How To Reschedule a Gorilla Trekking Permit in Uganda
Planning Gorilla Trekking for first timers
Guidelines For Gorilla And Chimpanzee Permits In Uganda. Gorilla and Chimpanzee permits are only issued by The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) which was established in 1996 by an Act of Parliament, the Uganda Wildlife Statute 1996 (now the Uganda Wildlife Act, 2019), with the mandate to conserve and sustainably manage wildlife for the benefit of the people of Uganda and the global community. Section 6(r) of the Uganda Wildlife Act, 2019 mandates the Authority “to charge fees for services it provides and for the licenses, rights, and any other permissions that ti may grant.” The Act further authorizes the Board of Trustees to guide the process of sustainable utilization of resources.
Similarly, Section 86(2)(c) of the Uganda Wildlife Act, 2019 mandates the Minister, in consultation with the Board, to formulate regulations prescribing fines and fees to be paid under the Act. Here are the Guidelines For Gorilla And Chimpanzee Permits In Uganda.
LOCATION OF GORILLA FAMILIES AND CHIMPANZEE COMMUNITIES AND DESIGNATED TRACKING /ENTRY POINTS
Gorillas
1) Gorilla tracking provides an opportunity for visitors to find and observe gorillas in their natural habitat.
i) Gorilla Habituation Experience allows visitors to accompany researchers and habituation into the forests to participate in the process of habituating gorillas to human presence
iI) Gorillas in Uganda are currently found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP) and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (MGNP). The following locations, known as sectors designated entry points for gorilla and chimpanzee tracking.
a. Buhoma Visitor Information Center (VIC)
b. Ruhija Visitor Information Center VIC
c. Nkuringo Visitor Information Center VIC
d. Rushaga Visitor Information Center VIC
e. Ntebeko / Muhavura VIC (Nyakagezi)
iv) Different gorilla families are given names for ease of identification for conservation purposes. However, permits/tickets shall be booked based on the date and designated entry points mentioned above.
v) ) Other entry points may be established, taking into consideration the movement of gorillas within their habitat.
vi) Within the sectors, visitors shall be allocated to track specific gorilla family groups on the day of tracking and as per the approved Gorilla Tracking Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs).
vil) Persons found tracking in undesignated entry points, without UWA guides, and without authentic permits/tickets and proof of payment shall be arrested and prosecuted.
Chimpanzees
i) Chimpanzee tracking provides an opportunity for visitors to find and observe chimpanzees in their natural habitat.
il) Chimpanzee Habituation Experience allows visitors to accompany researchers and habituation into the forests for the purpose of participating in the process of habituating them to humans Habituated chimpanzees in UWA-managed protected areas are currently found ni
Kibale National Park and Queen Elizabeth Conservation Area. The following locations, known as sectors, shall be the designated entry points for chimpanzee tracking
a. Kanyanchu
b. Buraiga
c. Kyambura (Queen Elizabeth National Park)
iv) Other locations may be opened and wil be communicated by UWA management from time to time Persons found tracking ni undesignated entry points, without UWA guides and without authentic permits/tickets and proof of payments shall be arrested and prosecuted.
TRACKING AND VIEWING TIME LIMIT
Guidelines For Gorilla And Chimpanzee Permits In Uganda. Tracking time for gorillas and chimpanzees includes the entire experience starting immediately after the briefing up to the time of return for debriefing. Viewing time Viewing time refers to the duration visitors stay with the primates after the encounter. Viewing time commences from the moment visitors reach the gorillas or chimpanzees.
a) Tracking of gorillas and chimpanzees shall be conducted within the following timelines:
Gorilla Tracking – From 8:00 am until visitors return to the briefing location for debriefing
Gorilla Habituation Experience – From 6:30 am until visitors return to the briefing location for debriefing
Chimpanzee Tracking – From 8:00 am (for morning tracking) and 2:00 pm (for afternoon tracking) until visitors return to the briefing location for debriefing
Chimpanzee Habituation Experience – From 6:30 am until visitors return to the briefing location for debriefing
b) The viewing time for gorillas and chimpanzees shall be as follows:
)i A maximum of one (1) hour for normal tracking of both gorillas and chimpanzees
i) A maximum of four (4) hours for the gorilla and Chimpanzee habituation experience
il) Any other duration that Management may authorize in writing from time to time.
Visitors shall be required to follow the UWA Tracking Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs), which may be revised periodically. UWA staff shall be responsible for enforcing these SoPs.
6. MINIMUM AGE LIMIT
The minimum age limit for tracking and viewing gorillas is 15 years, while that for tracking and viewing chimpanzees is 12 years.
