Booking a gorilla permit in Uganda demands travelers with extreme patience and advance planning. But the reward is mostly satisfying. Imagine getting to spend one full hour with the gentle giants of gorilla mountains in their natural habitats, the whole experience is heartwarming. But to get to experience this lifetime wildlife event, a gorilla trekking permit is the most important step to take when planning Uganda gorilla safaris.
Permits are always scarce, and sell out more in peak seasons. By following the steps below, travelers can easily know the easiest and most convenient way to secure a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda.
Understanding the gorilla trekking destinations where this thrilling activity happens is key. There are only 2 gorilla shelters in Uganda and those include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Bwindi is the 1st leading gorilla home in the country, the forests of Bwindi shelter over 400 gorilla members. Permit validity. Each gorilla permit gives travelers access to spend one hour with a habituated gorilla family in their natural shelter.
The gorilla trekking permit prices as of today cost USD 800 per person per day for international tourists. The Foreign residents category goes for USD 700. Whereas East African citizens can pay privilege for as low as UGX 300,000.
Gorilla habituation process is such an outstanding gorilla experience, travelers get to spend more than one hour to four hours with the gentle primates, the whole experience costs USD 1,500 for international visitors, fairly priced compared to Rwanda. Prices are slightly lower especially in April, May, and November given the wet rainy period that pulls few crowds. Prices go for as low as around USD 600 in some cases, but the standard price remains USD 800 throughout the year.
There are only 2 safer ways to book a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda. Either travelers book through a licensed and trusted tour operator, or directly through the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Booking with a trusted operator is the safest, convenient, easiest and most convenient for most travelers across the globe. First things first, travelers must contact a reputable, licensed Ugandan tour operator well versed with Uganda’s tourism destinations.
Once travelers choose an operator, they can now send in their scanned passport copies and essential documents before providing there trekking choice of dates, chosen gorilla spots in Bwindi or Mgahinga, and passport details. It’s now the tour operator’s duty to check the availability of the gorilla permits with the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Depending on traveler’s wallet, a deposit or full payment can be made after the opearator has confirmed positive. The operator then books and pays for the permit on the behalf of the visitor directly with the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Travelers receive their booking receipt via through UWA website, and the physical permit can be received at tge park headquaters on Day 1 of gorilla trekking.
The tour operator go out of their way to plan everything for travelers including accomodation choice, itinerary planning, accommodation, and transportation. Depending on weather or availability of gorilla permits, operators can advise on the best gorilla sector to trek from and best time to trek.
Only if travelers are enable to land a licenced trusted tour operator, then can take option B of directly booking the gorilla permits with Uganda Wildlife Authority also known as UWA. Many travelers often complain how this is always the most stressing way of booking a gorilla permit. Travelers can contact the UWA reception office in Kampala through their available contacts on their website. Oftentimes, UWA itself recommends booking park permits through licensed tour operators. Booking through UWA often works for most locals.
Its also worth to note that travelers cannot book their gorilla permits on arrival at the park headquarters and head straight to gorilla trekking. The creteria has to be followed. Peak season prides as the best time for gorilla trekking permit bookings. Between June to September and December to February is the perfect period to book gorilla permits 6 to 12 months prior.
Shoulder season is the less vibrant tourism season, from March to May and October to November the turn up is always low. During this season, travelers might need around 3 to 6 months advance booking, even though last minute permits are sometimes available.
Gorilla habituation permits are even less scarse and should be booked early as well.
Travelers are advised to report early at the starting point at headquaters on the on the day of gorilla trekking for a guide breifing. Btiefung session normally starts at 7:00 to 8:00 am, and passport should be carried for confirmation. Most travelers find it easier to work with a good tour operator than directly through UWA, they are convinient, communication and its always a personal experience.