Gorilla Permits Availability for December

Gorilla Permits Availability for December: Book Your Uganda Gorilla Trekking Adventure

Gorilla Permits Availability for December — Planning to go gorilla trekking in Uganda this December? Wondering if there are gorilla permits available for trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park? It’s essential to know the availability of gorilla permits well in advance before you book your trip to Uganda. Without a valid gorilla permit, you won’t be allowed to trek these endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda’s iconic parks.

At Trek Africa Expeditions, we’re authorized to check the availability of gorilla permits for December for individual travelers and international companies. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has 18 gorilla families available for trekking daily, meaning 144 permits are sold each day for clients and companies.

How to Secure Your Uganda Gorilla Permit for December

When you contact Trek Africa Expeditions, we will reach out to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), the official body responsible for issuing gorilla permits. We’ll find out how many permits are available on your preferred travel dates, so you can make informed decisions about your trip.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority has a reservation system where you can either call or email them to check availability. However, they are more responsive in the mornings, and they often don’t answer calls in the afternoon or evening. To save you time and stress, contact us with your travel dates (year, month, and specific days), and we’ll handle the rest.

We’ll check the availability of permits for you, including which gorilla families are available for trekking and whether you’ll trek from the north or south part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Once we confirm the availability for December, we’ll send you an invoice. After payment is made, we’ll request your passport details to submit to UWA for permit issuance.

Getting Your Gorilla Permit

Once your payment is received and your details are submitted to UWA, we will send you a scanned copy of your gorilla permit for your records. You can pick up your gorilla permit from our office upon arrival in Uganda, or if you’ve booked a fully inclusive tour with us, the permit will be part of the package.

Remember, gorilla permits availability changes quickly, so it’s always best to book your permit 4-5 months in advance to avoid disappointment. This also gives you ample time to plan your trip, as last-minute bookings can often lead to a shortage of permits.

Why Book Your Gorilla Permit with a Local Tour Company?

Trek Africa Expeditions has direct access to the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s gorilla permit database, which means we can check availability 24/7 for both Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. When you book with us, you’ll get a fast response on permit availability, allowing you to make quick decisions about your trip.

Not all companies have access to this database, but as a registered tour operator, we have the privilege to reserve permits for up to seven days while awaiting payment. After we find your permits, we will send you an invoice, and once payment is made, we’ll secure your permits even before the payment clears in our account. We accept both electronic transfers and credit/debit card payments (with a 5% surcharge for card payments).

Once your payment is confirmed by UWA, we’ll send you a scanned copy of your payment receipt. Then, about two weeks before your trekking date, we’ll go to UWA to collect your official gorilla permit card, which you’ll need to present on the day of your trek.

Booking Directly with Uganda Wildlife Authority

While it is possible to book your gorilla permit directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority, we recommend going through a recognized local tour company like Trek Africa Expeditions to avoid unnecessary delays and complications. If you choose to book directly, you’ll need to call or email UWA, and while their response time is often slow, they will provide you with availability and send you an invoice for payment. After paying, you must pick up your permit in person, which can be a hassle for international visitors.

Gorilla Permit Pricing for December

• Foreign Non-Residents: $800
• Foreign Residents (with a valid work permit): $700
• East African Citizens: 300,000 Uganda shillings

If you’re looking for an even more immersive experience, you can opt for the Gorilla Habituation Experience permit, which costs $1500 per person for four hours with the gorillas. This experience is available in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, in the Rushaga and Nkuringo regions.

Uganda Wildlife Authority Gorilla Permit Online Booking System

To make it easier for travelers to check availability and book gorilla trekking permits in Uganda, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) introduced an online booking system in 2016. This system allows authorized and selected tour operators, such as Trek Africa Expeditions, to check availability and reserve permits instantly, without any hassle.

Before this online system, tour operators had to contact UWA by phone or visit their offices in person to check permit availability. This process was time-consuming and often inconvenient, both for the operators and the tourists. There was no option to hold or reserve permits, which were issued on a first-come, first-served basis. This often led to frustrations due to long wait times, making it challenging for tour operators and clients to plan their trips efficiently.

The introduction of the online system has made the entire process of checking and booking gorilla permits much smoother and faster.

Who Can Check Gorilla Permits Online?

Since the introduction of the online system, only selected tour operators are authorized to access and reserve gorilla permits. Trek Africa Expeditions is one of the privileged operators with access to this system. We can quickly provide our clients with availability details and reserve permits on their behalf, ensuring a seamless booking experience.

What Happens If the Gorilla Permit Online System Is Down?

Like any online platform, the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s system may occasionally experience issues. If the system goes down or becomes slow, we will personally contact UWA’s head office to check the availability of permits on your behalf. Additionally, we have a dedicated representative who visits UWA’s offices daily to assist with checking and reserving permits.

Can I Book My Gorilla Permit Directly with Uganda Wildlife Authority?

Yes, it’s possible to book your gorilla permit directly with the Uganda Wildlife Authority. However, this process requires you to either call or email UWA’s reservations staff. They will check permit availability, send you an invoice, and once payment is made, issue your permit. You’ll need to collect the permit in person by showing proof of identity, such as your passport or driving permit.

While this might sound straightforward, many travelers have reported delays in receiving responses, which can make the booking process frustrating. We’ve had clients who shared their challenges with this method. We recommend booking your gorilla permit through a recognized tour company like Trek Africa Expeditions to avoid these hassles and ensure a more efficient process.

Gorilla Permit Pricing

As of now, the cost for a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda is:

• Foreign Non-Residents: $800
• Foreign Residents (with a work permit): $700
• East African Citizens: 300,000 Ugandan Shillings

Uganda also offers an enhanced experience for those who want to spend more time with the mountain gorillas. The Gorilla Habituation Experience allows you to stay with the gorillas for four hours and costs $1500 per person. This unique experience is available in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, specifically in the Rushaga and Nkuringo regions.

For more information on Gorilla Habituation safaris offered by Trek Africa Expeditions, feel free to reach out.

Why Book Your Gorilla Permit with Trek Africa Expeditions?

Trek Africa Expeditions is committed to providing a personalized, hassle-free experience for all our clients. We ensure your safety and enjoyment throughout your safari and are dedicated to having a positive impact on both the local communities and wildlife. Our operations embrace sustainable, eco-friendly practices, adhering to the principle of “Take Nothing but Photographs, Leave Only Footprints.”

In addition to offering professional and personalized services, we prioritize the health and safety of our clients.

For more details on availability and bookings for gorilla trekking permits, especially for December, don’t hesitate to contact us today!