UWA now charges $500 for a gorilla permit for African countries apart from East African Citizens

Uganda recently made changes to the cost of the gorilla permit with an increase in the cost of the permit for the different categories of tourists and, at the same time, introduced a new category: African citizen’s gorilla permit price at $500 per person for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park.

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The changes are effective from 1st July 2024 to 30th June 2026, and all tourists who book the gorilla trek safari before 30th June 2024 are exempted from the tariff increase. Any reschedules made after 30th June 2024 are expected to be paid at the increased rate.

The new gorilla trek safari permit costs, including the new category of African citizens, include the following:

New cost starting 1st.July.2024      Cost till 30th June 2024

 Foreign non-residents                      $800                                                           

$700               

Foreign residents                               $700                                                            

$600

EAC citizens                                         UGX 300 000                                             

UGX 250 000

African citizens                                    $500

The permit cost per person and the inclusion of African citizens at $500 per person for African citizens is to bring in more tourists to experience the gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park.

On the other hand, the gorilla habituation permit costs more than the regular gorilla trek permit because you get to spend 4 hours instead of one with the gorillas during the habituation process. The cost of the gorilla habituation permit is as follows:

Foreign non-residents $1500

Foreign residents $1000

East African citizens UGX 750, 000

African citizens (not EAC) $1000.

How to get a gorilla permit in Uganda

If you plan on having a gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation safari in Uganda, you must first purchase the gorilla permit. A gorilla permit is a legal document or receipt that the Uganda Wildlife Authority issues, and because it sells out fast, all tourists have to book the permit in advance (6 to 12 months) or more to avoid last-minute planning and missing out on the gorilla trek safari.

Encounter Africa Safaris is here to help you book and purchase the gorilla permits, and with years of experience, they can also help organize the entire trip for you. Get in touch with us to help you determine the best course on how to purchase the permit. Once you decide on the dates and contact us, you will be asked to provide details like your name, how many permits you are purchasing, the desired dates, and a copy of your passport. This information will be used to check and see whether the permits are available on your chosen dates, and after confirmation, you will be required to send in payment because no purchase can be made without payment. And ensure that the payment is not made on an individual's account but the company account.

After payment confirmation, the permit will be purchased on your behalf, and a copy will be provided (sent to your email). Ensure the details provided during the booking process are correct because changing them after purchasing the permit will be hard.

What you need to know about gorilla trek permits in Uganda.

Gorilla permits are an essential part of gorilla trekking but before purchasing one, but there are a few things that you need to know about the permits before you purchase them, and these include:

• Do not forget to check out the tour operator's history before booking for the permit by reading views on TripAdvisor and using word of mouth.
• The permit cost is constant no matter where you buy them from, and changes to the price can only be made by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, and official announcements are made.
• Never send money for booking and purchasing the gorilla permit on personal accounts using MoneyGram, express, and Western Union. Use only accounts for the business and, if possible, have a credit card payment system.
• There are so many frauds online, and they sometimes use the AUTO logo, and that is why you are advised to carry out thorough research.
• The permit can only be used by one person and cannot be exchanged.
• Reschedules are allowed, but an extra charge comes with this.
• The permit can only be used in the sector you have been allocated to and is valid for only the date printed on it.

Requirements for getting a gorilla permit in Uganda

One of the most important things you need is a valid passport with every detail. It will be the first thing that will be asked to be able to book the gorilla permit, which is used to verify the trekkers' dates. The permit will not be issued if you are discovered to be below 15 years old.

What is included in the gorilla permit?

The gorilla permit includes the following:

• Two armed ranger
• English speaking guide
• A tracker

On the other hand, the gorilla trek permit cost does not include international flights, accommodation, travel insurance, personal purchases, meals, and other safari activities.

Rescheduling of gorilla permits in Uganda

One can reschedule their gorilla trek permit for many reasons, including the loss of a loved one, missed flights, sickness, and any other valid reason. Rescheduling a gorilla permit means that the dates on the old permits have to be changed, including accommodation. The dates must be changed so that the gorilla permit dates match the accommodation dates. The rescheduling can easily be done through Encounter Africa Safaris, and all you need to do is rightly reschedule your flights to match the chosen dates.

Note that you need to provide proof and a good reason for the rescheduling, and these need to be attached to your rescheduled letter before being submitted for review to the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The reschedules should, however, be done at least two weeks before the original trek dates.

