How Can I Purchase Permits for Gorilla Trekking? Where can I purchase permits for mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Congo, and Uganda?
Permits for gorilla trekking must be purchased six months or even a year in advance if you intend to travel during a busy time of year or in a large group.You have more options for where you trek and where you stay the earlier you make your reservation.
You can also make last-minute reservations, however this is quite achievable in off-peak times or when there are just a few trekking options.However, there is no certainty that gorilla trekking permits will be available.This is especially true in Uganda, where there is fierce competition for gorilla trekking permits.
As a result, peak seasons occur from June to October, as well as from January to February between Christmas and the New Year.
To trek the mountain gorillas in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, Congo’s Virunga National Park, and Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, a group of up to eight people may visit each gorilla group for an hour each day. Participants must be at least 15 years old.
Uganda Gorilla Trekking Permits can be bought directly from Uganda Wildlife Authority Offices (UWA) up to two years in advance. The Rwanda Tourism Board, or “RTB,” or a licensed travel operator can then purchase a Rwanda gorilla trekking permit. Congo gorilla permits are available for purchase on the Visit Virunga website or within the park.
Because tour operators have firsthand local knowledge of the ideal lodging options and the closeness to gorilla families, we advise our clients to always book with them or with a recognized safari firm. This will expedite the reservation process.
Keep in mind that the roads leading to the gorilla safari site are in remote areas, therefore your tour operator will assign you skilled drivers who can navigate the muddy, hilly, and treacherous roads. The registered firm will assist you with scheduling all of your activities and lodging if you arrange your trip with them.
steps to take before reserving your gorilla trekking permits;
The dates you want to go gorilla trekking: If your first choice of date is already taken, you should recommend another date. Once you have scanned a copy of your passport, send it to the person handling your permits via email.
A personal document is required.
You must present your passport or other form of identification at the pre-trekking briefing since gorilla trekking licenses are non-transferable.
Remittance
Paying via a bank wire transfer is the most effective method. Don’t forget to instruct your bank to deduct any transaction fees from your account.
You must email the Uganda Wildlife Authority or the Rwanda Tourism Board the confirmation of your bank payment if you are purchasing gorilla trekking permits straight from them.
It’s important to keep in mind that not all East African tour companies take credit cards when you purchase gorilla trekking permits from them. A significant surcharge “of between 3% and 9%” is applied to individuals who do so. Additionally, the tour operator can make a temporary reservation with the authorities provided they have your personal information and the dates you want.
Verification of your reservation
Within a few days of arriving in the country, travelers who have booked their permits in advance should receive a scanned copy of their gorilla trekking permits. Your original gorilla trekking permit will be given to you by your tour leader when you first arrive in the country or on the day of your trek. You would have to pick it up from the Rwanda Tourism Board or Uganda Wildlife Authority Offices on your own if you have never made a reservation with the tour operator.
How Can Gorilla Trekking Permits Be Purchased?
Keep in mind that your gorilla trekking permit has your personal information and a unique serial number, so you should be smart enough to avoid being duped. “Keep in mind that it is not transferable.”
You will need to provide your passport and other personnel documents at the pre-trekking briefing, so don’t forget these.
Advice on acquiring a Ugandan gorilla trekking permit
Because the Bwindi gorilla families in Uganda are dispersed throughout several geographic areas, it is crucial to reserve lodging in the location where you will be trekking in order to avoid the long hikes at the beginning of the gorilla trip.
You must indicate which park-Bwindi or Mgahinga-you would want to visit when trekking mountain gorillas in Uganda. Following your personal selection, a Uganda Wildlife employee or reputable tour operator will advise you on which family to trek with. Your interests and level of fitness will be affected by this. Contact us at All In Africa Safaris or stop by the Uganda Wildlife Authority Office by sending an email to reservation@ugandawildlife.org to buy your gorilla trekking permits.
Advice on purchasing a Rwandan gorilla hiking permit
When you get your gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda, you don’t have to worry about naming a specific gorilla group. Reserve your lodging; Kinigi, the primary destination for all gorilla trekkers, is an hour’s drive away. This won’t make your early morning start inconvenient.
Bookings for Rwanda gorilla trekking permits can be made via a registered tour operator or by sending an email to reservation@rwandatourism.com, which is the Rwanda Tourism Board and Conservation Reservation Office.
Gorilla Trekking in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is home to two gorilla species found nowhere else together: mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park and eastern lowland gorillas (Grauer’s gorillas, Gorilla beringei graueri) in Kahuzi-Biega National Park. Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Virunga National Park – Africa’s oldest national park, established in 1925 – covers 7,900 km² of remarkable ecological diversity, from the volcanic peaks of the Virunga Massif to the glaciers of the Rwenzori Mountains and the tropical lowland forests of the Congo Basin. The park is also home to hippos, elephants, okapis, and the entire cast of Congo rainforest wildlife.
Eastern Lowland Gorillas – A Unique Encounter
The eastern lowland gorilla (Grauer’s gorilla) is the world’s largest subspecies of gorilla, with silverbacks weighing up to 220kg. Found only in the DRC, Grauer’s gorillas are considerably rarer than mountain gorillas – their population has declined by more than 70% since the 1990s due to conflict, habitat loss, and poaching. Kahuzi-Biega National Park in South Kivu offers the only reliable trekking experience with habituated Grauer’s gorilla families.
A gorilla permit in the DRC costs USD 400 per person – significantly cheaper than Rwanda (USD 1,500) or Uganda (USD 800). The experience is raw, off-the-beaten-track, and unforgettable for travellers seeking something genuinely uncommon.
Practical Information for DRC Gorilla Trekking
Getting to Virunga and Kahuzi-Biega
The most common entry point to eastern DRC is via Kigali, Rwanda. Goma – the gateway to Virunga National Park – is just 80km from Kigali. Direct flights from Nairobi and Kampala also serve Goma. Bukavu (gateway to Kahuzi-Biega) is accessible from Goma by road (3-4 hours) or by light aircraft.
Is it safe to trek gorillas in the DRC?
Security in eastern DRC is complex and fluctuates. Virunga National Park and Kahuzi-Biega have experienced periods of closure due to armed group activity. Always check current security conditions with your tour operator and your government’s travel advisory before planning a DRC gorilla trek. Reputable operators with established local security networks are essential.
Recommended Tours: 8 Days Congo Gorillas & Nyiragongo Safari | 5 Days Lowland Gorilla Safari Congo
