Gorilla Safaris Permits Price 2023 -24 : Things you need to know before and after booking a gorilla permit. A Gorilla permit is a ticket provided by a government body responsible for the national parks and conservation areas in that recognized countries where gorilla trekking takes place. The reason why they give gorilla permits to visitors is to control the number of people visiting gorilla groups. It also allows national parks to raise money regard to protecting these endangered primates.
Despite the gorilla permits allow access to one trek and one hour with the gorillas. The length of the trek depends on the movements of the gorillas on any given day. In the world, gorilla trekking takes place in only three countries Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Here are the gorilla national parks in each country, in Uganda mountain gorillas, are found in two national parks –Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park both found in the southwestern region of Uganda.
In Uganda Bwindi, Impenetrable Forest National park has 22habituated gorilla groups, two of which are only visited as part of the habituation gorilla experience. Of which Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has one habituated group.
In Rwanda, gorillas are found in Volcanoes National Park and Congo can be found in Virunga National Park and Kahuzi Biega National Park.
The cost of a single gorilla permit in Uganda is USD700 per person per day for foreign nonresidents and USD600 per person per day for foreign residents. However, gorilla permits do vary in price according to the country. The Rwanda gorilla permit costs are the most expensive at USD1,500 and DRC has the cheapest permits at USD400. A gorilla habituation experience permits in Uganda costs USD1,500 per person per day.
How do I get a gorilla permit in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo?
Gorilla permits in Uganda are obtained from the Uganda Wildlife Authority ‘’UWA’’ offices in Kampala. The Uganda Wildlife Authority issues over 160 gorilla permits per day. If you decide to book the permit by yourself, contact Uganda Wildlife Authority by email requesting a reservation with information about your dates of travel. But the best convenient way is to use a reliable tour operator and most tour operators include a gorilla permit as part of the overall cost of a gorilla safari. We recommend visitors book their gorilla permits at least six months ahead of travel to ensure availability.
Rwanda gorilla permits can be bought at Rwanda Development Board ‘’RDB’’.
Congo’s gorilla permits can be obtained through a tour operator or safari company which is purchased inside the Virunga National Park ‘s head offices.
How Many Gorilla Permits Are Available in Uganda?
There are currently around 160 permits available per day. These are split between the habituation gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
What Do the Gorilla Permits in Uganda Cover?
It permits access for a trek and one hour with the gorillas. No includes any other costs, such as accommodation, transport, and meals among others.
Can You Cancel a Permit?
If you have only paid a deposit, you will not receive any refund on cancellation.
If you have made 100% payments, the following cancellation rules apply;
75% refund if you cancel your permits for 91 days or more. Done before your trek
50% refund if you cancel 46 to 90 days before
25% refund if you cancel nine to 45 days before
No refund if you cancel zero to 8 days before.
If you cannot trek due to illness,50% of the permit fee may be refunded. This is to encourage people to be kinder about feeling unwell and prevent the gorillas from becoming sick
Best Time to Go for Gorilla Safaris;
In world Mountain gorilla safaris are only found in three countries and in four national parks; Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. In Uganda gorillas can be seen in two national park; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. Rwanda gorillas can be found in Volcanoes National Park and Virunga National Park in Congo.
