Do I need a permit to trek gorillas?
Do I need a permit to trek gorillas? In case you are organizing an African Safari Tour, you should not miss out on mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda. Gorilla trekking/gorilla tracking is one of the most intense primate tracking experiences in Africa that many travelers regard as life changing. The physical gorilla trekking takes to the natural habitat for mountain gorillas through tough terrains and dense forests to witness the endangered primates of Rwanda and Uganda. Despite the physical challenges posed by the gorilla trekking expedition and the cost of permits, the expensive is worth all the time and high fees. When you find the gorillas in the wild, you feel like one of the members of the family. Do I need a permit to trek gorillas? All travelers to Uganda and Rwanda need to possess a gorilla permit before going for gorilla tracking adventures and without it you cannot do the trek.
The popular Mountain gorilla trekking safaris/gorilla trekking tours in Africa take place in Easten part in the countries of Rwanda, Uganda and D.R Congo. The authorities in charge of protecting mountain gorilla price permits according the category of the visitors. The issuing of gorilla permits considers factors like the location and citizenship of the visitors, who are grouped as foreign non-resident, foreign resident and East African nationals. While going for the gorilla trekking ensure to book in advance, at least 6 months before you go for the primate tracking adventures.
What is a gorilla trekking permit? – Why do I need a gorilla permit?
You may want to know; What is a gorilla permit or gorilla trekking permit? – Do I need a permit to trek gorillas?
If you are interested in traveling to Uganda and Rwanda for Gorilla Trekking Tours, it is better to acquire the gorilla trekking permit to be allowed to visit the home of the rare primates. The Gorilla permit, being a legal document, gives travelers the legal right to trek the gorillas of East Africa. The gorilla permits in Uganda are issued and controlled by the Uganda Wildlife Authority which protects the country’s national parks. While the Rwanda Development Board handles the selling of the permits in neighboring Rwanda and protects her national parks
Why should you possess a gorilla permit? First of all, mountain gorillas are very few and endangered, the last of them about 1000 gorillas living two jungles of Virunga Mountains and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. These creatures are some of the most sought-for primates as many travelers are interested in seeing them in their natural habitat. The high demand for Gorilla trekking safaris could be a hazard for the endangered primates hence the need to control the number of trekkers per day.The gorilla permits serve as a tool of control to regulate the amount of people around mountain gorillas. The validity of the gorilla permit is a single gorilla trekking day, it expires as soon you exit the jungle after seeing the humble giants.
Secondly, the peak season poses a threat to the humble creatures because of the high demand, the permits sell-out faster than expected. If you are planning to go for primate tracking, ensure to pay for the gorilla trekking permit earlier.
Book with us for a gorilla permit for both Uganda and Rwanda, and discover habitat for the last mountain gorillas on earth.
With our experience in organizing gorilla safaris in Rwanda and Uganda, we can easily help you book your gorilla trekking permit for both Uganda and Rwanda.
Where to go for gorilla trekking in Africa? – Gorilla trekking destinations in Africa
If you ever think of mountain gorilla trekking, think of east Africa. There are only three countries that inhabit the rare and endangered mountain gorillas, Uganda, Rwanda, and Democratic Republic of Congo. Gorilla trekking in these countries id done in designated gorilla National Park. Three of the gorilla safari parks are located within the Virunga region, stretching across three countries of Uganda, Rwanda, and D.R Congo.
East Africa is the home of mountain gorillas, the only place to find the rare silverbacks in the misty world around Virunga Mountains. The Gorilla trekking tours lead visitors into three countries of Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo which house about 1000 gorillas. These thousands of gorillas are unique to the areas around Virunga Mountains ( 4 Gorilla national parks) and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The mountain gorilla king of Africa is Uganda, more than of the creatures are found in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Travelers can also visit the other destination of Mgahinga National Park with a single gorilla habituated family.
In the neighboring countries of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo are two gorilla National Parks; Volcanoes National Park and Virunga National Park in the respective countries. Despite low habituated families compared to Uganda, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is the most famous gorilla destination in the world. To witness the humble giants in the Mountain Gorilla Trekking Countries, you must first acquire a Gorilla trekking permit.
How much does a gorilla trekking permit cost?
