Booking Gorilla permits in Rwanda , Uganda and Congo

Booking Gorilla permits in Rwanda , Uganda and congo

Booking Gorilla permits in Rwanda , Uganda and Congo : A gorilla permit is the most important aspect of the gorilla trekking as it allows tourists/visitors to have access to the habituated gorilla groups in Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Rwanda the only mountain gorilla destinations in the world.

When planning to go for a gorilla trekking experience either in Uganda, Rwanda or the Democratic Republic of Congo, the first thing to cross the mind of the travelers is the gorilla permit, how to much it costs and how to acquire it.

This article outlines all the necessary information about gorilla permits, its cost and how to acquire it.

As a tourist, before you confirm your travel dates for a gorilla trekking safari. You have to secure a gorilla permit first, you can book or acquire a gorilla permit by yourself or through a tour agency. At Petnah Africa Tours we will help you acquire a gorillas and also organize your gorilla trekking experience, in our safari packages the gorilla permit is normally included in the quotation.

Note:

• Booking a gorilla permit during the high season is so competitive, you need to book for your permit about 3 months prior to your safari or during the low season.
• Gorilla permits cost differently in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo

Gorilla permits in Rwanda

In Rwanda, gorilla trekking is done only in Volcanoes national park, the park boasts 10 habituated gorilla groups open for gorilla trekking.

A gorilla permit in Rwanda costs USD 1500 and they are obtained from the Rwanda Development Board offices in Kigali or Ruhengeri near the park.

Gorilla permits in Uganda

In Uganda, gorilla trekking is done in 2 destinations that are Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga Gorilla national park, there is a total of 12 gorilla group in Uganda with 11 gorilla families found in Bwindi impenetrable national park and 1 gorilla family in Mgahinga gorilla national park.

A gorilla permit in Uganda costs USD$ 700 per trek, when compared to Rwanda’s gorilla permit, Uganda is permit is relatively cheaper and because of this it receives a lot of tourists for gorilla trekking experience.

In Uganda gorilla permits are obtained from The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) from its offices and headquarters in Kampala, on a daily a total of 152 gorilla permits per day are issued for both Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga Gorilla national park. Since Bwindi impenetrable national park has a number of gorilla groups it is advisable to correspond the gorilla sector and family you are going to trek with your accommodation facility.

Because it hosts one gorilla family, Mgahinga Gorilla national park receives a few gorilla trekking tourists.

Unlike other gorilla destinations, Ugand offer gorilla habituation experience where trekkers get to spend more time with the gorillas together with researchers. This experience takes approximately 6 hours to a whole day and a gorilla habituation experience costs US$ 1500.

Gorilla habituation experience is perfect for individuals who wish to spend more hours in the presence of mountain gorillas and get a deeper understanding of mountain gorillas.

Note: Gorilla trekking experience offers tours only 1 hour of being in the presence of mountain gorillas.

 Gorilla permits in Congo

In Democratic Republic of Congo’s Virunga national park, there are 8 gorilla habituated gorilla families and a gorilla permit costs USD 400 per day per trek, per individual.

You can book a gorilla permit in Congo either directly with the park or using a tour operator, unlike in Uganda and uganda after booking your permit you will not be sent scanned copies to confirm your book, the tour operator and the park will reserve your permit based on mutual  trust.  The information about your booked permit is usually shared with park officials, tour operators and others kept in the loop.

Additional information about booking and securing gorilla permits in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo

A gorilla permit is the only document which gives visitors a right to have access to gorilla national parks and watch the gorillas, normally tour operators will ask you to share your passport, details and copy at the time of booking your trip. This information is needed by the tour operators so that they can know your age and language ability, age is so important as it determines if you qualify for gorilla trekking or you could use the help of a porter during the trek.

A copy of the passport help the tour operator determine if you need will need a guide who speaks multiple languages.

 Inclusions in the price of a gorilla permit

The price of a gorilla permit includes park entrance fees and services of the rangers and guides who will be with you during the tracking, the rangers will offer you protection from any wild animals by scaring them away with gunshots, however this is very rare.

The price for the a gorilla permit excludes

• Accommodation
• Transport
• Porters and
• Tips

Dos and don’ts when booking a gorilla permit

• It is important to book your gorilla permits and gorilla safari months in advance before your travels, this is particularly more important during the peak seasons. Getting a gorilla permit during the peak season months such as June or August without prior booking is hard and if you get it, you should consider yourself lucky.
• Never accept to pay your gorilla permits at a different price from the one given by UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority).
• Never send your money for a gorilla permit or safari on a personal account, tour companies have bank accounts and this will help you make a follow up in case you need to. When booking a gorilla permit or safari, tour operators must offer you options of paying either by bank transfer or credit card. Most companies in East Africa and Uganda use Pesa Pal online system or something similar.

Gorilla Permit cancellation penalties and policy in Uganda

Should cancel your gorilla safari and the gorilla permit, here is what you should know.

• The Uganda Wildlife Authority will not refund you your money if you cancel the tour from 0 to 8 days to the tracking
• Uganda wildlife Authority will only refund 25% of the cost of the permit if you cancel the gorilla safari or activity from 4o to 45 days before the safari.
• Canceling a tour 46 to 90 days before the trek attracts a refund of 50% of the cost of the permit
• If you cancel the activity 91 days beforehand, you will receive a refund of 75% of the permit cost. If you had only made a deposit, you are not liable for a refund.

The above cancellation policy applies to the Uganda Wildlife Authority, note that tour operators have their own cancellation policies and you should look at the terms and conditions of your tour operator.