Gorilla Permits Availability

Gorilla Permits Availability: Your Essential Guide for Planning Gorilla Trekking in Uganda & Rwanda

Are you planning a trip to Africa for an unforgettable gorilla trekking adventure in either Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda or Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda? One of the first things you’ll need to consider is Gorilla Permits Availability. Before booking your gorilla trekking tour, it’s essential to check the availability of permits for your preferred dates, as these are required to trek with the endangered mountain gorillas.

Both Uganda and Rwanda have limited permits available each day, so it’s important to know how to secure yours in advance to ensure a smooth, stress-free experience.

Where to Trek: Gorilla Permit Availability in Uganda and Rwanda

Trek Africa Gorillas is authorized to check the availability of gorilla permits for individual travelers, tourists and international companies. Here’s an overview of the permit availability for both countries:

• Uganda: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has 18 gorilla families open for trekking, offering 144 permits daily.
• Rwanda: Volcanoes National Park has 12 gorilla families, with 96 permits available for trekking each day.

How to Check and Secure Gorilla Permit Availability

Once you contact Trek Africa Gorillas, we will get in touch with the respective authorities:

• Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) for Uganda
• Rwanda Development Board (RDB) for Rwanda

We will confirm the availability of gorilla permits for your desired trekking dates. For Uganda, you may also call UWA directly but we advise doing so in the morning as they often do not respond in the afternoons or evenings. Alternatively, you can send an email for availability updates.

To make the process seamless, it’s best to provide us with the year, month and specific dates you plan to trek. We will then check the availability of permits and advise you on the best options, including which side of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (north or south) your trek will be from. Some gorilla families are located in the north, while others are in the south.

Step-by-Step: Booking Your Gorilla Permit Through Trek Africa Gorillas

Once we’ve confirmed the gorilla permit availability, we will send you an invoice for payment. After the payment is processed, you’ll need to send us a proof of payment (POP), as it usually takes 3-4 working days for the transaction to reflect in our bank account. In many cases, we use our credit to secure the permits on your behalf before your payment is reflected.

We accept both electronic transfers and credit/debit card payments (note that the latter attracts a 5% surcharge). Once your payment is received, we will send you scanned copies of the receipts via email.

Receiving Your Gorilla Permit

Two weeks before your trekking date, we will visit the relevant authority (UWA for Uganda or RDB for Rwanda) to pick up your gorilla permit card, which you’ll need to present on the day of your trek. You can either pick up the permit from our office when you arrive in Uganda or Rwanda or if you’ve booked a fully inclusive tour with us, the permit will be included as part of your package.

Advantages of Booking Through Trek Africa Gorillas

As one of the few authorized companies with direct access to the gorilla permit database, Trek Africa Gorillas provides a fast and reliable way to check availability for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, as well as Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Here’s why booking through us is the best choice:

1. 24/7 Permit Availability – We have round-the-clock access to permit information, ensuring that you get a quick response about availability for your preferred dates.
2. Permit Reservation – Once we confirm availability, we can reserve your permits for up to 7 days, giving you time to finalize payment without the worry of missing out.
3. Easy Payment Options – We offer multiple payment options, including electronic transfers and credit card payments (with a 5% surcharge). Once payment is received, we will immediately secure your permits.
4. Personalized Service – We guide you through the entire process, from checking availability to receiving your permit card. We ensure that every detail is handled for you, providing a stress-free experience.
5. Booking Flexibility – If you’re booking at the last minute, we are in a better position to advise and secure permits quickly, helping you avoid disappointment.

Explore More: Gorilla Safari Tours in Uganda & Rwanda

If you’re also planning an extended safari in Uganda or Rwanda, we offer a variety of tours through Kigali and Entebbe:

• 2-Day Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Through Kigali
• 3-Day Gorilla Habituation Safari Through Kigali
• 3-Day Uganda Gorilla Safari from Kigali
• 4-Day Gorilla and Golden Monkey Safari from Kigali
• 4-Day Double Gorilla Trekking from Kigali

About the Uganda Gorilla Permit Online Booking System

Planning a gorilla trekking adventure in Uganda? The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has made it easier for tour operators to secure gorilla permits through an online booking system, which was introduced in 2016. This system allows authorized tour operators, like Trek Africa Gorillas, to check availability and reserve permits quickly and without hassle.

Before this system, tour operators had to contact UWA’s head office by phone or drive to their offices to check permit availability. This was time-consuming and inconvenient for both operators and tourists. Permits were issued on a first-come, first-served basis and there was no option to reserve permits. It was a frustrating process, with long waits for responses from UWA due to the volume of calls and emails.

With the introduction of the online booking system, checking and reserving gorilla permits has become much more efficient, making the process smoother for everyone involved.

System Access and Troubleshooting

The UWA online system is available only to selected tour operators who are authorized to check and reserve gorilla permits. Trek Africa Gorillas is one of the few privileged companies with access to this system, allowing us to provide you with real-time availability for your gorilla trekking dates.

Just like any online system, there may be occasional issues, such as technical glitches or slow performance. In the rare event that the gorilla permit online system is down or not working, we at Trek Africa Gorillas will call UWA’s head office directly to check availability for you. We also have a representative who visits UWA’s offices daily, ensuring that we can always assist you with checking and reserving your gorilla trek permit without delays.

Booking Directly with Uganda Wildlife Authority

Yes, you can book gorilla permits directly with the Uganda Wildlife Authority. However, this process can be a bit tedious. To book, you need to contact UWA by phone or email. Their reservations staff will provide availability for your requested dates and they will send you an invoice for payment. Once payment is made, your gorilla permit will be issued and you will need to collect it from their offices, showing proof of identification like a passport or driving permit.

While booking directly with UWA may seem straightforward, many travelers find the process slow and frustrating due to delayed responses. We’ve had clients share how stressful this can be. For a smoother, more efficient experience, we recommend booking your gorilla permit through a recognized tour company like Trek Africa Gorillas, which helps you avoid this hassle.

Updated Gorilla Permit Prices in Uganda

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

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

For those looking for a more immersive experience, Uganda also offers a Gorilla Habituation Experience. This exclusive experience lets you spend four hours with the mountain gorillas and it costs $1500 per person. These safaris are available in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, specifically in Rushaga and Nkuringo.

Why Choose Trek Africa Gorillas?

At Trek Africa Gorillas, we prioritize personalized service, ensuring your safety, comfort and enjoyment throughout your trip. Our team is dedicated to making your gorilla trekking experience as seamless as possible.

We are committed to sustainable tourism and embrace the ethos: “Take Nothing but Photographs, Leave Only Footprints.” We ensure that all our packages are eco-friendly. We follow all safety protocols to ensure that our staff, clients and service providers are well-protected while enjoying the wonders of Uganda’s wildlife.

Booking your gorilla permit with us means avoiding the hassles of direct booking with UWA. Let us handle the details and provide you with the best trekking experience.

Contact Us to Check Gorilla Permit Availability

Ready to book your gorilla trekking adventure in Uganda? Contact Trek Africa Gorillas today to check gorilla permit availability and reserve your spot on an unforgettable journey. We’ll take care of everything, from checking availability to securing your permit, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience. Let’s make your dream safari a reality!