Gorilla Permits Availability for June

Gorilla Permits Availability for June

Are you planning to visit Uganda for gorilla trekking in June, specifically in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park? It’s important to check the availability of gorilla permits in advance before booking your trip. Gorilla permits are required for trekking the endangered mountain gorillas, and securing one is essential to ensure you can enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

At Trek Africa Expeditions, we are authorized to check and reserve gorilla permits for individuals, tourists, and international companies. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has 18 gorilla families open for trekking each day, meaning a total of 144 permits are available for booking each day.

How to Secure Your Gorilla Permit for June

When you contact Trek Africa Expeditions for gorilla permit availability, we will immediately reach out to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), which handles the issuance and sale of permits. We will inform you of the number of permits available for your desired travel dates.

UWA operates a reservation system that allows tour operators like us to check availability. You can also contact UWA directly by phone or email. However, it’s important to note that they are often unavailable by phone in the afternoons or evenings.

To save you time and hassle, simply provide us with the year, month, and exact dates you plan to trek. We’ll check availability for you, specifying the number of permits available for each gorilla family and which side of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park you will be trekking from—either the north or the south.

Once we confirm permit availability for June, we will send you an invoice. After your payment is received, we’ll request your passport details to process the permits with UWA. Once issued, we will send you a scanned copy of your permit for your records.

If you’ve booked a fully inclusive tour with us, your gorilla permit will be part of the package. You can pick it up from our office on arrival in Uganda, or we will arrange it to be ready as part of your travel package. Our office is open at all times, and you can reach us via phone or email.

Why Book Your Gorilla Permit Through a Local Tour Company?

Trek Africa Expeditions is one of the few companies authorized to access the UWA gorilla permit database. We have 24/7 access to permits for both Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, enabling us to provide you with up-to-date availability at any time. This means we can give you fast, reliable responses when checking for permits on specific dates, helping you make informed decisions for your trip.

Many tour companies in Uganda do not have this privilege, and when we secure your permits, we can reserve them for a maximum of seven days while you complete your payment. This gives you a bit of flexibility while ensuring you don’t miss out on permits. Once payment is received, we will send you an invoice and expect proof of payment (POP). While payments take 3–4 working days to show on our bank account, we often use our own credit to reserve your permit right away, securing it before your payment clears. We accept both electronic transfers and credit/debit card payments, with a 5% surcharge on card payments.

After UWA processes your payment, we will send you scanned copies of the receipts. Two weeks before your trek, we will collect your gorilla trekking permit cards from UWA. These cards will be required on the day of your trek.

About the Uganda Wildlife Authority Gorilla Permit Online Booking System

To simplify the process of checking availability and reserving gorilla permits in Uganda, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) launched an online booking system in 2016. This system allows authorized tour operators, like Trek Africa Expeditions, to check availability and reserve gorilla trekking permits instantly—without any hassle.

Before this system, tour operators had to contact the UWA head office by phone or even visit in person to check for permit availability. This process was time-consuming and often inconvenient for both operators and tourists. Additionally, permits were given out on a first-come, first-served basis—there was no option to reserve permits for a certain period, leading to further challenges.

With the new online system, checking availability and securing permits has become much easier, providing a more efficient and streamlined experience.

Who Can Access the Online Gorilla Permit System?

Since the introduction of the online system, only selected tour operators have access to view and reserve gorilla permits. Trek Africa Expeditions is one of the few privileged operators with direct access to the UWA’s permit database, allowing us to provide quick availability updates to our clients.

This ensures you’ll have access to the latest permit information without delays, helping you plan your trip more efficiently.

What Happens if the Online System is Down?

Like any software system, the UWA’s online booking platform can occasionally face technical issues. If the system is down or slow, we will directly contact the UWA head office to check availability on your behalf. Additionally, we have a representative who visits UWA’s offices daily, ensuring we can always assist in checking and securing your gorilla trek permits.

Can I Book My Gorilla Permit Directly with UWA?

Yes, it’s possible to book your gorilla permit directly with Uganda Wildlife Authority. To do this, you’ll need to call or email their reservations team. They will inform you about the availability of permits for your chosen dates and send you an invoice for payment. Once payment is made, you will receive your gorilla permit card, which you can collect after providing proof of identity (either a driving permit or passport).

However, many travelers have found this direct booking process to be frustrating due to slow responses. We highly recommend booking through a recognized tour operator, like Trek Africa Expeditions, to avoid these challenges and ensure a smoother experience.

Uganda Gorilla Permit Prices

The current price for a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda is as follows:

• $800 for foreign non-residents
• $700 for foreign residents with a valid work permit
• 300,000 Ugandan Shillings for East African citizens

Additionally, Uganda offers a Gorilla Habituation Experience for those wishing to spend more time with the mountain gorillas. This exclusive experience allows you to spend four hours with a gorilla family and is priced at $1,500 per person. The habituation experience is available in the Rushaga and Nkuringo regions of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

For more information about this unique experience, or to book your Gorilla Habituation safari, feel free to contact us at Trek Africa Expeditions.

Why Book Your Gorilla Permit with Trek Africa Expeditions?

At Trek Africa Expeditions, we provide personalized service with a strong focus on your safety, enjoyment, and environmental sustainability. We are deeply committed to the well-being of our clients, staff, and local communities, as well as to preserving the incredible wildlife and natural spaces we operate in.

Our commitment to responsible travel is reflected in our environmental ethic: “Take Nothing but Photographs, Leave Only Footprints.” All of our safari packages are eco-friendly, ensuring that your adventure leaves a positive impact on the environment.

When you travel with us, the health and safety of our clients are our top priority. We adhere strictly to the latest post-COVID safety protocols, ensuring that all our staff and service providers follow the guidelines for a safe and enjoyable safari experience.

Ready to secure your gorilla permit for June? Contact Trek Africa Expeditions now for availability, and let us help you plan your unforgettable gorilla trekking adventure!