Can I resell my gorilla permit if I fail to trek ?

Is it possible to resell my gorilla permit if l fail to trek? Reselling your gorilla trekking permit before the day of trekking is both possible and impossible depending on how you acquired it. In case you purchased your gorilla trekking permit through an agent, you may have chance of reselling it through the agent.

The umbrella body Association Of Uganda Tour Operators ( AUTO) at times gives opportunity for its members to advertise there permits on resale. This however is not guaranteed because buying the gorilla trekking permits depends on demand.

During the peak seasons that is June to September and December to January the demand for the gorilla permits is high. The gorilla permits for these days are sold out fast creating scarcity so chances of reselling the gorilla permits for this period are high. This however doesn’t guarantee that your gorilla permit on resale will get a customer.

 Even the number of gorilla permits you are reselling matters because if they are so many yet in different day, it becomes challenging to sell them.

Most Popular Gorilla Safaris

• 3 Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking
• 5 Day Gorilla and Chimp
• 8 Day Gorilla Tracking
• 2 Day Bwindi Gorilla Via Kigali
• 3 Day Uganda Gorilla Via Kigali
• 5 Day Chimp and Gorilla Habituation
• 3 Day Fly in Gorilla Habituation
• 3 Day Fly in Safari to Murchison Falls National Park
• 3 Day Bwindi Double trek via Kigali
• 5 Day Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

The number of days between the trekking date and when you put up your gorilla permit for resale matters because demand reduces as times progresses towards the actual time of gorilla trekking.

The opportunity of reselling the gorilla permit on the day of gorilla trekking area slim because it depends on presence of those on waitlist. Even the networks of the person reselling the gorilla permit or permits matters on the day of trekking matter. Chances of getting a person to buy at a lower cost compared to how you bought it are high.

In case there are other companies reselling the same date for gorilla trekking as you are, the principal of survival for the fittest may apply. The one who gives off a wider scope of gorilla permit advertising may get the biggest number of customers.

If you bought the gorilla trekking permit in instalments and failed to top up before the due date of topping up that is at least 90 days to the date of gorilla trekking its challenging. Chances of not reselling such gorilla trekking permits that are half paid are high. You are bound to loose ownership to these permits in case the top up date is overdue

Clients who book gorilla trekking permits individually may have no opportunity of reclaiming their money in case they wish to cancel the trip. It gets quite a long process and a lot of time may be consumed as details have to genuinely backup your claim.

Can Gorilla Permits Be Refunded

Gorilla permit refund depends on the terms and conditions of Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) or Rwanda Development Board ( RDB).

When a tourist gives a genuine reason for not attending gorilla trekking day with proof, in advance then the Authority or Board terms and conditions are invoked to determine how to refund their gorilla permits.

In situations when you catch a communicable Infection before gorilla trekking or fall ill just before gorilla trekking then report to the Uganda Wildlife Authority or Rwanda Development Board prior.

Based on the Refund policy of Uganda Wildlife Authority or Rwanda Development Board, you may claim your money. Getting it back may not be guarantee but you can still try your luck.

Where To Go Gorilla Trekking In Uganda And Rwanda

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda is the largest home of gorilla trekking amongst the four habitat. The park occupies about 327 square kilometers of land. Its thick forest cover fetches it the name Impenetrable. Locally the word Bwindi means Impenetrable and indeed this name is suitable for this forest.

The forest has about 18 gorilla trekking families open for tourist viewing. They are all under gorilla trekking areas into they are booked. The four gorilla trekking areas include Rushaga gorilla family, Buhoma gorilla area, Nkuringo area and Ruhijah area. This was done for administrative purposes.

In the past, tourists used to book gorilla permits for especially the Northern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The habituated gorilla families in other sections of Bwindi had started going back to wild behavior because they were less visited. Rehabituating them is expensive and time consuming.

 In order to strike a balance in gorilla trekking, the per area strategy was adopted by Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Bwindi Impenetrable National park being a biosphere reserve is home to over 10 primate species including blue monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, olive baboons, red tailed monkeys and others

The rich birdlife of Bwindi Impenetrable National park brings it to the top must visit Africa birding destinations. Over 350 bird species have so far been recorded to be living in this park including Albertine Endemics on the IUCN red list. The bird species list for Bwindi impenetrable National Park is still expanding.

Mgahinga National Park

This park lies in the fur southern Western corner of Uganda and Rwanda. When you hike to the top of Mountain Sabyinyo one of the park’s mountain ranges, you see the border of Uganda Rwanda and D.R.Congo.

Mgahinga National Park occupies about 33.7 square kilometers. This park lies on the Northern slopes of Mountain Muhabura, Mountain Sabyinyo and Mountain Gahinga. This creates a regional backdrop.

Only one gorilla trekking permit called Nyakagezi gorilla family is a member of Mgahinga National park. In the past, this gorilla trekking family used to meander into Rwanda because mountain gorillas are free ranging with no idea of political boundaries.

Booking the gorilla permits for Mgahinga National park was on arrival then and it was dependent on there presence in the park.

Of late, the mountain gorillas have been spotted to be living in Mgahinga National Park for a long time.

 More than 115 bird species are residents of Mgahinga National Park. Being one of the less visited national parks still has virgin vegetation with crisscrossing tangled climbers.

