How to Get Gorilla Permits in Uganda
How to Get Gorilla Permits in Uganda: In Uganda, the gorilla trekking experience is done in Uganda’s two gorilla parks: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. Many travellers have been asking how one can get gorilla trekking permits. Well, we have got you covered. The Uganda Wildlife Authority is an autonomous body that is responsible for issuing gorilla permits for both Bwindi and Mgahinga gorilla parks.
Due to the limited number of gorilla families in Mgahinga National Park, the majority of the permits being sold are for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. At the time of writing, gorilla trekking permits cost $800 per person in Uganda. About 84 tourists per single day travel within Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to see mountain gorillas, and a group of 8 people is eligible to watch a gorilla family at a time. However, it is recommended for travelers to use tour operators when booking their trekking permits, and these permits should be booked adjacent to your accommodation area.
Since Bwindi is like its name, “impenetrable,” the forest has different trekking sectors distributed in different remote regions of the park. Visitors are, therefore, advised not to carry out gorilla trekking on their own since it is risky, and the visitor may end up paying heavily compared to the standard trekking fee when using the tour guides.
Gorilla Trekking Permit Price
Travellers planning to do gorilla trekking find the process a little hectic, and that’s why the majority of the visitors have resorted to using Uganda tour agencies so as to ease the process of booking these trekking permits. The price of trekking mountain gorillas is uniform whether you use tour operators or the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Tour operators don’t charge an extra fee, and the standard gorilla trekking fee is $800 per person. Unless you are interested in other services such as transfers, you may always add an extra fee. Otherwise, the normal gorilla trekking fee remains standard as listed below:
The gorilla trekking permit costs $800 for non-foreign residents, $700 for foreign residents, $500 for the rest of Africa, and UGX 300,000 for citizens of East Africa. This means that during gorilla trekking, visitors are allocated a maximum of an hour to interact with these gentle giants.
On the other hand, gorilla habituation costs $1500 for non-foreign residents, $1000 for foreign residents, and UGX 750,000 for East African citizens. This means that the experience is a little different from the standard gorilla trekking, and it takes almost a full day while interacting and participating in the process of training mountain gorillas to get used to human presence.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park has four sectors for gorilla trekking: Rushaga, Ruhija, Buhoma, and Nkuringo. It is important to get a gorilla permit for the area where you plan to stay or near your accommodation. You can book permits for Nkuringo and sleep in Rushaga, and vice versa, as well as for Buhoma and Ruhija. Travellers should book their permits at least four months before their trip, especially during peak seasons from June to September and December to February.
How to book gorilla trekking permits?
The availability of Uganda gorilla trekking permits will impact how you make your bookings. There is no online booking system for permits. You can book through a tour operator or directly with the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Some operators can reserve your permit and provide it upon arrival. We offer this service as well.
A maximum of eight people can visit a gorilla family each day for one hour to take photos and videos. Eighty percent of the fees from these gorilla permits in Uganda go towards conserving mountain gorillas and increasing their population, while also helping to combat poaching. Buying a permit benefits the gorillas and supports their growth rather than simply providing revenue to the country.
What to Pack During Gorilla Trekking?
However, visitors planning to trek mountain gorillas are advised not to miss out on the following items, such as carrying the essential gorilla trekking equipment like hiking shoes, a pair of trousers, a pair of long-sleeved shirts, a water bottle, a pair of gaiters, a camera, and a pair of binoculars, and strictly follow the set gorilla trekking regulations and rules.
How to Check Uganda Gorilla Permits Availability Online
To check the availability of Uganda gorilla trekking permits online, contact a tour company or call the Uganda Wildlife Authority hotline. Getting accurate results can be difficult since permits are frequently booked and released. You need to pay the full cost of the permits to book online. If your desired dates are full, wait a few weeks and check again. If you still can’t find availability, consider changing your dates. You can book permits directly through our agency.
