Uganda and Rwanda Gorilla Permits Booking
The process of booking gorilla permits for Rwanda and Uganda is a frequently requested question. Buying permissions for gorillas? Booking details for gorilla permits, how to acquire a gorilla permit, where to obtain permits in Rwanda and Uganda, and when to go gorilla trekking in Uganda are all covered. We address all of these questions in our guide to gorilla permit booking. To ensure that you are scheduled for a gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park or Bwindi Forest National Park, you must have your gorilla permit acquired in advance.
We will need you to send us an email at info@gorillatrackings.com once your travel dates are confirmed. This will allow us to check the Uganda Wildlife Authority online for gorilla habitat permits. If permits are available for your dates, we will notify you so that we can send you an invoice for that payment.
Your reservation for the Gorilla Trekking Experience in Bwindi Forest National Park will be confirmed as soon as the money is completed and credited to our account. We will then promptly acquire your permits and email you a scanned copy for your records and review. Because there are only a few gorilla permits available each day and they sell out rapidly on a first-come, first-served basis, it is recommended that you reserve your permits at least two to three months before your trip.
In Africa, where can one go gorilla trekking?
The only remaining mountain gorillas may be found in four national parks in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where gorilla trekking is practiced. These include Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, Congo’s Virunga National Park, and Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
You may also view the Lowland gorillas in Congo, which are located in Kahuzi Beiga National Park. A gorilla permit is necessary in order to access any of the aforementioned national parks for gorilla trekking. As soon as you have your gorilla trekking dates set, we advise you to begin making reservations right away because permits and services fill up quickly, especially if you want to go during the busiest months of June through September.
It is always preferable to make reservations at least five months before your trip. Reservations for gorilla trekking at the aforementioned parks can be made directly or via Monumental Expeditions and Safaris, a reputable tour operator.
How much it costs to obtain a gorilla permit in Uganda
You can spend an hour with the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park by purchasing a gorilla permit in Uganda, which costs $800 per person per trek for foreign nonresidents, $700 per person for residents, and $80 for East African citizens (Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, and South Sudan). There are 136 gorilla permits available daily for gorilla trekking in Uganda, which contains 17 habituated gorilla family groups, 16 of which are located in Bwindi and one in Mgahinga.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda also offers you the chance to spend more time with the mountain gorillas by participating in the Gorilla Habituation Experience, which is only available in the Bwindi forest. For $1500 per person, you can spend four hours with the semi-habituated mountain gorillas under the supervision of researchers and trackers, as opposed to an hour for regular trekking. Gorilla permits in Uganda can be obtained directly from the Uganda Wildlife Authority or via a reputable Ugandan tour operator, such as Monumental Expeditions and Safaris.
How Much Gorilla Permits Cost in Rwanda
You can spend an hour with the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park by purchasing a gorilla permit in Rwanda, which costs $1500 per person per trek for foreign nonresidents, $500 per person for foreign residents, and $200 for East African citizens (Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, and South Sudan). There are 96 gorilla permits available daily for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park because Rwanda is home to 12 gorilla families. Gorilla permits in Rwanda can be obtained directly from the Rwanda Development Board or via a reputable Rwandan tour operator, such as Monumental Expeditions and Safaris.
The price and application process for DR Congo gorilla permits
Congolese gorillas are tracked in Kahuzi Beiga National Park for lowland gorillas and Virunga National Park for mountain gorillas. During the peak season months of mid-December to mid-March and June to October, a gorilla permit in Virunga National Park costs $400 per person each trip. During the low season months of mid-march to mid-May and mid-October to mid-December, the fee is $200. In Kahuzi Beiga National Park, a gorilla permit costs $400 for non-resident foreigners, $200 for inhabitants of East Africa, and $20 for residents. Gorilla permits in Congo can be obtained directly from Virunga National Park or via a reputable tour company such as Monumental Expeditions and Safaris. P.S. It is crucial to remember that the cost of your gorilla permit does not include lodging, airfare, ground transportation, food, or other costs. You will need to inquire with your tour operator about the specifics of the package you are purchasing.
How old must a person be to go gorilla trekking in Africa?
Depending on fitness levels, the least age requirement for gorilla trekking is 15 years old, and the maximum age is 85 years old. Elderly people can now go gorilla trekking, especially in Bwindi Forest, thanks to the availability of sedan chair carriers. These chairs are used to transport people who feel unfit and unable to walk into the forest during their trek; potters will carry you to and from the forest. The cost of renting a sedan chair ranges from $400 to $500, and it can be done in advance or on the day of the trek.
