How do I Get Gorilla Permit in Uganda?
How do I Get Gorilla Permit in Uganda? : Gorilla permits in Uganda are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority ‘’UWA’’, a government body responsible for tourism and wildlife conservation. Gorilla permits in Uganda are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority ‘’UWA’’, a government body responsible for tourism and wildlife conservation. A s an individual it is very possible to book the permits directly from Uganda Wildlife Authority but the easiest way is to use a recognized tour operator. If you’re to visit a gorilla trekking destination book your gorilla permits at least six months ahead of travel time to ensure availability.
Interestingly, Uganda hosts the largest population of endangered mountain gorillas that still exist in the wild. In the entire world mountain gorillas are found between Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo ‘’DRC’’. Ecotourism is one way in which these species are protected and the revenue got from gorilla trekking trips helps fund national parks and provides a financial incentive for locals that take care of mountain gorillas. Each guest must have a permit to visit the endangered mountain gorillas. Below are more explanations about the gorilla permit in Uganda.
What is a gorilla permit?
First of all, what is a gorilla permit; One to be able to trek gorillas you need to hold a permit that allows countries to minimize the mount of people visiting the gorilla families. In so doing that, it also permits national park to raise the money necessary to protect these endangered mountain gorillas. The permits granted to the guest access one to trek and one hour with the gorillas. The length of the trek may vary on time spend trekking gorillas on that particular day.
In Uganda, gorilla trekking is done in Bwindi Forest National park, which has 20 habituated gorilla groups and two families are put aside for habituation treks, stipulated in four gorilla trekking sectors with in the park such as Ruhija, Buhoma, Nkuringo and Rushaga sectors. It also applies to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, which has one habituated group.
What is a habituation permit?
Habituation permits allow visitors to take part in the habituation process in a period of 2 to 3 years. During this process it involves in encouraging wild gorillas to feel comfortable in the presence of humans, which is essential for tourism. Though the permit is more expensive but worth the money, because trackers /visitors spend four hours with the gorillas rather than just an hour –Gorilla trekking.
How much does a gorilla permit cost?
The cost of a single Uganda gorilla permits is around USD700 for foreign nonresident per person, USD600 for Foreign resident and UGX250,000 for East African Citizens. However, gorilla permits vary in price according to the country. Rwanda gorilla permit is more expensive at USD1,500 and Democratic Republic of Congo has the cheapest permits USD400 per person per trek. Note ,8 permits are on sell per gorilla group.
How many gorilla permits are available in Uganda?
Currently there are around 152 permits available per day. These permits are splinted between the habituated gorilla families in Uganda Bwindi Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National park.
What does the gorilla permit in Uganda cover?
Take note, a permit is only allowing access for a trek and one hour to spend with the gorillas. No any other costs included in like accommodation price, guide, meals and trackers.
Is Gorilla permit can be cancelled/Can one cancel a permit
If a visitor has only paid a deposit, you will not receive any refund on cancellation.
More so, if you have paid your tracking permit in full, the following cancellation rules apply;
75% refund if you decide to cancel your permit in 91 days or more before your trek.
50% refund if you cancel 46 to 90 days before
25% refundable amount of money, if you decide to cancel nine to 45 days before
No refund if a traveler cancels zero to eight days before.
If a traveler on a visit, gets body weakness due to certain illness and cannot trek gorillas,50% of the permit fee may be refunded. This encourages people to be more comfortable and honest about feeling unwell. ’the illness can cause death for gorillas’’, its better we prevent the gorillas from falling sick since they share 98% DNA to humans meaning they easily be transmitted with human diseases.
