Gorilla Permit booking information

Aug 17 2023

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Gorilla Permit booking information

A gorilla permit is like a movie ticket that allows the audience to enter the auditorium. The show takes place in the prehistoric jungles of East and Central Africa, where mountain gorillas flourished for thousands of years. You need a gorilla permit to allow safe and controlled entry into their territory.

Although more than 1,070 wild mountain gorillas roam the slopes of the Virunga Mountains and the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – the only two mountain gorilla habitats in the world – there are many groups in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo that are used to tourism. The low number of mountain gorillas available for trekking and the high number of tourists wanting to see these magnificent creatures means a limited number of gorilla permits.

Mountain gorilla permits are scarce during the prime travel months of June, July, August, September, December and February. Therefore, planning a gorilla trekking safari requires you to book a permit months in advance of your travel date.
The government’s wildlife agency issues gorilla permits at face value. Each traveler can purchase a permit directly from the Authority’s office or use a licensed tour operator to process the permit on their behalf.

Since 2003, Encounter Africa has worked with wildlife authorities to arrange gorilla permits for hundreds of travelers around the world and has successfully run gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda and Rwanda: we’ve got a lot to look forward to. On this page we have collected all the relevant information about gorilla permits to help you plan your gorilla trekking safari.

What is a gorilla permit?

A Gorilla Permit is a document or card issued by ORTPN, Rwanda Development Board or Uganda Wildlife Authority that allows any traveler over the age of 15 to trek mountain gorillas in any of the three habitats – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga National Park (Uganda) and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda .
A gorilla permit includes two armed guards for your safety in the jungle and a knowledgeable tracker guide to guide you to where a group of mountain gorillas would graze.
After verifying your permit on any of the forest trails, your assigned guide will lead you, along with seven other hikers, into the forest, surrounded by armed guards for your safety from wild animals and anything that might threaten your health.
Once you have found your assigned gorilla family, your gorilla trekking permit will allow you exactly one hour in their presence. However, finding an assigned gorilla family can take approximately 30 minutes to 9 hours. However, most hikers can usually find them in less than 3 hours.

What is Gorilla trekking?

Gorilla trekking is defined as hiking in the jungles of the rainforest on the slopes of the Virunga mountain range, searching for a habituated group of gorillas and spending some time with them after finding them.
Gorilla trekking only takes place in two habitats in Uganda, Rwanda and DRC. One habitat is the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in southwestern Uganda, where 19 gorilla groups have adapted to gorilla tourism and where almost half of all mountain gorillas find refuge.
The second mountain gorilla habitat where gorilla trekking occurs is on the slopes of the Virunga Mountains, which straddles the border that separates the three countries. The Virunga range extends to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda (where there are 10 gorilla groups habituated to tourism), Volcanoes National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (10 gorilla groups) and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda where two gorilla groups are available for gorilla trekking .
How much is a gorilla permit in Uganda?
A gorilla permit in Uganda costs $700 (£495/€575) per person per day. The minimum age for obtaining a permit is 15 years. A permit for foreign residents (with work permit) costs USD 600 and EAC nationals UGX 250,000 per person.
Ugandan gorilla permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and sold at face value (meaning no matter where you buy them, the price is the same). However, special permit offers are available from time to time as detailed below.
Gorilla trekking permits discounted deals in Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga National Park;
 National, EAC – UGX 150,000
 Foreign residents – $300
 Foreign non-residents – $400

How much is a gorilla permit in Rwanda?
A gorilla permit in Rwanda costs US$1,500 (£1,062/€1,232) per person per day. The minimum age for obtaining a permit is 15 years. Special permit offers are currently available as listed below:
Gorilla trekking permits are offered in Volcanoes National Park
 Nationals, EAC – $200
 Foreigners – $500
 Businesses/organizations – 10% discount on bulk purchases from 30 permits
 Families – 15% discount on family visits (couples and children over 15 years old)
 African Citizens – Promotional $500 will be applied to Mountain Gorilla Trekking.
 International Tourists (Non-African Citizens) traveling in a group of 100 or more – A promotional rate of US$500 will be applied for Mountain Gorilla Trekking.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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