Uganda Gorilla Permits Availability

Uganda Gorilla Permits Availability: Everything You Need to Know

Uganda Gorilla Permits Availability — Planning a trip to Uganda for gorilla trekking in either Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park? One of the first things you’ll need to check is the availability of gorilla permits. These permits are essential for anyone looking to trek the endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda and it’s crucial to confirm their availability before booking your trip.

At Trek Africa Gorillas, we are authorized to check and secure gorilla permits for both individual travelers and international tour companies. Bwindi has 18 gorilla families open for trekking each day, with a total of 144 permits available for sale.

How to Secure Your Uganda Gorilla Permits

When you reach out to us, we will contact the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), the official body responsible for selling and issuing gorilla permits. We’ll check the availability of permits for your preferred travel dates and confirm how many permits are available for your chosen gorilla family.

Uganda Wildlife Authority has a reservation system where you can either call or email their staff to inquire about availability. However, to avoid delays, we recommend reaching out to us directly. We’ll handle all the coordination with UWA and provide you with the most up-to-date availability information.

Tip: Be sure to specify your preferred year, month and exact travel dates, as availability can change quickly. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is divided into two regions—the North and the South—with different gorilla families in each. We’ll also advise you on which side of Bwindi your trek will take place.

Once we’ve confirmed availability, we’ll send you an invoice for payment. After your payment is processed, we will request your passport details to finalize the permit issuance. Once Uganda Wildlife Authority has issued the permit, we’ll send you a scanned copy for your records.

On arrival in Uganda, you can either pick up your gorilla permit from our office or, if you’ve booked a fully inclusive tour with us, your permit will be included as part of the package.

Why Booking Early Matters

Since gorilla permit availability can change quickly, we recommend booking your permits 4 to 5 months in advance to ensure you get the dates you want. Last-minute bookings can be risky, as permits may be sold out by the time you try to reserve them.

What Are the Current Gorilla Permit Prices?

As of now, the price for a gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is:

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

Additionally, Uganda offers a Gorilla Habituation Experience that allows you to spend more time with the mountain gorillas. This permit costs $1500 per person for a four-hour trek. These safaris are conducted in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, specifically in the Rushaga and Nkuringo regions.

How the Uganda Gorilla Permit Booking System Works

In an effort to streamline the process of checking availability and reserving gorilla permits, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) developed an online system in 2016. This system allows authorized tour operators to easily check availability and reserve permits for gorilla trekking without the hassle. Trek Africa Gorillas is one of the select operators with access to this system.

The Transition to the Online Permit System

Before the online system was introduced, booking gorilla permits was a lengthy process. Tour operators had to call UWA or visit their office in person to check for permit availability. This often caused delays and inconvenience for both the tour operators and travelers. Additionally, permits were issued on a first-come, first-served basis, meaning there was no option to reserve permits for up to seven days.

With the introduction of the online system, checking permit availability has become much more efficient, saving both time and effort for everyone involved.

Exclusive Access: Who Can Use the System?

Currently, only selected tour operators can view and reserve gorilla permits through the UWA online system. Trek Africa Gorillas is one of the few privileged operators who have access to this system. As a result, we can quickly check the availability of permits and provide this information to our clients without delays.

What If the Online Booking System is Down?

Like any software system, the UWA gorilla permit online system can sometimes experience technical difficulties. If this happens, we can still assist you by contacting UWA directly. We also have a representative who visits the UWA offices daily to help check availability and reserve permits on your behalf.

Can I Book Directly with Uganda Wildlife Authority?

Yes, it’s possible to book your gorilla permit directly with UWA. You’ll need to either call or email UWA’s reservations staff to inquire about availability for your preferred dates. They’ll provide an invoice and once you make the payment, your gorilla permit will be issued.

However, many travelers find this process to be slow and frustrating due to delayed responses. To avoid this inconvenience, we recommend booking your permits through a recognized tour operator like Trek Africa Gorillas. We can help you secure your permits quickly and efficiently, removing the stress of dealing with long waits.

Why Book with Trek Africa Gorillas?

Trek Africa Gorillas is one of the few companies authorized to access the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s gorilla permit database. This gives us a unique advantage in checking real-time availability and reserving permits on your behalf. When you book through us, you can count on fast and accurate responses regarding availability, ensuring you can plan your trip without delays.

We also have the privilege of reserving permits for up to seven days while you make your payment. To make the process even smoother, we accept both electronic transfers and credit/debit card payments (note that credit/debit card payments incur a 5% surcharge). In most cases, we use our credit to secure your permits even before your payment has cleared, so there’s no risk of losing them.

Once your payment is received, we’ll send you scanned receipts from Uganda Wildlife Authority. Two weeks before your trek, we’ll collect your official gorilla trekking permits and send them to you in preparation for your adventure.

Uganda Gorilla Safaris Starting from Kigali

If you’re traveling through Kigali, Rwanda, we also offer safari options including:

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

Our Commitment to Responsible Travel

At Trek Africa Gorillas, we are dedicated to providing personalized service and ensuring that your gorilla trekking experience is safe, enjoyable and memorable. We follow the philosophy of “Take Nothing but Photographs, Leave Only Footprints” and all our operations are eco-friendly.

Our team is committed to ensuring your safety and well-being, both in terms of health and environmental impact. We strictly adhere to Post-COVID safety measures and we make sure that all our staff and service providers follow the necessary protocols to keep everyone safe during the safari.

Book Your Uganda Gorilla Trekking Adventure Today

Book your Uganda gorilla permits with us today and let us help you plan an unforgettable adventure in Uganda’s beautiful national parks! For more information on Uganda Gorilla Permits Availability, feel free to contact us.