Where and How to Buy Gorilla Permits in Uganda

Where and How to Buy Gorilla Permits in Uganda

If you’re planning to go gorilla trekking in Uganda, securing your gorilla permit is a crucial step. Uganda offers around 152 permits per day for gorilla trekking, divided between the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. For those wanting to spend more time with the gorillas, the gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi is an option. This immersive experience allows you to spend 4 hours with the gorillas but there are only 4 permits available per day for this activity.

How to Book Gorilla Permits in Uganda

To book your gorilla trekking permit, it’s important to secure it well in advance, especially as permits sell out quickly due to their limited availability. Here’s how the process works:

1. Confirm Your Travel Dates: Once you’ve settled on your travel dates, contact us at info@trekafricagorillas.com.
2. Permit Availability Check: We’ll check the availability of permits for your chosen dates with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
3. Payment: If permits are available, we’ll send you an invoice for the payment. Once payment is made, we’ll proceed with purchasing your permits and send you a scanned copy for your records.

It’s highly recommended to book your gorilla permits 2-3 months in advance, as permits for popular travel periods are often snapped up quickly.

Cost of Gorilla Permits in Uganda

The cost of a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda depends on your residency status:

• $800 USD for Foreign Non-Residents
• $700 USD for Foreign Residents
• UGX 300,000 for East African Citizens (Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi and South Sudan)

These permits allow you to spend one hour with the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. There are 17 habituated gorilla families in Uganda, with 16 in Bwindi and 1 in Mgahinga, giving you a chance to trek with one of these families.

For those who wish to spend more time with the gorillas, the Gorilla Habituation Experience is available in Bwindi, costing $1,500 USD per person. This experience allows you to spend 4 hours with the gorillas, guided by researchers and trackers, in a more intimate and educational encounter.

Age Limit for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

The minimum age for gorilla trekking in Uganda is 15 years, with no strict maximum age limit but fitness levels do matter. For older travelers or those with mobility concerns, sedan chair carriers are available in Bwindi Forest. These chairs allow those who are unable to walk long distances to be carried to and from the forest during their trek. The cost for a sedan chair ranges from $400 to $500 USD and can be arranged in advance or on the day of the trek.

Gorilla Permit Cancellation Policy

Cancellations for gorilla permits are subject to strict policies. If you cancel within 8 days of the trekking date, you will not receive a refund.

Best Time for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is possible throughout the year but the best times are during the drier months: January, February, June and early September. During these periods, the trails are less muddy and the vegetation is not as thick, making it easier to spot the gorillas.

What to Pack for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Gorilla trekking requires some preparation. To ensure you have a comfortable and safe experience, here’s a suggested packing list:

• Comfortable, sturdy walking boots
• Long-sleeve shirt and lightweight trousers (to protect from undergrowth and insects)
• Insect repellent
• Torch/flashlight and extra batteries
• Wet wipes
• Water bottle for hydration
• Camera (and spare batteries)
• Gardening gloves (for handling vegetation)
• Hat and sunscreen
• Rain jacket
• Sweater or fleece for colder temperatures
• Binoculars (for birdwatching and wildlife spotting)

Four-Hour Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda

If you’re looking for a more intimate encounter with Uganda’s endangered mountain gorillas, the Gorilla Habituation Experience is the perfect choice for you. Unlike traditional gorilla trekking, this experience offers the rare opportunity to spend four hours with a semi-habituated gorilla family in the wild, allowing you to observe their behavior and interactions up close in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

The Gorilla Habituation Experience is a unique adventure available exclusively in Uganda, as it cannot be found in Rwanda or the Democratic Republic of Congo, the two other countries where these remarkable gorillas reside. It’s an unforgettable opportunity to be part of the efforts to habituate the gorillas to human presence, making this experience both educational and immersive.

Our Popular Gorilla Habituation Safari Packages

At Trek Africa Gorillas, we specialize in creating unforgettable experiences tailored to your interests. We offer a variety of Gorilla Habituation Safari packages, ranging from budget to luxury options, which can be customized to suit your needs. Here are a few of our popular safari packages:

• 4 Days Uganda Rwanda Gorillas
• 6 Days Gorillas and Wildlife Safari
• 7 Days Uganda Gorillas and Wildlife Tour
• 20 Days Birds and Gorillas in Ugandan Forests

We’ll work with you to ensure the best Gorilla Habituation Experience possible. Simply contact us via email and we’ll handle the rest!

