Gorilla Permits In Uganda are the most sought-after tourism product. Anyone going Gorilla Trekking Ought to have a Gorilla Permit. Gorilla Permits in Uganda cost $800 per permit for you to spend 01-hour with Gorillas or $1,500 per permit to spend 04 hours with a group of Wild gorillas in Uganda.
What is a Gorilla Permit?
A gorilla Permit is an official approval only issued to persons of ages 15 years and above allowing them to Trek to see Mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. In Uganda, Gorilla Permits are issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority – UWA after fulfilling all the requirements which include being of age 15 years and above, and having fully paid up for the permit. Gorilla Permits in Uganda
How much is a gorilla permit in Uganda?
Gorilla Trekking Permits In Uganda Cost;
- $800 per person/permit for Foreign Non-Residents.
- $700 per person/permit for Foreign Residents.
- $500 per person/permit for Africans from the rest of Africa.
- UGX 300,000 per person/permit for East Africans from EAC member states.
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
How & where can I buy a Gorilla Permit in Uganda?
The best way to buy a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda is through a licensed local tour operator (see: List of tour Operators below) and we will carry the “burden” of going through all channels to secure your gorilla Permit. Alternatively, suppose you would like to explore the option of “DIY – Doing it yourself”. In that case, 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.
Related: How to buy a gorilla permit in Uganda.
I now have the Gorilla Permit – what next?
Now that you have your gorilla permit, it’s time to find where to stay. For instance, if the gorilla permit acquired is for the Buhoma Sector, then it is advised that you find a hotel, lodge, or safari camp in the Buhoma region; The options in all regions range from Very basic budget camps, and midrange lodges to very upscale safari lodges & camps – we will let your budget guide you through this.
After I have decided & booked where to stay, what next?
It’s now time to worry about getting to your Gorilla Trekking Region (the one indicated on your Permit) which can’t be interchanged at the last minute – so ensure you have this right from the start. Alternatively, to save you all the hassle, why not let Realm Africa Safaris™ do the hard work for you? Yes, working with a local travel/tour agent might cost you some cash but it will save you all the likely mistakes & the hassle of trying to do it yourself.
Why is gorilla trekking so expensive?
Gorilla Trekking is not something one can do anywhere. even in the places where you do it, there is just a handful of mountain gorillas still surviving so in abide to save and continue to conserve these amazing creatures you need BIG funding which is why the gorilla permits are considered expensive – but worthwhile spending on.
It is also important to understand that up to 75% of the money collected from the sale of gorilla permits is reinvested in building schools and trying to create a livelihood for the people who live close to the forest as motivation to help stop encroachment that eventually would lead to habitat loss.
The detailed Mathematics behind the Price Of gorilla permits In Uganda
- 10% to the local communities that live close to the forest where the gorillas live.
- 15% of the revenue collected from the sale of Gorilla Permits goes to the government.
- 75% to gorilla conservation programs like research etc.
Related: Is gorilla trekking really worth it?
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, contact us.
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.
