Budget gorilla trekking lets you meet mountain gorillas in the wild without spending a fortune on the rest of your trip. Uganda is the best place to do it. It borders Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, DR Congo and South Sudan, and it offers great value for travellers on a budget. Moreover, it is rich in natural beauty, primates, birds and other wildlife.
Uganda has 10 national parks: Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, Rwenzori Mountains, Lake Mburo, Mount Elgon, Kidepo Valley, Bwindi, Mgahinga, Kibale and Semuliki. So, whatever your budget, we can build a trip that fits it. Can you go on safari in Uganda and still spend less? Can you stay somewhere safe and comfortable, eat well and travel safely on a small budget? The answer is yes. At Roots Tours & Travel, we show you how.
To start, take a look at some of our short, good-value gorilla trips.
Our 3 day Bwindi gorilla trekking safari is the quickest way to meet mountain gorillas from Kampala or Entebbe. Your trip to Uganda is not really complete without the full gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. If you are looking for a challenge, you have found it. The
Our 2 day Bwindi gorilla trek from Kigali is the fastest way to see mountain gorillas in Uganda when you fly into Rwanda. You cross the border into Uganda and visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to about half of the world’s mountain gorillas. Then, after your trek, you drive
Our 3 day Bwindi and Lake Bunyonyi safari starts and ends in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. First, you join a short city tour and visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial. Then, you cross into Uganda to track mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Finally, you relax on Lake Bunyonyi,
The gorilla permit is the one cost you cannot avoid, so plan everything else around it. Uganda’s permits are usually cheaper than Rwanda’s, which is one reason Uganda suits budget travellers. Permit prices are set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and change from time to time. Therefore, we will confirm the current rate when you enquire. You can also check official updates on the Uganda Wildlife Authority website. For a full guide, read our page on how to book gorilla permits.
Uganda has many budget lodges, hostels and bandas in and around its national parks, with rooms from as little as $20 per night. Even so, these simple places offer good meals, clean beds and a comfortable stay. In short, you do not need a luxury lodge to enjoy your gorilla trek.
Alternatively, you can stay in a local homestay. This is a very affordable option. Better still, it lets you share time with local families and enjoy real Ugandan culture and hospitality. Another choice is to camp in a national park or at a designated campsite. Camping is great fun, because you fall asleep to the sounds of the wild. Many travellers who have tried it say it was a highlight of their trip.
Fancy meals at luxury lodges are nice, but they are not the only place to find good food and safe water. In fact, Uganda has many restaurants and local eateries that serve tasty, cheap meals in a clean setting. You can also buy snacks from roadside sellers at a small cost. For example, try a Rolex (a chapati rolled with eggs), fresh bananas or roasted chicken on a stick.
Whether you travel alone or in a big group, you can reach the parks on a small budget. Simply tell your tour operator what you need, and they will arrange it. If you join a group tour, the travel company books the vehicle for you. As a result, you share the cost of fuel and the driver. Our small-group Uganda tours are a good way to save.
You can also travel by public bus, which is cheap, safe and fairly comfortable. Within big towns, taxis and boda-bodas (motorbike taxis) are easy to find. Starting from Kigali is another smart move, because the southern sectors of Bwindi are closer to Kigali than to Kampala.
If you have your own vehicle, that works too, as long as you follow the traffic rules. However, every self-drive traveller should take a few safety steps:
Gorillas are not the only thing you can enjoy on a budget safari. For instance, you can visit the Igongo Cultural Centre in western Uganda to watch cultural performances and taste local food. In addition, you can explore the nightlife in Kampala, Entebbe, Jinja and Fort Portal. You can also go on game drives in Uganda’s famous savannah parks to look for lions, buffaloes, cheetahs and elephants.
On top of that, you can try hiking, white-water rafting on the Nile, city tours and religious tours. If you want to compare, read about our luxury gorilla safaris too.
First, plan your visa early, because last-minute options can cost more. If you plan to visit more than one country, consider the East Africa Tourist Visa, which covers Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya.
Next, book your permit and transport as early as you can. Also, choose your dates with care, using our guide to the best months to see gorillas. Finally, bring the right gear so you don’t have to buy it on the way. Our gorilla trek packing list will help.
So, make your plans to visit Uganda. Your budget should never stop you from enjoying everything the Pearl of Africa has to offer. Contact us today for a free budget gorilla trekking quote.
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