Uganda Wildlife Authority Gives Availability Of Gorilla Permits To Uganda Tour Operators

Phone call availability checking for gorilla trekking permits in the past was the only way to confirm to travelers interested in gorillas trekking that there is space for them to be part of this adventure but Uganda Wildlife Authority Gives Availability Of Gorilla Permits To Uganda Tour Operators now.

This process was however so long and annoying at times because of the long que of calls from all over the world that one had to go through including those wanting others park services. This congestion was so unbearable at times even to the tour operators on ground. Some Uganda tour operators would walk and sit in the reservation office the entire day in order to have quicker access to availability of gorillas permits for the day’s enquiries from the counter. This was costly especially for those whose offices are located on the outskirts of the city.

For this reason, the Uganda Wildlife Authority found it worth to avail the status of the Uganda gorilla permits  for the rest of the world to see but this created backlash with local tour operators. This applies to registered Uganda Tour Operators in case you have to go through an on ground company.

What Was The Gorilla Permit Availability Resolution From Uganda Wildlife Authority

Uganda wildlife Authority followed the example of Rwanda Development Board in providing availability to Uganda Tour Operators. Every morning Rwanda Development board provides/sends a spread sheet to all registered Tour operators in Rwanda showing all available gorilla permits for a given period. This helps tour operators to provide availability of gorilla permits to their international Agents and individual tourist

On 5th August 2014, Uganda Wildlife Authority provided the first gorilla permit spread sheet to Registered tour operators through their umbrella organization-The Association of Uganda Tour Operators. This was followed by another one on 10th August meaning that UWA is willing to work with the new board of AUTO to ease availability of gorilla permit.

Initially all Tour operators would have to call Uganda Wildlife Authority reservations office to find out gorilla and chimp permit availability and this would take some time this department is understaffed and staff would take long to respond resulting into delays and sometimes loss of business. With this new development, we can now provide availability in the shortest possible time

This development was arrived at when the new AUTO board discussed with UWA on best ways to improve their service and relationship. It should be noted that the relationship had went sour when UWA proposed that it was going to put gorilla permits online to be viewed and booked by all. AUTO condemned this at it was going to push Uganda Tour Operators out of Business since a gorilla permit is a bite to sell other attractions in Uganda. Following a select committee’ recommendation, it was later decided that gorilla permits be put online but the right to view and book them should be given to only registered Uganda tour operators. As Uganda Wildlife Authority is planning to put gorilla permits online, they have for the meantime followed Rwanda by supplying a spread sheet to all Tour operators in order to provide a picture of available permits for a given period of time

Why Book Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari

Biggest Number Of Gorilla Families

Uganda has the biggest number of mountain gorilla families open for tourists viewing. The country has about 19 gorilla trekking families residing in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. These live in gorilla trekking areas under which gorilla permits are booked. Some of the Uganda gorilla families include Mubale family, Habiyanja family, Oruzogo family, Nkuringo Family, Bweza family, Nshonji family, Chrismas family, Nyakagezi family and others.

Safe Gorilla Trekking Experience

Although gorilla trekking in Uganda is in a volcanic area, no trace of an active Volcano has been recorded in this area as of now. You are sure to trek the mountain gorillas to the last minute and not be bounces off the ground because of an erupting volcano like Nyirangogo in Virunga National Park

The Park rangers and wardens do a joint security check with other Uganda security organs in the country to ensure that safety is maximized for trekkers. Two ranger guides with one-armed escort every group of gorilla trekkers. The one with a machete trims the obstructing vegetation along the trails while another with a riffle look out for any dangers that befall the group like harmful wild animals that may attack.

Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National park is not so strenuous compared to the counterparts. So expect not to hike very steep slopes that can make you extremely tired especially if your level of fitness is not so good.

Personal safety is encouraged first to prevent missing gorillas trekking. Avoid eating from undesignated places because you may get food poisoning, which may cost you the gorilla trek. Wear the right gorilla trekking gears as listed in our what to wear during gorilla trekking page. This is to give you protection against the rough conditions in the forest. During gorilla trekking, stay closer to the rest of the group so that you are not lost in the forest.

Chances Of Booking Other Uganda Safari Activities After Gorilla trekking

After gorilla trekking, connecting to do other Africa safari activities is quicker and with a wide range of choices to choose from.

While on Uganda Safari, you can connect for chimpanzee trekking, game safaris, launch trips, fishing, birding, visit source of River Nile, Bungee jumping, white water rafting and so much more.

You just need a well-tailored itinerary to soot your needs of an Africa Safari without backtracking.

A wide Range Of Transport means to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park

Uganda has a transport provision for one to reach the gorilla trekking parks. In case you are not found of siting to drive a long time on the road you can book a fly in gorilla trekking package. The drive from Entebbe Airport or Kampala is 530 km taking about 8 to 9 hours on the bumpy dusty roads. The domestic daily flight from Entebbe or Kajjansi to Kihihi Airstrip may take about 1 hour and 45 minutes then transfer to the lodge for about 2 hours. The choice of how to get there is yours to make depending on your budget.

Cost of Uganda Gorilla Trekking Permit

Uganda’s gorilla trekking Permit is lower than Rwanda gorilla trekking permit. The price of the permit is $700 per person per trek for foreign non residents, $600 for foreign residents, 250,000 shs for East African locals. In Rwanda the cost of gorilla permit for a foreign none residents is $1500 per person. One can use the rest of the balance to cover others safari components like accommodation, meals in case the lodge has bed and breakfast services to mention but a few.

