Uganda Gorilla Trekking Permits Go Online

Uganda gorilla trekking permits go online and Encounter Africa Safaris being a fully registered safari company in Uganda especially with Uganda Tourism board has an upper hand in accessing the online gorilla permits. Although the gorilla permits are online, you must be a registered member to have this opportunity. Initially you need to check availability from Uganda Wildlife Authority only by call or walk in.

This seemed hectic and time wasting so with this online gorilla permit availability, we can check those still obtainable and advise our clients as soon as possible. You just need to purchase your permit slot as soon as possible because we have no access to reserving it. Securing your permit is very much dependent on your quick response top payment plan.

 This however doesn’t rule out calling to check for gorilla permit availability  

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

Brief History About Gorilla Trekking Permit online

 In 2014, it was officially confirmed by Uganda Wildlife Authority would let gorilla permits go on line. This was done to enable all registered and recognized Uganda Tour operators to view, and book them directly in their offices rather than having to contact Uganda Wildlife Authority.

With this development, Uganda becomes the second country to ease the problem of checking gorilla permits availability. Rwanda was the first to initiate something like this where every morning all Rwanda tour operators receive updates on availability of gorilla permits.

This initiative was started by Uganda Wildlife Authority after receiving funds from USAID where they wanted to put gorilla permits online to be viewed, booked by both local and international Tour operators. This was strongly opposed by the private sector most especially Ugandan Local tour operators under their umbrella body of The Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO) who later petition the ministry of Tourism about this matter.

After a long debate about this matter, a select committee was then formed to address this matter. This included stakeholders from the communities around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park, Members from the private sector and from the ministry.

A resolution was made later that local tour operators had a point and it was from this committee that it was decided that gorilla permits be put online but only to be viewed and booked by local tour operators in Uganda.

This news was welcomed by local tour operators who think that this will solve the problem of checking gorilla permit availability by calling reservations at Uganda Wildlife Authority who in most cases will not pick calls resulting in delays to make sales.

For more information, about gorilla permits online, do not hesitate to contact Encounter Africa Safaris ltd

How To Book Uganda Gorilla Trekking Permit Online

When you have the date you are sure to be travelling for gorilla trekking in uganda, send us an Enquiry to Info@gorilla-tracking-Uganda.com. Our safari consult will check availability as per that day and get back to you as soon as possible. The only way to secure your gorilla permit is by purchasing it immediately. Since they are available to all tour operators, they get sold off faster than when everyone had to call. It is possible that in a very small time someone can purchase a bunch of them and close off availability.

Later we shall need some personal details to collect your gorilla permits from Uganda wildlife Authority. some of these details include, Nationality, your full names as per your passport, passport expiry date and so much more as advised by Uganda Wildlife Authority.

In Case you book your gorilla safari package with us, our driver guide carries the collected gorilla permit card for you and presents it to the officials on the day of trekking.

You receive a certificate with your personal detail and a token for having participated in gorilla trekking. One of the most sought after lifetime primate experiences in Africa

Where To Do Gorilla Trekking In Uganda

Bwindi Impenetrable National park and Mgahinga National park are the only parks in Uganda where gorilla trekking is done. This are is also shared by Rwanda in Volcanoes National park and D.R. Congo in Virunga National Park.

Uganda has about 18 gorilla trekking families open for tourists of which one is in Mgahinga National park. About 1005 mountain gorillas are thought to be living in the world out of which almost half the total number are residents of Uganda.

How To Get To Gorilla Trekking Parks In Uganda

By Road To Bwindi Impenetrable National park

A number of routes can be used to access Bwindi Impenetrable National park by road. Rising up early you to start to start driving and beat heavy jam in the city in case your overnighting in Kampala city or Entebbe is perfect choice. This gives you relaxing drive on the dusty bumpy roads of the remote countryside roads without panicking.

Kampala to Kabale to Rujija to Buhoma

Although still under construction, this road goes through Kabale to Rujiha and Buhoma for about 95 km.

Queen Elizabeth National Park to Kihihi to Buhoma

Queen Elizabeth National Park can be included in your to visit destinations before heading for gorilla trekking.  You need about 5 hours to get to Buhoma depending where your accommodation for this park is located. Bwindi impenetrable National Park Buhoma are is about 160 km from Mweya and 64 km from Ishasha sector all in Queen Elizabeth National Park. during a game drive in the Ishasha sector, you may spot tree climbing lions in the figs.

Kampala to Ntungamo to Rukungiri to Kihihi to Buhoma

Driving nearly 8 hours to 9 hours from the capital Kampala or Entebbe Airport excluding stops the road you head to Rukungiri for about 390 km. Rukungiri is connected by a murram road to Buhoma for approximately 82 km.

Kampala to Kabale to Nkuringo

Driving on the road from Kabale to Nkuringo is about 150 km for approximately 4 hours on a winding murram road

Kampala to Kabale to Kanungu to Buhoma

Depart Kampala city or Entebbe on a tarmac road for about 414 km. the road continues with a curving marram road for about 120 km through Kanungu and Kanyantorogo.

