Gorilla trekking is one of the most thrilling experiences that thousands of travelers have had more millions yearning to have. Coming to face to face with the wild mountain gorillas is something not forgettable. Watching the gorillas carry on with their day, feeding young ones and playing normally in the presence of humans is a lifetime experience.

There are only about 1000 mountain gorillas remaining in the whole world. They are endangered species that don’t survive in zoos, except in their natural habitats. The African gorillas live in the Virunga ranges straddling Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, making these three countries the only homes for the mountain gorillas.

Regardless of which country you trek the gorillas, you will still have outstanding gorilla experiences. Since all these countries are so close to each other and probably all cheap enough to attract trekkers, most tourists wonder in which country to trek the gorillas. Here is a comparison for gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is done in two gorilla homes of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga national park. Bwindi is the prime home of these mighty apes with almost half of the world’s total population of the mountain gorillas dwelling here. This makes Uganda the best gorilla destination in terms of numbers compared to the single gorilla homes in Rwanda and DR Congo; that is Volcanoes national park and Virunga national park respectively.

About the gorilla permit prices, they vary in the different countries. A permit in Uganda costs 600 USD, which is rising to 700 USD effective from July 2020. In Rwanda a single gorilla permit is 1500 USD and 500 USD in DR Congo. This makes Rwanda the most expensive gorilla destination. However, with the kuxury and quality services offered in Rwanda, the experience becomes worth. In whichever country you trek the gorillas, you won’t regret paying up your money.

In Uganda permits are got from the Uganda Wildlife Authority, from the Rwanda Development Board in Rwanda and from the park headquarters of Virunga national park in DR Congo. In all the three countries, tourists can book with reputable travel companies to save you from the delay and hustle of acquiring a gorilla permit.

When it gets to the accessibility of the gorilla homes, Rwanda wins hands down. Volcanoes national park is just a two-hour drive away from Kigali international airport, making it very possible to even do a one-day gorilla trekking safari. In Uganda, Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga national park are located 9-10 hours away from the country’s sole airport in Entebbe. Nevertheless, this nine-hour long journey is filled with stunning stopovers and beautiful sceneries, its simply also an experience of its own and just perfect for travelers who yearn for long hour journeys.

Alternatively, tourists who don’t like long journeys can access the parks through Rwanda since they are just four hours away from Kigali international airport. For Virunga national park in DR Congo, it can only be best accessed through Rwanda, crossing to the country by road through Gisenyi.