What is a gorilla Permit? Gorilla Permits
A gorilla permit is an official document issued by a government (where gorillas can be found) allowing the bearer to legally track and see Gorillas henceforth the name ” Gorilla permit”.
In Uganda, a gorilla permit is issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority – UWA after the applicant(s) meet the minimum requirements of being of age above 15 years, exhibiting good health (communicable diseases like flu & cough can easily be passed onto the mountain gorillas) and providing proof of having paid for the Gorilla Permit. Gorilla Permits in Uganda cost $700 per person to trek and spend 01-hour viewing, photographing or filming a group of habituated mountain gorillas. ** Commercial gorilla filming & photography requires extra permits & permissions – See our blog; Gorilla Filming in Uganda.
In Rwanda, a gorilla permit is issued by the Rwanda Development Board – RDB also after confirming that the applicant(s) are at least 15 years and are in good health. A Rwanda gorilla permit costs $1,500 per person to spend 01 hours in the company of a habituated mountain gorilla group.
What is the cost of a gorilla permit?
Rwanda Gorilla Permit fees for 2022 – 2023
Gorilla permits in Rwanda are indiscriminately priced at $1,500 per person intending to go gorilla trekking In Volcanoes National Park except for a few incentives as explained below;
- 30% – $1,050 per person if visiting Akagera & Nyungwe Forest National Park for at least 3 days in the low season months of November & May.
- 15% – 1,275 per person trekking gorillas after Meetings, incentives, conferencing, exhibition ( MICE) events in Rwanda.
- $30,000 – for 03 persons visiting for 03 Days Consecutive Behind the Scenes with the Gorillas of Rwanda.
- $15,000 to exclusively trek a gorilla family in Rwanda.
Price of a Gorilla Permit in Uganda
In Uganda, Gorilla permits cost $700 for foreign non-residents, $600 per person for Foreign residents, and Ugx 250,000 per person for East African Citizens including those living or working in the diaspora.
Besides the traditional one-hour mountain gorilla trekking experience, travelers visiting Uganda can opt to instead spend four (04) hours in the presence of a wild mountain gorilla group in company with a team of researchers & game rangers. Mountain Gorilla habituation permits cost $1,500 per person and only 04 tourists are allowed to join a group of researchers & rangers visiting a specific family that is still undergoing habituation.
Learn more about Gorilla habituation.
Why is a gorilla permit so Expensive?
- 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.
In each gorilla country, bodies responsible i.e. Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in Uganda and Rwanda Development Board (RDB) in Rwanda hire 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 hardly 1,000 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.
Where do I get a gorilla Permit?
When is the best time to go gorilla trekking?
We like to recommend pre-booking your gorilla permits at least six (06) months in advance to ensure that you do not miss out on the actual dates of interest especially for travelers that want to do it on their birthday, anniversary or any other dates that are special for them.
Mountain gorilla permits are extremely very competitive to book. We advise our clients and all other travellers to refrain for any last-minute practices especially when booking your gorilla tour with Realm Africa Safaris™. See: Why we don’t like Last-minute stuff!
Where is the best place to go gorilla trekking?
Generally speaking, the Best place to see gorillas is largely dependent on how much time you have at your disposal, how much you want to spend and when you want to go Gorilla Trekking. The team at Realm Africa Safaris™ boasts of over 10 years of experience organizing memorable Gorilla Trekking Holidays –
Read our post;
- Compare Gorilla trekking in Rwanda & Uganda.
- Where is the Safest Place to go gorilla trekking In Africa?
What should I pack for my gorilla trekking Safari?
- Hiking Boots. Buy boots that go above your ankles – they protect you from strains.
- Garden Gloves. These protect your hands – they are important.
- Rain Jacket. …
- Long-Sleeved Shirt or Blouse. …
- Energy Giving snacks. …
- Cameras and extra batteries. …
- Hat or bandana . …
- Pair of Binoculars.
See the Full List of what to pack for gorilla Trekking.