There is a variation in the prices charged on Gorilla permits depending on location of travelers or origin. In Uganda, trekking is much affordable with the gorilla permit fees nearly half of what is paid in Rwanda. Despite the expensive nature of gorilla permit, primate tracking is worthy all the time and money, you should include it on your bucket list items to do African Wildlife Tours/ Arican Safari Adventures. Here is all you need to know about the cost of gorilla trekking permits;
How much does a gorilla permit cost in Uganda – Uganda gorilla permit costs
Regarding the gorilla permits in Uganda, the body that issues them is the Uganda Wildlife Authority that protects the home of the endangered silverback gorillas. The Gorilla permit in Uganda is about $800 per person for foreign non-residents, catering for a single trek or trekking day. For foreigners living in Uganda, the authorities charge $700 per person to trek. The price is much lower for East African nationals( Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan and Burundi) who pay Ugx 300,000 for gorilla permits.Acquiring the permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority is through a travel agent who should be registered and holding a good reputation , for example Nirvana Safaris. Book for your Gorilla permit with us and get to trek the primates of Africa.
Note: Uganda Wildlife Authority offers permits at face value and the price is the same regardless of where you buy it from. Let us save you the hustle of acquiring a gorilla permit in Uganda, inquire with us today.
Rwanda Gorilla Permit costs/ prices – How much does a gorilla permit cost in Rwanda
What is the cost for a gorilla permit in Rwanda? Unlike Uganda, the Rwanda Gorilla permit is more expensive. Travelling to see the Mountain Gorillas in Rwanda, travelers will pay $1500 per person for foreign non-residents. This is followed by $500 per head trek for foreigners holding working permits in Rwanda. Lastly the East African Nationals from the neighboring countries pay about $300 per person to see gorillas in Rwanda.
In case Rwanda is your travel choice for Gorilla Trekking Safaris, book your Gorilla Permit earlier to avoid any inconvenience like last minute frustration. During the peak, the high demand forces the Rwanda Development Board to sell permits quickly making it hard to acquire them.
What to Pack for Gorilla Safaris – Do I need a permit to trek gorillas?
Just like other African Holiday Tours, it is essential to have a packing list while heading to Uganda or Rwanda for gorilla trekking tour. A packing list is a key requirement for travelers going for the primate tracking experience for the first time who may not be aware of the challenges of hiking in the dense forests of Africa. There is a rich ecological system in the Gorilla Trekking National Parks, thick bushes, forested lands, rivers and insects are some of the hurdles for the hike. Having a safe trek is very important aspect of the experience therefore you may need these items for your adventures on Gorilla Trekking;
- Insect Repellant
- Camera and lenses
- Comfortable walking or hiking boots
- Hut and sunscreen
- Rain jacket
- Sweater/fleece
- Gardening gloves
- Binoculars
Embrace this list of the things to travel with/ what you should carry (pack) for your gorilla trekking safari in Uganda & Rwanda.
Other frequently asked questions about gorilla permits
How far in advance should I book a gorilla permit
The demand of gorilla permits heavily depends on Gorilla Trekking Seasons happening at different times in a year. It is important to book your permit earlier before flying to Uganda or Rwanda. How far in advance should I book a gorilla permit? Although there is no assurance about the best time for booking, it is crucial to pay for Gorilla permit minimum 2-3 months before the actual trekking. The peak season coincides with the dry season from June-October, the permits are most sold in that period. Endeavor to book your accommodation before visiting Africa.
Are gorilla permits refundable?
Is the gorilla permit refundable? Can I receive a refund for a gorilla trekking permit? It is recommendable to subscribe to your gorilla permit from the relevant authorities from the Gorilla Trekking Countries earlier before heading for the trip. Make sure 30-50% of your safari through the travel agency is paid. This will allow to secure the gorilla permit to allow you see the primates in the wild.
Are gorilla permits refundable? While preparing for the mountain gorilla trekking, many travelers are eager to know whether the permit is refundable once purchased. This will depend on the amount that the agency paid to Uganda Wildlife Authority, the refund covers 60-70% on canceling the trip if the agency paid a portion of reserve the permit for you.
Can I get a refund on my gorilla permit in Rwanda? For travelers to Rwanda for gorillas, there is no refund after paying for your permit.
How many gorilla permits are available per day?