Where to go for gorilla trekking in Uganda

Gorilla trekking or gorilla tracking is the process of hiking through the thick forests and terrains in search of the endangered Mountain gorillas. The activity does not have a time limit as it can take between an hour to 6 hours depending on where the gorilla family you have been assigned is located and the weather conditions of the day you are trekking gorillas.

Uganda has the largest Mountain gorillas in the world. Trekking is available in two national parks: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park in southwestern Uganda. By 2021, there were 21 habituated gorilla families in Uganda, but as of 2024, more gorilla families have been introduced and are now open for trekking.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has about 26 habituated gorilla families, whereas Mgahinga National Park has one habituated gorilla family known as the Nyakagezi gorilla family. The Uganda Wildlife Authority issues 176 gorilla permits per day, and 8 of these are for Mgahinga National Park.

The gorilla trekking experience

Gorilla trekking in both Bwindi and Mgahinga starts early in the morning with a briefing from the lead guide about the gorilla trekking expectations and the rules and regulations that must be followed during the trek. Bwindi has four sectors: Nkuringo, Buhoma, Ruhija, and Rushaga. After the briefing, you will be assigned gorilla families, and the trek starts at one of the trailheads. The briefing is usually done at the headquarters, and some of the rules and regulations that are followed during the trek include the following:

• The age limit for trekking is 12 years, and anyone younger than this is not allowed to trek gorillas in Uganda.
• Eight people are allowed to trek with a gorilla family per day.
• You only get to spend one hour with the gorillas during the gorilla trek and 4 hours during the habituation gorilla process.
• Avoid making noise when trekking the gorillas because it disrupts them.
• You are not allowed to use your flash when taking photos of the gorillas.
• Drinking and eating are not allowed when you are with the gorillas.
• No one is allowed to smoke when trekking and when with the gorillas.
• All sick people will not be allowed to trek gorillas, especially when you have flu and cough.
• When you feel like sneezing and coughing with the gorillas, cover your mouth and turn away from them.
• Avoid littering the national park.
• The minimum distance that you should put between you and the gorillas is 7 meters, and this is to keep them safe.
• Follow all the guidelines given to you by the guides because they know more about the area you are trekking in than you do.
• All human waste must be disposed of properly by digging a hole 30cm deep and covering it properly.

After locating the gorillas, all groups get to spend an hour with the primates, and after that one hour, you will all return to the trailheads and back to the headquarters, where you will be awarded a gorilla trek certificate. And after this, you can participate in other activities per your itinerary. You should also note that the one hour can be cut short if the guides believe the gorillas are agitated.

What to pack for your gorilla safari in Uganda

When organizing a gorilla safari to Uganda, you need to pack right because the essential things you need to pack will ensure that you have a good or lousy safari. Below is a list of things you must bring for your safari.

• Your documents include a gorilla permit, valid passport, necessary receipts, and visa.
• Long-sleeved shirts and trousers/lightweight pants. These should be in a neutral color to easily blend in with the environment.
• Refillable and foldable water bottles and snacks
• A camera, extra batteries, storage, and lenses
• Binoculars
• Strong hike boots (waterproof, lightweight, and ankle-length hike boots)
• A sunhat, sunscreen, and sunglasses
• Insect repellent
• First aid kit
• waterproof backpack
• Raincoat and warm sweaters
• Gaiters
• Thick socks to keep warm.

The newly introduced category of tourists: African citizens will give chance to many tourists from other parts of the African continent besides East Africa to go for gorilla trekking and enjoy the primates that can only be trekked in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

When/best time to go for a gorilla safari in Uganda

Gorilla trekking or tracking in Uganda is an all-year-round activity, and tourists can visit at any time of the year if they wish to see the Mountain gorillas. There are two seasons of travel for gorilla trekking in Uganda: the dry and wet seasons. The dry season is experienced twice a year, from June to September and December to February, and this is known to be the best time to go for gorilla trekking because the weather during this period is conducive to dry trek routes. The gorillas are also easily spotted during the dry season.

On the other hand, the wet season is also experienced twice, with the short wet season from October to November and the long wet season from March to May. This is an excellent season to go gorilla trekking in Uganda, not only because there are fewer crowds compared to the dry season but also because the cost of the entire safari is low, which is not the case with the dry season. The only downside about traveling during this period is the heavy rains and muddy trek routes that are also slippery, making it hard to trek the gorillas.

Contact us and let us plan for your dream gorilla trek safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. For proper planning, the safari has to be booked in advance to avoid last-minute disappointments.