As gorilla trekking becomes competitive, Uganda tour operators have devised means of blocking gorilla permits online on Uganda Wildlife Authority system. Mountain gorilla trekking takes place in three African countries of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. These great apes live in three magnificent National parks of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Bwindi impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda. One needs a gorilla permit for one of the several national parks to spend at least one hour with these endangered creatures. Gorilla habituation permits are also available to those who would like to spend more hours with mountain gorillas.

Blocking gorilla permits online by Uganda tour operators

Uganda tour operators registered with Uganda Wildlife Authority have been permitted to view, reserve and block gorilla permits online on UWA booking and reserving system daily, including weekends. Blocking gorilla permits online is only available for Uganda tour operators can access Uganda Wildlife Authority gorilla permit database. Note that Uganda Wildlife Authority is a semi-autonomous body in charge of all national parks in Uganda including Bwindi impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park which are home to the endangered mountain gorillas.

Process of blocking gorilla permits online in Uganda

Uganda Wildlife Authority introduced an online gorilla permit booking system, which allows Uganda tour operators to block gorilla permits online. First training about UWA online gorilla permit booking system took place in 2017 where many tour operators including Encounter Africa safaris were trained on how to access, view, reserve and block gorilla permits in advance. All trained tour operators were given logins and password to access Uganda Wildlife Authority gorilla permit booking system online in their offices. The system allows you to view and check the availability of gorilla permits for Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi impenetrable National Park. Depending on the date, month or year, tour operators can view, reserve and block several gorilla permits of their choice. Uganda Wildlife Authority online gorilla permit system has a dashboard that shows whether there is permit availability, whether there are no permits or if some permits are on the waitlist. Red colour indicates that all gorilla permits for that day, month or year are sold out while green means that your desired date still has gorilla permits.

Bwindi regions where blocking gorilla permits is allowed.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has four mountain gorilla trekking regions. These regions include Buhoma in the north, Ruhija in the east, Rushaga and Nkuringo in the south. Each region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has several gorilla families and gorilla permits that can be booked or blocked for gorilla trekking every day. Thus depending on the region of your choice, Uganda tour operators have an option of blocking gorilla permits online belonging to the area they prefer. Most gorilla safaris starting from Kigali prefer sticking gorilla permits in the east and southern part of Bwindi impenetrable National Park because of its proximity to Uganda-Rwanda border crossing.

Advantage of blocking gorilla permits on UWA online system.

Uganda gorilla permits generated from the different mountain gorilla families in Bwindi impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park tend to sell out quickly and as such blocking these gorilla permits by authorized tour operators ensures that they don’t miss out on these gorilla permits. Tour operators are allowed to block gorilla permits on the system up to seven days from which they will expire and be released. After blocking these permits, the system will issue an invoice and booking ID, which will is used to make payment and claim the booking. The advantage with this process is that Ugandan registered tour operators can hold gorilla permits on the system as they wait for their clients to make payments for gorilla permits.

Disadvantages of Blocking gorilla permits online on UWA system.

While blocking gorilla permits on UWA system has several advantages as mentioned above, it also has some disadvantages that need to be pointed out. One problem of allowing tour operators to block gorilla permits on the system is that sometimes they hold permits and not bought. Others who have money to buy them may check on the system only to find no permits. When they have lost business, then the companies that were holding these permits releases them. The system does not even show the company holding these permits.

Encounter Africa safaris remain your most trusted tour operator for Uganda and Rwanda providing relevant and timely information about gorilla trekking tours. We are highly recommended on trip advisor and Safari bookings by our former clients. When contacted, we will make sure that one of our safari designers is assigned to you. He/she will work on your safari from inquiry until you confirm your trip. While in Uganda, we will assign you one of our field guide who will show you Uganda and its beauties.

Encounter Africa safaris operate safaris to Uganda and Rwanda. Our gorilla tours can start from Entebbe or Kigali International Airport, depending on the interest and location of our clients. For those interested in our Uganda gorilla safaris from Kigali, click here, and for those interested in Uganda gorilla tours from Entebbe, please click here.

Encounter Africa safaris advise all our potential clients to book their gorilla permits at least three months in advance so make sure that there do not lose out. Contact Encounter Africa safaris about gorilla permit availability and booking of gorilla permits. We usually book gorilla permits on behalf of our clients only when they book all-inclusive tours with Encounter Africa safaris. By inclusive, we mean booking accommodation, transport, driver guide, gorilla permits and park fees with Encounter Africa safaris.

For more information about Uganda and Rwanda gorilla permits, affordable gorilla tours, when to book your gorilla permit and tour, contact Encounter Africa safaris, and we will provide reliable information that will help you plan a gorilla holiday of a lifetime. We remain committed to providing a lifetime experience if contacted.