Budget gorilla trekking safaris and tours are the perfect option for any primate enthusiast who is in search of an affordable all-inclusive African safari. Wondering how you can get the best budget gorilla trekking safaris and tours in Africa? It is all simple, book budget gorilla trekking safaris and tours in Africa with Standard Safaris and transverse across top budget-friendly gorilla safari destinations including Uganda, Rwanda and Congo.
Talk to our expert to plan and book your budget gorilla trekking safaris and tours. At Standard Safaris, we offer a range of captivating African safari packages including a rewarding budget 3 day gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda & Congo.
Budget gorilla trekking in Africa offer a thrilling gorilla encounter. Embarking on a budget gorilla safari in Africa stands out to be the best option for budget travelers to also take part in the unforgettable gorilla encounter. It presents a lifetime opportunity to those who can’t afford luxury gorilla safaris to also immerse themselves in African jungles in search for mountain gorillas or Eastern lowland gorillas.
Budget gorilla trekking safaris and tours are a perfect choice, especially if you want to cut down on the cost of your African safari packages. They come with plenty of cost-saving safari deals that allow you enjoy the most affordable gorilla trekking holidays.
Best places to visit for budget gorilla trekking in Africa
Before you think of budget gorilla trekking safaris and tours, you should have an idea of which destination to visit. Top budget gorilla trekking destinations in Africa include Uganda, Rwanda and Congo.
Budget gorilla trekking in Rwanda
Lying in the heart of Africa and dubbed the Land of a Thousand Hills, Rwanda boasts of its breathtaking landscapes and abundant fauna. Rwanda is a popular African safari destination to find mountain gorillas, chimpanzees and golden monkeys.
On budget gorilla trekking safaris and tours in Rwanda, the only place to visit to see gorillas is Volcanoes National Park. Located in the Northwestern Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is Rwanda’s most popular destination and attracts visitors on gorilla safaris.
Visiting Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking is a great opportunity for tourists to search for mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei)–the subspecies of Eastern gorilla. As of 2018, mountain gorillas were listed by IUCN as the endangered species.
Currently, about 1063 mountain gorillas still exist in the wild and over 35% of these apes thrive in the jungles of Volcanoes National Park. About 13 habituated gorilla families have undergone through full habituation. These are open for gorilla tourism and only one gorilla group is visited per day. Each group of the mountain gorilla family is visited by a maximum of 8 guests.
The habituated gorilla families to expect to explore on budget gorilla trekking in Rwanda include Hirwa gorilla family, Amahoro, Karisimbi (Susa B), Susa A, Kwitonda, and Umubano. Other groups to visit include Agashya group, Sabyinyo, Ugenda, Bwenge, Titus, and Pablo.
Rwanda is famous as a high-end gorilla safari destination, but is also welcomes visitors who are interested in budget gorilla trekking. What you need to know when planning for a successful budget gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda.
When to go for budget gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda
Timing is essential if you intend to visit Rwanda for budget gorilla trekking safaris and tours. Yes, the dry months are known to be the best months of the year to go to trek gorillas. But the preferred months/period to travel for budget gorilla tours in Rwanda is during the off months/low/rainy season.
The first phase of low/off season in Volcanoes National Park occurs from March, April to May. The second phase of low season begins from October to November. Planning a budget gorilla trekking safari to Rwanda around this period can land you on discounted offers. Visitors can also book available discounted permit instead of paying the normal rate of USD 1500. During the low/off season, there is 30% discount offer that is given for gorilla permits and translates to USD 1050 per person.
Book budget lodges for your overnight stay in or around Volcanoes National Park
When choosing where to stay, consider booking a budget accommodation option. Some of the basic/budget lodges to book when planning a budget Rwanda gorilla tour include Villa Gorilla Hotel, Kinigi Guesthouse, and Muhabura Hotel. These are available for booking at the affordable rates.
Choose a budget rental car
There are many rental cars to choose for your road trips to and from Volcanoes National Park. A budget-friendly rental car is more preferable for your connection to and from Volcanoes National Park. Talk to our expert to book your budget rental car and the entire gorilla safari.
Budget gorilla trekking in Uganda
Uganda is generally a budget gorilla trekking destination in Africa. In Uganda alone, there are 2 places to consider for budget mountain gorilla trekking. They include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The two parks offer refuge to about 50% of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas.
Over 25 habituated gorilla families are all available for primate enthusiasts to explore on budget mountain gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda. In Bwindi alone, you can trek any of the 24 habituated gorilla families which are distributed across the 4 sectors –Ruhija, Rushaga, Nkuringo and Buhoma.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park features only one habituated gorilla group. During gorilla trekking in Mgahinga, the treks begin from Ntebeko sector.
Gorilla permits in Uganda
Uganda is a typical budget gorilla safari destination. A single gorilla permit on budget gorilla tour in Uganda can be booked at USD 800 per person –for foreign nonresidents. The foreign residents can book a permit in Uganda at USD 700 and Ugandans plus other East African residents pay Uganda shillings 300,000. The rest of Africa pay USD 500 per person to book gorilla permit in Uganda.
Contact Standard Safaris to book and plan a budget gorilla tour in Uganda. The current rates for Uganda gorilla permit cut across all the seasons in the travel calendar (dry and wet season). Consider booking a gorilla permit in Uganda in advance and to be on a safer side, you can do this at least 2-6 months before the actual visit to see gorillas.
