Also known as Uganda Wildlife Authority gorilla permits, each Uganda gorilla permit costs USD 800. This cost is what makes your gorilla safari expensive. It plays a significant role in the total Uganda gorilla trekking cost of your safari itinerary. However, if you can get discounted gorilla permits, you will be able to save a lot of money on your trip.
Home to over half of the world’s total population of endangered mountain gorillas, Uganda is a beauty to behold. Uganda’s prime destinations for gorilla trekking include Mgahinga Gorilla and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks. Hidden in the extreme southwestern corner of the country, at the tip of the Albertine Rift, these iconic national parks form one huge conservation area known as the Bwindi-Mgahinga Conservation Area.
Of the two national parks, Bwindi is the largest with a total area of about 331 sq. km and is divided into 4 major gorilla regions: Rushaga sector in the southeast of Bwindi, Ruhija sector to the east, Nkuringo in the west, and Buhoma to the north. Each region presents a profusion of vibrant gorilla families that are well habituated and open for trekking every day.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, on the other hand, is the smallest in Uganda and part of the larger Virunga Conservation Area. The park is one of the 3 national parks that make up the Virunga Conservation Area; the others include Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in DR Congo.
Due to its small size, Mgahinga is home to only one gorilla family known as Nyakagezi, which is composed of 19 members well habituated for trekking. With such a large number of mountain gorillas, gorilla trekking activities remain highly restricted with visits limited to only 8 individuals per group per day.
Travelers are issued gorilla trekking permits, without which one cannot access any gorilla family. Gorilla permits in Uganda are only issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, a government body in charge of conserving and preserving all protected areas in Uganda. Alternatively, a trusted tour operator can help book gorilla trekking permits on behalf of their clients.
Each gorilla permit is valid for one day, allowing access for 1-8 hours depending on the time taken to locate a particular gorilla group. A gorilla permit allows one to visit one gorilla family and spend a maximum of 1 hour with them. Uganda gorilla permits are highly sought after, and therefore advance booking is crucial, especially during the high season months of June to October and December to February.
Rescheduling Gorilla Permits in Uganda
Gorilla trekking permits can be rescheduled to any available future date; however, late rescheduling (within 7 days of the start of the trip) incurs a surcharge of 30% of the total permit cost.
Permit details can be changed to another gorilla region or a different date.
Number of Gorilla Trekking Permits Uganda Offers Daily
The number of gorilla trekking permits Uganda offers daily is capped. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to over 400 mountain gorillas, more than any other gorilla destination in the world.
Of these, up to 19 fully habituated gorilla families can be visited daily, making 120 permits available per day distributed throughout the 4 gorilla regions.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, on the other hand, is home to only one gorilla family, making 8 permits available for sale every day.
Cost of Uganda Wildlife Authority Gorilla Permits
The cost of gorilla permits in Uganda is comparatively reasonable. Each gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs USD 800, significantly less than Rwanda’s gorilla permit which costs USD 1500, and more than DR Congo’s permit which costs USD 400.
However, Uganda offers the safest and most unforgettable gorilla trekking experience of all destinations. Gorilla permits contribute heavily to the total cost of gorilla trekking in Uganda.
Uganda Wildlife Authority Gorilla Habituation Permits
In addition to gorilla trekking, Uganda offers travelers another amazing adventure: the gorilla habituation experience. Unlike trekking, which allows trekkers to spend only 1 hour with a gorilla family, habituation permits allow visitors up to 4 hours to observe these magnificent apes up close.
The gorilla habituation experience is for intrepid travelers seeking a firsthand encounter with the world’s most endangered apes. During habituation, mountain gorillas are still becoming accustomed to human presence. Trekkers accompany a team of researchers, trackers, and park rangers into the forest to encounter a gorilla family and spend up to 4 hours observing their behavior, interactions, and lifestyle.
Gorilla habituation is conducted only in Bwindi National Park, specifically in the Rushaga region located in the southeast of the park in Kisoro District. Only 4 trekkers are allowed to participate in gorilla habituation daily, maintaining a low number of visitors to minimize disturbance to the gorilla habitat.
Cost of Gorilla Habituation Permits
The gorilla habituation experience costs USD 1500 per permit and is valid for 4 hours after meeting the gorillas. Habituation permits can be obtained at the Uganda Wildlife Authority headquarters in Kampala or booked through a professional local tour operator.
Can You Book Your Uganda Gorilla Permit Online?
Yes, you can book your Uganda gorilla permit online through trusted tours and travel operators like us. Booking with an operator also increases your chances of securing permits for specific dates.