What is the Gorilla Habituation Experience?

The Gorilla Habituation Experience involves trekking through the forest to find a semi-habituated gorilla family. These gorillas are still in the process of becoming accustomed to human presence and during your time with them, you’ll participate in activities that help with their habituation. The key difference between this experience and traditional gorilla trekking is the four-hour duration you spend with the gorillas, compared to just one hour on a regular trek.

The Gorilla Habituation Experience takes place in small groups of only four visitors, providing a more exclusive and in-depth experience than the usual trekking groups, which can have up to eight people. This small group size ensures a more personalized and intimate interaction with the gorillas, making it an ideal experience for wildlife enthusiasts.

Where is the Gorilla Habituation Experience Done?

The Gorilla Habituation Experience is available only in the southern sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, specifically in the Rushaga and Nkuringo regions. While there are four main sectors in Bwindi for traditional gorilla tracking (Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga and Nkuringo), the Gorilla Habituation Experience is exclusive to just these two areas, with only two gorilla families involved in the habituation process.

Difference Between Gorilla Habituation and Gorilla Trekking

Although both gorilla habituation and gorilla trekking occur in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, there are several key differences:

• Duration: On a Gorilla Habituation Experience, you spend 4 hours with the gorillas, whereas gorilla trekking offers just 1 hour.
• Group Size: Gorilla Habituation is limited to 4 visitors, while trekking groups can have up to 8 people.
• Cost: The cost of a Gorilla Habituation permit is higher than a trekking permit:
  • USD 1,500 for foreign non-residents
  • USD 1,000 for foreign residents
  • UGX 750,000 for East African citizens In contrast, the cost of a Gorilla Trekking permit is:
  • USD 700 for foreign non-residents
  • USD 600 for foreign residents
  • UGX 250,000 for East African citizens

How to Book the Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda

To book your Gorilla Habituation Experience, you’ll need to secure your permit in advance. Here’s how:

1. Confirm your travel dates.
2. Contact us via email to check the availability of permits with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
3. Once availability is confirmed, we’ll send you an invoice for the payment.
4. After payment is received, we’ll purchase your permits and send you a scanned copy for your records.

Due to limited availability (only 8 permits per day), it’s advisable to book your experience 2-3 months in advance to secure your spot.

How Much is the Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda?

The Gorilla Habituation permit costs USD 1,500 per person for foreign non-residents, USD 1,000 for foreign residents and UGX 750,000 for East African citizens. This includes the 4-hour gorilla encounter. In addition to the permit, you’ll also need to cover transportation, accommodation and guiding services for a complete safari experience.

For example, our 4-Day Uganda Rwanda Gorillas package starts from USD 1,272 per person.

Best Time to Book Your Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari

The best time for a Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda is during the dry seasons, which occur from June to October and December to March. During these months, the weather is more favorable for trekking and the forest trails are less muddy, offering better visibility for viewing and photographing the gorillas. Although you can trek year-round, the wet season (April, May and November) can make the trails more challenging, though gorilla sightings are still guaranteed.

Where to Stay During Your Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi

Accommodation near the Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors of Bwindi Forest National Park ranges from budget to luxury. Some popular options include:

• Budget: Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, Karungi Camp, Nshogi Camp (USD 90-100 per person per night)
• Mid-range: Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge (USD 150-200 per person per night)
• Luxury: Four Gorillas Lodge, Clouds Gorilla Lodge, Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge (USD 250-700 per person per night)

How to Get to Bwindi Forest National Park

• By Road: It takes about 8-9 hours to drive from Entebbe or Kampala to the southern sectors of Bwindi Forest.
• By Air: You can fly from Entebbe or Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro airstrip, then transfer to the park.

Why Book Your Gorilla Permits with Trek Africa Gorillas?

At Trek Africa Gorillas, we pride ourselves on providing personalized services and ensuring your safety and enjoyment throughout your journey. Our team is dedicated to sustainable, eco-friendly travel and follows all Post-Covid health protocols to ensure your well-being.

Contact us today to secure your gorilla habituation permit and start planning your unforgettable adventure with the mountain gorillas of Uganda!