7. VISITOR CATEGORIES
a) The prices for permits/tickets vary based on the residence status of visitors. The visitor categories are as follows:
i) East African Community (EAC) citizens: Citizens from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Somalia, and any other country that may join the EAC in the future. This category also includes refugees officially registered in Uganda.
ii) Rest of Africa (ROA) citizens: Citizens from African countries that are not part of the East African Community
iii) Foreign Residents (FR): Foreign citizens residing ni East African Community States with valid work permits or resident visas/permits.
iv) Foreign Non-Residents (FNR): Visitors from outside of the East African community.
b) The visitor category shall be verified with the relevant documentation as highlighted below:
i) For EAC citizens, the documentation shall be a valid National DI or passport from an EAC member state, or a refugee DI issued by the Uganda Office of the Prime Minister
i) For ROA, the documentation shall be a valid passport.
iii) For FR, the documentation shall be a valid passport, work permit, certificate of residence, dependent pass or student pass issued by EAC member states.
iv) For FNR, the documentation shall be a valid passport.
c) Where a visitor is booked under one category but appears for an activity in a different category without prior notice to UWA, it shall be construed as attempted fraud and the tour operator, together with the visitor shall be held liable.
PROCEDURE FOR RESERVING AND PURCHASING TRACKING PERMITS / TICKETS FROM UWA
UWA operates an automated system to manage the sale of gorilla and chimpanzee tracking Permits/tickets. The procedure below shall apply for reserving and purchasing tracking and habituation Permits/tickets for gorillas and chimpanzees:
)i UWA will sell gorilla and Chimpanzee tracking permits / tickets to only those tour and travel operators licensed by Uganda Tourism Board (UTB).
i) All Foreign Non-Resident tracking permits/tickets have to be purchased through a Tour operator licensed by UTB.
i) Foreign Residents may purchase up to 5 Permits/tickets for any trip only for
their family members that are resident in any of the EAC states. Family members not resident in EAC states will be treated as FNR as per the FNR guidelines
iv) EAC citizens may also purchase gorilla and chimpanzee tracking Permits / tickets
for their family members. However, these permits / tickets cannot be changed to FR or FNR permits / tickets. Therefore, UWA shall not accept any top up from EAC to FR/FNR
v) Reservations for gorilla and chimpanzee tracking shall be done online (when applicable) or from any of the following locations:
• The Reservations Office at the UWA Headquarters in Kampala for both mountain gorillas and chimpanzees.
• The Kampala Tourism Information Center at Sheraton for both mountain gorillas and chimpanzees
• Any other location as may be determined and officially communicated to the stakeholder by only the Executive Director from time to time.
CATEGORIES OF PERMITS / TICKETS
i) Normal permits / tickets; these are permits / tickets purchased as per the prevailing tariff and to be utilized normally as per the different activity rules.
ii) Complimentary permits / tickets; these are permits / tickets offered at no cost to
selected government officials/entities, private sector institutions and private individuals for marketing and promotional purposes.
iii) Promotional permits / tickets; these are permits / tickets offered under
promotional marketing / sales campaigns to increase sales. These may also include discounted permits / tickets issued to individuals and institutions on a case by case basis) Commission permits / tickets; these are permits / tickets offered as bonus to tour operators and tourism associations for achieving set sales targets by UWA in a given period.
NOTE: All categories of permits / tickets shall be issued subject to availability of tracking slots on the day and location of tracking
How much is Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
A Gorilla Permit costs USD800 per person per trek for Foreign Non-Residents, USD700 for East African Residents, USD500 for Rest of Africans and USD80 for East African Citizens. This Gorilla permit gives you an opportunity to spend one-hour encounter with mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park once you find them on your trek.
What is the best time to go Gorilla Trekking in Uganda?
The best time to do a gorilla trekking in Uganda is during the drier months of January, February, June to early September, this is 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 Uganda?
During gorilla tracking, you will need a comfortable, hard wearing, pair of walking shoes or boots. Conditions are generally very muddy when it is raining. There are uphill sections which 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 in Bwindi include;
• 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)
Where to stay during Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest National Park is done in the northern part that is Buhoma and Ruhija and in southern part that is Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors. In Rushaga lodges, you can stay at Rushaga Gorilla camp, Four Gorillas Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, Nsongi Camp, Icumbi Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Safari Lodge, Gorilla Valley Lodge and Karungi Camp. In Nkuringo lodges you can stay at Nkuringo Bwindi gorilla lodge, Clouds Mountain gorilla lodge or Lake Mutanda Resort, all these lodges are close to the start point of Gorilla Habituation and Gorilla trekking.
In the northern part, in Buhoma sector you can stay at Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Ride 4 a Woman among others, In Ruhija you can stay at Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Agandi Eco Lodge, Gift of Nature Lodge, Ruhija Gorilla Safari Lodge, and Broadbill Tented Camp among others.
Guidelines For Gorilla And Chimpanzee Permits In Uganda Through Eco Adventure Safaris
Eco Adventure Safaris will help you book for you your gorilla trekking permits trekking in Bwindi Forest contact us and we advise you on the booking process. We as well have different gorilla trekking safari packages ranging from budget, mid-range to luxury options that we can book for you including the gorilla permits. Feel free to check out our trip advisor reviews and read from a community of happy satisfied clients. We guarantee you a great gorilla tour in Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo with us. Contact us here for more information about the Guidelines For Gorilla And Chimpanzee Permits In Uganda.