Buying Bwindi gorilla permits in installments.

This is how you can purchase Bwindi gorilla permits in installments. A gorilla permit is a document or card that allows you to spend some time with habituated mountain gorillas in National Parks such as Bwindi. Mountain gorilla trekking holidays are available in three African countries of Uganda, Rwanda, and The Democratic Republic of Congo. To go on any gorilla trek to Bwindi impenetrable National Park, you need a valid gorilla permit that includes spending one hour with these great apes, park entry fees, a ranger guide, and a certificate at the end of your trek. For those interested in spending more hours still, Bwindi impenetrable National Park offers a chance to spend four hours if you book a gorilla habituation experience permit. Before we go into details, buying Bwindi gorilla permits in installments is done as below.

Deposit initial deposit of30% on our gorilla permit.

All gorilla permits to trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority a body in charge of all National Parks in Uganda. There are two options available to you to secure your gorilla permit. You can choose to pay your permit in full by paying 100% or pay in installments of 30% and 70% later.

The math and cost of Bwindi gorilla permit

Currently, a gorilla permit to see gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable National Park goes for $700 per person for Foreign non-residents and $600 for foreign residents in East Africa. At the time of booking, you can pay 30% of $700 which is $210, and then pay 70% which is $490. If you are interested in gorilla habituation experience, your initial deposit of 30% will be $450, and the last deposit of 70%, $1050.

A gorilla permit is a core element in any given package to see mountain gorillas and it is the most expensive. By allowing visitors to pay in installments, it helps them to plan with minimum resources since gorilla permits must be booked in advance. Last-minute bookings are possible but must be paid in full.

Terms and conditions to be followed

While it is possible to make payments in installments, there are terms and conditions that apply to this. 30% deposits can only be accepted only if its three months or more to the actual trekking date. This, therefore, applies to those planning to book their gorilla permits in advance of 4 to two years in advance.

All permits bought installments must be topped up three months before the trekking date otherwise the holder stands to lose out of not done. For more information about buying Bwindi gorilla permits in installments, kindly contact us.

Where and how to buy Bwindi gorilla permits

Gorilla permits for trekking habituated mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority. One can buy his or her gorilla permit directly by contacting UWA by email or telephone or deciding to use the services of a licensed Tour Operator in Uganda. There are two types of gorilla permits. That is the standard gorilla permit which allows you to spend one hour with mountain gorillas and costs $700 and a gorilla habituation experience permit which allows you to spend four hours with mountain gorillas under habituation but is slightly expensive costing $1500 per person per trek.

Process of booking your Bwindi gorilla permit

Whether planning to pay your gorilla permit in full or installments, the process of reserving and securing your gorilla permit remains the same. It starts with checking the availability of space on the desired date of your choice, followed by reserving and then making payment to UWA. A gorilla permit can only be guaranteed only if it is paid for. Gorilla permits are very scarce and to secure them, payment must be made as quick as possible. Of the 19 habituated mountain gorilla families in Bwindi, only 8 people are allowed to spend an hour with them and 4 people for the two families reserved for gorilla habituation experience.

While it is possible to book your gorilla permit directly, it is wise to hire the services of a licensed tour operator like Encounter Africa safaris to do the job for several reasons. When contacted, checking availability, reservation, and securing your gorilla permit becomes simple. See here for information about Booking gorilla permits in Uganda. If you get a challenge and you want to cancel or postpone your gorilla trip, Encounter Africa safaris comes in handy to assist instead of you having to contact the relevant offices at UWA.

Is it possible to reschedule my gorilla permit at 30% deposit?

For one reason or the other, one may decide not to go on with the trek as per gorilla permit dates. If you want to change dates, you know that it is possible but make sure you top up the remaining 70% as it is a requirement. This request must be put in writing addressed to the Executive Director requesting his office to push your permits to later dates for reasons stipulated in your letter. Once approved, your permit will definitely be moved to another future date. Please note that a gorilla permit can only be rescheduled twice.

When booking Bwindi gorilla permits.

Unlike other mountain gorilla national parks in Africa, Bwindi impenetrable National Park is unique in the sense that it has four locations for gorilla trekking. Before proceeding with any bookings, note that permits are issued as per regions/locations and it is this that will determine your overnight accommodation and route to be used.

There are four regions in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and each has around 4 to 5 habituated mountain gorilla families for gorilla trekking. These regions are Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga. The last two regions are located in Kisoro district while Ruhija and Buhoma are located in Rubanda and Kanungu districts respectively. If you book gorilla permits for Buhoma region, we recommend that you consider lodges in this region. The same applies to other regions. For more information about this, kindly contact us.

When buying or considering to do gorilla habituation experience, know that it’s only in the south of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where this happens. Only two gorilla families are available for this experience with only 4 people allowed to visit any of the two families on a daily.

About Bwindi impenetrable National Park.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the four National Parks that houses mountain gorillas in the whole world. The other three are Mgahinga in Uganda, Volcanoes in Rwanda, and Virunga National Park in The Democratic Republic of Congo.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in southwestern Uganda spreading over three districts of Kisoro, Kanungu, and Rubanda. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is divided into three, the East which is Ruhija, the north or Buhoma, and the south that has Rushaga and Nkuringo. Make sure you are advised about these regions before booking your Lodge and gorilla permit.

Accessing Bwindi impenetrable National Park

Entebbe International Airport is the main airport in Uganda where those interested in trekking mountain gorillas must land. From here, one can drive 9-10 hours to Bwindi impenetrable National Park or fly 2 hours from Entebbe International Airport to Kihihi or Kisoro Airstrip. There is an option of flying into Kigali International Airport and driving 4-5 hours to Bwindi impenetrable National Park via Katuna or Chanika Border closing. Whichever route you choose, ensure that you book your overnight accommodation in the region of your choice since it is a requirement as you will never know the time you will be back on the day of gorilla trekking. Also important transfer to and from the airstrip for those opting to fly from Entebbe to Kihihi or Kisoro.

Get in touch.

Before booking a gorilla trek to Bwindi impenetrable National Park, we recommend that you do enough research online to gather more information. If you contact Encounter Africa safaris, you don’t have to worry as we will take care of providing all relevant information about gorilla trekking in Bwindi, how to book gorilla permits, the age limit for gorilla trekking, terms and conditions as well as tailoring your Bwindi gorilla trip to suit your time, budget and interest. Encounter Africa Safaris is one of the leading Safari companies with offices in Uganda. We have handled and successfully executed gorilla trips on behalf of our clients and we come highly on trip advisor and Safari booking. Benefit from our vast experience of organizing ultimate safaris to see these great apes. Please contact us.