Discounted gorilla permits for Africans at $500 only

Are you an African citizen and have been planning a gorilla trekking safari to Uganda from 2024 to 2026? There is now an offer for African citizens. Uganda has previously not had the category of Africans when purchasing gorilla permits, which was recently introduced in January 2024. The permits for Africans were put at $500 per person, less than the permit cost for foreign non-residents, which is $800 per person.

Most Popular Safaris

8 day Uganda safari via Kigali

5 days gorillas and chimp safari

8 days gorilla tracking tour

19 day best of Uganda safari

15 days Uganda Rwanda safari

18 day Uganda Ultimate Safari

16 day primate game and culture

11 days gorilla tracking safari

5 days gorilla and Nile river source

17 day Uganda birding and wildlife

African citizens outside East Africa have been given a chance to participate in the gorilla trekking exercise at a discount of $500 per person, and the permit cost covers an hour with the gorillas, security in terms of armed rangers, Park entry fees, and an English speaking guide.

How many gorilla permits are printed per day in Uganda?

The Uganda Wildlife Authority prints 194 gorilla permits daily, distributed between Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. 186 gorilla permits are printed for Bwindi and 8 for Mgahinga National Park. Mountain gorillas are an endangered species, and one of the ways that have been used to protect and conserve them is by limiting the number of people that trek the gorillas per day, which is why few permits are issued. Tourists should book at least six months before the trek date to avoid late inconveniences.

What is the age limit for Uganda gorilla trekking?

There is no maximum age limit for gorilla trekking in Uganda, but a minimum age limit of 15 years. All trekkers have to be 15 years and above, depending on their physical fitness, and elders have also been given a chance to participate in the trekking exercise in Bwindi with the introduction of the sedan chairs where you are carried through the forest during the time the trek by potters. The Sedan chairs have to be hired in advance, and they come at an extra cost of $400 to $500 per person.

How to book $500 gorilla trek permits for Africans.

Once you have planned, set, and confirmed your trek dates, we will need you to send an email to us with the details of dates (date, month, and year), both names, a passport copy (to prove that you are 12 years and above and the passport number) so that we can check for the availability of the gorilla permits with the Uganda Wildlife Authority. After we have confirmed the availability of the permits for your planned dates, we will inform you and send an invoice so that you can pay for the permits. Permits can only be purchased if the full permit payment is made.

After confirming your payment, we will go ahead and purchase the permits for you, and a copy will be sent to ensure that the purchase has been made. You are advised to book 3 to 6 months or more for the trekking permit, given that few permits are available daily and sold on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Contact our team for assistance with purchasing your gorilla trek permits.

Cancellation policy for gorilla permits in Uganda

It is possible to cancel gorilla permits, but you need to have a good reason with proof as to why it is being canceled to get a refund. When you decide to cancel a permit, you must write a formal letter to the Uganda Wildlife Authority and attach all the necessary documents with proof of why you must cancel. Once the cancellation has been approved, you will be asked for new dates. If you wish to reschedule, the permit will be re-booked on the dates. For tourists who want a refund, there are policies and procedures that are followed, and these include:

0 to 8 days before the trek date no refund

9 to 45 days before the trek date 25% refund

46 to 90 days before the trek date 50% refund

90 days or more before the trek date 75% refund

The cancellation policy above applies to the Uganda Wildlife Authority, not individual tour operators. Tour operators also have their terms and conditions, and you must first read and understand them before canceling a gorilla permit.

The cost of the gorilla safari

The cost of the gorilla safari varies depending on several factors, including the different tour packages, the time of year you choose to trek, the duration of your safari, tour operator quotations, group size, and the type of accommodation chosen, among others. Some of the general factors affecting the cost of the Uganda gorilla safari include:

The different tour packages: Different tour packages are offered when planning a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda. The packages include meals, transport, other activities, and accommodation, and the cost of each package depends on the number of days you spend on your safari, accommodation, and other amenities. Depending on your budget, you can choose to go with a budget, mid-range, or luxury package.

The time of the year: The peak season, which is from June to September and December to February, is always more expensive than the low season, which is from March to May and October to November. The peak season has a lot of tourists visiting the country, which leads to a hike in the prices of the different safari services, which is different from the low season when discounts are offered on some services like accommodation.

The duration of the safari: The more time spent on a safari, the higher the cost, and shorter gorilla safari tours equal low costs.

The group size: This can significantly affect the cost of the safari in such a way that private or smaller groups of tourists cost more than the larger sizes. Large groups share costs among themselves, reducing the price of the gorilla safari.

