Golden Monkey Trekking in Mgahinga National Park
January 6, 2025
Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
January 6, 2025
Availability of Gorilla Trekking Permits in Bwindi: How to Secure Your Spot
Are you dreaming of a visit to Uganda for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park? If so, it’s essential to confirm the availability of gorilla trekking permits before booking your trip. Gorilla permits are a must-have for anyone intending to trek and observe these endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
At Trek Africa Gorillas, we are authorized to check the availability of gorilla permits for individual travelers, tourists and international tour companies. Bwindi has 18 gorilla families available for trekking each day, offering a total of 144 permits daily.
How to Secure Gorilla Trekking Permits in Uganda
Step 1: Contact Trek Africa Gorillas
When you reach out to us, we’ll check with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), the organization responsible for issuing gorilla trekking permits. Based on your travel dates, we’ll provide accurate information about the availability of permits for your desired trek.
Step 2: Avoid the Hassle
Dealing directly with UWA can be challenging, as their phone lines are often busy and email responses may take time. Instead, simply provide us with your preferred year, month and exact dates and we’ll handle the process for you. We’ll also advise which gorilla family and park region—north or south of Bwindi—is best suited for your trek.
Step 3: Confirm Your Permit
Once we verify the availability of permits, we’ll send you an invoice for payment. After the funds are transferred to our bank account, we’ll require your passport details to finalize the permit. Once issued, we’ll send you a scanned copy of the permit for your records.
You can collect your gorilla permit from our office upon arrival in Uganda or it will be included in your package if you book a full tour with us.
Why Book Gorilla Permits in Advance?
Gorilla permits are in high demand and availability changes frequently. To secure your spot, we recommend booking your permits at least 4–5 months in advance. This ensures a hassle-free experience and avoids the inconvenience of last-minute arrangements.
Why Book Through Trek Africa Gorillas?
- Authorized Access to UWA’s Gorilla Permit Database
We are one of the few tour companies in Uganda with 24/7 access to UWA’s gorilla permit reservation system. This allows us to check availability instantly and reserve permits on your behalf for up to seven days while you process payment. - Fast and Reliable Service
We guarantee quick responses to your inquiries, helping you make informed decisions about your trekking dates and destinations. - Flexible Payment Options
We accept electronic bank transfers and credit/debit card payments (with a 5% surcharge for card transactions). Additionally, we often secure your permit using our funds even before your payment reflects in our account. - Transparent Process
Once your permit is paid for, we’ll provide scanned copies of your receipts. Two weeks before your trek, we’ll pick up your official gorilla permit cards, which you’ll present on the day of your trek.
Uganda Wildlife Authority’s Online Booking System for Gorilla Permits
The UWA introduced an online system in 2016 to streamline the process of checking and reserving gorilla permits. This system is accessible only to authorized tour operators like Trek Africa Gorillas.
Before this system, checking availability required contacting UWA staff via phone or visiting their offices in person—a time-consuming and inconvenient process. Today, the online platform enables us to reserve permits efficiently, making the booking process smoother for both tour operators and travelers.
Who Can Access Gorilla Permits Online in Uganda?
Since Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) introduced an online system for gorilla trekking permits, only selected and authorized tour operators have access to view and reserve permits. Trek Africa Gorillas is among the privileged tour operators with access to this database, allowing us to provide real-time availability updates to our clients and reserve permits quickly.
What Happens If the Gorilla Permit Online System Is Down?
Like any other software, the UWA gorilla permit system can sometimes experience technical issues, such as downtime or slow responses. When this happens, Trek Africa Gorillas steps in to assist.
We directly contact the UWA head office to check permit availability on your behalf. Additionally, we have a dedicated representative who visits the UWA offices daily to handle any permit-related issues, including checking availability and making reservations. This ensures your gorilla trekking plans remain seamless, even during system outages.
Can You Book Gorilla Permits Directly with Uganda Wildlife Authority?
Yes, you can book your gorilla trekking permit directly through the Uganda Wildlife Authority. To do this, you’ll need to call or email their reservations team. They will provide information on permit availability for your desired trekking date and issue you an invoice for payment. Once you’ve made payment to UWA’s bank account, your gorilla permit card will be issued.
However, while this process may seem straightforward, many travelers find it time-consuming and frustrating due to delayed responses to calls and emails. Several of our clients have shared their experiences of long wait times and communication challenges when attempting to book directly.
For a smoother and hassle-free experience, we recommend booking your gorilla permits through a trusted tour operator like Trek Africa Gorillas.
Current Price of Gorilla Permits in Uganda
- Foreign Non-Residents: $800 per person
- Foreign Residents with a Work Permit: $700 per person
- East African Citizens: UGX 300,000 per person
For a more immersive experience, Uganda also offers a Gorilla Habituation Experience, where you can spend up to four hours with mountain gorillas. This permit costs $1,500 per person and is currently available in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, specifically in the Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors.
Why Book Your Gorilla Trek with Trek Africa Gorillas?
- Fast and Reliable Service: We provide instant updates on permit availability and ensure a smooth booking process.
- Commitment to Sustainability: Our tours are designed with the environment in mind, embracing the ethos “Take Nothing but Photographs, Leave Only Footprints.”
- Community Impact: By booking with us, you support local communities and wildlife conservation efforts in Uganda.
