How to book a gorilla trekking permit?

How to book a gorilla trekking permit? : A gorilla permit is a document that allows travelers/guests to visit the critically endangered mountain gorillas and spend one hour with them in their natural habitat.

Gorilla trekking permit are issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in Uganda for gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Rwanda Development Board (RDB) for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.

Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda and Rwanda can only be obtained via a Tour Company or Safari Company, the process is quick and less tiresome. Another advantage of booking through a safari company is that they have knowledge of various gorilla families as well as clear knowledge of the community around and various accommodation and they can book it for you. Tour Company or Safari Company can also give you great travel recommendation in case you wish to extend your trip.

How to Book Gorilla trekking Permits

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is only done in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, though most gorilla trekking are done in Bwindi and because of high demand for Bwindi permits they are sold out instantly.

When booking a gorilla trekking permit, it is important to specific the destination you want to go gorilla trekking “either Bwindi impenetrable national park or Mgahinga Gorilla national park”.

Before you go for gorilla trekking, you will be guided on which gorilla family to trek depending on your fitness level especially for the case of Bwindi impenetrable with many habituated gorilla families spread in the 4 gorilla sectors namely Buhoma region in the North, Ruhija region in the East, Rushaga and Nkuringo region in the South. Each of these regions has a different habituated gorilla families.

When to Book your Gorilla trekking Permit?

Tourists are advised to book for gorilla trekking permit three months in advance and the permits can be purchased up to two years in advance which mainly favors tourists to go gorilla trekking during the peak season or high season in the drier months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February. Therefore the earlier you book, the easier it is for you to get a chance for gorilla trekking since the permits tend to run out fast most especially in peak season.

If you delay to book you gorilla permit, you may opt for a low season in Rwanda and Uganda in the months of May and November.

What is the cost of a gorilla permit?

In Uganda a gorilla trekking permit costs US$ 700 for Foreigners, US$ 600 for Foreign Residents and UGX 250,000 for East African Community Citizens (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and DR.Congo) per person per trek

In Rwanda, gorilla trekking permits cost US$ 1,500 per person per trek.

Travelers should note that you cannot be able to go for gorilla trekking unless you have a gorilla trekking permit, therefore in the process of booking a gorilla permit, you will have to provide the follow information.

Your full names
Nationality
Valid Passport with date of birth and number.
Evidence of payment
Dates when you want to go for gorilla trekking

In case the dates you wish to go for gorilla trekking, there are not gorilla permits available (fully booked), you will then be asked (you and your tour company) to organize your permit for the nearest dates that can act as other options for you to go gorilla trek.

During pre-trekking briefing, you will have to show your passport and identification documents. Because of this, so far there has been no incidence of being handed a gorilla permit which is possessed by someone else.

Finally you will receive a scanned copy of your gorilla trekking permit within a few days or weeks and when you arrive into the country, the safari company you chose to organize your gorilla safari will be able to provide you with the permit. If you are travelling independently, you will collect it from your tour operator since it is nolonger possible to book for the permit directly from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and Rwanda Development Board (RDB) directly. Your permit will have a unique serial number as well as your personal details written on it.