Updated
Mountain gorillas live in just three countries: Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. All three offer one-hour visits to habituated gorilla families, but they differ sharply in price, access and safety. Uganda gives the best value and the most choice, Rwanda is the quickest and most polished, and eastern DRC is currently off the table for most travellers because of conflict. Here is how they compare.
At a glance
| Uganda | Rwanda | DR Congo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parks | Bwindi, Mgahinga | Volcanoes | Virunga (mountain), Kahuzi-Biega (lowland) |
| Permit | US$800 (US$600 in Apr, May, Nov) | US$1,500 | About US$400, when open |
| From the capital or main airport | 8-10 hrs by road from Entebbe, or a short flight | About 2.5 hrs from Kigali | Via Goma, close to Rwanda |
| Trekking terrain | Steep rainforest; volcano slopes in Mgahinga | Bamboo and volcano slopes | Volcano slopes and forest |
| Status | Open | Open | Eastern DRC in conflict; most governments advise against travel |
Uganda: the most gorillas and the best value
Uganda holds around half of the world’s mountain gorillas, in Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga national parks, with many habituated families spread across Bwindi’s four sectors. The permit costs US$800, or US$600 in the low-season months of April, May and November, a little over half of Rwanda’s price. Uganda is also the only one of the three to offer the Gorilla Habituation Experience, four hours with a family still being habituated.
The trade-off is distance: Bwindi is a long drive from Entebbe, so many visitors fly to an airstrip near the park or start in Kigali. Not sure which park? Read Bwindi or Mgahinga.
Rwanda: short transfers, higher price
Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is about two and a half hours by road from Kigali on good tarmac, so you can land, trek and leave within a couple of days. Trekking is on the bamboo-covered slopes of the Virunga volcanoes, where Dian Fossey worked. The permit costs US$1,500, the most expensive in Africa, and accommodation near the park leans towards the top end.
Many travellers fly into Kigali and drive across the border to Uganda’s southern Bwindi sectors or Mgahinga instead; see Kigali to Bwindi by road. For a deeper two-way comparison, read Uganda vs Rwanda and our permit price comparison.
DR Congo: currently not a realistic option
Virunga National Park in eastern DRC protects mountain gorillas on the Congolese side of the Virungas, and Kahuzi-Biega National Park further south is home to the eastern lowland gorilla, a different subspecies found only in DRC. Permits have historically been the cheapest of the three.
However, eastern DRC has been in active conflict, the city of Goma, the usual gateway, was taken by M23 rebels in January 2025, and most governments advise against all travel to North Kivu. Unless that changes and the parks reopen safely, choose Uganda or Rwanda. Interested in other gorilla species? See mountain vs lowland gorillas.
Which should you choose?
For most travellers Uganda is the best balance: lower permit prices, more families and sectors, the habituation option, and gorilla trekking that combines easily with chimpanzees in Kibale and game drives in Queen Elizabeth. Choose Rwanda if time is very short and budget is not the main concern. Both countries are generally safe for visitors on standard tourist routes; read our guide to safety in Uganda. When you are ready, our Uganda gorilla permit guide explains booking.
Frequently asked questions
Uganda for value and choice, Rwanda for short transfers. Eastern DR Congo is currently not advisable because of conflict.
Uganda US$800 (US$600 in April, May and November), Rwanda US$1,500, DR Congo about US$400 when parks are open.
Not at present for most travellers. Eastern DRC is in conflict and most governments advise against travel to North Kivu.
Yes. Bwindi’s southern sectors and Mgahinga are a few hours by road from Kigali, so the two combine easily.
