Gorilla Trekking Permits, How To Acquire One

In Rwanda and Uganda, hiking with gorillas is one of the most well-liked tourist attractions. In Uganda, one can go gorilla trekking in the southwest regions of the country in Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Out of Rwanda and Congo, Uganda is thought to contain the biggest concentration of mountain gorillas.

In Rwanda, only Volcanoes National Park is used for gorilla trekking. Golden monkeys and mountain gorillas can be seen in Volcanoes National Park. Black-fronted duiker, buffalo, elephants, bushbuck, and spotted hyena. The expected number of bushbucks in the population is 1760–7040 animals. Additionally, there are rumoured to be some elephants in the park, which is uncommon to see. The park produces thick moors home to endemic gigantic lobelia and groundsel, as well as vast bamboo forests and some of the planet’s last surviving afro-montane forest habitat. The number of bird species is approximately 200.

A trekking permit, often known as a gorilla permit, is required in order to track or visit the endangered mountain gorillas. The permit must be valid for the day of the gorilla trek and be provided by the Issuing Authority. Rwanda Development Board issues licences for gorilla trekking in Rwanda; Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) handles this in Uganda.

Uganda

Gorilla viewing permits in Uganda are highly sought after and should be reserved as soon as possible. Only Ugandan tour companies are able to purchase these permits, which can be obtained up to 24 months in advance. The current state of affairs is shown below. There are three x eight permits in the Buhoma region with three families (Mubare, Habunyanja, and Rushegura); Ruhija has three families (Oruzogo, Bitukura, and Kahungye); Mgahinga has one family (Nyakagezi); and Nkuringo has two families (Nkuringo and Rushaga).

Rwanda

Currently, Rwanda offers tracking opportunities to around ten gorilla families, with 80 permits accessible each day.

How to book a Gorilla Permit

The date that you will be going into the forest to see the mountain gorillas either in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, or Bwindi National Park, Uganda must be determined when arranging for a gorilla permit.

Whenever a deposit or full payment for the permit has been received, the gorilla permit will always be reserved in advance and paid for in full before the safari is officially confirmed. Please be aware that permits are not transferable or refundable. Only when you have verified that your organisation or the guest has paid for their permissions will we be able to obtain permits. Licences are non-commissionable and are sold at cost.

Cost of a Gorilla Permit

These rates are in effect as of the year 2018. A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs US$ 800.00, whereas a permit in Rwanda costs US$ 1500. Only one visitor is allowed per permit, and they are only good for the day the tracking is scheduled.