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Many questions are usually asked on how to book gorilla permits for Uganda and Rwanda? Purchasing gorilla permits? Gorilla permits booking information, how can I purchase a gorilla permit, where can I buy permits in Uganda and Rwanda, what is the best time for gorilla trekking in Uganda. In our Gorilla Permit Booking Information for 2023 – 2024 guide to booking gorilla permits, we answer all these questions, you will need to have your gorilla permit secured in advance to confirm that you are booked for Gorilla Trekking Experience in Bwindi Forest National Park or Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
How to book gorilla permits in Uganda?
Once you have your planned dates of travel confirmed we will need you to send us an email so that we check for the availability of gorilla habituation permits online with the Uganda Wildlife Authority once we confirm permits are available for your planned dates we will let you know so that we can send you an invoice for you to make payment for the permits. Once the payment is done and we have received it on our account we will go ahead and purchase your permits immediately and send you a scanned copy of the permits for your records and perusal, this will confirm you are booked for Gorilla Trekking Experience in Bwindi Forest National Park. It is advised to book your Gorilla permits in advance at least 2-3 months prior your visit given the fact few permits are available per day and sell out very quickly on first come first serve basis.
Where is Gorilla Trekking Done in Africa?
Gorilla Permit Booking Information for 2023 – 2024. Gorilla Trekking is done in Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo which host the four national parks that are home the only remaining mountain gorillas. These include Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in Congo. In Congo you as well have an opportunity to see the Lowland gorillas which are found in Kahuzi Beiga National Park. In order to trek at any of the mentioned national park a gorilla permit is required for you to be allowed to go for gorilla trekking. With this once you have you planned dates of gorilla trekking we recommend you start booking your gorilla trip immediately given the fact services and permits sell out very quickly especially if you plan to do the trek in the peak season of June to September, it is always better to book atleast 5 months in advance prior traveling. Gorilla Trekking at the mentioned parks can be booked directly or through a trusted Tour Operator Eco Adventure Safaris.
Cost and Getting Gorilla permits in Uganda
The Gorilla permit in Uganda Costs $700 Per person per trek for Foreign nonresidents, $600 per person for residents and $70 for East African Citizens (Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, and South Sudan), this gives you an opportunity to spend one hour encounter with the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Uganda has 17 habituated gorilla family groups with 16 found in Bwindi and 1 in Mgahinga this means 136 Gorilla permits are available every day for gorilla trekking in Uganda. Gorilla trekking in Uganda also gives you an option to spend more time with the mountain gorillas through Gorilla habituation experience which is only done in Bwindi forest, gorilla habituation permits costs $1500 per person giving you an opportunity to spend 4 hours encounter with the semi habituated mountain gorillas under the guidance of trackers and researchers as opposed to one hour for the normal trekking. Getting gorilla permits in Uganda can be done directly by booking them through Uganda Wildlife Authority or through a trusted tour operator in Uganda like Eco Adventure Safaris Limited.
Cost and Getting Gorilla Permits in Rwanda
The Gorilla permit in Rwanda Costs $1500 Per person per trek for the Foreign nonresidents, $500 Per person for foreign residents and $200 for East African Citizens (Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi and South Sudan), this gives you an opportunity to spend one hour encounter with the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. Rwanda has 12 Gorilla families hence 96 Gorilla permits are available each day for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. Getting gorilla permits in Rwanda can be done directly by booking them through Rwanda Development Board or through a trusted tour operator in Rwanda like Eco Adventure Safaris Ltd.
Cost and Getting Gorilla Permits in DR Congo
Based Gorilla Permit Booking Information, tracking gorillas in Congo is done in Virunga National Park for Mountain Gorillas and Kahuzi Beiga National Park for Lowland gorillas. A gorilla permit in Virunga National Park costs $400 per person per trek for the high season months of Mid-December to mid-march then June to October and then $200 for the low season months of mid-march to mid-May and then mid-October to mid-December every year. A gorilla permit in Kahuzi Beiga National Park costs $400 for foreign non residents, $200 for East Africa Residents and $20 national resident. Getting gorilla permits in Congo can be done directly by booking them through Virunga National Park or through a trusted tour operator like Eco Adventure Safaris Ltd.
P.S When booking your gorilla permit it is important to note that the gorilla permit price excludes accommodation, air tickets, ground transport, meals and other expenses, you will need to get more details of the package you are booking with your tour operator.
What is the age limit for Gorilla Trekking in Africa?
The minimum age limit for Gorilla Trekking is 15 years and the maximum age is 85 years depending on fitness levels. Gorilla trekking for elders is now made possible especially in Bwindi forest through the provision of sedan chair carriers, these chairs are used to carry those who feel unfit and are unable to walk into the forest at the time of their trek, you will be carried by potters to and from the forest during your trek, hiring the sedan chair can be done in advance or at the day of the trek and price ranges from 400-500 dollars.
