Mgahinga Gorilla Treks Via Kigali

Mgahinga Gorilla Treks Via Kigali are more appropriate and comfortable for visitors interested in trekking Mgahinga’s only habituated gorilla family without going through the long drives to the Park or are limited by time. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of Uganda’s wonderful gorilla trekking destinations, nestled within the south-west of the country and is approximately 9 hours’ drive from the Capital. This seems like a whole lot of time on the road and therefore trekkers can opt to start the journey from Rwanda’s Kigali City/Airport.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is only about 3-4 hours’ drive from Kigali City/Airport, hence making the option of Gorilla Treks via Kigali the best and most preferred by visitors limited by time and those who find it cumbersome to endure long drives. Cross-overs between the two countries happen at Cyanika border point, after which drive for only one hour to the gorilla trekking destination.

There is only one habituated gorilla family in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park known as Nyakagezi and therefore only 8 gorilla permits are available per day. 

Why opt for Mgahinga Gorilla Treks via Kigali?

One of the reasons for opting to undertake Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking via Kigali is the fact that Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is closer and easily accessible from Kigali International Airport than it is with Entebbe International Airport (the main gateway into Uganda). Visitors embarking their Mgahinga Gorilla trekking via Kigali will spend only 3-4 hours on the road while those beginning the journey from Entebbe will spend between 9 and 10 hours driving to the gorilla trekking destination. With 2 days or even one day, it is therefore possible to trek Mgahinga Gorillas from Kigali City. 

In the past, Mgahinga gorilla treks via Kigali were challenging because of the long border crossing process that sometimes required processing visas but with the introduction of the East African Tourist Visa, you can use a single visa to visit both Uganda and Rwanda. 

Another reason to undertake the Mgahinga Gorilla Treks via Kigali is the more costly permits for Mgahinga Gorilla National Park compared to Volcanoes National Park. It is a known fact that Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is the most accessible of the four gorilla trekking destinations (others being Virunga, Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks) but the exorbitant price of gorilla permits makes it more costly for budget travellers. With Mgahinga Gorilla Treks via Kigali, travellers would be killing two birds with one stone-cost effectiveness and accessibility. A single Mgahinga Gorilla permit costs $700 for foreign non-residents, $600 for foreign residents and Shs. 250,000 for East African Community residents. 

Best time to book for Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking via Kigali

Gorilla treks generally sell like hot cakes and therefore booking for Mgahinga Gorilla Treks via Kigali has to be at least 6 months in advance. This gives you enough time to plan for your gorilla safari and also for the tour operator or any other booking agent to organize for other important aspects of your safari, especially booking a place to stay and transport. Remember that this National Park has only one habituated gorilla group, meaning only 8 gorilla permits are sold each day. You will therefore need to book early to avoid last-minute disappointments. 

How to book for Mgahinga Gorilla Trekking via Kigali

Booking for Mgahinga Gorilla Treks via Kigali is easier with the services of a credible tour operator who will purchase your gorilla permit at the same time plan for pick-up from Kigali Airport or any other location in the City.

Provide information on the planned/intended trekking date and number of people, which will be important in checking for availability of gorilla permits, booking transport and place to stay. 

Besides gorilla treks, visitors to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can also participate in golden monkey tracking, the Batwa Trail, volcano climbing, bird watching and guided forest walks.