Mountain gorillas are rare primates about 1000 remaining in the world. Unlike the other wildlife safaris to Africa, the number of visitors to Gorilla National Parks is restricted for the conservation of the natural habitat for the primates. The number of gorilla permits available per a day varies depending on the destination you are visiting and the number of habituated gorilla families. Most of the habituated groups of gorillas are found in Uganda which about 21 habituated families. Due to the high concentration of habituated families, Uganda Wildlife Authority issues the most gorilla permits daily. Travelers can subscribe to over 168 permits everyday in Uganda including 8 of them for an exclusive Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
In future the number is likely to shoot because of the many groups which are being habituated to match the increase demand for Gorilla trekking in Africa. The Habituation for gorillas is a separate expedition where you get to spend more time with the gentle giants in the heart of the jungles of Uganda and Rwanda. For Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, 96 gorilla permits are issued per day to see the habituated gorillas of Rwanda. If you are organizing a tour to Rwanda for gorillas, ensure to book earlier before the peak season.
What is included in the cost of a gorilla permit?
Looking the expensive nature of the Gorilla Permit, you could be wondering what the luxurious tour to Rwanda is all about. The full value of the permit is a series of payments or benefits of the whole conservation process. During the trek, guiding services, protection from armed rangers are all provided although travelers can fund their own lunch, water for drinking, transportation and lodges. Like other safaris to Africa, you will need to plan adequately for other travel expenses like accommodation, transport and others.
We can help enjoy an affordable Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda or Uganda. Book with us and step into the home of the gorillas in the misty world.
Do I need a permit to trek gorillas?(Do I need a gorilla permit for children?)
In case you are interested in moving with your kids to Africa for gorillas, you should first know what is eligibility for children for primate tracking. The least age for any person to be involved in the gorilla experience is 15 years. if you are wondering; Do I need a gorilla permit for children?
Only children from 15 years are allowed by the relevant authorities to undertake the trek in Bwindi and Volcanoes National Park while those 14 years and below cannot be part of the adventures.
Can I transfer my gorilla permit to someone else?
There is no much certainty with regards reselling your gorilla permit. Travelers stand in Uganda and Rwanda of reselling and not finding the market for their gorilla permit. In Uganda, the Association 0f Uganda Tour Operators ( AUTO) offers the resell of permits amount their registered members ( agencies) therefore travelers should book through these agencies.
Despite the presence of the association, other factors can still influence the resell of Gorilla trekking permits namely; date of the trek and the season of travel. It is very possible to resell in the high travel seasons compared to the low seasons.
You can transfer the ownership of the Gorilla Permit in Rwanda without changing the trekking dates. The new bearer can settle the remaining money in case the whole amount was not yet paid for. Rwanda allows transfers not less than 30 days to the experience of gorilla trekking.
Are there any age restrictions for obtaining a gorilla permit?
Age restriction is one of the factors which could make a transfer not be considered for gorilla trekking. For most gorilla trekking countries in Africa ( Uganda, Rwanda & Democratic Republic of Congo) the age restriction is for those 15 years and above. In such circumstances, only those 0-14 years are excluded from visiting the endangered creatures and therefore no permits are issued. Why 15 years and above? During gorilla trekking minors are those 14 years and below who have a peculiar behavior that may not be tolerable for silverbacks.
What is the process for obtaining a gorilla permit? – Do I need a permit to trek gorillas?
There is a chain of steps to follow to obtain gorilla trekking permit in Uganda, Rwanda and D.R Congo. The first step to choose your desired country to do the gorilla adventures where you pick from the three like Uganda, Rwanda or Congo. Since the primates are in Eastern Africa, the remote location has about 1000 invidual-gorillas to lookout for although separated into different places like Virunga, Volcanoes and Mgahinga. Volcanoes National Park is the home for Gorillas in Rwanda, Virunga National Park for D.R Congo and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda alongside Mgahinga National Park.
After you have chosen the destination, you have to look at the number of permits each day issued. Check if there permits for your designated trekking day before heading to Africa.
Booking for your permit should be done immediately after finding out about availability of permits. Depending on where you are going for your trek, you paid the whole fee or part of the permit fees which can be online. Cash methods of payment are allowed during the Gorilla Permit subscription. Book with us for the Gorilla Permit.
Lastly you will required to provide bio-information like names, details on the passport while applying for the permit in Uganda and Rwanda. After you will required to pay using the most convenient methods like online or cash and for the confirmation.
This Gorilla Permit is the main item for the Gorilla trekking day that you will present before the officials at the Centers of your Gorilla Park in order to be permitted for the trekking.