What is a gorilla Permit?

• What is a gorilla Permit or Pass?

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”.

• Why do I need a pass or permit to trek Gorillas?

For purposes of regulating the activity of gorilla trekking, the UWA/RDB management did introduce Gorillas permits which every individual must acquire prior to them traveling to see the gorillas in their natural habitat. With the permits, proper statistics of both the number of tourists and revenue generated from gorilla tracking can be easily recorded and perhaps used for future research or marketing purposes.

• What is the Price of a Gorilla trekking Pass?

In Uganda, a gorilla pass/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 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.

In Rwanda, a gorilla trekking 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 trekking permit costs $1,500 per person to spend 01 hour in the company of a habituated mountain gorilla group.

Learn more about the Price Of Gorilla permits In 2022 – 2023

• How to book a gorilla tracking pass/permit.

There are two (02) ways to reserve or book a gorilla tracking Permit both in Uganda & Rwanda; You may opt to do it yourself by contacting either UWA or RDB via email or you may opt to ask us to book and arrange both the permits and the entire gorilla trekking trip for you. Working with a local tour operator does save you the hassle of trying to figure out things.

• Requirements for booking a Gorilla tracking Pass/Permit.

First and foremost, anyone intending to take part in Gorilla Trekking Must be at least 15 years of age. Assuming you are of age, we will then need you to send us your proposed gorilla trekking dates. For instance, you may mention that you are interested in tracking gorillas on either 3rd or 4th December 2023 – we will then contact Uganda Wildlife Authority /Rwanda Development Board for them to advise on the availability of gorilla permits for the dates you proposed to us. We will then get back to you with a response from them regarding whether the permits are available or not. If not we, will request that you consider other dates.

Learn More about: why the Gorilla trekking age limit is set at 15 years.

Assuming there are permits for the dates you requested, we will then request you to send us a scanned copy of your Passport (Bios page) and the money for the Gorilla Pass. We will right away send our permits reservation personnel to make the payments and also secure your gorilla trekking permit. After all, this is done, we will send you a scanned copy of your gorilla tracking permit.

Ensure your Passport meets the East African Passport Validity rule.

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Price of a Gorilla Permit in Uganda for 2022 – 2024

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• $700 per person – for foreign non-residents.
• $600 per person – for foreign Residents (proof of residence is required at booking)
• UGX250,000 per person – for East African residents.

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Price Of a Gorilla Permit in Rwanda for 2022 – 2024

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Unlike Uganda, 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, and 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.

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