Budget Safaris to Nkuringo Region: Without a doubt, the southern sector of Nkuringo Region is one of the Best Places to go on a budget Gorilla safari in Bwindi. Our Budget Safaris range from short 2 Days Safari satrting in Rwanda to the more Complex Uganda Safaris that visit Uganda’s Premium Safari Parks and include; chimpanzee tracking, Lions tracking and remarkable boat safaris.
The Nkuringo region is well situated only 5 hours from Kigali (Rwanda) unlike from Entebbe where it would take you a whopping 10 hours driving (oneway) to get to Nkuringo Region – something we never want to subject our clients to especially if they clearly mention that they are here for a gorilla trekking holiday – why would we give them a driving Holiday instead- spending all their valuable time in a car – it just not what we sell. However, we are rather proud to mention that we organize the best Gorilla Safaris planned around ensuring you get to spend more time at your destination other than in the car trying to get there.
The Best Budget Safaris to Nkuringo Region (Bwindi)
How to plan a Budget Gorilla Trekking Safari to NKuringo Region
- Decide on whether You will do Gorilla Trekking or Gorilla Habituation to go gorilla Trekking: Uganda or Rwanda?
The Nkuringo Region offers both Gorilla Trekking and habituation experiences. The 01-hour traditional gorilla trekking costs $700 per person, while the Four (04) with a wild with Gorillas – Gorilla Habituation experience costs $1,500 per person. All you need to do is be fair to yourself if you are short on money, we recommend doing the 01-hour gorilla trekk whose permits only cost $700 per person.
Read more:
- Why Is gorilla trekking so expensive?
- Is gorilla Habituation worth the Money?
- Why is Gorilla Trekking only 1-hour?
- Why is gorilla trekking limited to only 08 tourists?
Price of accommodation In the NKuringo Region
All the options available around the Nkuringo Region are very limited, Accommodation in the Nkuringo region comes in three categories; Budget, Midrange and Luxury.
The Most luxurious safari lodge in this region is Clouds Mountain gorilla Lodge (Prices Ranges: $300 – $1084 per person per night), followed by Nkuringo Bwindi gorilla Lodge which we like to think is the most affordable Gorilla Safari lodge in Nkuringo Region (Price Range: $200 per person per night), and the cheapest being the Bwindi Backpackers Lodge – Only 20minutes drive to the Nkuringo Gorilla Trekking Briefing point.
Make the most of us by directly speaking to us about your Trip budget and we will advise on where to stay.
Best time to go on a budget Gorilla Safari
If planning a budget gorilla safari, you have got to choose the best time to go on a Budget Safari. Gorilla Trekking has seasons; peak & low season.
The peak Season for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda & Rwanda is in the drier months of January, February, June, July, August, September, and December. During these months, there is less rainfall and sometimes even no rains at all. Most travellers like to plan and book their gorilla safaris for these months because the parks are fairly dry, and the forest trails are a little easier to navigate – of course with minimal gorilla trekking fitness required.
For the mobility challenged, elderly, and disabled persons – Intending to indulge in Gorilla Trekking, a sedan chair carried by local porters can be arranged on request and prior planning is a necessity especially if travelling in the high season months.
Related: Gorilla Trekking for Mobility challenged & Elderly Persons.
Gorilla permits in peak Season are very scarce and usually sold out. We, therefore, recommend pre-booking and paying for your gorilla permits well-in-advance especially if travelling In High Season – you can do this 1-2 years in advance.
The low season falls in the months of March, April, May, and November. During these months there is rainfall especially in afternoons – something that discourages most travellers from venturing Into Low season gorilla Trekking.
However, it’s important to understand a few facts about the mountain gorillas prior to choosing your ideal gorilla trekking Seasons. Mountain Gorillas live in tropical rainforests characteristic of rainfall meaning that NOT even the dry season is actually completely dry otherwise trekkers would never be asked to pack rain jacks if travelling in the high season.
Overview: Although gorilla trekking is generally considered a costly venture, doing this in the Peak Season is expensive in regards to the cost of accommodation, and companies will often offer non-negotiable rates for their gorilla packages since the demand then is high compared to the low season months when you have the chance to bargain for a Great value Gorilla Trekking Safari.
Besides Gorilla Trekking, what else can I do In Nkuringo Region?
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Mountain Gorilla Trekking:
Gorilla trekking or tracking is the main drawcard for visitors to the Nkuringo region. The region has 3 habituated gorilla groups each with 08 permits on the daily available for purchase at $700 per person for non-residents, $600 per person for foreign residents including expatriates living and working in East Africa; Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, or Burundi. East African Citizens pay Ugx250,000 per person to spend 01 hours with the gorillas in Nkuringo Region. There are up to 24 gorilla permits available for purchase in the Nkuringo region on a daily. Realm Africa safaris™ can assist you to book your Nkuringo gorilla Permits well in advance to avoid missing out as they do get sold out especially in the peak season months of June – August, September – October, and December.
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Batwa Experience:
The 3-hour Buniga Forest Trail Batwa experience in the Nkuringo region showcases the life of the Batwa native pygmies—their historical nomadic cultures when they occupied the expanses of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest until 1991 when the forest was gazetted as a national park. The tribe was forced out of the park and since then have been struggling to cope with modern life outside the jungle. The Buniga forest trail is a USAID initiative put together to help the Batwa community earn a living from tourism around the UNESCO world heritage site. This walk is truly an experience, not challenging at all, but rather informative and exciting – we recommend adding it to your safari to Nkuringo Region.
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Hiking experiences:
In addition to the rather more intense mountain gorilla trekking safari in Nkuringo, The region is a favorite for well-seasoned hikers who take on multi-day hiking safari experiences. The sector has been recognized by various top travel magazines like CNN Travel and Lonely Planet as one of the top hiking destinations in the world.
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Birdwatching:
Nkuringo Region is also a great place to encounter the amazing forest Birds Of the great Bwindi impenetrable forest National Park. The nearby Lake Mutanda is one of the Prime places to go on a birding Safari combined with a boat safari on Lake Mutanda – arguably the most scenic boat safari in Uganda.
Related: Things to See & Do In Nkuringo Region.
