Mountain gorillas in Uganda are a touristic gem and often there is a common question coming up from clients on how to acquire a gorilla permit. Uganda wild life authority an organ responsible for wild life and antiquities through the Wildlife Act develops policies and guidelines on how to sustain and conservation for the generation. The Act further authorizes the Board of Trustees to usually come up with updates on how to obtain the gorilla permits as well as other services they offer.
In Uganda, currently mountain gorillas are found in two national parks;
Bwindi forest national park which is on an average area of 331 sq. kilometres, the park is divided in four tracking sectors with different habituated gorilla families for easy identification. The four tracking sectors include; Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushaga and Ruhija.
Mountain gorillas are also found in Mgahinga gorilla national park with two gorilla families, Nyakagenzi and Hirwa that migrated from the neighbor volcanoes national park. The two locations offer a unique moment and memorable experience with the gorillas due to different terrains and other features with in the parks.
How to book a gorilla permit.
- Uganda wild life Authority is responsible for the sale and issuing of gorilla permits, reservation of gorilla permits is done from the Headquarters in Kampala, Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla National park at the respective offices.
- Gorilla permits are booked based on the tracking sector and park, that is to say if you book to track gorillas in Bwindi, a client will have to specify the tracking sector of interest.
However, Other locations may be established taking into consideration the movement of the gorillas within their habitat. Within the locations, visitors shall be allocated to track specific gorilla family
- Check availability of the gorilla permits at least 3 months to the tracking date. Gorilla permits sale out like a hot cake, there is need to check and confirm availability of gorilla permit before any payment is made to avoid last minute conveniences. Payment procedure include full payment 3 months to the tracking date and a 30% deposit on a gorilla permit 6 months and above to the tracking date.
Uganda wild life Authority gives the high chance of Gorilla permit booking to tour operators, therefore it is very important to make your booking with a trusted tour operator.
- On line bookings and reservations are open to tour operators registered with Uganda tourism and payments made at the Uganda wildlife head quarters with in 7 days of the booking. Whereas individual online clients are also asked to deposit on the gorilla permits with in 7 days when the confirmation is made.
While booking with a Tour operator, a client will be asked to submit copy of the pass port details or work permit for the resident nationals on buying the gorilla permit and receipt of payment on issuing the printed gorilla permit. The gorilla permit is picked from head office at least 3 -7 days to tracking date.
Cost of gorilla permits
The cost of gorilla permits vary according to residence status of an individual classified as follows;
- East African Community citizens (Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania and South Sudan) pay 250,000 Uganda shillings only.
- Foreign Residents (FR): Foreign citizens but residents in the East African Community with valid work permits pay Usd 600
- Foreign Non-Residents (FNR): Visitors from outside the East African Community pay Usd 700.
Time limit while with the gorillas
Gorilla tracking is a whole lot experience from the time of briefing, the experience involves trekking for through the thick forest, water streams and steep slopes until you find the gorillas.
- Gorilla Tracking starts at 8:00 in the morning with briefing at the park quarters until you get to see the gorillas. Duration time allocated with the gorilla is 1 hour for a group of 8 per gorilla family.
- Gorilla habituation Experience starts at 8:00 am with briefing and a maximum of four (4) hours for the experience
Gorilla tracking is limited in both National parks to minors under 15 years of age and also adults with health complications like respiratory diseases.
