Gorilla Trekking Permits
Gorilla trekking is a most famous safari activity in Uganda done in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga Gorilla national park, Uganda is the best destination in the world to do mountain gorilla trekking as it hosts the biggest population of mountain gorillas in the world.
Uganda national parks including the gorilla destinations (Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga Gorilla national park) is responsible for tourism in Uganda and Uganda safari activities, Uganda has a total of 19 habituated gorillas families found in 4 sectors of Bwindi impenetrable national park (Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga) and in Mgahinga national park there is one gorilla family.
Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) issues a total of 152 gorilla permits and 8 gorilla habituation for Bwindi impenetrable national park and a total of 8 gorilla permits since there is only 1 gorilla family.
Gorilla permits are on a high demand since they are few compared to number of tourists who wish to participate in gorilla trekking most especially in the peak seasons, which is also the dry season (December to February and June to October).
As a visitor intending to visit Uganda for a mountain gorilla trekking safari you are advised to book your gorilla permit at least 10 months in advance, by doing so you will be sure that you can get the permit. All gorilla permits in Uganda are issued from UWA offices situated in Kampala – the capital city of Uganda and visitors can only acquire them through a registered tour company or agent, the gorilla permits are the only way to get permission to participate in the gorilla trekking adventure
Current Price of Uganda Gorilla Permits for 2022 – 2024
Prices for gorilla permits to Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga Gorilla national park are drafted by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), prices for gorillas permits from 2022 – 2024 are charged basing on the category of the tourist/visitor. Visitors are categorized as Non – Foreign Residents, Foreign Residents and East African Citizens.
| CATEGORY OF TOURIST | PRICE |
| Gorilla trekking | |
| Non- Foreign Residents | USD 800 |
| Foreign Residents | USD 700 |
| East African Citizens | 300,000 UGX |
| Gorilla Habituation | |
| Non- Foreign Residents | USD 1,500 |
| Foreign Residents | USD 1,000 |
| East African Citizens | 750,000 |
Note:
- Non- Foreign residents – are visitors who do not work or live in Uganda or any East African community country (Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and DR Congo).
- Foreign Residents – are visitors live and work in Uganda
- East African Residents – are visitors who are citizens of East African Communities including Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and DR Congo.
These gorilla permit rates are valid till 2024.
Gorilla Trekking Experience- gorilla trekking experience starts early in the morning with briefing at the park’s headquarters, the briefing is conducted by a ranger who takes you through the rules and regulations to follow as you trek in the forests and while in the presence of mountain gorillas.
Visitors are then grouped into 8 people per group and then assigned one gorilla group to trek and encounter during the experience. Gorilla trekking experience allows visitors to stay in the presence of mountain gorillas for one hour, this period of time you will enjoy observing their behavior and take pictures as long as your flashlight is off.
Gorilla habituation experience – gorilla trekking experience offers visitors more time in the presence of mountain gorillas, just like mountain gorilla trekking this experience starts with briefing. On this experience visitors accompany researchers and rangers and have a chance to witness and participate in the process of habituating mountain gorillas. Gorilla habituation is only offered in Bwindi Impenetrable national park in Rushaga sector in the southern region of the park.
Gorilla habituation permit costs USD 1500 PER PERSON
HOW TO ACQUIRE THE DISCOUNTED GORILLA PERMITS
As a tourist acquiring a gorilla permit has been made easy through your safari agency or Tour Company, all you have to do is to inquire about the availability on the specific days you need wish to travel. Once it is confirmed that there is availability for the dates you wish to travel, you will confirm by making payments for the gorilla trekking permit and your gorilla uganda safari through the Company’s Bank account.
In case you need to only book for a gorilla permit, your safari / safari consultant will help you acquire it however you will have to pay a commission. Once payments are done and the dates confirmed, your permits will be acquired from IWA after inquiring about your passport details that is name, country and passport number. A scanned copy of the permit will be sent to you as confirmation for your participation in GORILLA TREKKKING.
