Cost of a Gorilla Permit in Uganda and Rwanda: Gorilla Trekking is led by park Rangers who often use machetes to create temporary paths through the foliage. Gorilla trekking is considered to be one of the most amazing wildlife activities in Africa. Gorilla trekking is more expensive and special because it takes you to an encounter with a creature that resembles/behaves like we humans. Resemblance to humans aside, gorillas are generally endangered primates which makes an encounter with them even more appealing to tourists. This activity is usually done in countries such as Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where these fascinating creatures can be found. During the trekking adventure, tourists are guided by experienced rangers and trackers to ensure a safe and sustainable encounter with these majestic creatures.
Gorillas are one of the most endangered primates remaining on earth. There are over 300,000 western lowland gorillas, 350 cross-river gorillas, and approximately 1000 recorded mountain gorillas as well as about 5000 eastern lowlands gorillas still roaming on earth. Gorilla trekking is the main highlight of any trip to Uganda and Rwanda. gorilla trekking in both Uganda and Rwanda is done in a few designated areas. These include Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
What is a gorilla permit?
A gorilla permit is an illegal document that allows visitors to track and observe mountain gorillas in their natural habitat in protected areas like national parks and reserves. The permits are required for entry into these areas and are used to limit the number of visitors in order to minimize disturbance to the gorillas and their environment. There are two kinds of gorilla permits that’s to say the one for gorilla trekking to the gorilla groups that are habituated and those still undergoing the gorilla habituation process. Gorilla habituation allows visitors to spend an extended amount of time usually around 4 hours with a group of habituated gorillas in their natural habitat. This special experience allows visitors to observe and learn about the daily behavior and interactions of gorillas without disturbing or disrupting their natural ways of life. The gorilla habituation permit only exists in Uganda. Tourists can pay to take part in the gorilla habituation process under the guidance of researchers and senior trackers. Gorilla permits in Uganda and Rwanda are limited in number and are required for certain designated gorilla experiences, only 8 people are allowed to visit a particular gorilla group in a day for standard gorilla trekking. Only 4 people are allowed to visit a group still undergoing the habituation process.
How much is a gorilla permit?
In Uganda, a gorilla permit costs $800 per person for foreign non-residents, $700 per person for foreign residents and UGX 300,000 per person for East African citizens, and for gorilla habituation experience costs $1,500 per person or foreign non-residents, $1,000 per person for foreign resident and UGX 750,000 per person for East African citizens, this includes park entrance fee for the day and community development contribution. These permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), a body managing tourism and wildlife affairs in Uganda. Gorilla Permits in Rwanda are issued by the Rwanda Development Board at the cost of $1500 per person for Foreign non-residents, $500 Per person for foreign residents, and $200 for East African Citizens, this gives you an opportunity to spend one hour encounter with the mountain gorillas in volcanoes national Park.
How many gorilla permits are available in Rwanda and Uganda?
The number of gorilla permits available in Rwanda for a day varies depending on the season and the availability of the permits. Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, which is home to mountain gorillas, typically issues a maximum of 92 gorilla permits, this is broken down into eight gorilla permits for each of the 12 habituated gorilla families. while Uganda is blessed with two national parks holding identity as the home to mountain gorillas, Uganda has 19 habituated gorilla groups with 18 found in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and 1 in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, this implies 154 gorilla permits are available every day for gorilla trekking. Gorilla habituation experience is the only dome in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and there are 8 permits available for the gorilla habituation experience.
How can I book a gorilla permit?
In Uganda, gorilla permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) while in Rwanda, gorilla permits are issued by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) or you can contact and make arrangements for gorilla permit bookings with any trusted and recognized tour operator like us at Focus East Africa Tours or you can send us an email at info@serengetimigrationsafari.com so that we check on your availabilities with UWA or RDB and get more information about the cost of a Gorilla Permit in Uganda and Rwanda. Gorilla permits need to be booked at least 3 months in advance especially if you are planning to travel during the peak months of June to August. We highly recommend that you book the gorilla habituation permit at least 3 months in advance if you can. Gorilla permits generally sell like hot cake during certain months of the year. You risk not getting space if you don’t book your gorilla tour early enough.
How do you cancel a gorilla permit?
Several factors may force you to postpone a trip. You may get ill or have a flight cancellation. We have heard of tourists being prohibited from gorilla trekking because of a cold or flu. The good news is that you can get a refund or request for your trip to be rescheduled if you are traveling with the help of a reliable tour operator. Uganda, a client requesting cancellation of a permit 91 days or more before the trekking date shall be authorized to 75% of the overall deposit. All requests for cancellation of permits shall be documented with the photocopies of the permit invoice and to be addressed to the executive director, (UWA). Rwanda accepts the postponement of tours and related gorilla permits. They can accept to reschedule the gorilla permit to be used on another date when you can show up.
Note: The possibility of making a cancellation is why it is better to book your gorilla permit with a recognized tour company. Reliable tour companies can offer you a full refund or reschedule your trip. This is because they could use the booked permit for another client.
