A gorilla trekking safari in Uganda promises special memories with the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. However, the cost of such an experience can sometimes be prohibitive. Fear not, here are some of the best ways you can ensure that a gorilla safari in Uganda does not leave holes in your pockets.
Plan Ahead
The best way to save money on a gorilla safari is to book ahead. While many people recommend booking at least six months in advance, booking your safari at least a year ahead is recommended. This way, you can bargain for lower rates since many companies rarely have reservations beyond one year.
Travel During the Off-Peak Season
Accommodation rates play a big role in hyping the price of the gorilla safari package. Though there are no low-season discounts on the gorilla trekking permits, you can easily get huge discounts on accommodation. This will help you reduce your gorilla safari expenditure.
Low-season months with the best discounts on accommodation include November, March, and April
Compare Prices
Take the time to research and compare prices from different tour operators and travel agencies. Look for special promotions, discounts, and package deals that may help you save money without compromising the quality of your safari experience. At Rwizi Africa Expeditions, we usually price match as long as the quote is from a licensed operator.
Join Group Tours
Opting for a group safari tour can be more economical than a private excursion since the costs are shared among multiple participants. Even if you are merely six people, it will reduce your safari cost by a huge margin.
Consider Budget Accommodations
It is important to note that even what is considered luxury or mid-range accommodation is merely a 3-star hotel. It is therefore very possible to get accommodation at a budget rate as long as you book with tour operators who are well versed with the different accommodation options available.
Some safari lodges do not have websites therefore you might never get to know about them unless someone recommends it to you.
Be Flexible with Travel Dates
Flexibility with your travel dates can help you secure better deals on flights if you are traveling in December. The rates tend to be very high towards Christmas and New Year. Coming a day or two earlier will save you some good money. You can get accommodation in Entebbe cheaply since lodges simply offer Christmas discounts instead of increasing the prices.
Avoid Booking Certain Things Directly
Some people recommend booking your accommodation directly from the service provider but this is not recommended since tour operators can always secure lower rates. For instance, Rwizi Africa Expeditions has contracts with several lodges that can offer better discounts than what you can get by yourself. Sometimes there is also what they call “Muzungu price”; foreigners are charged more than double the price in some instances, to save this loss, it is always recommended to use the services of a licensed tour operator.
In case you are interested in a gorilla trekking safari, do not hesitate to check out our gorilla safari packages. You can also contact us directly in case you have any gorilla trekking-related questions. Rwizi Africa Expeditions offers safari packages in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. We do not charge for inquires, we shall answer all your questions without charging you a single coin.