Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Permits

Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Permits: Everything You Need to Know

Gorilla trekking permits are essential for any trip to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. These permits grant you the opportunity to trek the gorillas in their natural habitat, ensuring a successful and unforgettable experience. There are two types of permits available:

• Gorilla Trekking Permits: These allow you to observe the gorillas for one hour after locating them in the forest.
• Gorilla Habituation Permits: These offer a more immersive experience, allowing you to spend four hours with the gorillas as they adapt to human presence.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers around 152 gorilla permits per day, spread across four sectors: Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga and Nkuringo. Each sector is home to different gorilla families and the availability of permits is limited to eight permits per family for trekking and four permits per day for habituation.

Cost of Bwindi Gorilla Permits

The cost of the Bwindi gorilla permits depends on the type of experience you choose:

• Gorilla Trekking Permits:
  • USD 800 for Non-foreign Residents
  • USD 700 for East African Residents
  • UGX 300,000 for East African Citizens
• Gorilla Habituation Permits (allowing you to spend four hours with the gorillas):
  • USD 1500 for Non-foreign Residents
  • USD 1000 for East African Residents
  • UGX 750,000 for East African Citizens

These prices include entrance fees, guiding fees and contribute to the conservation of the gorillas and their habitat. Bwindi is home to half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas and your permit fee plays a vital role in their protection.

When to Book Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Permits

Gorilla permits are available for booking throughout the year but it’s highly recommended to book your permit well in advance, especially during peak seasons (December, January, February, July, August and September). These months are in high demand and permits can sell out quickly.

Booking early allows you to:

• Choose your preferred sector for trekking
• Select the best accommodation options
• Pick your desired gorilla family to visit

If you’re flexible with your dates or need last-minute booking, we also assist in securing last-minute permits. Whether you’re visiting Uganda for business, a seminar or have a change of plans, we’ll do our best to get you a permit and ensure you don’t miss out on this life-changing experience.

How to Book Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Permits

Booking your Bwindi gorilla trekking permit is easy with Trek Africa Gorillas. Simply contact us via email with your preferred travel dates and we’ll check the availability of permits for you. Here’s how it works:

1. Select Your Trekking Date: Once you decide on your travel dates, we’ll check availability with the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
2. Reservation: We’ll reserve your permit tentatively and send you a payment invoice.
3. Payment: After you make the payment, we’ll secure your permit and send you a scanned copy of your receipt from the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Important: Since permits are limited, it’s essential to book in advance, ideally months before your travel dates, to secure a spot on your desired trek.

Choosing Your Sector and Trekking Date

When booking your Bwindi gorilla trekking permit, you can select from the four sectors—Rushaga, Nkuringo, Ruhija and Buhoma—depending on your preference. This gives you the flexibility to choose your trekking date, whether it’s a special occasion like your birthday, anniversary, Christmas or any other meaningful date.

Minimum Deposit for Booking Bwindi Gorilla Permit

Booking your Bwindi Gorilla Permit in advance is crucial for securing your spot on a gorilla trekking adventure in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. To ensure a smooth booking process, we recommend making a minimum deposit of 30% of the permit cost at least three months before your trek. This deposit will guarantee your reservation and the remaining 70% is due 90 days before your scheduled trek.

If the full payment is not made by this deadline, the permit may be released back into the system and you risk losing both your permit and the deposit.

At Trek Africa Gorillas, we make the process as easy as possible for you. For dates with limited availability, we secure permits by initially using our credit to deposit the 30%, while we wait for your payment to be processed, especially if you choose a bank transfer. For faster processing, we recommend online payments, as they are received within minutes, allowing us to secure your permit right away. All deposits are made directly to the Uganda Wildlife Authority at their head office in Kampala and a receipt with a booking reference will be issued to confirm your gorilla permit.

How to Secure Your Spot for Bwindi Gorilla Trekking

To make a booking, all you need to do is contact us. After discussing your preferred dates and travel plan, we’ll send you a quote and confirm the availability of permits. Once you make the payment, we will secure your permit and finalize all your arrangements, including accommodation and other services, to ensure a smooth and seamless trip.

Booking your Bwindi gorilla trekking permit with Trek Africa Gorillas guarantees a well-organized, stress-free experience. Let us help you plan the adventure of a lifetime!

Why Book Bwindi Gorilla Trekking with Trek Africa Gorillas?

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is one of the top destinations for gorilla trekking. Situated in the southern part of Uganda, near the border with Congo, it’s home to over half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. This UNESCO World Heritage site is the perfect place to experience these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.

The park is divided into four sectors where you can trek for gorillas: Rushaga, Buhoma, Ruhija and Nkuringo. Each sector is home to different habituated gorilla families, all led by a dominant silverback male. Only 8 people are allowed to trek with each family per day, making permits limited.

At Trek Africa Gorillas, we organize unforgettable gorilla safaris in both Uganda and Rwanda. We offer discounted packages and customized trips to suit your preferences. Our team, composed of energetic young staff and experienced managers, is passionate about delivering authentic, memorable experiences. We are highly rated on TripAdvisor, where you can read reviews from travelers who have explored with us.

Ready to embark on your gorilla trekking adventure? Contact us today to secure your Bwindi Gorilla Permit and make memories that will last a lifetime!