Rules and sanctions for canceling gorilla permits in Rwanda, Congo, and Uganda
It is necessary to have a gorilla permit in order to go gorilla tracking, and it is ideal for the person who bookings the permit to be able to use it for the journey on the specified date. The fines and policies for canceling gorilla permits are the same in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Congo. If you are unable to make it to the tracking day, which is between 0 and 8 days into the journey, you will not receive a refund for your permits.
Due to the Corona Virus outbreak, which compelled both countries to loosen their cancellation policies, gorilla permit cancellation policies have changed significantly over the past six months. In Uganda, all gorilla treks impacted by the pandemic have been given the chance to reschedule their trekking dates twice, until December 2022. For further information, get in touch with us here.
In Africa, when is the greatest season to go gorilla trekking?
The best time to go gorilla trekking in Africa is during the drier months of January, February, June, and early September. This makes it easier to get to the park and allows for a clear view of the gorillas because the vegetation cover isn’t too high. Gorilla trekking is done all year round.
What Should I Bring for an African Gorilla Trek?
Walking shoes or boots that are comfortable and durable are essential for gorilla tracking. In general, when it rains, the forest is extremely muddy. Some of the uphill portions can be extremely steep and taxing. Wearing lightweight long pants and a long-sleeved cotton shirt is also advised to protect you from biting ants, stinging nettles, and weeds.
When going on a gorilla trek, it is recommended that you bring the following items: insect repellent; a torch or flashlight and extra batteries; wet wipes; a water bottle; a camera, lenses, etc.; comfortable boots and socks for walking or hiking; gardening gloves for tracking gorillas; sandals, strops, or walking shoes; a hat and sunscreen; a rain jacket; a sweater or fleece; swimwear; and binoculars for game or bird watching.
Experience with Gorilla Habituation in Bwindi
Booking a Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari is the best option if you want to spend more time with the mountain gorillas. This safari allows you to visit the endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and spend more time in the forest with them after you come across them during your trek. Given that only Uganda offers this experience, out of the two nations with the last endangered mountain gorillas—Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo—a Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari is one of the most distinctive safaris for any visitor to Uganda for gorilla tracking. Monumental Expeditions and Safaris is prepared to organize and reserve for you an unforgettable Gorilla Habituation Experience safari. We offer a variety of Gorilla Habituation Experience safari packages, from low-cost to high-end, and these can be tailored to best suit your preferences and schedule. Simply send us an email, and we will assist you and make the necessary arrangements.
Our Well-liked Safari Packages for Gorilla Habituation
20 Days of Birds and Gorillas in Ugandan Forests; 4 Days of Uganda Rwanda Gorillas; 6 Days of Gorillas and Wildlife Safari; 7 Days of Uganda Gorillas and Wildlife Tour
Gorilla Habituation Experience: What Is It?
Trekking, walking, and hiking through the forest to find semi-habituated mountain gorillas that leave together in a particular gorilla family group but are not accustomed to human presence is known as the “Gorilla Habituation Experience.” Once you locate them, you will engage in activities designed to help these mountain gorillas become accustomed to human presence.
You can spend four hours with the mountain gorillas during the Gorilla Habituation Experience, which is longer than the one-hour experience during regular gorilla tracking. Because it allows you to understand more about mountain gorillas, this experience is unique. Four tourists follow a particular troop of semi-habituated gorillas.
Where is Habituation Experience for Gorillas conducted?
Only in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is it possible to experience gorilla habitat. It is carried out in Rushaga and Nkuringo, which are in Bwindi’s southern sections. Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga, and Nkuringo are the four main gorilla monitoring sectors in Bwindi; only Rushaga and Nkuringo are used for gorilla habituation experiences. Only two of the twelve gorilla families in Bwindi that are accustomed to regular tracking are available for gorilla habitat experiences.
The distinction between gorilla tracking and gorilla habitat experience
Both gorilla tracking and gorilla habitat experience are conducted in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park; the only difference is that gorilla tracking involves an hour-long encounter with mountain gorillas, whereas gorilla habitat experience involves four hours. Groups of four people see the mountain gorillas on Gorilla Habituation, and groups of eight people undertake gorilla tracking. While a gorilla tracking permit costs USD 800 for foreign non-residents, USD 700 for foreign residents, and 300,000 Uganda shillings per person per trek, a gorilla habituation permit costs USD 1500 for foreign non-residents, USD 1000 for locals, and $150,000 for East African citizens.
