Tips for booking and enjoying budget Uganda gorilla safaris to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks with Superfine Safaris Limited. Whereas gorilla trekking ranks among the most expensive wildlife experiences in the world, our customized budget Uganda gorilla safaris enable you to meet and encounter endangered mountain gorillas on a low budget. Superfine Safaris takes you through different guidelines that will help you ensure a budget gorilla trekking safari.
Several factors determine the overall cost of gorilla trekking in Uganda. These include transport, accommodation, number of days, and your group size (how many people you are traveling with). At Superfine Safaris we give you tips for booking a budget Uganda gorilla safari without compromising the quality of the gorilla trekking experience. These tips also help you to book the overall Uganda wildlife safari
Tips for budget Uganda gorilla safaris
Travel during the low season
YES, travel during the low season between March to June and September to December and you will realize the low cost of gorilla trekking in Uganda. The low season is normally wet and characterized by heavy everyday rains which most people do not find comfortable traveling in. The low rate of visits during the low season attracts discounted offers from service providers especially lodges, hotels, and transport companies.
These reduced prices for accommodation and food to entice travelers and encourage them to visit. A reduction in the cost of accommodation and other services will reduce the overall cost of gorilla trekking hence rewarding you with a budget Uganda gorilla safari.
Book budget accommodation
Budget Uganda gorilla safaris require you to book and stay at budget lodges and hotels. Whereas as they are categorized as budget, these facilities are good, safe, and comfortable. The difference between them and the midrange and high end is sometimes not felt. A variety of budget lodges and resorts have been established in all regions of Bwindi Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks to offer you a comfortable and cheap yet safe stay. Some of the budget lodges in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park include
- Broadbill Forest Camp
- Bwindi Panaroma Forest Lodge
- Bwindi Community Homestay
- Gorilla Valley Lodge
- 3 Way Gorilla Resort
- Nshongi Campsite
- Bwindi Backpackers Lodge
- Buhoma Community Rest Camp
- Bwindi View Bandas
Superfine Safaris Limited helps you to contact a lodge of your choice to reserve accommodation for your stay during your Budget Uganda gorilla safaris
Join a group gorilla tour
If you get a chance and find any group enrolling new members you are advised to join them. Group tours are cheap and affordable compared to private and solo Uganda gorilla safaris. While on a Uganda group tour, you will share most of the costs such as transport and accommodation. This lowers the overall cost hence ensuring a budget Uganda gorilla safari. You are however you are advised to join a group with the same interest and energy as yours
Start your Uganda gorilla safari from Kigali Rwanda
Flying into Kigali International Airport Rwanda and crossing to Bwindi Forest/Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is much easier than connecting from Entebbe International Airport Uganda. The driving time to Kigali is roughly 5 hours compared to over 9 to 10 hours’ drive time from Entebbe/Kampala. The long-distance comes with much fuel consumption and hence the increased cost of gorilla safari. Budget Uganda safari travelers are therefore advised to start and end their gorilla safaris in Kigali Rwanda. Kigali to Uganda gorilla trekking is a deal to ensure budget Uganda gorilla safaris
Reduce the number of Days
Shorter gorilla trips are cheaper compared to long gorilla safaris. Reducing the number of days for your gorilla trekking safari is therefore one way of ensuring a budget Uganda gorilla safari. Superfine Safaris has customized short-day gorilla trips which include 1 Day Uganda gorilla trekking starting from Kigali Rwanda. 2 Days Bwindi gorilla tour and 3 Day Uganda gorilla safari. These are cheap compared to a 10-day Uganda gorilla safari which comes with many days of paying for accommodation, transport, meals, and a driver guide among others.
Use cheap means of transport
Ensure to use cheap means of transport on your budget Uganda gorilla safari to Bwindi Forest/Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks. There are private chattered flights from Entebbe airport to kihihi and Kisoro airstrips where you can easily connect to Bwindi/Mgahinga Gorilla Parks, this is so expensive. At Superfine Safaris, we advise you to use affordable transport means. We have 4×4 wheels at affordable rates. Also, you can use public means and travel in a bus to gorilla parks on your budget Uganda gorilla safari.
People also ask
How much does it cost to gorilla safari in Uganda?
The cost of gorilla safari in Uganda ranges between $950 to $2500 per person. Thus cost is determined by different factors such s gorilla permit cost, accommodation, mode of transport, and the number of days for a gorilla safari. You are reminded that the cost of a Uganda gorilla permit is fixed as set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Each gorilla permit costs $800 for foreign nonresidents, $700 for foreign residents, and UGX 300,000 for East African citizens. In addition, gorilla habituation permits in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Forest cost $1500 each.
Do I own the permit after paying for it?
NO, a mountain gorilla permit remains the property of the Uganda Wildlife Authority even after you have fully paid for it. Each traveler MUST report with his/her gorilla permit on the day of gorilla trekking. UWA wardens collect permits from clients which are recycled back into the system. No traveler goes into the jungle with a gorilla permit.
What if I fail to see gorillas?
On rare occasions when travelers fail to see gorillas due to natural calamities such as heavy rains and floods, they are given another chance to trek gorillas without paying again. However if one fails to see gorillas due to personal challenges such as failure to hike, there is no second chance unless he/she pays again. In other words, gorilla permits are nonrefundable
What to pack on budget Uganda gorilla safaris?
You are reminded to pack the right attire and other essential things for your budget Uganda gorilla safari. Among the things you must pack include sanitary wear for ladies, long pants, hiking boots, gardening gloves, a hat, sunglasses, insect repellents, a rain jacket, and energy-giving snacks plus enough drinking water
