Category: Tips

There are many ways of encountering Mountain Gorillas at the cheapest means possible. Mountain Gorilla safaris are done in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. National Parks hosting Mountain Gorillas include:

• Volcanoes National Park – Rwanda
• Virunga National Park – Democratic Republic of Congo
• Mgahinga Gorilla National Park – Uganda
• Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Uganda

In this article, let us asses the possible ways of going on a low priced gorilla safari in Uganda, Rwanda or DR Congo. What makes a cheap trip depends on the distance, the cost of gorilla permit, the price of accommodation, fair quotations from different tour operators among others.

Currently, Rwanda gorilla permit cost US$1500, Uganda at US$700 while DRC cost US$400 so, travelers at low budget can wisely choose Gorilla trekking in Democratic Republic of Congo to save big.

• Self-driving is another way of cutting the prices. Here, you just need to hire a car and then drive to the gorilla park. Self – drive saves driver cost.
• Book budget accommodation in case your budget is low. Budget accommodation charges pocket friendly prices compared to Mid-range and Luxury accommodation.
• Book a short trip – 1 day Gorilla tour in Rwanda, Uganda or DRC is ideal. Short trip saves the travelers from high cost of accommodation, car charges and so on.
• Travel in low season – low season results into low travelers turn up. During this period, accommodation cut off prices, tour operators offer pocket friendly prices and so on.
• Visit multiple parks – Rwanda offers discounted gorilla permits for travelers who visit more than one National Park and spend at least 2 nights in each park. While in Rwanda, target to visit Volcanoes National Park (Home of mountain Gorillas), add on a visit to Nyungwe National Park or Akagera National Park.
• Join scheduled gorilla tours – Some tour companies set scheduled gorilla trip for groups and once you confirm your slot, you are entitled to a cheap gorilla safari.
• Get other people to join – they can be relatives or friend to share transport cost and accommodation thus reducing safari costs.
• Trek Gorillas in Democratic Republic of Congo – DRC is the cheapest destination as far as gorilla trekking is concerned. Currently, the cost of Gorilla permit in DRC is US$400 compared to that of Rwanda at US$1500 and Uganda at US$800.
• Use public transport to reach the gorilla parks – public transport seems to be cheaper than customized private transport. You just need to buy a gorilla permit and then use public transport to reach the gorilla park – trek Gorillas and leave the park.

Gorilla trekking is a life time event which every one should enjoy before death however; some people argue that the cost of gorilla permit is too high.

 

Budgeting for your gorilla trek in Rwanda or Uganda and DR Congo appropriately guarantees you total satisfaction on gorilla safari. Gorilla trekking is one of the most sought-after adventures in Africa and prior considering taking part in this life changing experience, you must budget right for it. There is a long list of things anyone interested in participating in gorilla trekking should be put together.

In this article, we have come up with several things you should be put together when budgeting for your gorilla trek in Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo. We also offer variety of gorilla trekking safari packages that suit every visitors’ budget.

Budget for gorilla trekking permit in Uganda, Rwanda and DRC

When planning or budgeting for your gorilla trek, first, you must consider a gorilla trekking permit. It is an essential tool you must have if you are to engage in a gorilla trek in Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo. A Uganda gorilla trekking permit costs US$800 for foreign non-residents, US$700 foreign residents and UGX 300000 for East African Community citizens. Visitors who may want to have more time with mountain gorillas, there is gorilla habituation experience offering you a sum of 4 hours face to face with these great apes. Permits for gorilla habituation are issued at US$1500 per person.

Rwanda, which is one of the three mountain gorilla trekking destinations in Africa issues out her gorilla permits at US$1500. The DR Congo which offers both mountain gorilla and Eastern lowland gorilla trek experiences, sells gorilla permits at US$450. You can have your gorilla trek tour and permits booked by our reservation team.

Budget for Gorilla Safari Lodge/Accommodation

Accommodation is essential to budget for if you are to have a complete gorilla trek in Uganda, Rwanda or DRC. All the four mountain gorilla watching destinations (Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Virunga National Park and Volcanoes National Park) have accommodation options ranging from budget, mid-range to luxury. You choose the best based on your wallet size. When booking for you accommodation facility for overnight stay, we make sure we find one that is near your gorilla trekking region.

Budget for transportation to and from the gorilla trekking destination

All gorilla safari parks are situated far away from city centres. This requires you to have appropriate means to connect to your preferred gorilla trekking park to enjoy your gorilla trek. The best way to reach  the Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking is by hiring a 4×4 safari vehicle. The price for tour vehicles varies from company to company but our fleet of rental cars come at affordable rates whether you need a Safari Land Cruiser, Coaster for large groups, Safari Vans, Rav4 or Super Custom.

Alternatively, you may take flight services especially for travelers planning to visit Bwindi Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. There are existing flight services for you to connect from Kajjansi airfield or Entebbe International Airport to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip.

Budget for other activities in addition to gorilla trekking

Uganda, Rwanda and DRC have a lot more to offer the world besides trekking to see mountain gorillas. There are several other activities to explore within the same gorilla safari parks or other national parks. You can add chimpanzee trekking, game drives, boat cruise, bird watching, cultural safaris, nature walks, hiking adventures on your budget for gorilla trek.

Budget for your packing list for gorilla trekking

For any plans to go on a gorilla trek, there is a long list of essential items you must have to have a successful gorilla experience. They include a good camera with no flashlight, hiking boots-waterproof, snacks, rain coat/jacket/poncho, gardening gloves, long-sleeved shirt, hat, sunscreen, first aid kit, gorilla permit, toiletries, sweaters, binoculars, insect repellents, trousers, socks and many others.

