How to Reserve a Gorilla Trekking Permit
Booking a gorilla permit is mandatory if you must visit gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is done in both Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, but due to the unreliability of the Mountain Gorillas in Mgahinga National Park, gorilla trekking is mostly done in Bwindi, and thus most of the gorilla trekking permits that are sold are for Bwindi, but during your booking of a gorilla trekking permit, you can still specify which National Park you would like to visit, in either of
Before you go gorilla trekking, you will be advised on which gorilla family to trek based on your fitness level, particularly in the case of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Your single use gorilla permit shall take you to spend one hour with one of the 20 habituated gorilla families in Bwindi.
Depending on your interest, a particular of the four gorilla trekking sectors, including Buhoma in the north, Rujiha in the east, Rushaga and Nkuringo in the south, and each region has different habituated gorilla families may be allocated for you.
Gorilla permits for Uganda & Rwanda
Suggested Safari Itineraries
When should you reserve your gorilla trekking permit?
For a successful gorilla safari, you are advised to book a Gorilla trekking permit at least six months in advance, six months in advance.
Acquiring your gorilla trekking permit in advance is even much better especially if you are planning a Uganda gorilla trek during the Peak season or High season, in the drier months of June, July, August, September, December, January, and February.
As a result, the earlier you book, the sooner you may go gorilla trekking because permits tend to run out quickly during peak season.
Since Uganda removed low-season discounted gorilla permits in 2017, your delay in reserving may force you to choose the Rwanda low-season gorilla trekking permit between the months of May and November.
How much does a gorilla permit cost?
A Gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs $800 for foreigners who do not remain in Uganda or any of the East African Community nations, $600 for foreigners who stay in East African Community partner states, and Shs250,000 for locals who stay in the East African Community.
In Rwanda, gorilla trekking licenses cost $1500 in the high season and $1050 in the low season, all of which are per person.
Suggested Safari Itineraries
You should be aware that you cannot go gorilla trekking unless you obtain a Gorilla Trekking Permit.
To book your gorilla trekking permit, you must submit your name, nationality, passport number, and date of birth. In this scenario, you should be aware that Gorilla trekking permits cannot be handled in the custody of another person, thus you will be required to present your passport and identity documents at the pre-trekking briefing.
You will also have to provide your payments as well as the dates when you want to go gorilla trekking, and if the dates you have suggested are already booked, you will have to ask whoever is organizing your permit for the nearest dates that can act as alternative options for you to go gorilla trekking.
Finally, you will receive a scanned copy of your Gorilla trekking permit within a few days or weeks, and when you arrive in the country, the Safari Company that worked on your permit will be able to provide it for you, or you will have to collect it from the UWA office if you are traveling independently.
Your permit will have a serial number and your personal information inscribed on it.
Conclusion
It’s definitely true that without a gorilla permit, you wont have access to sightsee the incredible gentle giants in their natural habitat and yes, planning this in advance gives you a peace of mind to not get worried about the possibility of missing.
Friendly Gorillas safaris is dedicated to arranging the entire logistic including booking the permits on your behalf. Get in touch and our dedicated team shall get their hands dirty in crafting an exciting adventure for you.
Anthony N
Anthony is a former Software Engineer tuned Safari Curator Enthusiast.
Combining technical expertise with creativity, he excels in crafting destination guides, cultural insights, and tech-enhanced travel content.
Believing in the transformative power of travel, Anthony inspires responsible travel and sustainability.
Featured in top travel publications and known for his workshops, he mentors aspiring creators while guiding audiences on authentic and meaningful journeys.
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