include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Democratic Republic of Congo as a Budget Gorilla safari destination
While congo offers both Mountain gorilla in Virunga and National Park and lowland gorilla trekking in Kahuzi-Biega National Park, Virunga National Park is closed as of 2025 so travelers to Congo can consider Kahuzi Biega where a gorilla permit to see lowland gorillas is the cheapest in East Africa.
Rwanda
Rwanda is the most expensive gorilla trekking country in the world with the current price at $1500 per person per trek for one hour. Rwanda is very clear on her intentions of being a high-end tourist destination.
The only way to off set cost is by reducing in days of the tour, booking in a budget lodge as well as opting for cheap road transport vehicles.
How to book a budget gorilla tour in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo
Encounter Africa Safaris suggests the below tips and strategies when booking a budget gorilla safari in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo to enable you save on overall safari costs.
- Consider Trekking gorillas in the low season: The “low season in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo,” normally runs from March to May and then October to November, offering lower prices for lodges due to decreased demand.
- Gorilla Permit prices in low seasons are generally fixed but may sometimes be discounted in Congo and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park during this time. Get in touch with us.
- Consider budget accommodation options: Both Uganda and Rwanda Gorilla National Parks and nearby towns offer basic lodges, guesthouses and community-run campsites can drastically reduce the overall costs. In Uganda, options like Bwindi Backpackers Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, Broadbill forest Camp and so many more.
- Book a shorter safari: For you to reduce of the price of a gorilla tour to suit your budget, you should consider reducing on the number of days since the more the days the more expensive the tour with become. A 2 day gorilla tour or A 3-day gorilla safari are some of shortest and most affordable option.
- Join a group tour with set dates: Encounter Africa Safaris offers scheduled departure group tours that allow participants to share the tour costs of transportation, accommodation and guiding services, reducing on the individual price. Contact us on availability and dates.
- Consider Uganda gorilla Uganda via Kigali: Plan to fly into Kigali International Airport, Rwanda, and drive four to five hours to Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park instead of Entebbe International Airport in Uganda. This will save you up $700 difference in permit cost while avoiding the 8–10 hour drive from Uganda’s capital and consumes more fuel.
- Use local Licensed tour operators: Booking directly with a local, reliable and registered tour operator such as Encounter Africa Safaris who are in position to negotiate better deals and rates locally compared to when you book with international companies. At Encounter Africa Safaris we will advise you on local budget-friendly options available.
- Hire a porter: Much as you are trying to go budget on every item, we advise you to hire a porter for around $20, who can carry your gear and assist you during the trek in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. This will not only makes the hike easier for you but you will be supporting the locals directly since porters come from communities near these national parks.
What to expect from a budget tour
- Duration of the tour: Short gorilla trips in Uganda, Congo and Rwanda are often the most budget-friendly, with options for 1-day, 2-day, or 3-day treks. These can start and end in Kigali or start and end in Entebbe.
- Gorilla Permits: Tours can include the gorilla permit in the price, with prices varying by location. Before booking any tour individually or through a tour operator, first inquire if the price of the permit is included.
- Accommodation: Expect Lodges included in your tour to be more basic but descent compared to luxury tours. Check reviews on trip adviser and booking.com to see what others are saying.
- Transport: Encounter Africa Safaris budget gorilla trips in Uganda or Uganda and conducted in private transportation, such as a van or a basic Land Cruiser, with a driver/guide. These vans are comfortable enough for the journey and come with drinking water on board.
- Optional activities: Budget gorilla trekking packages can be combined with other experiences like Batwa experience, village walks or wildlife viewing, cultural tours, or chimpanzee trekking in other parks like Queen Elizabeth National Park or Kibale National Park.
For your safari bookings and more information, kindly get in touch with our team today.