The Gorilla Trekking Permit

Ever since primatologist Dian Fosey started her work and study of Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi, the arena of Gorilla trekking Uganda safaris has been delicately opened up to the world with thousands of people traveling to Africa each year to have themselves a piece of the experience. This, therefore, has made Gorilla trekking one of the most acclaimed safari activities on the planet.

Mountain Gorillas are quite a rare delight to the point that if you want to see them, you have to book for a Gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, Rwanda or the DR of Congo. This means that there is always a limited amount of Gorilla permits available to trekkers but once you attain one, you will realize that the Gorilla trekking Uganda tours experience is definitely worth it.

What is a Uganda safari gorilla trekking permit?

A Uganda safari Gorilla trekking permit is a piece of document issued by the UWA or another governing body (for the case of Rwanda and DRC) allowing you to trek Mountain Gorillas in their wild natural habitat. After fully paying for the Gorilla trekking Uganda tours experience, you are issued a Gorilla permit without which, you can’t trek Mountain Gorillas.

Interesting facts about the gorilla permit

  • Gorilla permits are non transferable; in case you have booked for a gorilla permit for Buhoma sector but can’t make it there, it is impossible to use the same permit for Gorilla trekking Uganda tours in another sector such us Ruhija.
  • Uganda Gorilla permits give you 1 to 1½ hrs with the Mountain gorillas
  • Only persons 15 years and over can be issued a permit
  • A permit only admits a single person for Mountain Gorilla trekking Uganda safari tour
  • Uganda Gorilla permits can only be used for a single designated day. You will not be allowed to trek Gorillas using the same permit the next or any other day.

The cost, it is worth the while?

A Uganda tour Mountain Gorilla trekking permit costs $700 for foreigners and UGX 250,000 for East African residents. The Uganda Gorilla permit is relatively cheaper than the Rwandese permit that goes for $1,500 and slightly more expensive than the DRC Gorilla permit that costs $400. Nevertheless, trekking Mountain Gorillas in Uganda gives you up to 99% chance of seeing them.

What the gorilla permit covers

Once you make payment for the Uganda tour Gorilla permit, there are certain activities covered there in including;

  • Mountain Gorilla trekking and spending 1hr with the apes
  • Two armed rangers
  • A tracker
  • Park entrance fees

What is excluded:

  • Meals
  • Transportation
  • Other park activities such as birding

How to get it?

Following some guidelines, getting a Gorilla permit on Gorilla Trekking Uganda safaris can be quite easy.

  1. Contact Ameera Africa safaris about your intention to go for Gorilla trekking and when. We will then let you know how available your set day is and temporarily book it.
  2. We will then send you payment methods, say; a bank account number to pay to. After your full payment, a notification will be sent to you to acknowledge receipt of the money.
  3. We shall request for your passport details so as to fully register your Uganda tour Gorilla permit. After this, you can set off for an enchanting Mountain Gorilla trekking Uganda safari.

When to book?

It is often more than once that trekkers outweigh the number of available permits thus making it a matter of first come first serve. Therefore; to be on a safe side, always book for your permit 6 months or more before traveling for a Uganda tour Gorilla trekking experience.

What if I want to cancel?

Upon full payment for the Gorilla permit, trekkers might receive a refund as per this UWA refund policy:

  • Canceling within 91 days and above before the actual date, visitors may receive a 75% refund
  • Within 46 to 90 days, a 50% refund may be paid
  • Within 9 to 45 days, 25% of the Gorilla permit will be refunded.
  • Cancelling within 8 to 0 days from the Gorilla trekking date, visitors will not receive any refund.

Mountain Gorilla Habituation permits

The habituation experience is often a thrilling one as visitors spend an entire day among scientists and rangers trying to get wild Gorillas accustomed to humans so that they are fit for Gorilla Trekking. Gorilla Habituation permits cost $1,500 and the experience lasts the entire day. It is not every day that you get to habituate a wild Gorilla in its natural habitat.

Many visitors will soon realize that without a Gorilla permit, it is impossible to enjoy a Uganda Tour Mountain Gorilla Trekking safari. Book a safari today with Ameera Africa safaris to secure a Gorilla trekking permit on time. Contact us on today or call us directly on +256-393-194074.

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