Can I resell my Rwanda or Uganda gorilla trekking permit if I fail to trek?

Can I resell my Rwanda or Uganda gorilla trekking permit if I fail to trek? After booking gorilla permits in Uganda and Rwanda, some travelers fail to make it for the trek due to unavoidable circumstances, and the next question is whether it is possible to resell the gorilla permit. The answer is yes, it is possible to resell the gorilla permit in Uganda and Rwanda if you fail to make it for gorilla tracking. Reselling of the gorilla permit can only be done if you do it in advance and have the receipt and permit for the purchase.

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For example, if the permit was purchased in June and you will not be able to make it, you can resell the permit in July, but this can only be done with enough proof. Note that gorilla permits can only be used by a single person, and you cannot sell it off a few days before the trek date. The reason for reselling early is to ensure that the details on the gorilla permit are changed and match the new client. Encounter Africa Safaris can help with the resell of the gorilla permit and note that this can only be possible if you inform the team in advance.

Where in Africa is gorilla trekking done?

Gorilla trekking in Africa is done in Uganda, Rwanda and the \democratic republic of Congo which have a total of four national parks which are home to the Mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking is carried out in Bwindi, Mgahinga National Parks which are found in Uganda, Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. While in the Democratic Republic of Congo, you get to spot the lowland gorillas which are in the Kahuza Beiga National Park. To be able to see gorillas in the three countries, one needs to purchase a gorilla permit immediately, given the fact that they are always in high demand and sell out fast. It is always peak season from June to September and you need to book at least 6 months in advance before traveling for gorilla trekking. Gorilla trekking permits in the different national parks can easily be booked through a trusted tour operator Encounter Africa Safaris.

Cost and getting a gorilla permit in Uganda

The gorilla permit in Uganda costs $800 per person per trek for foreign non-residents, $700 per person per trek for foreign residents and UGX300,000 per person per trek for East African citizens.  East African citizens include people from Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi and South Sudan. Getting a gorilla permit in Uganda is an easy process, it gives you an hour with the gorillas in either Bwindi or Mgahinga. There are 21 gorilla families in Bwindi and 1 gorilla family in Mgahinga. Bwindi unlike Mgahinga offers gorilla habituation where tourists spend 4 hours with the gorillas and the cost of the habituation permit is a bit different. The cost of the habituation permit is $1500 per person per trek for foreign non-residents, $1000 per person per trek for foreign residents and African citizens from other countries, and UGX750,000 per person for East African citizens.

The permits in Uganda can be bought directly from the Uganda Wildlife Authority if you are a resident or citizen and through a trusted tour operator like Encounter Africa Safaris if you are a foreign non-resident.

Cost and getting a gorilla permit in Rwanda

The gorilla permit in Uganda costs $1500 per person per trek for foreign non-residents, $500 per person per trek for foreign residents and citizens from other countries and $200 for East African citizens. Rwanda offers 12 gorilla families with 96 gorilla permits printed per day in Volcanoes National Park. The gorilla permit in Uganda can be purchased through Encounter Africa Safaris or directly through the Rwanda Development Board. Rwanda offers discounts to tourists who have booked to spend two nights in Akagera National Park and Nyungwe Forest National Park, these are offered a permit discount of $1050 per person per trek.

Cost and getting a gorilla permit in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The gorilla permit in DRC is the most affordable and costs $400 per person for foreign non-residents, $200 for foreign residents and $20 for East African citizens. DRC also offers discounts during the low season and the cost of the permit for foreign non-residents is $200. Encounter Africa Safaris can help you book a gorilla permit in DRC.

When booking gorilla permits in Uganda, Rwanda and DRC, note that the cost of the permit does not include meals, air tickets, accommodation, transport and other expenses among others. You need to first get all the details of the safari package with your tour operator.

Getting/booking a gorilla permit

Get in touch with a tour operator with the details of your gorilla safari trek and these are the dates you want to trek gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and DRC. The tour operator will check for the availability of the gorilla permits and if they are available, you will be informed and asked for more details like a copy of the passport, a passport number and any other details that are needed. The details that are provided will be used when processing the gorilla permit. After confirming the dates, you will be sent an invoice with the details of payment and after confirmation of the payment, the permits will be booked on your behalf and a copy for record purposes sent.

Refund of a gorilla permit after cancellation

Uganda Wildlife Authority in Uganda does not generally offer refunds for cancelled gorilla permits however some exceptions are made when it comes to rescheduling.  Some of the reasons that might warrant a refund for the gorilla permit include:

Illness: When you fall ill, you have to inform the guide about the illness so that you are taken to a medical facility where it will be proven that you are sick. It is with this evidence that with the warden’s letter, UWA might make a refund.

