Fly into Bujumbura and Trek Gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda
Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge
Are you planning a trip to Uganda to visit the gorillas but you have noticed permits are sold out for your desired date of trekking are you now searching online how to get an extra permit, this article we explain to you in details about how to apply for an extra Gorilla Trekking Permit in Bwindi.
To apply for an extra gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi, you can follow these steps:
- Contact the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA): The UWA is the government body responsible for managing the national parks and wildlife in Uganda. Get in touch with them to inquire about the availability of additional gorilla trekking permits. You can visit their official website or contact them via email or phone.
- You can as well contact a trustworthy local tour operator like Eco Adventure Safaris to do all the work and application process for you, they will charge you a small service fee of around $30 – $100 to help you get this extra gorilla permit easily with no hustle at all.
- Specify your requirements: Clearly communicate your request for an extra gorilla trekking permit to the UWA. Provide them with the details of your preferred date, the number of additional permits you need, and any other relevant information.
- Check availability: The UWA will check the availability of permits for the date you requested. Gorilla trekking permits are limited to a certain number per day to protect the gorillas and their habitat. If permits are available for your desired date, proceed to the next step.
- Pay the required fees: Once the availability of permits is confirmed, you will need to pay the necessary fees. Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda are relatively expensive, with prices varying for foreign non-residents, foreign residents, and East African citizens. Ensure you are aware of the current permit fees and payment methods accepted by the UWA.
- Provide personal information: You will be required to provide personal details for each member of your trekking group. This typically includes full names, passport numbers, and nationality. Make sure to double-check the accuracy of the information provided to avoid any issues later on.
- Obtain confirmation: After submitting the necessary fees and personal information, the UWA will provide you with a confirmation for your extra gorilla trekking permits. This confirmation may be in the form of an email or a physical document. Keep this confirmation safe, as you will need to present it on the day of your trek.
- Plan your itinerary: With the additional gorilla trekking permits secured, you can now plan the rest of your itinerary, including accommodation, transportation, and any other activities you wish to undertake during your visit to Uganda.
The Cost of Uganda Gorilla Permits is $700 Per person per trek for the 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.
How to apply for an extra Gorilla Trekking Permit in Bwindi?
Booking Uganda Gorilla Permits, once you have your planned dates of travel confirmed we will need you to send us an email at info@ecoadventuresafaris.com so that we check for 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. Booking permit for gorilla trekking 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.
What is the age limit for Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi?
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 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.
What is the best time for Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi?
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi is done throughout the year and the best time to do a gorilla trekking in Africa 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?
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 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;
• 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)
How to get to Bwindi Forest National Park
By Road; The southern sector of Bwindi Forest National Park can be accessed through the main safari circuit from Entebbe/Kampala which approximately 8-9 hours drive. You will need to turn off at Muko along the Kabale-Kisoro road you will see the sign post 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 Uganda Gorilla Permits through Eco Adventure Safaris.
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. Contact us here about how to apply for an extra Gorilla Trekking Permit in Bwindi.