What to pack for a gorilla tracking safari

The packing list for gorilla trekking is extremely important because if you do not pack right, there are higher chances of not enjoying your gorilla safari due to discomfort. We came up with a list of things that you need for a gorilla tracking safari in Uganda, and these include:

• Strong hike boots. These should be very comfortable, ankle-length, and waterproof if possible.
• Neutral-colored long-sleeved shirts for extra protection from the sun and bug bites and to keep you warm.
• Neutral-colored pants to easily blend in with the forest and for protection from bug bites and tree scratches. Avoid jeans because they are likely to slow you down when they get wet during the trek.
• Insect repellent.
• Sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat for protection from the sun.
• A waterproof day backpack to carry all your essentials like snacks, bottled water, and cameras, among others.
• A camera with all the necessary camera equipment, including a tripod, extra camera lenses, batteries, and when taking photos of the gorillas, ensure that the flash is turned off.
• Binoculars will help you to not only spot the gorillas but also other wildlife within the national parks.
• Do not forget the gorilla permit because, without it, you cannot access the mountain gorillas in both Bwindi and Mgahinga.
• Garden gloves are strong enough to protect your hands from blisters, tree scratches, and thorns.
• Adjustable gaiters are extremely important and can be used in both the wet and the dry season.
• Thick socks to keep you warm, and during the trek, the trousers are tucked into the socks, and this is done so that insects don't crawl up your trousers, causing discomfort.
• A water bottle is better, preferably a refillable and foldable one.
• Toiletries.

Gorilla rules and regulations

For all African citizens planning on trekking gorillas in Uganda, there are rules and regulations that were introduced by the Uganda Wildlife Authority to continue the conservation of the gorillas that were almost extinct due to constant poaching and encroaching on their natural habitat by humans. The rules and regulations that are supposed to be followed by all trekkers in the country include the following:

• The minimum age for trekking gorillas in Mgahinga and Bwindi is 12 years. Age verification is carried out using your passport details; anyone below 15 will not be allowed to purchase the permits.
• Only eight people are allowed to trek assigned gorilla families in the national parks per day.
• You always have to leave a distance of 7 meters between the Mountain gorillas and yourself after finding your assigned gorilla family.
• Limit the noise that is made when you are tracking gorillas and after locating them. The more quiet you are, the more entertaining things you are going to see and observe.
• Sick trekkers will not be allowed to trek Mountain gorillas, and this is to prevent human-to-gorilla transmissions.
• After finding the gorillas, you strictly have an hour with the gorillas before returning to the park headquarters.
• No one is allowed to eat and drink when with the gorillas.
• No one can smoke during the trek and with the Mountain gorillas.
• Flash photography has been strictly prohibited because it can scare the gorillas, which forces them to retreat.
• The national parks have to be kept clean at all times, so carry all the rubbish you came with back with you.
• When you feel like using the toilet, dig a hole of 30 cm and bury everything, including the toilet paper used.
• When sneezing or coughing in the presence of Mountain gorillas, turn away from them and cover your mouth and nose.

When to go

Gorilla trekking is an all-year-round activity, and tourists can track gorillas at any time of the year; however, the best time for spotting these endangered species is during the dry season, from December to February and June to September. During the dry season, there is little or no rainfall to disrupt the tracking exercise, the roads leading to the park are easily accessible, and the trek routes are also used during this period.

The wet season is also not a wrong time to travel to Uganda for gorilla trekking because gorillas can be seen all year round; however, the downside about tracking gorillas during the wet season is the constant rainfall that might affect the trekking experience, the muddy and slippery routes make it also hard to trek gorillas in the forest. However, the wet season from March to May and October to November is a good time for trekkers traveling on a budget because some services are discounted, especially accommodation.

Uganda experiences two seasons, the dry and wet seasons, and due to its closeness to the equator, the weather changes at all times. Rainfall can also occur in the dry season, so you need to be ready for weather changes in both seasons.

How to get to Bwindi and Mgahinga

Road: The national parks can be accessed by a drive from Kampala, which takes 8 to 9 hours with a few stopovers for a leg stretch. The drive to the national park is done in 4x4 safari vehicles due to the nature of the roads, and it is more scenic and the most commonly used mode of transport.

Another option is driving from Kigali in 4x4 safari vehicles through the Kyaninga or Gatuna borders. This is also considered a better option since it is a shorter distance, taking 4 to 5 hours.

Air: Charter flights can be arranged from Kajjansi Airstrip or Entebbe International Airport to Kisoro or Kihihi Airstrip. You can then access the national park headquarters by road. Charter flights must be placed three days before the trek date to avoid late inconveniences. The flight to Mgahinga or Bwindi can take one hour and a half or two, depending on the weather conditions.

Contact us at Encounter Safaris for more information about the discounted gorilla permits and the new gorilla trek tariffs. We will also provide the different safari packages and help you easily plan for your gorilla safari.