What Happens To Unsold Gorilla Permits In Uganda And Rwanda By UWA And RDB?

A gorilla permit not sold in Uganda or Rwanda is like a plane seat not sold because gorilla permits are sold daily. For every gorilla permit sold, support for the conservation of the mountain gorillas is increased. 

By the 1980s, the population of the mountain gorillas had dwindled to about 300 per the population census carried out by American primatologist Dian Fossey and team. The plight of the mountain gorillas was brought to the concern of the conservation bodies, both internal and external, to save their existence to date.

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Although the mountain gorilla permits for Uganda and Rwanda sell out fast, especially during the dry season that runs through June, July, August, September, December, and January, sometimes they are not sold in some seasons.

During the low season in March, April, May, and November, demand for mountain gorilla permits is less than the peak season. Chances of going solo on the day of gorilla trekking are high during the low season when few people are booked.

 In Uganda, gorilla trekking happens in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park, located in southwestern Uganda. Uganda Wildlife Authority ( UWA) is the only body regulating and governing mountain gorilla permits and safaris.

Rwanda gorilla trekking safaris happen in Volcanoes National Park, located in the western part of the country. Rwanda Development Board ( RDB) is the only body that governs and regulates the flow of the gorilla permits.

What Happens To Unsold Gorilla Permits?

Unsold gorilla permits are deemed a loss to the mountain gorilla conservation fund as a lot of money is required to sustain the existence of the mountain gorillas. Within the cost of the gorilla permit is the support of mountain gorilla conservation campaign and community support. For every gorilla permit not sold, the expected funds to support the running of these projects are reduced. 

What Causes Unsold Gorilla Permits for Either Uganda Or Rwanda?

The difference in gorilla permit cost

The Rwanda gorilla trekking permit costs $1500 per person per trek. The Uganda gorilla permit cost is currently $ 800 per person per trek. The difference in gorilla permit cost between Uganda and Rwanda may be why some tourists find time to check whether to do gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda. You can also do gorilla trekking in Uganda through Rwanda, about a 5 or 6-hour drive through the Gatuna or Cyanika border.

Uganda introduced the gorilla habituation experience in 2014. 

It is an adventure where four tourists escort a team of habituators in the wilderness to follow a semi-habituated gorilla family in the wilderness and spend four hours with them.

The current cost of the gorilla habituation experience permit is $1500 per person per trek, equivalent to the Rwanda gorilla permit, where you are allowed one hour with the mountain gorillas.

With this in mind, the Rwanda gorilla trekking permits may sell out slowly compared to the Uganda Gorilla permits.

Need for more marketing of the gorilla trekking permits

The marketing strategies for Rwanda and Uganda gorilla trekking safaris still need more support. Rwanda is selling the campaign of Visit Rwanda through supporting the Arsenal football club shirts.

Worldwide, during the summer holiday and other festive times like Christmas 

or New Year's gets to its peak. However, the scramble to purchase the gorilla permit has yet to reach this world safari demand level.

To open more alternative means of selling the gorilla permits and spreading information about the mountain gorillas is required.

There is a need to tell the world more about the existence of mountain gorillas other than the picture portrayed through gorilla animations and films that depict them as violent primates.

Presence Of Optional Safari Activities: An Alternative For Gorilla Trekking

Within Uganda are other activities like chimpanzee trekking, golden monkeys trekking, game drives, visiting the source of the river Nile, and others, which one can do at the exact cost of an entire gorilla permit. Rwanda has limited options of activities to combine with gorilla trekking, and those present are still recovering from the shambles of the 1994 Rwanda genocide. Alternative activities you can combine with gorilla trekking in Rwanda include visiting the genocide memorial, chimpanzee trekking, game driving, boat trip, etc.

Some tourists with extra time on holiday may choose to do alternative safari activities in Uganda or Rwanda rather than spend money purchasing a single gorilla permit.

Which Is The Best Country For Gorilla Trekking, Uganda And Rwanda?

That moment when you stand before the mountain gorillas is unmatched as you immerse yourself in the wildlife of the mountain gorillas. Some say you immediately catch amnesia about what may have happened while preparing for gorilla trekking.

Some differences in whether to do gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda may include

The cost of a gorilla permit

The Uganda gorilla permit costs $800 per person per trek, while the Rwanda gorilla permit costs $1500 per person per trek. This difference in gorilla trekking is what some tourists base on to choose doing gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda.

 Number gorilla trekking destinations

Uganda has two national parks open for gorilla trekking, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. Uganda hosts almost half the total number of the world's mountain gorillas.

Number of gorilla permits open.

Currently, Uganda has 152 gorilla permits open for public booking of 19 gorilla families. Two gorilla families are open for gorilla habituation experience and 8 gorilla permits.

Rwanda currently has 96 gorilla trekking permits open for public booking from 15 gorilla families. 

Time taken from the airport to gorilla trekking destinations

The drive time from Kigali airport to Volcanoes National Park is about 3 hours. The drive time from Entebbe Airport to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is about 8 to 9 hours. You can also do gorilla trekking in Uganda through Rwanda, a drive which is out 5 hours to 6 hours.

