Gorilla Permit For Uganda 2023-2024: Everything You Need To Know : Uganda is home to the largest number of mountain gorillas. This threatened primate resides in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda. One method of protecting these creatures is ecotourism. The money made from Mountain gorilla trekking excursions is used to support national parks and gives people a financial incentive to protect gorillas. To see the gorillas, visitors must have permission.
How to obtain gorilla permits for Uganda is one of the frequently asked question by visitors who want to have this experience. You will need to have your gorilla permit secured in advance to confirm that you are booked for a gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Forest National Park or Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Here is all you need to know about the gorilla permit in Uganda:
WHAT IS A GORILLA PERMIT?
Permission is required if you wish to see gorillas in the wild. This enables nations to regulate the number of tourists who visit gorilla tribes. Additionally, it enables national parks to raise the funds required to safeguard these critically endangered primates. One trek and one hour with the gorillas are included in the permits.
Depending on where the gorillas are on any given day, the length of the journey may change. This is true of the 19 habituated gorilla groups in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, only two of which are seen outside of habituation hikes. It also holds true for the one habituated group in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
HOW DO I BOOK GORILLA PERMITS IN UGANDA?
When you have finalized your travel dates, please send us an email so we can check the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s website to see whether gorilla habituation permits are still available for your dates of travel. If they are, we will inform you and send you an invoice so you can pay for the permits. Your reservation for the gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Forest National Park will be confirmed as soon as the payment is completed and we have received it on our account. We will then acquire your permits right away and email you a scanned copy of them for your records and review. Given that there are only a few permits available each day and that they sell out rapidly based on first come, first served, it is advisable to reserve your gorilla permits at least two to three months before your arrival.
WHAT IS A HABITAT PERMIT?
Tourists are permitted to participate in the habitation process with a permit. This entails gradually fostering the comfort of wild gorillas around humans, which is crucial for tourism. Because visitors spend four hours instead of one with the gorillas, these kind of permits are more expensive.
HOW MUCH DOES A GORILLA PERMIT COST?
In Uganda, a single gorilla permit costs $700 for each individual. The cost of gorilla permits does, however, vary by nation. The most affordable permits are in the Democratic Republic of the Congo ($400), whereas Rwandan permits cost $1,500. In Uganda, a permit for a gorilla habituation experience costs $1,500 per person, Gorilla Permit For Uganda 2023-2024.
HOW DO I GET A GORILLA PERMIT?
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), a government agency that oversees tourism and wildlife protection, issues gorilla permits in Uganda. Although it is possible to order the permits directly from UWA, working with a trustworthy tour company such as Focus East Africa Tours and Achieve global Safari is the most practical option. The majority of tour companies include a gorilla permit in the total cost of a gorilla safari. To guarantee availability, make your reservation at least two months before your trip.
HOW MANY GORILLA PERMITS ARE AVAILABLE IN UGANDA?
Currently, there are about 160 permits offered each day. The habituated gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park each receive a portion of these.
WHAT DOES THE GORILLA PERMIT IN UGANDA COVER?
Keep in mind that a permit only entitles you to a trek and an hour with the gorillas. It excludes all other expenses, such as those for lodging, transportation, food, etc.
CAN YOU CANCEL A PERMIT?
If your permit has been fully paid for, the following cancellation policies are applicable:
- 91 days or more before the activity, you can cancel your permit and receive a 75% refund.
- 50% back if you cancel between 46 and 90 days before
- 25% back if you cancel between nine and forty-five days prior
- If you cancel between 0 and 8 days prior, there is no reimbursement.
However, 50% of the permit price may be returned if you are unable to trek due to illness. This aims to prevent the gorillas from getting sick and to urge people to be more open about feeling sick. Even the common cold may be devastating for gorillas.
WHERE IS GORILLA TREKKING DONE IN AFRICA?
Booking information for gorilla permits in 2022–2023. Gorilla trekking is available in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which are home to the four national parks where the last remaining mountain gorillas are found. They include the national parks of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Virunga in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. You may also see lowland gorillas in the Congo, which can be found at Kahuzi Beiga National Park. A gorilla permit is necessary in order to trek in any of the mentioned national parks if you want to see gorillas, Gorilla Permit For Uganda 2023-2024.
In light of the fact that services and permits sell out very quickly, especially if you plan to do the trek during the peak season of June to September, we advise you to start booking your gorilla trip as soon as you have your planned dates. It is always preferable to do so at least two months prior to your trip. You can reserve a gorilla trek at the aforementioned parks either directly or through a reputable tour operator like Focus East Africa Tours and Achieve global Safari.
WHAT IS THE AGE LIMIT FOR GORILLA TREKKING IN AFRICA?
Depending on physical levels, the minimum and maximum ages for gorilla trekking are 15 and 85, respectively. The availability of sedan chair carriers, which are used to carry people who feel unfit and are unable to walk into the forest at the time of their trek, has made gorilla trekking for elders possible, particularly in the Bwindi Forest. You will be carried by potters to and from the forest during your trek; hiring the sedan chair can be done in advance or on the day of the trek and costs between $400 and $500.
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME FOR GORILLA TREKKING IN AFRICA?
The drier months of January, February, June, and early September are the best times to go gorilla trekking in Africa since they make it easier to go to the park and provide a clear view of the gorillas because the forest is not as densely covered. Gorilla trekking is done all year round, Gorilla Permit For Uganda 2023-2024 .
WHAT TO PACK FOR GORILLA TREKKING IN AFRICA
You’ll need a pair of sturdy, comfortable walking shoes or boots for gorilla tracking. Conditions are often very muddy in the forest while it is raining. There are a few incline areas that can be fairly arduous and steep. In order to safeguard yourself from the underbrush, stinging nettles, and biting ants, it is also suggested to wear a long-sleeved cotton shirt and lightweight long pants. Other suggested items to bring during gorilla trekking includes;
- Insect Repellent
- Torch or Flashlight—and Spare Batteries
- Wet Wipes
- Water Bottle
- Cameras, lenses, etc.
- Comfortable walking or hiking boots and socks
- Gardening gloves for gorilla tracking
- Sandals/strops/walking shoes
- hat and sunscreen
- Rain Jacket
- Sweater/fleece
- Swimwear
- Binoculars (for game or bird watching)
WHY BOOK WITH FOCUS EAST AFRICA TOURS OR ACHIEVE GLOBAL SAFARI FOR YOUR GORILLA PERMITS?
At Focus East Africa Tours and Achieve global Safari we provide individualized service with the utmost devotion to the safety and happiness of our clients. We are dedicated to the health of both our employees and visitors, as well as to making a difference in the communities and natural areas that our operations touch. We adhere to the environmental maxim “Take Nothing but Photos, Leave Only Footprints” on all of our operations and safaris, and all of our packages are eco-friendly.
The safety and health of our customers will be our top priority during your trip with Post-Covid, and we’ll make sure all of our service providers and employees follow the SOPs and healthy guidelines established for the safety and health of customers and service providers while on safari.
