Mountain Gorilla Permits; Gorilla permits is an authorization card from the governmental body which is issued out to allow tourists to visit the mountain gorillas, in both countries –Uganda and Rwanda. In Uganda the governmental body that issues out these permits is called ‘’UWA’’ Uganda Wildlife Authority Offices that sits few meters away from Kampala Capital city and Rwanda Gorilla permits are issued out direct from the Rwanda Development Board ‘’RDB’’ tourism body of the Rwanda government.
Purchasing a valid Gorilla permit is the only possible way you can access mountain gorillas in their nature inhabitants through allowing you to spend one hour in company of one family of mountain gorillas.
Why does tourist pay for gorilla permits? People pay for gorilla trekking permits because the money paid helps to conserve the gorillas, community surrounding the park, build schools and 70% for government revenues. Trekking gorillas can take half day or full day though it doesn’t matter how long you take to see the gorillas, the money remains the same, that allows you to stay one hour with gorillas.
However, Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo is home to the world’s unique mountains gorillas and half of them are found in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest national park with more than 600 individuals and 22 habituated gorilla family which are splintered in four Gorilla Sectors Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushaga and Ruhija. Currently the world has a total of over 1065 individuals which can be seen in three countries Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. Fact is that mountain gorillas has made these countries popular destination for Eco tourists hoping to reach out at close sightseeing of these great mountain gorillas, thousands of visitors are seen flocking to Uganda Gorilla Destination namely; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Rwanda Gorilla destination is Volcanoes National Park and Congo in Virunga National Park. These above mentioned gorilla destination are not only for trekking mountain gorillas but there are marvelous activities to do in each of the country.
In Uganda’s gorilla destination you can engage in different activities such as Gorilla trekking and Gorilla habituation experience, Visit the Batwa people, Nature walk, Bird watching, Hiking, Golden monkey experience, Children game.
Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park has got a lot of activities that makes it to the top visited destination on safari, activities like Gorilla trekking, Golden monkey tracking, Visit the grave of Dian Fossey, Mountain hiking, Touring the lakes Ruhondo and Burera.
For one to see or visit the Mountain gorillas must have a valid permit, which can be obtained through a tour operator or registered safari company which purchase them from the ‘’UWA’’ Uganda Wildlife Authority and Rwanda Development Board in Rwanda. In Uganda gorilla permits costs USD700 per foreign nonresident, USD600 for foreign residents and USD1500 to each person per trek per day.
There are two incredible activities done to encounter gorillas such as; Gorilla Trekking and Gorilla Habituation Experience which is a full day activity.
Gorilla habituation is the process done to train gorillas to get used to human eye contacts which can take about 2 to3 years. If the gorillas get used to human presence, the researches and park rangers notices it that they are fully trained or habituated ,they officially open it to the public. Then it will be opened for tourism, on the day of trekking or engaging in Gorilla habituation experience you will be accompanied by researchers, park rangers, doctors to lead you to their family. Once you find them your free to ask a guide any kind of question about gorillas and always obey the instructions given by the guides. You will be given four ‘’4’’ hours to spend with them, learn about them as you collect samples from them as well as taking fantastic photography.
So your free to do Gorilla trekking of one or Gorilla habituation of four hours. Remember Gorilla habituation experience can only be done in one destination that is Uganda in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Gorilla habituation goes at USD1,500 per person per track.
More so, money paid for gorilla permits costs things like accommodation, transport, porter, water, meal among others.
Essentials to carry with on Gorilla Safaris
They include; rain jacket, poncho, enough mineral water bottle and snacks, sweaters, hiking boots, hat, water proof bag among others.
Best time to visit Mountain gorillas; Gorilla safari destination can be visited throughout the year though the best time to do gorilla safaris is in dry seasons from June to September and December to February. We advise you if you’re to visit in peak season you need to book in advance.