Volcanoes National Park In Rwanda

This forested national Park in Rwanda is the only home of mountain gorillas in the country. The park occupies an area of 160 square kilometers of land.

Five volcanoes make up the topography of the park which include Mountain Bisoke, Mountain  Muhabura, Mountain Karisimbi, Mountain Sabyinyo and Mountain Gahinga.

Sometimes the mountain gorillas feed from the slopes making the gorilla trekking experience here quite challenging. The walk is steep at times and quite difficult especially when it rains severely.

Volcanoes National Park has about 13 gorilla trekking families so far open for tourists viewing.

In Rwanda, volcanoes National park is the birding destination with over 90 bird species so far recorded including about 13 species of Albertine endemics like Shelley’s Crimmsonwing, handsome Francolin and others.

A number of other primates share this home some of which include golden monkeys, olive baboons, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys to mention but a few.

Virunga National park

This National Park is located in D.R.Congo with about 6 gorilla families open for Tourism. Some of the Gorilla families includeMunyaga gorilla family, Kabirizi gorilla family, Mapuwa gorilla family, Rugendo gorilla family, Humba gorilla family, and Lulengo gorilla family.

The instability in this area has caused a delay in the development of gorilla trekking safaris in this area.

The park is home to chimpanzees too and others primates like red tailed monkeys, olive baboons, De Brazaa monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, Hamlyn’s monkey, blue monkeys

Its rich bird list is attributed to great vegetation that favors the survival of a number of birds including the Albertine endemics.

How To Book Gorilla Trekking Permits

In Uganda the gorilla trekking permits are sold at the Uganda wildlife Authority only. Its the Uganda National Parks regulating body.

Rwanda’s gorilla permit’s selling body is Rwanda Development Board

You need to check availability of the gorilla trekking permits per day before purchasing them.

When availability is positive, you are required to purchase yours as soon as possible as they get sold out fast. They are on first come first served basis so no one is allowed to reserve a permit for you without payment.

Alternatively, for Uganda, you are required to provide some personal details like the full names on your passport, Nationality, date of birth, passport expiry date and others. Some of these are filled on your card and certificate of gorilla trekking accomplishment.

The status of the gorilla permits changes in a flash because demand for them especially the peak season is very high yet a few are realized to the public per day.

When Is The best Time To Book Gorilla Trekking Permits

All year round you can book your gorilla trekking permits but you need to consider the peak seasons that is June To September and December to January. This is when the demand for gorilla trekking activities is high and even the accommodations are highly demanded.

The least time for booking the gorilla trekking permits is 90 days to the day of trekking but best at least 6 months in advance. This avoids last minute panic to secure the gorilla trekking permits.

How Challenging Is Gorilla trekking

The topography of the Virunga area where mountain gorillas live is generally hilly. The vegetation of this area has been existing for over 25000 years so entangled creepers are everywhere. Sometimes the ranger guide may be required to use a machete to create way for the group to pass.

During the severe rainy seasons the mountain gorillas feed from the slopes which makes it quite challenging to meet them. Some level of fitness is necessary before starting the gorilla trek to enjoy the entire experience.

Are Mountain Gorillas aggressive

Mountain gorillas are some of the most serene primates in the world. Physically, mountain gorillas look scaring because of there sheer size and dark black fur that covers the entire body. It is so amazing that they are generally vegetarian. There delicacy is bamboo, leaves, soft stems, fruits and others.

So far, no one has been reported to be a victim of Gorilla attack. You just need to follow the rules of gorilla trekking to enjoy every moment of this experience. Mountain gorillas are generally calm primates.

What To Pack For Gorilla Trekking

• Foldable Safari Hat to wear when in the wilderness and protect your hair from flying insects in the jungle.
• A Flash-less camera to keep memories of your experience in the jungle. Every moment is very important to preserve for future reference.
• Travel adapter to recharge your gadgets in case they run low on power
• Pocho or fleece to keep warm because it gets cold in the jungle . You need to protect yourself from  catching a cold.
• Pajamas to wear when going to sleep.
• A pair of Binoculars for observing far ranging attractions.
• Safari Tracking boots to protect your feet from rough surfaces in the jungle. The ground is boggy and soggy at times which makes movement difficult so make sure your feet are safe.
• Rain Coat or Poncho just in case it rains while you are searching for the gorillas.
• Snacks to match on when you get hungry while in the wilderness.
• Hand sanitizer to keep away germs that may cause infections to the vegetation that you touch. It’s the food for the mountain gorillas.
• Garden gloves to catch a tighter grip on the slippery creepers when it rains.
• A Mask to wear when in front of the mountain gorillas
• A light water proof bag to keep in your belonging and protect then from scattering in the wilderness.
• Long sleeved shirt and convertible trouser to wear in the wilderness and they must be in colors friendly to the wild.
• Insect repellant to smear on the body and keep away stinging insects like tsetse flies.
• First Aid box with some medication in case you get injured.
• Bag spray to keep away bugs that may come into your room.
• Some hard cash to change into local currency in case you need to purchase anything like souvenirs. Credit cards are rarely used as a means of exchange because getting money of them is quite challenging.

Contact us for more information about gorilla trekking permits.