Gorilla Permits in Uganda
Discover everything about gorilla permits in Uganda, from the cost, how to book, when to book, eligibility, and other useful travel tips. Gorilla permits in Uganda are essential for everyone interested in gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park. Gorilla permits offer you a chance to be part of the gorilla trekking adventure in Uganda, and all eligible visitors require it. A gorilla permit should be secured in advance before the actual date that you plan to be on a gorilla trekking tour.
Uganda gorilla permits are more affordable, and the cost varies depending on the 4 categories of visitors as per Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). The four visitor categories as per Uganda wildlife authority (UWA) include foreign non-residents (also referred to as international visitors), foreign residents, the Rest of Africa, and East African Community Citizens. Each of these categories pays a specific amount to obtain a valid gorilla permit.
What is a gorilla permit, and why is it essential?
A gorilla permit is an official government ticket that allows you to participate in gorilla trekking. Without a gorilla permit, the park authorities can’t give you a chance to go to trek gorillas. Obtaining a gorilla permit is essential in supporting different conservation efforts. The park authorities use a portion of the revenue collected from permits to pay park rangers, officials, and other players engaged in gorilla or wildlife conservation. About 20% of the park entry fees is also given back to local communities adjacent to the gorilla trekking parks.
The Cost of Gorilla Permits in Uganda
How much is a permit for gorilla trekking in Uganda? The current gorilla permits in Uganda cost USD 800, and this is for foreign non-residents, USD 700 per person per permit for foreign residents, USD 500 per visitor if you are in the Rest of Africa category, East African Community Citizens and Ugandans inclusive, obtain permits for trekking gorillas at UGX 300,000 per person.
Permits for gorilla habituation in Uganda
Apart from the regular gorilla trekking permits, tourists can also book habituation permits. Each of the gorilla habituation permits can be booked at USD 1500 per tourist for foreign non-residents, USD 1000 per visitor under foreign residents, and East African community citizens, can obtain permits at UGX 750,000 per person.
How to book a permit for gorilla trekking in Uganda?
Booking gorilla permits in Uganda is easier and safer through the local tour operator or company. Dealing with the tour operator on the ground can save you the stress of involving in the long process and saves time. Contact Bujuku Eco Tours, a local expert, to assist you with not only booking a gorilla permit but also planning your entire gorilla safari. Talk to the expert at info@bujukuecotours.com or WhatsApp/Call: +256785982744 or +256757203420.
How early should the permit be booked?
Considering the high demand, at Bujuku Eco Tours, we recommend that you secure your permit at least 2-6 months earlier. This should be done before the actual planned date of visiting gorillas in Uganda. Booking the permits early gives you higher chances to secure a gorilla slot, unlike when you do it on the last minute.
Who can book a gorilla permit in Uganda?
All gorilla permits in Uganda are open to booking by persons above 15 years. This is the standard eligibility age for gorilla trekking, and this applies not only to Uganda but also to other destinations like Rwanda and Congo.
Requirements for booking gorilla permits
Apart from age eligibility, other essentials to have for you to book a gorilla permit include a valid passport. The passport details required include your full name, passport number, and nationality. Payment is a must for securing the permits for gorilla trekking in Uganda. In addition, you are required to share your desired trekking dates. All these requirements are used to enable the process to secure a permit for you.
How many permits are available for gorilla trekking in Uganda?
Out of about 25 gorilla families, about 200 permits are available for booking in Uganda alone. It should be noted that each family of gorillas is visited by a maximum of 8 (eight) guests per day.
Cancellation policy for gorilla tickets as per UWA
Explore a guide to UWA’s new cancellation policy for gorilla permits below. Take note that the refund is calculated on the full value of the permit obtained. The terms and conditions provided can be reviewed without notice but we shall keep you up-to-date. Here is the cancellation and refund policy for gorilla permits in Uganda, as per Uganda Wildlife Authority. The tour operator or visitor may request cancellation or refund in writing to the Executive Director. Once the request is received, the Executive Director can authorize or reject the cancellation of a fully paid ticket based on the following terms.
- If a visitor, after trekking the entire day he or she fails to see gorillas, the Executive Director may authorize rescheduling of the ticket to the next day.
- If slots are not available for rescheduling the ticket or where the visitor’s itinerary may not allow them to stay a day longer, the Executive Director shall authorize cancellation of the permit. A refund of about 60% of the permit value upon certification of the inability to access gorillas by the respective chief warden.
- If a visitor develops or shows signs of illness before the trekking date won’t be allowed to trek gorillas. Such a guest shall be referred to the nearest health facility for assessment. A visitor bears the medical cost.
- Cancellation to be made between 0 and 8 days before the trekking date, a visitor won’t have any refund. If cancellation is done from 9-45 days before the trekking date, a 25% refund is made.
- A 50% refund of the gorilla permit cost can be made to a guest who declares themselves unfit to trek gorillas due to illness. This cancellation policy can also apply to guests already in the National Parks to trek gorillas, and they happen to develop illness signs.
- Cancellation made over 91 days, a visitor can get a refund of 75%.
What is included in the price of gorilla permits?
The cost of a gorilla permit covers an hour for visitors to enjoy a face-to-face encounter with gorillas. The fee also covers the services of the park ranger guides, park entrance fee, and visitor safety in the jungle. However, the cost of gorilla permits excludes accommodation facilities, meals, transportation, telephone bills, alcoholic drinks, other safari activities, and more.
Where to go for gorilla trekking in Uganda
Uganda gorilla permits are designed in a manner that you secure a slot leading to a specific region to start your gorilla trek. In Uganda, visitors book permits based on the 5 regions available for gorilla trekking. The 5 gorilla sectors in Uganda include Ruhija, Rushaga, Nkuringo, and Ntebeko. 4 sectors are available in Bwindi (including Rushaga, Ruhija, Buhoma, and Nkuringo). Ntebeko is found in Mgahinga National Park.
Bwindi is Uganda’s leading destination for gorilla trekking. It is a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site and is inhabited by about 24 fully habituated families that are open for gorilla trekking. Mgahinga National Park only has one group to track, and that is the Nyakagezi gorilla family.
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