Budget gorilla Safaris - 2021 to 2022

Budget Gorilla Safaris & Tours for 2023 – 2024

Realm Africa Safaris™ specializes in tailormade Budget Uganda – Rwanda Gorilla Safaris & tours visiting Bwindi Forest National Park in Uganda or Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.

All our Budget Gorilla trekking packages include gorilla trekking permits, accommodation, meals, ground transportation, and all transport-related costs like fuel and parking, and most importantly, all our Budget gorilla safaris are fully escorted by a local driver-guide – this means you have a private local guide with you the entire tour.

Browse the list of budget Uganda – Rwanda Gorilla Safaris & Tours for 2023 – 2024 to find that ideal holiday that fits your interest(s) and budget.


Popular Budget Uganda Gorilla Safaris & Tours for 2023 – 2024



Popular Budget Rwanda Gorilla Safaris & Tours for 2023 – 2024



How to plan & book a Budget Gorilla Tours in 2023 – 2024


  • Decide on your Destination.

The choice of destination does greatly after your budget on any holiday. Mountain Gorilla Trekking can be done in Uganda, Rwanda, and DR. Congo.

  • Gorilla Permits in Uganda cost US$700 Per person to spend 1-hour viewing a group of Habituated Gorillas
  • Rwanda Gorilla permits cost USD1,500 per person to stay 1-hour watching a group of Habituated Gorillas.

DR. Congo gorilla permits prices fluctuate between US$400 – 600 per person and are the lowest price for gorilla Permits you can find anywhere in the world. However, Gorilla trekking in Congo is quite unsafe, and tourists and park rangers have been kidnapped and shot dead. The most recent attack happened on 24/April/2020 (see: https://news.mongabay.com/2020/04/twelve-rangers-killed-in-latest-virunga-park-incident/)

Related: Why DR congo is not safe for Gorilla Trekking

  • Decide on where to stay. gorilla trekking on a Budget

The accommodation comes in various categories from the Basic campsites, homestays, Bend & breakfast guesthouses, and midrange lodges located close to the gorilla trekking point to the very luxurious “break a bank” properties.

You need to choose the accommodation based on your budget. There is really no need to lavish your Money on a very luxurious property unless you think otherwise. There are great value mid-range properties that offer amazing rates on Fullboard.


Where to stay while on a budget gorilla Tour to Bwindi Forest National Park in Uganda



Where to stay while on a budget Gorilla tours to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda


  • Decide the best time to go. 

There are three (03) travel seasons for most destinations in East Africa; Low season, Shoulder season, and Peak Or high season.

Low season -April, May & November (rainy season) is characterized by fairly unpleasant weather, but amazing discounts on accommodation and general logistics like transport. There are fewer people traveling during this time.

Shoulder season – September, October, December to March is the season between the short rains – not so wet,  but prices are beginning to go up again. There are, however, fewer people traveling then.

Peak season is self-explanatory (June to August). It is at this time that we see crowds, gorilla permits, accommodation, and package tours have limited availability or are completely booked/sold out. It is expensive to travel during this time.

  • Decide whether to use a tour operator or Do it yourself.

Tour operators come in two (02) categories: Foreign tour operators based in your home country, and local tour operators based in the actual place you want to visit.

Your home-based foreign tour operator is probably one you have worked with on a couple of trips previously and he/she has been amazing. The untold truth, however, is that your home-based tour operator does mark up the trip with about 15 – 30% added to what the actual local tour operator has quoted. The additional markup by your home-based tour operator makes the trip costly however we also understand that you might feel safer dealing with the one you know than risk your money in the hands of a local tour operator located miles away from you.

To keep the price of the trip reasonable and affordable, you might consider working directly with a reputable local tour operator. We, however, recommend that you do thorough checkups to ensure that the tour operator you choose to work with is legit; legally registered, and belongs to the Association of Uganda Tour Operators

Top tip(s): Make time and read through the reviews from previous clients (**be careful as a review can be deceiving), and check if the tour operator is a member of any trade Association, for instance, Realm Africa safaris™ is a fully registered member of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators.

If you are a DIY (do it yourself) person, you will need to start planning well in advance. For instance, you will need to contact the Uganda Wildlife Authority to book your Gorilla permit(s), then also move fast to secure your accommodation and eventually decide on a Car Hire company. This can be cheap but might cost you at one point. It can be risky to drive on African roads, the signage is very poor, and internet connections are unreliable for you to work on GPS – It does get even more complicated when you don’t get the timelines correct for your gorilla trek.

Related: How to book my own Gorilla Permit Directly with UWA. | How to book a Rwanda Gorilla Permit with RDB.


What to wear/bring on your Gorilla trek.


What to wear on my gorilla trek.

  • Bring a mask for your trek and the entire travel. ( See: Best mask for gorilla trekking)
  • Sturdy Lightweight walking shoes. the lighter the better. Extra weight on the trek is not good.
  • Long-sleeved shirt and trousers to provide extra body protection against thorny shrubs.
  • Long socks that allow you to tuck your pants in to avoid bugs from climbing into your pants while on the trek.
  • Rain jacket in case it rains. Remember you are trekking in a tropical rainforest.
  • Gaiters (Optional). Don’t spend On new ones. These can well be substituted with long socks to serve the same purpose.

 

What to bring on your trek.

  • A camera for your photographic needs. Don’t spend BIG on a camera. if you own an iPhone, they too take amazing pictures especially under limited forest light.
  • Binoculars (optional). They might come in handy when spotting some forest birds. Your ranger guide will have a pair that he is willing to share.
  • A hat (optional). This is to keep branches and leaves let alone bugs from falling into your hair.
  • Drinking water. Realm Africa Safaris™ will provide adequate bottled drinking water for the entire trip.
  • Packed Lunch. Realm Africa Safaris™ will take care of this. All our trips include meals unless agreed otherwise
  • A Day Pack to carry all your personal items while on the trek. ** We recommend using a porter to carry your day pack for you (see: why to use a porter for Gorilla trekking)

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