Gorilla trekking is an exciting sport that entails walking into the jungle to look for mountain gorillas and then spending an hour with them in their natural environment. One of the most popular safari activities in Uganda is gorilla trekking, which is done in two locations: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in southwest Uganda and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which is home to half of the country’s mountain gorilla population.
Any visitor over the age of 15 who wishes to visit a habituated gorilla family in either the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park or the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park must have a Uganda Gorilla Trekking Permit, which is a legal document or card issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. For 2021, a single Uganda gorilla trekking permit costs 800 USD for non-resident foreigners, 700 USD for locals, and 300,000 UGX for inhabitants of East Africa.
You can spend an hour with the mountain gorillas if you have a gorilla trekking permit. A gorilla habituation permit, which costs 1,500 USD per person for foreign non-residents, 1,000 USD per person for foreign residents, and 750,000 UGX per person for East African citizens, is required for visitors who wish to spend four hours with the mountain gorillas.
For 2021, there are two ways to reserve Uganda gorilla trekking permits: directly through the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), a government agency responsible for tourist protection. When making a reservation through Uganda Wildlife Authority, you will get in touch with the head offices directly via phone or email to find out if permits are available for the day you have selected. If they are, you will need to pay a deposit to reserve the permit.
All In Africa Safaris is one trip company that offers Uganda gorilla trekking permits for 2021. You will contact us with your names, the date, month, year, and place you would like to visit when making a reservation with All In Africa Safaris. After checking for permits that coincide with your dates, we will send you your passport information and our bank account information so you can deposit the money for the gorilla permits.
We will register your names, buy the gorilla trekking permit on your behalf, and email you scanned copies of the permit as confirmation as soon as we receive the payment. It is best to book Uganda gorilla trekking permits through a tour operator because we will not only buy a gorilla trekking permit for you, but we will also organize your entire safari, including lodging, transportation, meals, and other activities you can be involved in.
Additionally, you can reserve reduced gorilla trekking permits, which cost USD 800 for non-resident foreigners, USD 700 for locals, and UGX 300,000 for East African nationals. The cheaper permits for gorilla trekking are good through June 30, 2025.
When to reserve permits for gorilla trekking in Uganda in 2025
Because gorilla trekking permits in Uganda are competitive and typically sell out quickly, especially during the dry or peak season in June, July, August, September, December, January, and February, reservations should be made three to six months prior to the trekking date.
In the southern region of Uganda, in the Kanungu district, is the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where gorilla trekking is practiced. Half of the world’s mountain gorilla population lives in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which is also home to roughly 19 habituated gorilla families spread across four sectors: Buhoma in the north, Rushaga in the south, Ruhija in the east, and Nkuringo in the south. In Uganda, gorilla trekking is also conducted in the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which is home to one habituated gorilla family and is situated in the southern Kisoro area.
In both locations, gorilla trekking begins early in the morning with a briefing at the park headquarters. Following this, you will be split up into groups of eight, each of which will be assigned a habituated gorilla family to hike with and a park guide who is familiar with the jungle’s trails. Depending on the gorillas’ location, a gorilla trek in Uganda can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 7 hours.
While trekking, you can see various primate species, including black and white colobus monkeys, l’hoest monkeys, vervet monkeys, as well as various animal, plant, and tree species. Following the gorillas’ discovery, you will have the opportunity to spend an hour with them in their natural habitat, where you can observe their daily activities, such as feeding, nursing, playing, and grooming their young, take pictures, and document the amazing moments to share with people back home after the safari.
Contact us at All In Africa Safaris for additional details about reserving Uganda gorilla trekking permits for 2025.
At East Africa Gorilla Safaris, under All In Africa Safaris, we specialize in unforgettable gorilla trekking experiences and diverse wildlife safaris.
Our expertly guided tours provide intimate encounters with gorillas and rich African wildlife, ensuring an unparalleled adventure in the heart of East Africa.
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