Alternative activities to combine with gorilla trekking

Uganda has a variety of optional activities to combine with gorilla trekking, which includes visiting the source of the river Nile, white water rafting, game drives in different game parks, chimpanzee trekking, and several others.

Rwanda is limited to optional activities combined with gorilla trekking, including visiting the genocide memorial, chimpanzee trekking, game drives, and others.

Least Number Of Days On Gorilla Safari

The few days you can be on a gorilla safari in Rwanda is 2 days, while the least number of days you can be on Uganda gorilla safari is 3 days.

Can I Do Gorilla Trekking In Uganda Through Rwanda?

To shorten the direct drive from Entebbe airport to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park, you can take the Kigali to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park drive, which lasts about 5 to 6 hours.

Alternatively, you can break your journey by visiting Uganda National Parks, such as Lake Mburo National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park for game drives, Kibale National Park for chimpanzee trekking, and Others.

Can I Resell My Gorilla Permit?

Suppose you cannot do gorilla trekking even after obtaining a gorilla permit. Reselling it is impossible, especially if you directly booked it from the Uganda Wildlife Authority or Rwanda Development Board. When you book the gorilla permit through a Rwanda or Uganda Tour Operator, chances of reselling that permit may be available, though not guaranteed.

Gorilla permit resell may be possible before the date of gorilla trekking, and beyond that, the gorilla permit is deemed invalid.

Can I Reschedule My Gorilla Trekking Permits?

When you secure the gorilla permit, you are ready to be part of this world adventure experience. Sometimes, you may be incapable of traveling due to unavoidable circumstances, but hope to travel later. You can reschedule your gorilla trekking date as follows.

Write to the Rwanda Development Board or Uganda Wildlife Authority requesting to reschedule your gorilla trekking date. State the new date to which you wish the gorilla permit to be moved.

If you have some evidence, attach it, as this will be a backup for your request.

Upon approval, your gorilla permit is moved according to the prevailing gorilla permit availability status.

NOTE:

Uganda accepts two free gorilla permit reschedules on the same permit. If you wish to reschedule the third time, the executive director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority is the only one to approve.

Rwanda development board charges on gorilla permit reschedule.

When Is The Best Time To Book A Gorilla Permit?

Booking the gorilla permit in Uganda or Rwanda is best in advance. The gorilla permits for the peak season sell out fast: June, July, August, September, December, and January. It's better to secure your gorilla permit for the peak season at least 6 months to a year upfront. As the season draws closer, options for finding gorilla permit availability become scarce.

You can also purchase your gorilla permit three months before the trekking date. However, expect some challenges in finding availability, especially for those interested in a particular area or gorilla family.

Chances of finding gorilla permit availability during the peak season are next to none, but during the low season, gorilla permits may be available. The low tourism season normally runs from March, April, May and November.

Can I Purchase The Gorilla Permit In Instalment?

Purchasing the gorilla permit installment is accepted by Uganda Wildlife Authority and Rwanda Development Board, which is 30% and 70%, respectively. To qualify for a gorilla permit installment purchase, you must have booked your gorilla permit 90 days before the gorilla trekking date and remember to top up before elapse of 90 days before the trekking date.

Please top up your gorilla permit to avoid a penalty.

When you purchase your gorilla permit in full, you ensure you remember to top it up. A gorilla permit not topped up within the period stated is returned to the list of gorilla permits available.

In Uganda, Can I Use A Gorilla Permit From Another Area To Trek In Another Area?

Gorilla permits for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are purchased according to the area. Bwindi Forest is subdivided into Buhoma Area, Ruhija Area, Rushaga Area, and Nkuringo Area. Once you are reserved for gorilla trekking in a particular area, you must be in that area. The Uganda gorilla permits are preserved according to the area. Each area has a limited number of permits, and so an additional person is not accepted for conservation reasons. A maximum 8 persons are allowed to visit each gorilla family per day.

What To Pack For Gorilla Trekking In Uganda And Rwanda?

• A sweater or warm attire to wear in the morning or late afternoon when the weather gets too cold. Sometimes temperatures drop as low as 7 degrees centigrade.
• Safari boots to wear in the wilderness when walking wild searching for mountain gorillas and other forest dwellers. They must be comfortable to take you through the soggy ground and sharp surfaces.
• Insect repellant to keep away biting insects in the wilderness that would harm you while searching to locate the mountain gorillas
• Some cash to exchange into local currency when purchasing anything on the ground. Credit cards are not usually used in Africa because of the lengthy procedure of collecting money from them.
• Energy bites give you extra energy because breakfast is taken so early to last all the time you are in the wilderness.
• A waterproof backpack to carry with your belongings when searching for the mountain gorillas. Even when you hire a porter, it is easier to hand them over to be carried. 
• Pajamas are warm enough to take you through the cold night.
• First aid kit to carry with your emergency treatment in case you need it in the wilderness.
• Duffel bag to carry with your safari belongings.
• Safari hat to cover your hair with in case moisture drips from the trees into your hair.

Contact us for more information about booking gorilla permits in Uganda and Rwanda.