How Do I Book a Gorilla Trekking Permit in Uganda 2023 -2024?

How Do I Book a Gorilla Trekking Permit in Uganda 2023 -2024? Gorilla permits are the cards bought to access the natural habitats of mountain gorillas. In Uganda, gorilla pemits are issued by the ‘’UWA’’ Uganda Wildlife Authority a government body in charge of all of Uganda’s tourism and wildlife conservation. Gorilla permits can be booked directly from ‘’UWA’’Uganda Wildlife Authority though the best option is to use a reputable tour operator.

Note, Gorilla permits are known as regal documents issued by government wildlife conservation authority bodies in the respective countries. Therefore, we advise you to seek help from a trustworthy registered tour operator.

How much is a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda?

Uganda is gifted with two memorable gorilla safari destinations; Bwindi Impenetrable National and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Gorilla trekking permits in both Bwindi Impenetrable national park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park costs USD700 per person for foreign nonresidents, USD 600 for foreign residents, and UGX 250,000 per person for East African Community

Another gorilla trekking destination and their Cost include;

Rwanda gorilla trekking permits can be booked directly to ‘’RDB’’ Rwanda Development Board and cost USD1,500 per person per day.

In Congo gorilla permits costs USD400 per person per day.

So we advise visitors planning to go for gorilla trekking in Uganda to book their gorilla permits in advance especially during high seasons for at least 3 to 6 months you can visit gorillas in low seasons during this season accommodations rates becomes low.

How many gorilla permits are available in Uganda?

There are over 152 gorilla permits available on a particular day. Bwindi Impenetrable national park hosts over 22 habituated gorilla families and Mgahinga Gorilla national park has two gorilla families where gorilla trekking can be conducted.

Booking procedures for gorilla permits in Uganda;

However, you can require a gorilla permit to trek gorillas in Uganda which are found in two National Parks Bwindi Impenetrable National park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park both found in the southwestern region and approximately 8 to 9 hours’ drive to access each of the safari destinations.

While in Rwanda –mountain gorillas trekking is done in Volcanoes National park.

Location; Gorilla permits in Uganda, can be obtained from Uganda Wildlife Authority Head Offices in Kampala along Kira road. Note, Uganda Wildlife Authority sells gorilla permits for all gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla national park.

All you need to do is contact Achieve Global Safaris a trustworthy for your gorilla permit bookings which can be pre-purchased for you at no extra cost once you book a gorilla and wildlife safari holiday with us. After transferring money to our account, we are the ones responsible to check the availability of gorilla permits at ‘’UWA’’ Uganda Wildlife Authority for you. After finding the availability of gorilla permits, you will need to send us your detail in terms of name, passport number, and nationality to ease the process of issuing your gorilla permit.

What is the number of people allowed per day of Gorilla trekking?

The number of people allowed to go for gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda is restricted on a particular day.

This is all done to ensure the least behavioral disturbance to the mountain gorillas.

To reduce the risk of them catching human illnesses as well as for conversation purposes.

Take note, a maximum of 8 people are allowed to trek each gorilla group per day. Therefore, Uganda gorilla permits bookings are made possible if you get in touch with a trustworthy tour operator.

Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has got over 22 habituated gorilla groups which are divided into four sectors that’s: Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushaga, and Ruhija. So  to trek the mountain gorillas you need to book a gorilla trekking permit in advance because of high demand from ‘’UWA’’ Uganda Wildlife Authority.

What are the long-term booking allocations?

Uganda Wildlife Authority allows advanced booking of up to two years as long as you deposit 30% is made and the balance can be paid 91 days later to the trekking date. Then 70% is now permitted but may be considered 7 days and will attract a surcharge of 20% beyond which the deposit is a penalty without refund.

80% of all the gorilla permits each month can be booked for two years in advance by the ‘’AUTO’’ Association of Uganda Tour Operations –members only.

What is the short time booking?

From the Uganda Wildlife Authority, an individual can buy no more than 2 permits for the month, not even on the guarantee. Note, bookings can be done on the day when the bookings open, which happens on the first working day of the month. Please advise you not to attempt last-minute gorilla permit booking. If your book with us we will secure it for you at no extra cost, How Do I Book a Gorilla Trekking Permit in Uganda 2023 -2024?

Uganda Wildlife Authority Retains Gorilla Permits Percentages Upon Cancellations; As follows

0 -8 days to trekking date –no refund

9 – 45 days to trekking date -75% ‘’25% refund to the client’’

46 -90 days to trekking date -50%

91 days and above to tracking –trekking date  – 25% ‘’75% refund to the client’’. Please take note, any refund made on the 30% deposit shall be at the value of the permits not beyond that.

How reschedules of permit reservations made;

Reschedules of permit reservations are not allowed, except made more than 91 days before the tracking date and within 7 days of the rescheduled date and this attracts a rescheduled fee of 20%.

Other charges of the date are considered as a cancellation and a re-booking. Therefore, you can apply the cancellation policy and re-book a new date at the full cost of a permit.

What items are required for gorilla permits payments;

The acceptable payment methods ‘cash’ include; Uganda Shillings, US dollars, GB Pounds, and Euros.

The time limit for gorilla trekking;

The gorilla trekking –tracking is limited from 8:30 am to 7:00 pm. However, all visitors are expected back at the lodge–campsite by 7:00 pm.

For gorilla permit booking, we highly recommend tourists use a reputable tour operator with a fully registered tour company.