How to Undertake A Gorilla Safari on A Budget

When thinking of what to do during your trip to Uganda, gorilla safaris always check on most boxes of many visitors. The exceptional size and physical appearance of the mountain gorillas (with thick dark fur), their unique natural habitat (dense rainforests high on the mountains-between 2500 and 4000 meters above sea level), their close relation to humans (sharing 98.2% DNA) and gentle nature makes them one of travelers’ must-see creatures during Uganda safaris.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda

While gorilla trekking is always a dream for many travelers, the activity is considered costly, considering the high price of gorilla permits ($700 per person for foreign non-residents, $600 for foreign residents and Shs. 250,000 per person for the East African residents in Uganda, $1500 per person for Rwanda visitors and about $400 per person for visitors to the Democratic Republic of Congo).

In this article, we shall be covering the simple ways of undertaking a gorilla safari on a budget, so as to have a rough idea on what to expect during the trip.

Transportation

Flight is the main way of arriving into Uganda but how you choose to go around will be a big determinant to your overall budget during gorilla safaris. Instead of using domestic flights for getting around the country, you can instead use road transportation. Even while using road, there are cheaper transport means that cost between $30 and $80 per day, without fuel.

Accommodation

Another factor on how to undertake a gorilla safari on a budget is by finding a more affordable/budget accommodation facility during the trip. It is no brainer that accommodation facilities in/around Gorilla National Parks are generally expensive and it is difficult to get something descent below $50. However, this will depend on the time of the year as it can be most costly or cheaper depending on the time of the year.

Normally, you can find accommodation of about $50 to $80 per night for the budget Lodges, although meals might not be included on this cost. However, location also determines the room rates but whatever you do, make sure that the Lodge booked isn’t so far from the trailhead of the gorilla group or trekking sector/region.

Choosing the Gorilla Trekking destination

Mountain Gorilla trekking is only conducted in three countries-Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo and they have varying rates of gorilla permits. Permits cost $700 per person in Uganda, $400 per person in DRC and $1500 per person in Rwanda. DRC would have been the cheapest destination for gorilla safaris but considering the insecurity issue in the country, Uganda becomes to best place for undertaking a gorilla safari on a budget.

Mountain Gorillas

Undertaking the gorilla safari during the low season

Another way to undertake a gorilla safari on a budget is by booking the trip during the low season (March, April, May, October and November). During these months, rainfall levels are higher and fewer visitor tend to book for gorilla safaris. For this reason, the few travelers that book for gorilla safaris are guaranteed of enjoying low season (discounted) rates on rooms hence saving money in the long run. However, the challenge for gorilla trekking during these months is that rains become heavy hence making forest trails muddy and slippery.

Eat out

Eating out is another way of enjoying a gorilla safari on a budget, and it not only helps you to save but also part of the Uganda gorilla safari experience. Sometimes the Budget Safari Lodges that visitors stay with will provide expensive but mediocre food. You can choose to find a cheaper yet more delicious option as a way of saving and enjoying the gorilla safari on a budget.