How To Book Gorilla Permit In Uganda And Rwanda

How To Book Gorilla Permit In Uganda And Rwanda

Booking a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda is one of the frequently asked question by many tourist planning to experience a Uganda gorilla safari. A gorilla permit in Uganda is card or document that allows you access to the gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda or Rwanda. There are two gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda namely; Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga gorilla National Park. Whilst there is one gorilla safari destination in Rwanda called Volcanoes National Park also known as “Parc National Des Volcano”.

Once you purchase a gorilla permit in Uganda or Rwanda, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA)    permits you to spend one hour with the Mountain Gorilla Family, during this one hour, you are free to take photos with the gorillas, learn and enjoy more about their interesting behavioral lifestyle in the jungle.

It is important to note that the gorilla trekking permit can only be got through a full registered Local  Tour Company in either Uganda or Rwanda, or get in touch directly with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) for the case of Uganda if you want Rwanda gorilla trekking permit  then contact Tourism Board (RTB).

What Is The Best Way To Book a Gorilla Trekking Permit In Uganda Or Rwanda

It is much easier and faster to book a Gorilla Trekking Permit through a registered local safari Company or Tour company since it shall take you less time compared booking with the Uganda Wildlife Authority or Rwanda Tourism Board because they tends to be busy attending many people at their office thus it take long to respond to emails and phone calls.

Another great benefit of booking with a local Tour Company is that they are well equipped with knowledge about gorilla safaris, the various Gorilla families plus the clear knowledge of the community around, the country and they always know where to find good cheaper places for both food and accommodation in all safari destinations. Prior to this, the Local Tour Company can do assist you to book your accommodation booking for your stay throughout the entire safari at free of charge or at small fee.

Local safari companies also go an extra mile as travel consultants to give wonderful recommendations incase you plan to have an extended or tailor made Uganda safari or a combined Uganda and Rwanda safari / roadtrip experience. In this note feel free to get in touch with Jeisking Tours Ltd to assist your gorilla trekking safari or gorilla permit in Uganda or Rwanda.

However on the other hand, incase you would love to book your Gorilla trekking permit directly with Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) as you better option, then proceed to send an E-mail to the Uganda Revenue Authority’s reservation office in Kampala, first inquire about the gorilla permit availability according to your travel dates and dates you would love to  trek the Gorillas. If they do not have availability matching your preferred travel dates , don’t hesitate to go head and to ask them to update you about the available nearest dates so that can properly plan your Uganda gorilla safari.

What Is Best Places To Trek Gorillas In Uganda

As earlier mentioned, there are only two stunning gorilla safari parks in Uganda. That is Bwindi Forest Park and Mgahinga gorilla National Park. But since the Gorilla Families in Mgahinga gorilla National Park are few and not reliable, Gorilla trekking in Uganda is best done in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and the gorilla permits in uganda sold are for Bwindi forest. But at the time of booking your gorilla trekking permit, you can still be specific on which National Park you would love to go gorilla trekking as you make reservations with your Tour Operator.

About The Gorilla Trekking Safari Experience In Uganda

Before you head out for your gorilla safari experience, you shall be guided on which gorilla family to trek depending. This depends on your  level of fitness, like for the case of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park that is graced with about 21 habituated gorilla families, gorilla trekking in Bwindi forest has been made easy since the park is bisected into four gorilla trekking sectors namely as Buhoma sector in the North, Ruhija sector in the East, Rushaga sector and Nkuringo sector in the South. The most interesting thing about these sectors is that are all blessed with different habituated gorilla families. And each sector has got its own accommodation lodges/ camps that range from Budget, Midrange and Luxury accommodations options.

When Is The Best Time To Book Your Gorilla Trekking Permit In Uganda Or Rwanda ?

We do advise tourists to consider booking the Uganda gorilla permits in advance at least 4-6 months prior to the dates of travel, though the gorilla permits in Uganda can also be purchased up to two years in advance. Many tourists prefer to go for Gorilla Trekking safaris in the Peak season or High season. This is also referred to as the dry season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January and February. On this not there is always high demand for gorilla permits in the peak season due to many tourists flooding the country, therefore the earlier you book, the quicker you get a chance for gorilla trekking since the gorilla permits in Uganda tend to get sold out so fast during this dry season. So  if your delay in booking, you may end up missing out on the gorilla experience  gorilla trekking experience in that time of the year. Please take note that regardless of whether its low season of peak, there are no discounted permits in Uganda, these were abolished in 2017.

What Is The Cost Of a Gorilla Permit?

In Uganda, the cost of Gorilla trekking permit is charged  $700 per person per single trek for foreign international tourist that do not stay particularly in Uganda and in any of the countries in the East African Community, for the for foreigners that stay in the partner states of the East African Community are charged $600 per person per single trek whilst Shs250,000 for the natives that stay in the East African Community. And in Rwanda, the Rwanda Tourism Board charges $1500 per person per single trek for the Gorilla trekking permits in the high season and the country charges $1050 per person in the low season( these are the discounted gorilla permits in Rwanda).

NO one can do Gorilla Trekking in Uganda or Rwanda with the Gorilla trekking Permit. Therefore in order to book your gorilla trekking permit, you shall to provide your personal details on your passport bearing your name, nationality, passport number and date of birth. On this note the Gorilla trekking permits cannot be handled to the possession of another person so you shall have to present your passport copy and identification documents at the pre-trekking briefing point.

Whether you are booking with a Local Tour Company/ Safari company or directly with the Uganda Wildlife Authority, you shall have to provide full payment for the permits plus dates for trekking and if you find that the dates that you suggested are already booked, then request your Local Tour Company or safari company or UWA, whoever is organizing your gorilla safari to book you the nearest dates that suit your gorilla trekking safari.

What Happens After Booking Your Gorilla Permit In Uganda Or Rwanda?

After the Local Tour Operator or Safari Company has booked and paid for your gorilla permits, in a few weeks, the gorilla permit is issued and finally the Tour Operator sends you the scanned copy of your gorilla permit and on arrival into the country, the safari company representative provides you a  hard copy  on arrival in the Country and if you booked with the Uganda Wildlife Reservations Office, then you shall have to pick it from their main offices in Kampala. Your gorilla trekking permit shall have a unique serial number plus all your personal details.

Incase you would love to book your gorilla permit in Uganda or Rwanda with us, simply email us or go ahead to fill our contact form and we shall respond as soon as we receive you gorilla trekking permit inquiry.