Uganda Gorilla Trekking Permits / Gorilla permits ; Gorilla permits are identifications documents that are offered by a governing body to permit tourists access Gorilla Safari Destination .Uganda is gifted with two gorilla national parks that is ;Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park both located in southwestern Uganda region ,approximately 8 to 9 hours drive .Alternatively ,you can use a domestic flight Aero link from Entebbe International Airport to Kihihi or Kisoro Airstrip -nearest airstrip to the park ‘’1:30hour landing’’. Meanwhile, the identification shows that one has been authorized to visit the national park. In Uganda, Gorilla permits are issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority.
What are requirements for a gorilla permit for a Ugandan and non-Uganda?
The most required items one to obtain a gorilla permit is a passport with your details. A passport is one of the most essential documents required or asked by the Uganda Wildlife Authority Offices, ‘’UWA’’. This is because passport help them to find out your nationality and age for Gorilla Trekking. Where by, they will look at the date of birth to check for the required minimum age as noted in the passport. If they discover that the age of the trekker is under age the permit won’t be issued.
Well, Uganda Wildlife Authority ‘’UWA’’ have attendance of keeping records of visitors who have trekked and have ever trekked Gorilla in Uganda. This helps the Uganda wildlife to know the country that has visited Uganda in the last previous years and currently ones.
Uganda government will then formulate the promotional and marketing strategies in the tourism industry in order to attract more tourists from other world races to visit the country. This is the main reason why the Authorities ask for details of the passports required for gorilla permits for future reference.
Along, your gorilla trekking safari, a trustworthy tour operator will ask your passport details by before any reservations for Gorilla permits. Due to the fact that, the Authorities of the wildlife may need to know the Nationality, age, however we should know if you’re in need of a porter for Gorilla trekking.
Uganda tourism industry has got acknowledgeable speaking English guide who knows much about the Gorilla trekking rules and regulations. However, some of the tourists do not species English and the best way is to give us the details of their passport which help us to know what kind of tourists is coming.
Interestingly, visitors travel from all over the world to visit the Pearl of Africa in order to enjoy this unforgettable experience. One must have a gorilla permits in order to access the nature habitat of our closest relative – mountain gorillas whom said to have 98% DNA to humans thus a once life changing experience.
How much does gorilla permit cost;
You should take note, before a traveler set out for gorilla trekking, we recommend him or he to contact a tour operator who are able to give you relevant gorilla information for Uganda, DRC and Rwanda in order to plan for a perfect safari trip.
So, before you head out for gorilla trekking safaris, we advise you to always book your gorilla permit in three months before your time of travel. Note the permit is acquired in time for the trekkers.
A gorilla permit refers to an identification which permits one to visit the gorillas in their nature environment within the national park. In world, mountain gorilla trekking safaris is only done in Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic Public of Congo. Above all competition usually happens during high season which runs through June, July, August, September, December and February. So, for that matter, it’s good to book your gorilla permit in advance before departure time.
Fact, a gorilla permit is essential document or card issued by the ‘’UWA’’ Uganda Wildlife Authority. The permit provided allows one to view the mountain gorillas for an hour ; The trekking experience can take a maximum of 30 minutes to 7 hours while viewing this unique mountain Gorilla in the forest after which it expires.
A gorilla permit in Uganda costs USD700 per person per trek and in Rwanda USD1,500 while if one prefers a habituation process which first takes 2 to 3 years under training before opening it up for tourism. Gorilla habituation experience is a full day activity that involves in 4 participants compared to Gorilla trekking where there is 8 people, during the activity you’re accompanied by the researchers, park ranges, doctors who lead you in the forest trail heads. Once you allow the gorilla family in Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park you’re allowed 4 hours to spend with them as you learn their behaviors, capture videos and photography.
Note; Gorilla habituation experience which is only done in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – cost USD1,500 per person per day. Gorilla trekking permit in Uganda are obtained from Uganda Wildlife Authority; foreign nonresident pays cost USD700, foreign residents cost USD600 per person and East African Citizen pay UGX250,000 per person per day
How to get a gorilla trekking permits in Uganda
The best way of obtaining a gorilla permit is to contact a Tour Operator in Uganda, who has fully registered tour company and is under the Association of Uganda Tour Operators ‘’AUTO’’. In Uganda are more than 1000 Tour Operators who are readily available to help you obtain the right Gorilla permit.
Uganda wildlife Authority charges the gorilla permit with no extra cost. Auto member ate the only body members who issues out the right permits. During the peak season, we recommend you to book as early as possible because of the big range of tourists who tend to flow in the country yearly.
Always avoid costly permits and being conned a number of fake tour agents who extract money from visitors by selling you discounted permits which do not exist. And some of the frauds will even choose to use the AUTO logo, however donot engage in such victims.
We advise you always remember to check out the history of a tour operator before you book with them