Uganda Gorilla Permit
Gorilla permits are booked at the Uganda Wildlife Authority Center and each permit is issued according to the National park area where one will trek, there four sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National park such as Ruhija, Buhoma, Nkuringo and Rushaga, and another Gorilla family in Mgahinga Gorilla National park.
Every trekker must obtain a Gorilla permit in advance, from 2 to 5 months before your visit. Rwanda and Uganda Permits are very scarce, especially during the peak seasons, which run from June to July, August to September, and December to February.
The Gorilla permit allows one to view the Mountain Gorillas for one hour, although trekking may take 3 to 9 hours in the forest with great views of nature.
In Uganda a gorilla permit costs 800 USD per day. And Rwanda Gorilla permits cost 1500 USD in Kigali at Rwanda Development Board offices. As mentioned above, Bwindi has four gorilla regions; the permit you hold will determine which region you will trek and the accommodation.
Every region has its own gorilla family or group and those interested in a specific region should contact the Tour operators they are dealing with for their gorilla permit booking.
Tourists are briefed and grouped depending on their physical ability and interest; however, contact your respective company to organize a tour with your specific interest.
One will need to wake up early in the morning and go to the briefing station at the park headquarters; you will represent your permit and later be briefed.
The trek might take half a day remember these are wild animals that move so garret of having a face-to-face encounter is not specific. After the trek you will return to the park Headquarters for a short Gorilla celebration and receive the certificate for participating in Gorilla trekking.
How much do Uganda Gorilla Permits cost?
In Uganda, Gorilla trekking permits are available at different rates based on the category of the applicant: East African nationals, foreign residents, and foreign non-residents. An East African national is charged UGX 300,000. The fee for a foreign resident is $700. A foreign non-resident is charged $800 per person. These rates are for each single day a tourist spends trekking the mountain gorillas.
Reserving Gorilla Permits in Uganda
It is advised to reserve Uganda gorilla permits as soon as possible. Since there is always a large influx of trekkers during the peak season, the rationale is to avoid being forced to travel during undesirable times of the year.
Uganda You can buy gorilla permits from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Travellers are recommended, nevertheless, to use local tour operators for that, as it’s quicker and more efficient. Their time is saved from the laborious procedures associated with obtaining a gorilla permit.
How expensive is a gorilla permit in Uganda?
In Uganda, in East Africa, gorilla permits aren’t the most expensive. Comparing the cost of trekking permits to the services offered and the overall political stability of Uganda, they are not very high. However, we advise travelers to constantly monitor any potential discounts that tour operators such as Focus East Africa Tours may occasionally offer.
What do the Uganda gorilla permits include?
Entry fees to either Mgahinga Gorilla National Park or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are included in the cost of the Uganda gorilla trekking permit.
Obtaining a gorilla trekking permit also entitles you to the services of two armed guides, trackers, and rangers. When hikers are in the jungles looking for mountain gorillas, these provide security. Additionally, they track the mountain gorillas, which makes trekking easier.
Uganda gorilla permits can be obtained at UWA offices or through a trusted tour operator like Focus East Africa Tours.
