Budget Gorilla Trekking Safaris & Tours
Budget gorilla trekking safaris and tours are the perfect option for any primate enthusiast in search of an affordable, all-inclusive African safari. Book your budget gorilla trekking safari with Standard Safaris and explore the top budget-friendly gorilla destinations across Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo.
Talk to our expert to plan and book your budget gorilla trekking safari. At Standard Safaris, we offer a range of African safari packages, including a rewarding 3 day budget gorilla trek in Uganda, Rwanda, or Congo.
A budget gorilla safari makes the unforgettable gorilla encounter accessible to travelers who can't stretch to a luxury safari, offering the same opportunity to search the African jungle for mountain gorillas or eastern lowland gorillas, with plenty of cost-saving deals to keep your trip affordable.
Inquire NowBest Places for Budget Gorilla Trekking in Africa
Before booking a budget gorilla trekking safari, it helps to know which destination suits you best. The top budget gorilla trekking destinations in Africa are Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo.
Budget gorilla trekking in Rwanda: known as the Land of a Thousand Hills, Rwanda is home to scenic landscapes and abundant wildlife, and is a popular destination for mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, and golden monkeys. The only place to trek gorillas in Rwanda is Volcanoes National Park, located in the country's northwest and Rwanda's most visited safari destination.
Volcanoes National Park offers the chance to track mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei), a subspecies of eastern gorilla listed as endangered by the IUCN as of 2018. About 1,063 mountain gorillas remain in the wild, with over 35% of them living in the park's forests. About 13 gorilla families here are fully habituated and open to gorilla tourism, with one group visited per day and a maximum of 8 guests per group.
Inquire NowHabituated families to expect on a budget gorilla trek in Rwanda include the Hirwa, Amahoro, Karisimbi (Susa B), Susa A, Kwitonda, and Umubano groups, along with the Agashya, Sabyinyo, Ugenda, Bwenge, Titus, and Pablo groups.
Rwanda is known as a high-end gorilla safari destination, but it also welcomes visitors planning a budget trip. Here's what to know when planning a successful budget gorilla trek in Rwanda.
Inquire NowPlanning a Budget Gorilla Trek in Rwanda
When to go: timing matters for a budget gorilla trip. While the dry months are generally considered the best time to trek, the low or rainy season is the better window for budget travelers. The first low season in Volcanoes National Park runs from March to May, and the second from October to November. Planning your trip around these months can bring discounted permit rates, with a 30% discount on gorilla permits bringing the price down to US$1,050 per person, compared to the standard US$1,500.
Book budget lodges: for your stay in or around Volcanoes National Park, consider budget options such as Villa Gorilla Hotel, Kinigi Guesthouse, or Muhabura Hotel, all available at affordable rates.
Choose a budget rental car: a budget-friendly rental car is a practical choice for your road trip to and from Volcanoes National Park. Talk to our expert to book your rental car alongside the rest of your gorilla safari.
Inquire NowBudget Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Uganda is generally one of the most budget-friendly gorilla trekking destinations in Africa, with two parks to consider: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Together, these parks are home to about 50% of the world's endangered mountain gorillas.
Over 25 habituated gorilla families are open for budget gorilla trekking in Uganda. In Bwindi alone, you can trek any of 24 habituated families, spread across the park's four sectors: Ruhija, Rushaga, Nkuringo, and Buhoma. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has only one habituated group, with treks beginning from the Ntebeko sector.
Gorilla permits in Uganda: a single permit costs US$800 per person for foreign non-residents, US$700 for foreign residents, and UGX 300,000 for Ugandans and other East African residents. Visitors from the rest of Africa pay US$500 per person.
Contact Standard Safaris to plan and book a budget gorilla tour in Uganda. Current permit rates apply across both the dry and wet seasons, and it's worth booking your permit at least 2 to 6 months ahead of your visit.
Inquire NowBudget Gorilla Trekking in Congo
Congo is a strong choice for budget gorilla trekking in Africa, offering visitors the chance to interact with both lowland and mountain gorillas in the wild. Both subspecies of eastern gorilla can be tracked in the country's rainforest, an experience few other destinations can match.