Budget gorilla trekking in Congo
Congo is amazingly the best place to consider visiting in Africa when it comes to budget gorilla trekking safaris and tours. Budget gorilla safaris in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) offer a lifetime opportunity for you to interact with both the lowland and mountain gorillas in the wild.
Congo gorilla encounters are exceptional in the sense that visitors can enjoy a trek to see both mountain gorillas and Eastern gorillas. All these two subspecies of Eastern gorillas can be trekked in the natural rainforest.
Budget gorilla trekking destinations to explore in DRC include Virunga National Park and Kahuzi-Biega National Park. Virunga National Park is the best place to find mountain gorillas in the DRC. Kahuzi-Biega National Park offers the excellent lowland gorilla encounters.
Price of Congo gorilla permits
Valid gorilla permits in Congo cost USD 400 per visitor making it the most affordable gorilla destination. The price of gorilla permits does apply to all visitors on a gorilla tour to Congo and plan to visit the Eastern lowland gorillas or mountain gorillas.
Safety and security on gorilla safari in Congo
Congo is regaining its safety and security thanks to coordinated efforts from the different security organs. Before visiting any destination, first, talk to your safari expert to be certain about the route to use and other travel safety advice.
How to get to Congo for budget gorilla trekking?
The easiest way to reach Congo for budget gorilla trekking is by road transportation. A 4×4 safari vehicle is essential for road trips and you can drive off from Kigali via Bukavu to Kahuzi-Biega National Park. Or drive from Kigali via Gisenyi to Virunga National Park to enjoy a budget mountain gorilla trekking.
Backpacking when gorilla trekking
Even if you are a backpacker, it is possible to go trek gorillas. Backpacking is the best option available for budget travelers with tight budget yet want to be part in gorilla trekking.
On backpacking gorilla tour, your backpack should comprise several essentials such as bottled drinking water, insect repellents, energy giving snacks, and long-sleeved shirts.
The other items to have in your backpack include sunscreen, waterproof bags, safari hat and more. Packing light but with essentials first is key while on backpacking gorilla trekking safari.
Cheapest ways to see gorillas in Africa
The cheapest ways to see gorillas in Africa is by reducing the number of days you plan to be in your destination. If your plan is to take about 5 days, you can cut them to about 3 days. On budget gorilla trekking safari, it is possible to have 3 days gorilla trekking tour in Bwindi or in Mgahinga as well as Virunga National Park and Volcanoes National Park.
Travel during low season: The best way to enjoy a cheap gorilla trip in Africa is by embarking on a tour during the low or off season. This can be from March to May, October to November –the months of the year when accommodation can offer some discounts.
Budget gorilla trekking tips
Book a group gorilla tour
A group gorilla trip is the perfect option for anyone with plans to visit Africa on budget holiday. With group gorilla tours, you can have some costs shared by the rest of the members. Transportation and fuel cost is usually the biggest expense visitors on group travel share together. Besides transportation, visitors can also share the cost on accommodation.
Travel to trek gorilla during the low season
The best way to enjoy budget gorilla trip in Uganda, Rwanda or Congo is by traveling around the low or off-months of the year. On the travel calendar, the off-months to plan your gorilla trip include March, April, May and October, November. Discount offers are usually available for tourists visiting Uganda, Rwanda and or Congo during the low season.
Just book a budget trip
Stick to budget gorilla trips when searching for gorilla safari packages to book. We have several budget options to book that suit your travel interest. Contact us to plan and book unforgettable budget gorilla holiday.
Preferred budget lodges for gorilla trekking safaris.
Budget lodges in Uganda.
Rushaga Gorilla havens Lodge: Set in Ryarutagara and overviewing the stunning Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. It is best for visitors with plans to visit gorillas in Rushaga sector. It features amenities such as a fully stocked bar, restaurant, and free Wi-Fi.
Ruhija gorilla friends resort: This is the best and affordable place to stay on budget gorilla tour in Bwindi, specifically in Ruhija sector. This budget lodge is set not far from the Ruhija park gate in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Travelers Rest Hotel Kisoro: Found just in the outskirts of Kisoro, Travelers Rest Hotel Kisoro is a budget lodge. This is a budget accommodation suitable for visitors on budget gorilla tour in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Buhoma Community Rest Camp: Located just before you reach the entrance of Bwindi, Buhoma Community Rest Camp is a perfect place to stay in by backpackers and budget travelers. It is ideal for visitors with plans to explore gorillas in Buhoma sector in Northern side of Bwindi.
Ride for a woman lodge: This is a budget accommodation set up to empower women of Bwindi National Park. It is run by the Ride 4 a Woman, a women’s NGO which comprises 300 members.
Nshongi gorilla resort: This budget and eco-friendly lodge is found in Rubuguli, about 40 km from Mgahinga and a few meters away from the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It has a free private parking, garden, terrace and other essential amenities to make your overnight stay comfortable.
Budget lodge in Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park.
Hotel Muhabura: This is a budget facility with 30 rooms. Set in a cozy environment worth booking for relaxation after or before gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.
Budget lodge in Congo’s Virunga National Park.
Bukima Tented Camp: Located an altitude of 7000ft at the edge of Virunga National Park. This lodge is set overviewing the scenic Mikeno Volcano (4437m).
Overall, budget gorilla trekking safaris are a perfect alternative available for holidaymakers who can’t afford luxury African gorilla tours in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. Contact Standard Safaris to plan and book the best budget gorilla safaris holidays and enjoy a remarkable African budget safari full of lasting memories.
