What to expect during Gorilla trekking in Ruhija Sector of Bwindi
Combine Gorilla and Chimpanzee Tour in Uganda with Serengeti
Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Permit Cost increased from $700 – $800. Are you planning to visit Uganda for gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, and you would like to know how much is a gorilla permit for trekking in Bwindi, in this article, we bring you the Updated Bwindi Gorilla Permit Prices for 2024 2025 to 2026.
The Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Permit Cost increased from $700 – $800 per person for Foreign non Residents, from $600 to $700 for foreign Residents and from Uganda shillings (UGX) 250,000 to 300,000 for East African Community Citizens, however the new changes have come with a special offer for the other African Citizens and residents in Africa residing outside East Africa and these will pay $500 for the Uganda Gorilla permit, these changes are effective from July 1st 2024 to June 2026 so those who are planning a gorilla trekking safari, please plan accordingly. This gorilla trekking permit allows you to view the habituated gorillas for 1 hour once you find them as you see the way they move, feed, rest and live in families.
The gorilla habituation experience permit has been maintained at $1500 per person for Foreign non Residents, $1000 for the foreign Residents and Uganda shillings 750,000 for the East African Community Citizens, however the new changes have come with a special offer for the other African Citizens and residents in Africa residing outside East Africa and these will pay $1000, these changes are effective from July 1st 2024 to June 2026 so those who are planning a gorilla habituation experience safari, please plan accordingly. This habituation permits allows you to view the gorillas for four hours once you find them as you see the way they move, feed, rest and live in families.
About Gorilla trekking Permits in Bwindi
Even though Uganda has more gorilla permits than Rwanda and Uganda, they tend to sell out so very quickly during the high season (January, February, July, August, September, and December every year. Once you contact us about your planned trek and desired dates, we shall check the availability of permits online system for Uganda Wildlife Authority and if permits are available, we shall send you an invoice to make payment for the permits as they are top priority and if they are not available, you will choose other dates that have availability of permits. Once we receive payment, we shall book and secure your permits and send you copy of the receipt with booking ID to confirm your trek. Knowing the cost of the Uganda Gorilla permits is one of the things to consider when determining the approximate cost/ fair price of the 3 day gorilla tour to Bwindi National Park.
About Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest National Park
Bwindi Forest National Park is located in the southern part of Uganda sharing a border with Congo, it is one of the only two national parks in Uganda where you can trek and see the magnificent Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat in the world, it is home to more than half of the only remaining Mountain Gorillas in the wild making it famous and best place to trek the Mountain Gorillas. Bwindi Forest National park is divided into different sections/sectors where you can do the Gorilla tracking experience namely Rushaga, Buhoma, and Ruhija and Nkuringo sector. Bwindi Forest National Park has different habituated gorilla families open for gorilla tracking experience, each gorilla family has different gorilla individuals, and each gorilla family is headed and controlled by the dominant male gorilla the Silverback. For you to go on the trek, you are required to have a Gorilla permit valid for trekking that day. Gorilla permits are limited in number per day given it is only 8 people allowed to trek per gorilla family per day in Bwindi Forest National Park.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has four gorilla trekking regions namely Ruhija, Buhoma and Rushaga gorilla regions of Bwindi impenetrable National Park. Gorilla trekking means visiting the gorillas in their natural habitat in the forest, the trek in Uganda starts at 7:00am with briefing on the dos and don’ts while moving in the forest and with the gorillas. After briefing, the park guides, rangers, and trackers lead you to the forest to find the gorillas. You are allowed one hour of viewing the gorillas when found and later you return to the starting point to receive a certificate for the successful gorilla trekking in Uganda.
The gorillas are amazing to watch as they have 95% of the human DNA. Only eight visitors are allowed to see gorillas per habituated family per day according to Uganda Wildlife Authority policy so as to conserve the gorillas. To be allowed to do gorilla trekking, you must be aged 12 years and above as per the policy and minors are not allowed to trek since they may not easily be controlled in the forest and may easily transmit diseases to the gorillas. Uganda is good for gorilla trekking, policies and guidelines are in place for trekking and conservation which as Eco Adventure Safaris we always share with you while planning your gorilla tour to Bwindi National Park with a fair price.
What is the cost of transportation for a gorilla tour to Bwindi National Park?
Transportation costs always helps you to determine the approximate cost of a gorilla safari from to Bwindi. Transportation costs is inclusive of Fuel for the round trip, Vehicle hire, Driver guide fees. The cost can reduce per person when you are more than two persons going on the trip, it ranges from USD150per day and fuel can cost USD280 for the round trip, Guide allowance ranges from USD50 per day and it also depends on what other destinations you are visiting after Bwindi. We do use 4X4 Safari Vehicle for transport with our experienced driver guide who are professional and knowledgeable about the fauna and flora as you drive to Bwindi and on your stay there.
What is the cost of accommodation in Bwindi?
On a gorilla tour to Bwindi National Park, you will spend two nights in one of the regions in Bwindi impenetrable National Park and this determines the fair price of the safari.
In Bwindi, depending on the sector where you are going to trek the gorillas, it is recommended to stay in lodges within that selected sector for ease to access the park headquarters in time. In Rushaga, you can stay at, Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge Rushaga gorilla camp, Gorilla safari lodge, four gorillas lodge, in Nkuringo you can stay at Nkuringo Bwindi gorilla lodge, Clouds Mountain gorilla lodge, Gorilla Heights lodge. In Buhoma sector you can stay at Buhoma havens, Buhoma lodge, Bwindi lodge, Buhoma community rest camp. In Ruhija sector you can stay at Trekkers tavern Lodge, Bakiga lodge and Ruhija community Rest camp. The lodges are very many in Bwindi but they require to be booked in advance as they can be fully booked during high season. The Luxury lodges range from USD400 -1000per person per night, the midrange lodges range from USD150-300 per person per night and Budget lodges range from USD70-100 per person per night
Why book Uganda Gorilla trekking permits with Eco Adventure Safaris
Eco Adventure Safaris offers amazing gorilla safari experiences to Bwindi impenetrable National Park. Contact us on here for our discounted packages and also tailor-made Gorilla trips from Kampala/Entebbe to Bwindi, Cultural experiences. Our magic in organizing authentic experience stems from the fact that we have overtime assembled a team mixed with young and energetic staff guided by well experienced mature managers and directors who are Ugandans and passionate about what they do. Eco Adventure Safaris is highly rated and reviewed on trip Advisor to help you learn on the experiences of the other travelers who have traveled. Contact us for more information about why the Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Permit Cost increased from $700 – $800.