Uganda Wildlife Authority still overs USD450 gorilla permits to AUTO members in Uganda only. It should be noted that Uganda Wildlife Authority used to offer discounted gorilla permits in low season months of April, May and November but due to changes in tariffs both in Uganda and Rwanda, this offer was scrapped off for 2018. Each permit would go for USD450.00 as compared to the normal gorilla permit price of USD600 in Uganda. This meant that a tourist travelling and trekking mountain gorillas in April May and November would save USD150.00 off his or her gorilla permit.

More about USD450 gorilla permits to AUTO Members

The offer of USD450 gorilla permits to AUTO members was initiated in 2016 and was a result of the continued good working relationship between Uganda Wildlife Authority and AUTO which is the Association of Uganda Tour Operators. Members of Association of Uganda Tour Operators are the leading buyers of gorilla permits from Uganda Wildlife Authority and as a way of giving back and supporting AUTO, Uganda wildlife Authority decided to offer this to AUTO Members.

These USD450 gorilla permits to AUTO members by Uganda Wildlife Authority are not offered daily but at least thrice in a year. The number of gorilla permits given to AUTO depend on the total sales in a given period let’s say three months. Its from this that UWA determines the portion of permits to be offered to AUTO members is determined. Once the portion is determined, UWA communicates to AUTO about the available permits and members are informed about it.

Who benefits from USD450 gorilla permits to AUTO

Members of Association of Uganda Tour Operators are the ones that benefit from this offer. The discount goes to them and not the clients. All those companies in Uganda that want to benefit from this must register with AUTO. Encounter Africa Safaris Ltd is a member of AUTO and as such a beneficially.

Process of Booking USD450 gorilla permits to AUTO members

When the Association of Tour Operators receive communication from UWA, they in turn communicate to their member through email about the availability of these permits. Because of the many members, each company is allotted about 2 gorilla permits on any date and region of their choice. Each member of AUTO is supposed to apply for these permits and wait for approval. Once approved, each member is supposed to pay to AUTO and then AUTO takes the list to UWA. With these USD450 gorilla permits to AUTO among other factors has improved the working relationship between Uganda Wildlife Authority and Association of Uganda Tour Operators.