How & where to buy Gorilla trekking Permits in Uganda: This article will give you an insight into practical tips for booking a Gorilla Permit in Uganda.
A Gorilla permit/pass is an official document issued by a government of a country where mountain gorillas are found allowing the bearer (who MUST be at least 15 years of age) to legally track and see Gorillas henceforth the name ” Gorilla permit/Pass”.
Learn more about Gorilla Permits
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How Many Gorilla permits are available in Uganda on the Daily?
What is the cost/price of a gorilla trekking Permit in Uganda?
Why are gorilla trekking Permits so expensive?
Why is Gorilla Trekking Limited to persons of 15 years above?
Why
A gorilla Permit is a Must have for anyone planning to go gorilla trekking in Uganda. All gorilla trekking permits in Uganda are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority whose main office is located in the capital of Kampala. UWA oversees both Gorilla trekking locations in Uganda; Bwindi & Mgahinga, and also other National Parks in Uganda.
Uganda has a total of 160 gorilla Permits available on a daily for both Bwindi & Mgahinga. While this number (160) might seem as though they are in Plenty, the truth is that the demand exceeds the supply/availability – meaning gorilla permits quickly get sold out months in advance. It’s why we recommend Planning & booking your gorilla safari at least 03 – 06 months in advance. Note: It’s also possible to reserve, book, or even pay for your gorilla permits 02 years in advance. We can also assist you to reschedule your gorilla permit(s) to other dates should your travel plans change.
The primary requirement for the purchase of a gorilla permit in Uganda is, that you must be of age 15 years and above. And if you are 14 years but are turning 15 years a couple of months later than the dates you would like to trek Gorillas, special arrangements can be made with Uganda Wildlife Authority through a licensed local tour operator to secure a special 14-turning 15 years gorilla trekking Permit.
Why is the Gorilla trekking age set at 15 years?
- Gorilla Trekking requires some fair level of fitness as it does involve hiking on slippery trails, and through thick vegetation, a high altitude of 1000+ sometimes for up to 4 hours. On many occasions, the unfit or elderly adults have failed to make it on their own and have had to Pay an Extra $300 – $500 to be carried on a sedan chair. So it’s only fair that you don’t attempt to subject your child to this strenuous hike. Only the fairly mature kids might be able to take in this challenge and give you value for the $700 paid for Gorilla permits – it’s not cheap money to simply throw away – wait till they are old enough.
- Whilst the relevant authorities UWA and RDB do take all possible measures to ensure that Gorilla trekking is Safe, All trekkers must understand that the gorillas visited are still wild meaning behavior can change depending on the different mood and surroundings. It is believed that a child 15 years and above is able to help themselves just in case anything happens and they are mature enough to follow the entire gorilla tracking rules & regulations.
- Lastly, Kids under 15 years are often very playful and might carry the same to the forest. This will not only slow the pace of the person responsible for them but also will affect the entire team of rangers, porters, and other trekkers causing the trek to last forever. A kid who is at least 15 years of age will easily follow instructions and be less playful whilst on the trek.
Otherwise assuming you are of the right age (15 years above), then the next requirement for buying a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda is a copy of your Passport, and cash to pay for the Permit.
Ensure your Passport meets the East African Passport Validity protocol.
Learn more about the East African Passport Validity Protocol.
What is the Price/cost of a Gorilla Permit in Uganda?
Gorilla Trekking Permits In Uganda cost;
- $700 per permit for Foreign Non-Residents.
- $600 per permit for Foreign Residents.
- UGX 250,000 per permit for East African Citizens.
Gorilla Habituation Permits in Uganda cost;
- $1,500 per permit for Foreign Non-Residents.
- $1.000 per permit for Foreign Residents.
- UGX 750,000 per permit for East African Citizens.
Note: Unlike Gorilla trekking which permits you 01 hour with the Gorillas, Gorilla Habituation allows you to spend up to 4 hours in the company of wild (semi-habituated) gorillas.
Learn More about Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda
Why are Gorilla Permits so Costly?
- Research, monitoring, and safety
Because Gorillas are considered critically endangered, they require constant research studies and monitoring to ensure they are conserved. Both Gorilla research and monitoring require a lot of money which is financed through the sale of Gorilla Permits.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) hires personnel to monitor the where about the gorillas like; their movements, feeding, and ongoing health status. Every morning, an advanced group of trackers hikes into the forest to check on the gorillas. Similarly, tourism police and other armed rangers are hired to accompany tourists during their trek to see the gorillas. This is to ensure the client’s safety from any possible external attacks by either poachers or rebel groups from DR. Congo who in the past used the gorilla habitat as their hiding place.
- Limit human interference
Mountain Gorillas are considered an endangered species with only 1,036 still surviving on earth. These can only be seen in three places; Uganda, Rwanda, and DR. Congo.
Rwanda & Uganda remain the safest places to see gorillas – click & read our blog; Why gorilla trekking in Congo is considered unsafe.
On a typical gorilla trekking day, only 08 persons are allowed to trek and visit a particular gorilla family. It is at this point that the high price of gorillas helps limit crowds. Not Many can afford it, meaning that there will be fewer people visiting. This, in turn, helps to minimize human interference and possible disease transmission from us, humans, onto the gorillas – remember they are endangered species and if we are not careful we could lose them completely.
- The livelihood of the communities living beside the gorillas
Gorilla tourism has become an indirect source of livelihood for the communities besides the gorilla Parks. All governments have a standing revenue-sharing policy with the local communities in a bid to promote sustainable gorilla conservation. For example, In Uganda, the locals are entitled to 20% of the total revenue earned from the sale of gorilla permits. Revenue sharing with local people has created a positive attitude of local people towards gorilla tourism and conservation hence creating a conflict-free harmonious living between the locals and the management of respective national parks.
In a bid to continue conserving these endangered species, all governments have put up clear Gorilla Trekking rules and regulations for tourists to follow. We kindly request that you adhere to these regulations as they protect both you and the gorillas.
How to buy a gorilla trekking Permit in Uganda? How & Where to Buy Gorilla Permits in Uganda
The best/easiest way to buy a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda is through a licensed local tour operator contact us at info@realmafricasafaris.com and we will carry the “burden” of going through all channels to secure your gorilla Permit. Alternatively, if you would like to explore the option of “DIY – Doing it yourself”, then you will need to cultivate a lot of patience to follow through with the bureaucracy, and dynamics involved in the process of purchasing Gorilla Permits in Uganda.
Learn more on how to buy a gorilla Permit from UWA
When is the easiest/best time to Buy my gorilla permits for Uganda?
We recommend booking and paying for your gorilla permits at least 03 – 06 months in advance. This is to avoid missing out on gorilla permits especially if you intend to travel and trek gorillas during the peak season months of June – August or December to February.
Can I Buy Last Minute Gorilla Permits in Uganda?
Yes, Last-minute gorilla permits can be bought from locally licensed tour operators who buy in bulk. Much as it’s challenging, it’s NOT impossible to get last-minute permits during peak season.
If you are interested in last-minute Permits or last-minute gorilla trekking tours in Uganda, then contact us now; info@realmafricasafaris.com
Check out our Last-minute gorilla Trekking offers for 2022 & beyond.
Can I cancel my Gorilla Permit?
Yes, it is possible to cancel your previously booked & Fully paid up Gorilla Trekking Permit, and still qualify for a refund from UWA.
| Days before trekking Dates | Refund (%) | Comments |
| 91+ | 75% | |
| 46 – 90 | 50% | |
| 09 – 45 | 25% | |
| 0 – 08 | 0% | No refund |
Note: Cancellations are only processed for previously Fully Paid-up permits.
