Gorilla Trekking Permits in Uganda
Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda are the identification that are given by the Uganda Wildlife Authority to show that you have paid for the activity. Gorilla trekking is an activity that engages tourists in looking for the gorillas in their natural habitat.
In Uganda gorilla trekking is done in Bwindi national park where gorilla trekking permits for the different sectors which include Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija, and Nkuringo are issued and in Mgahinga national park. Before engaging in gorilla trekking, a tourist is expected to have a gorilla trekking permit. A gorilla trekking permit is defined as a document or card issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority which allows any traveler above 15 years of age to trek gorillas in Bwindi national park and Mgahinga national park.
Where to get the gorilla permits
Permits for gorilla trekking can be got from the Uganda Wildlife Authority offices after payment has been made directly at the Uganda Wildlife Authority offices and with the help of trusted tour companies like Focus East Africa Tours at a cost of USD 600 per person engaging in one gorilla trek and for access to adventure into the habitat of the gorillas.
The gorilla trekking permit in Uganda allows the tourists to spend time with one gorilla family. After payment, a receipt is given and the details of the permit are recorded. The permit is picked at a later time when it is available. The permits secured determine the location or sector where the tourist is going to trek the gorillas
The cost of a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda is less compared to Rwanda’s gorilla permits which cost USD1500. This, however, does not mean that the gorilla trekking experience in Uganda is unsatisfactory as the tourists are entitled to spend the allocated time with the gorillas at the cost of USD 600.
Inclusions and exclusions of a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda
The gorilla permit price includes the entrance fees into Bwindi Forest national park for the gorilla trekking experience, time spent with the gorillas, rangers, and trackers. The price for the gorilla trekking permit excludes tips for the rangers, trackers, porters and certain personal costs such as alcoholic drinks.
The best time to book a gorilla permit
Tourists are expected to book permits for gorilla trekking in advance with help from a tour operator. Permits are booked in advance so that a gorilla family may be allocated for the tourists who wish to engage in gorilla trekking.
The advance booking is done about 5 months before the date of gorilla trekking because the gorilla permits get sold out quickly especially during peak seasons. The peak seasons are in months of January, February, June, July, August, and December.
Bwindi national park is among the most visited national parks in Uganda due to the gorillas which are a major tourist attraction. Gorilla permits are to be booked in advance to avoid inconvenience since many tourists book them in order to spend time with the endangered gorilla species.
Future Price changes
The cost of the gorilla permits is communicated in advance by the Uganda Wildlife Authority before the changes are made. Recently, the Uganda Wildlife Authority released a document indicating changes in the price of gorilla permits from USD600 to USD700 in the next year.
Certain fines and penalties are also put in place for tourists who fail to follow the rules and regulations of gorilla trekking which include tourists should be at least 7 meters away from the gorillas, filming the gorillas using a flash camera is prohibited, eating in the presence of the gorillas is not allowed.
The gorilla trekking activity involves spending time with the endangered gorilla species in a group of 8 people to avoid overcrowding the gorillas and scaring them away. During the gorilla trekking activity, the safety of the tourists is also considered as the rangers accompany tourists as they spend time with the gorillas.
The prices for other activities in Bwindi national park are independent of the gorilla trekking permit prices and are paid separately. Other activities in Bwindi impenetrable national park include nature walks, birding, the Batwa trail experience among others.
The prices for the gorilla trekking experience remain the same in all the different sectors of Bwindi national park which include Buhoma, nkuringo, ruhija and rushaga sector. The different sectors of gorilla trekking are habitat for different gorilla families which include rushegura, habiyanja, mubare, nkuringo, bitukura, oruzogo, mishaya, nshongi, kahungye, busingye, bweza.
Best time to carry out gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking can be done all year round and the best time of the year to get a gorilla trekking experience is during the months of June, July, August, September. During the rainy seasons, it becomes difficult to trek gorillas due to some factors such as slippery trails making the gorilla trek difficult. The vegetation also grows and becomes thick during the rainy seasons making it difficult to see the gorillas.
After the payment, a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda will be issued for a tourist to trek in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and for a gorilla permit in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the tourist will be allocated a sector where they will engage in the gorilla trekking experience.