How To Book Uganda Gorilla Trekking Permits

You must have a confirmed to tentative date and year when you wish to do gorilla trekking. This is because the permits are booked per day throughout the years. Our safari consultant gets back to you after checking the status of the gorilla permits.

Finding availability does not guarantee that the status of the gorilla permit will remains the same. People book gorilla permits from all over the world so you must reserve yours by purchasing it as soon as possible. No one is allowed to preserve a permit for anyone without payment.

Even tour operators have no access to the permit reserving button because first come first served basis is followed. To confirm that you are interested in the gorilla safari, you need to reserve a gorilla trekking permit.

You are later required to provide some personal details like full names on the passport, date of birth, nationality, passport expiry date and so much more.

Which Area Is Best For gorilla trekking in Uganda

Only Bwindi Impenetrable National park has the policy of reserving the gorilla permits according to area. This is because of its vast size, which doesn’t provide quick access from one area to another.

Bwindi Impenetrable National park has four gorilla trekking areas that is Ruhijah area, Buhoma area, Nkuringo area and Rushaga area. Each area has gorilla families to which trekkers are assigned after briefing. This was reached at to enable all gorilla families to be visited often because when not visited they can return to there wild nature. The process of gorilla habituation is time consuming and very expensive too.

The best area for gorilla trekking depends on what you wish to see and achieve from your safari. Each gorilla family just like humans has members with different moods like those with infants act different from those with many members, those with playful juveniles all display different behavior.

No matter where you trek the mountain gorillas, the experience of coming face to face with them is memorable and unmatched.

What Is The Age Limit For Gorilla Trekking In Uganda

15 years and above is the age limit for gorilla trekking in Uganda. The time of locating the mountain gorillas is unknown making it quite difficult to withstand for a child below this age.

The nature of the topography of this area is covered with volcanic work so one needs to climb ridges and other highlands to get to the mountain gorillas. A child below this age may not withstand all these conditions. In case they get tired before arriving where the mountain gorillas are, it is hard to return.

First glance at the mountain gorillas is usually frightening making it hard for a child below this age to contain. Once anyone shouts, the mountain gorillas may get so scared and move into hiding denying the rest of the trekkers chance to enjoy them.

At times the gorillas tease there visitors by walking over and touch your hair. This provoking act is hard to contain for a child below this age which may cause a rampage in the forest.

How To Book Gorilla Trekking Safari In Uganda Through Rwanda

Rwanda and Uganda share the Virunga area and therefore you can arrive in Rwanda and trek mountain gorillas in Uganda. The drive from Kigali Airport to Bwindi Impenetrable National park may take about 6 to 7 hours.

Book the Uganda gorilla permit in advance from Uganda Wildlife Authority because none is sold on ground. The permits are very few and always sold off quick because of the high demand worldwide. Wait listing you for a gorilla permit in Bwindi Impenetrable National park is very risky because you are not sure if there will be a no show.

You need to apply for an East African visa to let you go though both countries quickly and avoid queuing at the border to apply for a visa. Two border points can be used from Rwanda into Uganda and vice versa, that is Katuna and Cyanika border.

In case you want to do self drive and you are a first time travelers, we highly do not recommend this. This is because of the nature of the roads in this area and even google map is not yet wet coordinated to show the actual routes to follow.

What Else To Do With Gorilla Trekking In Uganda

Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda is not so fur from the gorilla trekking area. You may decide to go to Kibale National park which is Africa’s primate haven, Kyambura gorge, Kaniyo Pabidi and others. Chimpanzees have a DNA similar to that of humans bringing them closer to being the human cousins in animal kingdom.

Game drive safaris in Uganda can be arranged with gorilla trekking. Uganda is endowed with a numbers of game parks that are gifted with a variety of wild animals. some of the game parks include Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Murchison Falls National park and Kidepo Valley National park. Here you may get to see animals like lions, leopards, zebras, hyenas, herds of elephants, buffaloes, water bucks, bush bucks, Uganda Kobs, cheetahs, Jackals and others.

White Water rafting on River Nile is thrilling and very fantastic activity to enjoy. You do not need to have experience to enjoy this. Instructors are in place to take you though a short training and then get on the tube boat.

Fishing safari in Uganda a country gifted by many rivers, lakes and other fresh water bodies. You need to book in advance and come with own fishing equipment. You can catch fish like Nile Perch, Tilapia, Cut fish, Lung Fish and others.

Primate trekking in uganda where you may get to see monkeys like black and white colobus, red tailed monkeys, L’Hoest”s, grey cheeked mangabey, olive baboons, blue monkeys and others.

Birding in Uganda is one of the best in Africa because of a variety of habitats where birds can reside. For keen birders, you can arrange birding in advance and even during gorilla trekking you can be given an area where most of the Uganda birding experience if felt like Ruhijaf area.

At Encounter Africa Safaris, we do book gorilla and chimpanzee permits on behalf of our clients free of charge as long as you book an all inclusive tour package with us. Please do provide us with all your travel plans and we will give you adequate advice

Now that Uganda Wildlife Authority Gives Availability Of Gorilla Permits To Uganda Tour Operators, please contact us to check availability for your permits and check out our trip advisor for client’s experiences with us.