How Early Should You Book A Gorilla Permit
Gorilla trekking tours begin with booking a gorilla permit. But when should you have your gorilla permit booked? How early should you book a gorilla permit? Explore everything you need to know about how early you should book your permit for gorilla trekking. Booking a gorilla permit in advance is a must for all visitors, whether you plan to travel to Uganda, Rwanda, or Congo. This should be done by all categories of visitors that is, foreign non-residents, foreign residents, rest of Africa and Ugandan /East African citizens.
A gorilla permit should be booked at least 2-3 months early. Some visitors tend to book in advance the permits, about a year or 2 years, or even 5 years. Gorilla permits should be secured early, even if you plan to go on a 1-day gorilla tour to Uganda or Rwanda.
Why should you book a gorilla permit early?
Gorilla permits are scarce
Gorilla permits are limited in number across all trekking destinations. Booking early increases your chance of securing a spot and participating in this unique experience. For example, Uganda offers about 200 permits, Rwanda offers 104, and the Virunga National Park provides 64 permits. Secure your permit early to avoid disappointment.
Gorilla permits are useful tools because you need one to be allowed to participate in the gorilla trekking session. Permits are limited given the fewer habituated gorilla families and also destinations to find mountain gorillas or habituated Eastern lowland gorillas.
A maximum of 8 get a chance to track one group of gorillas. Unlike other safari experiences, gorilla trekking is done only once a day. With only one session that is available for gorilla trekking, we encourage you to ensure that you have a permit in advance to be able to participate in the search for gorillas.
Gorilla safari planning & flexibility
Reserving a gorilla permit in advance allows you to have a well-planned and successful gorilla trekking tour. Securing a gorilla permit early provides you with adequate time to put everything you need together to have a successful gorilla safari to Uganda, Rwanda, or Congo. You have time to adjust on so many things to suit your travel. This is far better than doing things at the last minute when you have no flexibility to make adjustments.
Booking your gorilla permit early also allows you to plan for your gorilla tour. You can plan adequately for your trip –this includes getting the right gear such as long-sleeved shirt, a daypack, sturdy hiking shoes/boots, a sweater, long pants, a first aid kit, and camera.
Plan for your accommodation services in advance
Besides securing a gorilla permit, there is also a need to secure a gorilla safari lodge. The place you should stay overnight should be a must to secure. This should be done in advance before the actual date of visiting Bwindi or Mgahinga, Volcanoes, or Virunga National Park.
Booking gorilla permits during the peak/high season Vs the low/off-months
If your plan is to travel to track gorillas during the peak or high season, then you should ensure that your permit is secured in advance. The majority of the visitors prefer trekking with gorillas during the peak months, and to avoid being left out, your permit should be ready in advance. The dry or peak/high seasons begin from June to September (long) or December to February (short peak season).
The demand for permits during the peak season is extremely higher than when it is off/low season (March, April, May/October-November). The safest thing is to ensure the permit is booked at least 3 months early.
How much are gorilla tickets/permits
A valid gorilla permit is needed for any gorilla tour to take place. In Uganda, a permit costs USD 800 per person for all foreign non-residents and USD 700 per person for foreign residents, East African citizens with plans to visit Uganda gorillas can secure a permit at UGX 300,000 per person and Rest of Africa can secure a permit at UGX 500 per person.
A gorilla permit in Rwanda as per 2025 costs USD 1500 per person. Whereas visitors interested in the lowland gorillas and Virunga gorillas can secure permits at USD 400 per person. Securing a valid gorilla permit in Uganda, Rwanda, or Congo is easier and safe through the reliable tour operator. Contact Bujuku Eco Tours & Travel Ltd, a trusted gorilla safari company based in Uganda.
We take responsibility to check the availability of the permit and also reserve a slot for you. Note, you will be required to send possible dates you wish to track gorillas. In the first stages of booking a permit, we shall check if the suggested dates are available in the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) booking system. When we have confirmed availability, the slot is reserved for you.
Gorilla permit eligibility
Who should book a gorilla trekking ticket? Any adult above 15 years can book a permit for trekking gorillas. The eligibility age limit for gorilla trekking is 15 years which cuts across all destinations (Uganda, Rwanda, & Congo). Once you have a permit reserved, you have a chance to trek gorillas in their native environment.
What the cost of gorilla permits includes & excludes
The cost of gorilla trekking permits includes park entrance fees, the actual encounter (1 hour interaction), and park ranger guide services. The rates for permits exclude all costs of personal nature like accommodation, travel insurance, passport costs, shopping expenses, tipping, laundry expenses, and all extra safari experiences/activities.
How long is the gorilla permit validity?
Permits/tickets for gorilla trekking are only valid for the scheduled date you plan to visit gorillas. It is a single validity, and once you have trekked gorillas, it becomes invalid. Due to unavoidable circumstances, the permits can be rescheduled to be on safer side if you don’t make it on the planned date. As per the new guidelines from Uganda Wildlife Authority, the first reschedule of permits can be done for free. But the second reschedule may come with a charge. To save you extra costs, contact Bujuku Eco Tours to secure your gorilla trekking permit or reschedule it for an appropriate date.
What to pack on a gorilla trip
To enjoy a successful gorilla tour, you should have prepared adequately. This doesn’t only involve obtaining a permit but also packing the right gear. The packing list to consider include long-sleeved shirts, a rain coat or jacket, a first aid kit, a pack of thick socks, gaiters, sunscreen, a pack of energy giving snacks, a sweater, a pair of good long trousers or pants, Visas, strong and comfortable gardening gloves, etc.
Best places in Africa to see the gorillas
You secure a gorilla permit based on the destination you plan to visit gorillas. To be specific, mountain gorillas are available in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. The gorilla permits in Uganda mainly take you to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Rwanda gorilla permits are available for the Volcanoes National Park gorilla trekking adventure.
In Congo, you can see mountain gorillas found in the Virunga National Park and Eastern lowland gorillas residing in Kahuzi-Biega National Park and Maiko National Park.
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