Gorilla Permit cancellation penalties and policy in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo
To go for gorilla tracking you are required to have a gorilla permit, with this it is preferred that an one who books a gorilla permit should be able to utilize it for the trek on a given date. Gorilla Permit Booking Information for 2023 – 2024, Gorilla permit cancellations penalties and policy in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo are the same when you fail to make it to the date of the trek from 0 to 8 days, to the day of tracking and with this you don’t get the refund for the permits.
What is the best time for Gorilla Trekking in Africa?
Gorilla trekking is done throughout the year and the best time to do gorilla trekking in Africa is during the drier months of January, February, June to early September, this makes it easier to travel to the park and gives a clear view of gorillas given the vegetation cover is not too much high grown.
What to pack for Gorilla Trekking in Africa?
Gorilla Permit Booking Information, During gorilla tracking you will need a comfortable, hard-wearing, pair of walking shoes or boots. Conditions are generally very muddy in the forest when it is raining. There are uphill sections that may be quite steep and strenuous. It is also advisable to wear a long sleeve cotton shirt and lightweight long trousers to protect yourself from the undergrowth, stinging nettles, and biting ants. Suggested Items to pack for Gorilla trekking;
• Insect Repellent
• Torch/Flashlight – and Spare Batteries
• Wet Wipes
• Water Bottle
• Camera, lenses etc
• Comfortable walking/hiking boots & socks
• Gardening gloves for gorilla tracking
• Sandals/strops/walking shoes
• Hat and Sunscreen
• Rain Jacket
• Sweater/fleece
• Swimwear
• Binoculars (game/bird watching)
Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi
Are you interested in spending much more time with the Mountain Gorillas, then booking a Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari is the right choice for you, this safari gives you an opportunity to visit the endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable forest National park and spend more time with them while in the forest during the encounter once you find them during your trek. A Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari is one of the unique safaris for any traveler visiting Uganda for gorilla tracking given the fact you can only find this experience in Uganda among the other two countries with the remaining endangered mountain gorillas that is Rwanda and DR Congo.
Eco Adventure Safaris is ready to plan and book for you a memorable Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari, we have various Gorilla Habituation Experience safari packages available that you can choose from ranging from budget, mid-range to luxury, these can as well be customized to best match your interests and plans, send us an email and we will guide and book for you accordingly. Gorilla Permit Booking Information
Our Popular Gorilla Safari packages
6 Days Gorillas and Wildlife Safari
7 Days Uganda Gorillas and Wildlife Tour
20 Days Birds and Gorillas in Ugandan Forests
What is Gorilla Habituation Experience?
Gorilla Habituation Experience is a gorilla activity that involves trekking/walking and hiking through the forest to search for semi-habituated mountain gorillas which leave together in a given gorilla family group but are not used to human presence, once you find them you will participate in activities geared to making these mountain gorillas get used to human presence. Gorilla Habituation Experience gives you an opportunity to spend much time with the mountain gorillas that is four hours encounter different from the one-hour encounter during the normal gorilla tracking. This experience is unique given the fact it gives you an opportunity to learn more about mountain gorillas. It is done is a group of 4 visitors tracking a given semi-habituated gorilla group.
Where is Gorilla Habituation Experience done?
Gorilla Habituation Experience is only done in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda. It is done in the southern sectors of Bwindi that is Rushaga and Nkuringo. Bwindi has 4 major sectors for gorilla tracking which include Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga and Nkuringo, gorilla habituation experience is only done in two sectors that is Rushaga and Nkuringo. With 12 gorilla families habituated for normal tracking in Bwindi it is only 2 gorilla families that are open for Gorilla Habituation experience in Bwindi.
Difference between Gorilla Habituation Experience and Gorilla tracking
Gorilla Habituation Experience and Gorilla tracking are both done in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, the difference is during Gorilla Habituation Experience you spend much more time with the mountain gorillas that is 4 hours while for gorilla tracking you spend 1 hour encounter with the mountain gorillas. On Gorilla Habituation you visit the mountain gorillas in a group of 4 people and for gorilla tracking in a group of 8 people. A gorilla habituation permit costs USD1500 for foreign nonresidents, USD1000 for residents and 750,000 Uganda Shillings for East African Citizens while a gorilla tracking permit costs USD700 for foreign non residents, USD600 for foreign residents and 250,000 Uganda shillings per person per trek.
Steps to book a Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari in Uganda
You will need to have your gorilla habituation permit secured in advance to confirm that you are booked for the Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi Forest National Park. Once you have your planned dates of travel confirmed we will need you to send us an email here so that we check for the availability of gorilla habituation permits online with the Uganda Wildlife Authority once we confirm permits are available for your planned dates we will let you know so that we can send you an invoice for you to make payment for the permits. Once the payment is done and we have received it on our account we will go ahead and purchase your permits immediately and send you a scanned copy of the permits for your records and perusal, this will confirm you are booked for Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi Forest National Park. It is advised to book your Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda in advance atleast 2-3 months prior your visit given the fact it is only 4 people who go for gorilla habituation per group, they are two groups available making the gorilla habituation permits limited to 8 permits per day and sell out very quickly on first come first serve basis.