Make enoroute stopover in Kisoro which is 80 km from Nkuringo gorilla tracking area. Continue Kisoro on the road for about 35km before arriving Nkuringo area or you may overnight here. Its possible to catch up with gorilla trekking the following day. Just ensure you arrive at the briefing point in time in order not to miss but you need to drive approximately 1 hour and half to get there

Scheduled Flights or Charter flights to Kisoro or Kihihi Air strip

Each day domestic flights depart Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Air strip to Kihihi or Kisoro Airstrip. You must hire a transfer vehicle to your lodge.

For an upmarket charter flight, you can make prior arrangements from Entebbe Airport or Kajjansi Air strip. Book a transfer vehicle to your lodge in Bwindi. It is necessary because the unfortunately flights do not land in Bwindi Impenetrable national park. everything requires advance arrangements.

How To Get To Mgahinga National Park

By road

Mgahinga National park lies in the fur southern part of Uganda so expect longer driving on the roads. It is approximately 540km from Kampala city driving through Kabale to Kisoro. Expect to be on the roads for not less than 8 to 9 hours excluding enroute stops. You drive on the murram road winds around mountains for about 2 hours to arrive Ntebeko gate the main administrative point of Mgahinga National Park.

Altrenatively you can drive from Rwanda Kigali airport crossing through Cyanika border to Kisoro town then get into Mgahinga National park via Kisoro.

Flights To Mgahinga National park

Domestic daily flights to Kisoro Airstrip area booked with Kajjansi Air strip and Entebbe Airport. Secure a seat on the flight in advance your domestic flight is a very smart move.

You can Charter to Kisoro Airstrip for more private arrangement but you also have book your flights at Kajjansi air strip or Entebbe Airport

What Accommodation To Book For Gorilla Trekking In Uganda

Whether trekking gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National park or Mgahinga National Park, you need to book accommodation within the range of the park. Gorilla accommodations range from Up-Market to Mid-range to Modest facilities. Majority offer full Board services but you must enquire about this before booking.

Booking Bwindi accommodations has a twist of knowing the area where your gorilla permit is booked first before securing accommodation. This is because of the long distance between of connecting one area with another. You must have this prior knowledge to avoid missing out on briefing which is key to gorilla trekking

Accommodations in Bwindi Impenetrable National park include Gorilla Forest Camp, Engage Lodge, Silverback Lodge, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Gorilla Resort, Lake Kitandara Tented Camp, Bwindi View Bandas, Buhoma Community Campsite to mention but a few.

Accommodations in Mgahinga National park include Mutanda Lake Resort, Traveller’s Inn, Kisoro Tourist Hotel, Mgahinga gorilla Triangle, Majambere Iwachu, Community Camp, Mountain Gahinga Lodge, You can overnight close to the park or in Kisoro town.

What Time Do You take To Locate Mountain Gorillas In Uganda

You may take about 2 hours to three quarters of the day to locate the mountain gorillas. In the jungle, you need to fend your own food so the bulky size of the mountain gorillas has to be fed on foliage weighing over 200 pounds per day. Generally, mountain gorillas love munching on bamboo as there delicacy, soft stems, leaves, fruits and ants if found.

This is why trekkers are advised not to spit on the vegetation not even to trample on it carelessly, this is food for the mountain gorillas.

When you locate the mountain gorillas, you have just one hour in front of them but you have to step atleast 8 meters away. You must keep voices low or murmur if you cannot keep quiet while with the gorillas because unfamiliar noise causes suspension about your presence

What Is The Age Limit For Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

Minimum age for uganda gorilla trekking is 15 years. This is because of the nature of the terrain which may require you to hike to find the gorillas. A child below this age may not with stand the forest ground conditions which are slippery too.

The first glance at mountain gorillas may stimulate your adrenaline which may not be easily controlled by a child. In case the child makes noise, the entire forest may go into a rampage.

What Else To Combine with Gorilla trekking In Uganda

 Chimpanzee trekking is next best primate safari in Uganda and Kibale National Park is the key destination for this activity. Other chimpanzee trekking Uganda destinations include Kyambura Gorge, Kaniyo Pabidi forest, Semliki National park, Ngamba chimpanzee sanctuary in Lake Victoria to mention but a few

Game drives in the great national parks of Uganda is super entertaining with because of the variety of habitats that favor there existence. Some of the game parks include Murchison falls National park, Queen Elizabeth National park, Kidepo Valley National park and Lake Mburo National Park.

A few of the animals you may get to see include lions, Rothschild giraffes, cape buffaloes, water bucks, bush bucks, impalas, zebras, warthogs, giant forest hogs, cheetahs, hyenas, rhinos, to mention but a few. Having an open mind during uganda safari gives you time to enjoy the entire wild experience without focusing on one animal.

Sport Fishing In Uganda is enjoyable as the country has a lot of fresh water bodies. You must carry your own fishing equipment and arrange for a boat with its captain in advance. While in Murchison falls national park, you can arrange sport fishing on River Nile in designated areas.

White water rafting on River Nile is a lovely experience as you peddle passed the vigorous tides. The River Nile water staggers over underlying rocks to create super waves. You need to wear your safety gears that the instructors provide.

You do not need experience to enjoy this thrilling adventure because skilled instructors are available to take you through all you need prior to setting off.

Contact us for more information about gorilla permits and visit our trip advisor.