Failure to see the gorillas: although this has been unheard of, in case tourists fail to see the Mountain gorillas, UWA will refund your gorilla permit. In case there are free slots the next day, you will be provided with an extra day to trek the gorillas but if they are fully booked, a refund will be made.

When cancellations are made with valid reasons, there is a refund policy that is followed and we have explained it below. Note that all the permit refunds are done by the Executive director and they are the only ones that authorize a cancellation.

When a tourist cancels the permit 8 days before the trek date, there will be no refunds

When a tourist requests a cancellation 9 to 45 days before the trekking date, a 25% refund will be made.

When a tourist requests a cancellation 46 days to 90 days before the trekking date, a 50% refund will be made.

When a tourist requests cancellation 91 days or more before the trek date, a 75% refund will be made.

When considering a permit cancellation for any tourists, the date of receipt of the request can be considered as the cancellation date for purposes of determining the refund when needed.

Is gorilla trekking safe in Uganda, Rwanda and DRC?

Yes and no. Yes, gorilla trekking is safe in Uganda and Rwanda, this is because the park authorities together with conservation activists and the government have put up measures to ensure that the trekking is safe for both the Mountain gorillas and the trekkers. Some of the measures that have been put in place to ensure that gorilla trekking is safe are providing 24/7 security around the national park, Volcanoes National Park has cameras in different locations, there is a security check for everyone that checks at the park entrance and the introduction of rules and guidelines for gorilla trekking. The rules that are to be followed when trekking gorillas include:

• The age limit for trekking in Uganda is 12 years and 15 years in Rwanda
• Tourists have to keep a distance of 7 meters between them and the gorillas
• Tourists have to turn away from the gorillas when sneezing and coughing and you have to cover your mouth.
• All visitors have to avoid feeding the gorillas
• Tourists who are sick have to inform the guides and they will not be allowed to trek Mountain gorillas
• Visitors have to turn off the camera flash when taking photos of the gorillas
• No visitor is allowed to feed and touch the Mountain gorillas
• Visitors have to keep the national parks clean by taking back all the rubbish from the park
• Guides help with digging a hole of 30cm to use as a toilet and this has to be covered well so the gorillas do not find it.
• Tourists have to keep calm, communicate in low tones and not scare the gorillas.
• Tourists have to follow all the guidelines given by the guides when with the gorillas.

No, gorilla trekking in the Democratic Republic of Congo is not safe and this is because of the unending political unrests that are still being experienced in the national parks. All tourists have been advised to avoid trekking gorillas in DRC for now until it is deemed safe to trek gorillas in Virunga National Park. As of now, gorilla trekking can only be carried out in Uganda and Rwanda.

The age limit for gorilla trekking in Africa

The minimum trekking age in Africa is different depending on the safari destination you have chosen and this was set to make sure that the trekkers are safe and at the same time keep on conserving and protecting the Mountain gorillas. The minimum age limit for gorilla trekking in Uganda is 12 years and the age limit for trekking in Rwanda and DRC is 15 years. No maximum age was set and all ages 12 and above for Uganda and 15 and above for Rwanda and DRC can purchase gorilla permits and be able to participate in gorilla trekking. If you wish to participate in gorilla trekking but are weak due to old age, there was an introduction of sedan chairs which are carried by porters and these are used to carry around trekkers so that they can be able to participate in the exercise. The sedan chairs come at an extra cost of about $500 to 600 dollars.

What to pack for gorilla trekking in Africa

You need to be comfortable when it comes to gorilla trekking in Africa and this comes to what you have packed for the gorilla safari. The weather conditions in the national parks from sunny to rainy and muddy all the time and packing right will match the weather in the three gorilla countries gorilla trekking countries. The suggested items to pack and bring for a gorilla trekking safari include:

• Light-weight pants and long-sleeved shirts
• Insect repellent
• Torch/light
• Refillable water bottle
• A camera should come with batteries, extra lenses, a camera bag and extra memory cards.
• Binoculars
• Toiletries including wet wipes and biodegradable toilet paper.
• Gardening gloves
• Rain jacket
• Sweater, fleece and ponchos to keep warm
• Hat and sunscreen
• Knee-length boots
• Sunscreen.

When to go for gorilla trekking in Africa

Gorilla trekking in Africa (Uganda, Rwanda and DRC) is carried out all year round however the best time is during the dry season which is also the peak season. The dry season is from June to September and December to February, and during this period, the routes used for trekking gorillas are easier to use and gorillas can easily be spotted during this period. The wet season is from March to May and October to November and during this period, this is the period when the gorilla trek routes are harder to use because they are muddy and slippery. The vegetation in the national parks is also thicker during the rainy season which makes it hard to trek gorillas in the three countries.

Get in touch with us to help you plan your gorilla trekking safari at Encounter Africa safaris.