Rwanda is one of the best destinations in Africa offering ultimate big five game experience, mountain gorilla encounter and other primate safaris. It is perfectly explored while on a self-drive or driver guided safaris using car rental Rwanda. Rental cars in Rwanda are available at affordable rates and they can be rented in most locations in and around Kigali capital city.

Self-drive tours in Rwanda provide the most flexible road trip experience compared to other safaris. A visitor becomes in charge of his or her road trip. With wide range of self-drive rental cars, a visit to Rwanda for a self-drive tour never leaves you disappointed.

Toyota Rav4 SUV

If you are in need of a cheap Suv to rent in Rwanda on a short or long-term hire then booking our 4×4 Toyota Rav4 should be a must-do. The features that come with Rav4 Suv range from FM radio, air conditioner, powerful steering, 3-5 doors with capacity range of 2-4pax. This Suv rental is compact in size and ideal for self-drive tours, city tours, conference/business trips, camping and others.

Landcruiser

We have a range of Toyota Landcruiser rentals each offering ultimate Rwanda road trip experience to holidaymakers. You can book Toyota Landcruiser TX, Landcruiser TZ, Landcruiser VX each fitted with FM radio, MPS/CD player, adequate space, powerful engine and visitors can enjoy unlimited mileage.

Mini Van rental

Book Mini Van hire and you won’t return home disappointed. This is perfect for a little large group since it carries up to 7-14pax and best if you are headed for long-term projects.

Landcruiser V8 rooftop tent

Enjoy the best of Rwanda self-drive in a comfortable Toyota Landcruiser V8 rental. This is fitted with camping gear, 5 seater, air conditioner, diesel engine and you stand a great chance to enjoy unlimited mileage.  You can also opt for Landcruiser with double rooftop tent suitable for all your camping or self-drive trips.

Rental cars in Rwanda offer amazing opportunity for holidaymakers to indulge themselves into Rwanda’s magical wilderness area. Car hire services provide ultimate Rwanda experiences and visitors have variety to choose their best ride. Our fleet of rental cars in Rwanda range from budget Toyota Rav4, Mini Vans, Sedans, Super Customs, Land cruisers with and without rooftop tents to coaster buses for large group safaris.

We have the most affordable rental cars in Rwanda, full-serviced, comprehensively insured. They are also fitted with lots of amenities/facilities/features all aimed at making your Rwanda road trip memorable. Some of the features you will enjoy when you rent our cars range from air conditioners, CD player, FM radio to adequate space in the seats and at the boot for cargo.

Toyota Rav4

Looking for a comfortable budget ride? 4×4 Toyota Rav4 is the best recreational active vehicle anyone on budget tour in Rwanda should consider a must to hire. Rav4 rentals come in compact sizes which makes them the simplest to manage unlike others. They are suitable for solo travel, self-drive, city expeditions, business trips or conference. Hire our Toyota Rav4 and enjoy incredible features ranging from FM radio, air conditioner, adequate cargo and leg room, MP3/CD player.

Land Cruiser Prado

Rent our comfortable Land cruiser Prados- full time 4×4 drive that come in medium size with a capacity of 6pax. Hiring our 4×4 Land cruiser Prado lets you enjoy amazing features that come with it and these range from CD/MP3 player, air conditioner, FM radio and many more. We have a range of rental Land cruiser Prado rentals suitable for family tours, self-drive, airport transfers, conference and others. They come in various models ranging from Land cruiser TX, Land cruiser V8, Land cruiser LX or rent Land cruiser GX.

Safari Land cruiser

We have the best Safari Land cruiser with capacity of 7pax. Our Land cruiser rentals for safaris in Rwanda are suitable for camping, airport transfers, family tours, driver guided tours and others. The amenities to expect to cross in this particular rental car model include 2 spare tyre, air conditioner, inbuilt fridge, rooftop tent and MP3 or CD player.

Safari Mini Van

Rent Safari Mini Vans for all your Rwanda holiday safaris and you be left in regrets. We have comfortable Safari Mini Van rentals in their medium sizes and they are suitable for sightseeing in Rwanda. They are available with a carrying capacity of up to 9pax with adequate space, clean seats, air conditioner, FM radio. Other than sightseeing, our Minivans are also suitable for game viewing, family tours, picnics, group trips or camping.

Super Custom

Find the best Toyota Super Custom rental for all your safari holidays in Rwanda. Our Super Custom rentals are available and carry up to 6pax, fitted with incredible features that your road trip unforgettable. These range from CD/MP3 player, Sun roof, adjustable seats, air conditioner and they are suitable for city tours, guided tours, airport transfers or business tours.

Nissan Patrol

Nissan Patrol rental is comfortable and available with capacity of 4pax. It stands out of the many rental cars because of its ability to tackle all kinds of terrains, its adequate space and other features. We have the best Nissan Patrol for hire if you are interested in wildlife viewing, self-drive or driver guided tour.

Toyota Land cruiser TX

Enjoy a Rwanda holiday only using a full-time 4×4 Toyota Land cruiser TX. This is one of our classic Toyota Land cruiser rentals with capacity of 5pax. It is fitted with air conditioner and available in manual or automatic transmission.

Land cruiser V8 with rooftop tent

Land cruiser V8 with rooftop tent rental offers ultimate road trip in Rwanda. This is available with camping gear, 5 seats, unlimited mileage, diesel engine and manual transmission.

Land cruiser Hard Top Extended

A Rwanda road trip is enjoyable while in our full-time 4×4 Land cruiser Hard Top Extended rental. It is an ideal choice for game viewing in Akagera National Park Rwanda. It is fitted with amazing features such as mini-fridge, air conditioners.

Coaster buses

Small or large group safaris, we have you covered with our comfortable Coaster bus rentals. These are available with capacity range of 12 to 28pax all fitted with air conditioners, mini-fridge, clean and comfortable seats for you to have ultimate Rwanda road trip.