Budget gorilla trekking destinations in DR Congo include Virunga National Park, the best place to find mountain gorillas, and Kahuzi-Biega National Park, known for its lowland gorilla encounters.
Price of Congo gorilla permits: valid gorilla permits in Congo cost US$400 per visitor, making Congo the most affordable of the three gorilla trekking countries. This rate applies to all visitors, whether trekking eastern lowland gorillas or mountain gorillas.
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Safety and security: Congo's safety and security situation continues to improve, thanks to coordinated efforts from local security organs. Before your trip, talk to your safari expert to confirm the best route and get up-to-date travel safety advice.
How to get to Congo: the easiest way to reach Congo for budget gorilla trekking is by road. A 4x4 safari vehicle works well for the journey from Kigali via Bukavu to Kahuzi-Biega National Park, or from Kigali via Gisenyi to Virunga National Park.
Inquire NowBackpacking & Cheapest Ways to See Gorillas
Backpacking when gorilla trekking: it's entirely possible to trek gorillas as a backpacker, and this is one of the best options for budget travelers on a tight budget. Pack essentials such as bottled drinking water, insect repellent, energy snacks, and long-sleeved shirts, along with sunscreen, waterproof bags, and a safari hat. Pack light, but make sure the essentials come first.
Cheapest ways to see gorillas in Africa: one of the simplest ways to cut costs is reducing the number of days on your trip, for example trimming a 5 day plan down to 3 days of gorilla trekking in Bwindi, Mgahinga, Virunga, or Volcanoes National Park. Traveling during the low season, from March to May or October to November, is another effective way to save, as accommodation often comes with discounts during these months.
Inquire NowBudget Gorilla Trekking Tips
Book a group gorilla tour: traveling as a group is a smart choice for a budget African holiday, letting you share costs such as transportation and fuel, and sometimes accommodation, with the rest of the group.
Travel during the low season: the best way to enjoy a budget gorilla trip in Uganda, Rwanda, or Congo is to travel during the off months, March to May and October to November, when discounts are typically available across all three countries.
Stick to a budget itinerary: choose gorilla safari packages built specifically around a budget. We have several options to suit different travel interests. Contact us to plan and book an unforgettable budget gorilla holiday.
Inquire NowBudget Lodges for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge: set in Ryarutagara overlooking Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, this lodge is a good fit for visitors trekking gorillas in the Rushaga sector, with a fully stocked bar, restaurant, and free Wi-Fi.
Ruhija Gorilla Friends Resort: an affordable place to stay for a budget gorilla tour in Bwindi's Ruhija sector, set not far from the Ruhija park gate.
Travelers Rest Hotel Kisoro: found on the outskirts of Kisoro, this budget lodge suits visitors trekking gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Buhoma Community Rest Camp: located just before the entrance to Bwindi, this camp is a good fit for backpackers and budget travelers heading into the Buhoma sector on the park's northern side.
Ride for a Woman Lodge: a budget lodge set up to support women in the Bwindi area, run by Ride 4 a Woman, a women's NGO with around 300 members.
Nshongi Gorilla Resort: an eco-friendly budget lodge in Rubuguli, about 40km from Mgahinga and just a few meters from the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, with free private parking, a garden, and a terrace.
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Budget Lodges in Rwanda & Congo
Hotel Muhabura (Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda): a budget facility with 30 rooms in a comfortable setting, well suited for relaxing before or after gorilla trekking.
Bukima Tented Camp (Virunga National Park, Congo): set at an altitude of 7,000ft on the edge of Virunga National Park, with views of Mount Mikeno (4,437m).
Overall, budget gorilla trekking safaris are a strong alternative for travelers who can't stretch to a luxury African gorilla tour in Uganda, Rwanda, or Congo. Contact Standard Safaris to plan and book the best budget gorilla safari for a memorable, affordable African holiday.
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