How to reserve a Ugandan Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari
To confirm your reservation for the Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi Forest National Park, you must obtain your gorilla habituation permit in advance. Please send us an email here as soon as your travel dates are confirmed. We will use this information to check the Uganda Wildlife Authority online for gorilla habitat permits.
If permits are available for your dates, we will notify you so that we can send you an invoice to pay for the permits. Your reservation for the Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi Forest National Park will be confirmed as soon as the payment is completed and credited to our account.
We will then promptly purchase your permits and email you a scanned copy for your records and review. Because there are only four people per group and only two groups available, gorilla habituation permits are limited to eight per day and are sold out on a first-come, first-served basis, it is recommended that you book your gorilla habitat experience in Uganda at least two to three months before your trip.
What is the cost of a Ugandan Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari?
In addition to other services like transportation, lodging, and guiding, the price of the gorilla habitat permit is significantly higher than that of any other gorilla habitat safari in Uganda. You can spend four hours in Bwindi Forest National Park interacting with mountain gorillas by purchasing a gorilla habituation permit, which costs USD 1500 for foreign nonresidents, USD 1000 for foreign residents, and USD 70 (750,000 Uganda Shilling) for East African citizens per trek.
For a successful gorilla trekking safari, you will also need to pay for additional services like transportation, lodging, and guiding in addition to the gorilla habituation permit. The starting price for our 4-day Uganda Rwanda Gorillas tour is USD 1272 per person. Get in touch with us here, and we’ll make the appropriate reservations.
When is the ideal time to reserve a safari for the Gorilla Habituation Experience?
The best times to visit Uganda’s gorilla habitat are from June to October and December to March. This is the country’s dry season, with moderate rainfall that facilitates treks through the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Additionally, the vegetation is not yet fully grown, making it easier to see the mountain gorillas and providing excellent photo opportunities.
The other months of April, May, and November are typically wet seasons, which causes the vegetation to grow high and makes sightings difficult. However, because food is easily accessible and mountain gorillas don’t travel great distances in search of it, these treks are typically shorter. Due to its excellent organization and 99% possibility of sighting mountain gorillas, the Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda is available all year round.
Accommodations for your Bwindi Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari
It is advised to remain in the southern section of Bwindi Forest National Park, where the Gorilla Habituation Experience is conducted. In the southern region of Bwindi Forest National Park, lodging options range from affordable (Rusgaha Gorilla Havens Lodge, Karungi Camp, Nshogi Camp, etc.) to mid-range (Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, etc.) and luxurious (Four Gorillas Lodge, Clouds Gorilla Lodge, and Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, etc.)—all of which cost between USD 90 and USD 700 per person per night.
The Best Way to Visit Bwindi Forest National Park to See Gorilla Habituation
By Road: The major safari route from Entebbe/Kampala, which takes about eight to nine hours to drive, leads to the southern portion of Bwindi Forest National Park. Along the Kabale-Kisoro road, you must turn off at Muko. You will see the Uganda Wildlife Authority signpost, which you should follow to your reserved lodging in the Rushaga or Nkuringo sectors.
By Air: To reach the southern sectors of Rushaga and Nkuringo, take a plane from Entebbe International Airport or Kampala’s Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro airstrip. Domestic airline carriers Aero Link and Fly Uganda offer both scheduled and chartered flights. A transfer from the airport to the park will need to be arranged with your tour operator.
Why reserve your gorilla permits from Monumental Expeditions and Safaris?
At Monumental Expeditions and Safaris, we offer individualized service with the highest commitment to our customers’ enjoyment and safety. In addition to having a good influence on the communities and wild areas that our operations reach, we are dedicated to the health and welfare of our employees and visitors. We adhere to the environmental philosophy of “Take Nothing but Photographs, Leave Only Footprints” in all of our operations and safaris, and every one of our packages is environmentally responsible. Our top concern during your trip will be our clients’ safety and health after COVID, and we will make sure that all of our employees and service providers follow the SOPs and health precautions established for the clients’ and service providers’ safety and well-being while on safari.