Gorilla Habituation Safari Costs – Permits, Lodging, Transport, Tips & Visa.

Gorilla Habituation Experience is Uganda’s newest gorilla trekking product recently introduced by Uganda Wildlife Authority as a revenue collection to Uganda’s continuous gorilla conservation efforts in Bwindi Forest.

Gorilla Habituation Experience unlike Gorilla trekking lasts a full Day and allows trekkers up-to 4 hours viewing & photography time with wild mountain gorillas. Gorilla habituation in Uganda only takes place in Bwindi forest National Park ( Rushaga & Nkuringo areas) – No where Else in the World.

Gorilla Habituation Safari Costs

For planning purposes, we are going to breakdown all Gorilla Habituation Safari Costs to help you plan your Gorilla habituation Safari to Uganda.

Gorilla Habituation Permit Cost.

The gorilla habituation permit cost is one of the first Gorilla Habituation Safari Costs anyone planning to visit Uganda for gorilla Habituation has got to factor into their overall tour cost. Gorilla habituation permits cost US$1500. This money is paid to Uganda Wildlife Authority in order to Secure your gorilla habituation permit. Remember only a total Of 8 permits are available between two (02) gorilla habituation Families (Bikyingi & Bushaho) – making the gorilla habituation permits reservation process a highly competitive procedure. We recommend that Gorilla habituation permit fees (US$1500) be sent to Realm Africa Safaris or any other Tour operator you choose to book with at least 3 months prior to the start of your tour.

Gorilla Habituation Lodging / Accommodation.

Accommodation cost will probably be you next most costly gorilla habituation safari cost especially if you opt for upmarket accommodation in the areas of Rushaga and or Nkuringo – the only places where gorilla habituation takes place.

Our recommendations for travelers with a preference for Serenity include; Chameloene Hill Lodge – perched on a ridge overlooking Lake Mutanda & the Virunga Mountains, Nkuringo gorilla safari lodge – perched on a hill overlooking the Virunga Mountains, Rushaga Gorilla Camp or the eloquently luxurious Clouds mountain gorilla lodge – only 2 minutes walk to the Nkuringo Gorilla Office.

Special Note:

Available permits at the time of booking your gorilla habituation safari might dictate where you stay. You will either stay at a lodge in the Nkuringo Sector or Rushaga Sector. If you opt to stay at one and you have a gorilla habituation permit for the other, be sure to loose 1 ½ hours maneuvering the uneven dirt roads of bwindi trying to get to your start point.
Sometimes travelers opt to stay in Kisoro at the historic Travelers Rest Hotel which is about 1:30 drive to both Rushaga and Nkuringo gorilla Habituation Centers – you may have to start this drive as early as 4:30am to ensure you are there for briefing at 6:00am.

Transportation ( Car + Fuel + Driver Guide).

Transportation ought to be in well maintained – fully functional 4X4. Available on the market are Toyota mini Vans (alot cheaper) or the Toyota Land Cruiser (prices vary depending on seating capacity). Gorilla Habituation Safari Costs, Gorilla Habituation Safari Costs

Toyota Mini Vans inclusive of a driver guide & fuel (Don’t take Chances – you definitely need a driver who is familiar with the roads and driving in Uganda) will cost between US$100 – US$180. Toyota Land cruisers inclusive of a driver guide & fuel cost between US$200 – US$350.

While you Browse the internet for a Local agent with who to book your Gorilla habituation safari, confirm that the agent you are booking with is a registered of Association of Uganda Tour Operators just like Realm Africa Safaris to avoid “surprises”.

Tips for Porters & Staff at the Lodges.

Tipping in Uganda is NOT mandatory. however, we do encourage our travelers to set apart some money for tips to porters,hotel staff and driver guides. These tips are very much appreciated as they help supplement on the petty earnings they do receive. For guidence, read our post on “Tipping in Uganda”

Uganda Tourist Visa – US$50. Gorilla Habituation Safari Costs

Assuming you are done with all the above gorilla habituation Safari Costs, you next focus is applying (online) for your Uganda tourist Visa – US$50. When getting Set to apply for a Uganda Tourist Visa – US$50, you need to prepare a couple of e-documents for uploading onto the Uganda immigration website as support for your Uganda tourist Visa application. The four (04) step Uganda tourist Visa online application requires; A valid passport(Bio Data page), yellow fever vaccination card, Recent passport photographs & itinerary (we will send you this upon confirmation of your booking). Upon successfully completing your application, a reply will be sent to the email address you provided in your application form.

Special Note: Gorilla Habituation Safari Costs, Gorilla Habituation Safari Costs

Please bring with you in triplicate all documents submitted in during your online Uganda tourist Visa application as they will be subject to verification after which you will be issued a Uganda Tourist Visa at you port of entry. Gorilla Habituation Safari Costs

Like the acronym FYI…..(for your information) Gorilla Habituation Safari costs vary and are dependent on the level and or standard of service (budget, mid-range & Upmarket) that a traveler opts for. Of-course every one does love to save a “penny” however, be careful as you try to find your local gorilla habituation agent. We recommend that you visit Association of Uganda Tour Operators- AUTO to find out if the agent you are planing to book with is listed as a member of this Association – otherwise you might be “surprised”. Gorilla Habituation Safari Costs