How much is a Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari in Uganda?
The Gorilla habituation permit price shares a much more cost for any Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari in Uganda on top of other services like transport, accommodation and guiding. A gorilla habituation permit costs USD1500 for the Foreign nonresident, USD1000 for the Foreign resident and USD70 (750,000 Uganda Shilling) for the East African Citizen per person per trek, this gorilla habituation permit gives you an opportunity to spend 4 hours encounter with the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Forest National Park. On top of the gorilla habituation permit you will also pay other services for a successful gorilla trekking safari which include transport, accommodation and guiding. Our 4 Days Uganda Rwanda Gorillas cost starts from USD1272 per person. Contact us here and we will book for you according.
What is the best time to book a Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari?
Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda is best done in the months of June to October and December to March during this time it is a dry season in Uganda with mild rainfall making it easy for the treks in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, as well during this time the vegetation is not fully grown and it is easy for viewing the mountain gorillas offering great sights for photographs. During the other months of April, May and November which is normally a wet season this makes the vegetation grow high making the sightings unclear however during this time the treks tend to be shorter given the fact mountain gorillas don’t move further distances looking for food, food is readily available. Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda can be done throughout the year given the fact it is a very well organized activity and you have 99% chances of seeing the mountain gorillas.
Where to stay during your Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari in Bwindi
Gorilla Habituation Experience is done in the southern part of Bwindi Forest National Park, with this it is recommended to stay at this part of the park. Accommodation in the southern part of Bwindi Forest National park ranges from Budget options include Rusgaha Gorilla Havens Lodge, Karungi Camp, Nshogi Camp among others these cost USD90-100 per person per night, mid-range include Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge among others these cost USD150-200 per person per night, Luxury options include Four Gorillas Lodge, Clouds Gorilla Lodge and Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge these cost USD250-700 per person per night.
How to get to Bwindi Forest National Park for Gorilla Habituation Experience
By Road; The southern sector of Bwindi Forest National Park can be accessed through the main safari circuit from Entebbe/Kampala which is approximately 8-9 hours drive. You will need to turn off at Muko along the Kabale-Kisoro road you will see the signpost of Uganda Wildlife Authority which you will follow upto to your booked lodge for accommodation in either Rushaga or Nkuringo sector.
By Air; You can fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kampala’s Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro airstrip to access the southern sectors of Rushaga and Nkuringo. Scheduled and chartered flights are available and operated by domestic airline operators of Aero link and Fly Uganda. You will need to plan with your tour operator for a transfer from the airstrip to the Park
Why book with Eco Adventure Safaris your Gorilla Permits.
At Eco Adventure Safaris we provide personalized service with the utmost dedication to the safety and enjoyment of our clients. We are committed to the well-being of our staff and guests as well as to having a positive impact on the communities and wild places that our operations reach. On all our operations and safaris, we embrace the environmental ethic “Take Nothing but Photographs, Leave Only Footprints” all our packages are eco-friendly. During your travel Post-Covid, the safety and health of our clients will be our major priority and we shall ensure all our service providers and workers implement the SOPs and healthy guidelines set for the safety and health of clients and services providers while on safari. Gorilla Permit Booking Information
Gorilla Permits Discounts in Rwanda Valid until 31st December 2023
From trekking to see the majestic mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park to walking high above the canopy in Nyungwe National Park, Rwandans and foreign residents have the chance to experience the wonders of nature in the country’s incredible national parks. Take advantage of these special offers today and be sure to read the new guidelines before planning your visit.
Product Category
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park
Nationals, EAC – $200
Foreign residents – $500
Corporates/Organizations – 10% discount on bulk purchases from 30 permits
Families – 15% discount for family visits (couples and children over 15 years old)
African citizens a promotional – $500 will be applied for mountain gorilla trekking.
Africa foreign residents – a promotional $500 will be applied for mountain gorilla trekking.
International tourists (Non- African Citizens) traveling in a group of 100 and more – a promotional rate of $500 will be applied for mountain gorilla trekking.
All other products/experiences in Volcanoes & Nyungwe National Parks Nationals, Foreign residents, EAC – 30% discount on groups of 10 where applicable
Nationals, Foreign residents, EAC – 10% for individual travelers
Corporates/Organizations – 30% discount on bulk purchases from 30 permits
Families – 15% discount for family visits (couple and children)
Book with us now by sending us an email at info@ecoadventuresafaris.com
WhatsApp/Call us on +256740829909
