Where to buy or book your gorilla permit in Uganda or Rwanda

Where to buy or book your gorilla permit in Uganda or Rwanda. The Uganda wildlife Authority is the selling body for all Uganda permits. The Rwanda Gorilla Trekking permits are sold by Rwanda development Board. These two bodies have the mandate to regulate all National Parks in the countries where they are.

To be allowed to participate in gorilla trekking safari in Africa, you need to acquire a permit per the country of trekking that is Uganda or Rwanda. It is the entry ticket for all activities that happen in the parks.

Uganda has two Gorilla trekking parks that is Bwindi Impenetrable National park and Mgahinga National Park. All these lie in south Western part of Uganda sharing a Board with Virunga National park in Congo and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.

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

 Any birding safari in Uganda must include a visit to Bwindi Impenetrable National park or Mgahinga national park apart from doing gorilla trekking in these Parks.

 Rwanda’s gorilla trekking park is Volcanoes National Park located in the northern sector of the country. A part from gorilla trekking, the park is home to other primates like golden monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabey, vervet monkeys, black and white colobus and others. Volcanoes National Park is home to over 90 bird species of which 13 species are endemic listed on the red list of IUCN.

What Is the Cost Of Gorilla Trekking Permits In Uganda or Rwanda

At the moment, the Uganda gorilla trekking permits costs $700 per person per trek. You must pay fully in order to obtain this card, which contains some for your personal details. You need to provide details like your full names as per your passport, your nationality, date of birth, passport expiry date and others.

 Gorilla permits for Bwindi Impenetrable National park in Uganda are sold according to area that is Buhoma area, Ruhija area, Nkuringo area and Rushaga area.

For anyone to book accommodation in any of these area of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you must know where your permit is booked. This is because of the vast size of the park, which requires a long distance to connect by road from one area to another. At times, the roads are impassable or logs cut off access to the other side.

All these obstacles may hinder you from arriving at the briefing point in case you overnighted in another area. When you miss briefing, you may not be allowed to do gorilla trekking in Uganda

 Rwanda gorilla permit currently cost $1500 per person per trek. You must provide some personal details too for accountability purpose and annual Rwanda development Board analysis

What Is Included In The Gorilla Permit Cost

Selling the gorilla trekking permits is one of the ways to raise funds to support there sustainable existence. Part of the money is park entrance, ranger guide salary, gorilla medication, certificate of accomplishment after gorilla trekking and much more.

Annually 20% of the total proceed obtained from the sale of the gorilla trekking permits is given back to the community to support their projects. Some of the community projects include schools, hospital, roads and much more. Its one way of bringing the community to love the existence of the mountain gorillas amongst them.

How To Buy Gorilla Trekking Permits In Uganda Or Rwanda

 You must know the date when you wish to do gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda. It may be a confirmed date or tentative so advise your safari consultant in advance.

 Knowing the number of people travelling with or an estimated number of people you hope to include in your party helps a lot in booking the gorilla permits.

Send your Enquiry about your dates and the number of times you wish to trek the mountain gorillas. Some travelers want to do double gorilla trekking while others wish to do gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda. The choice of where to go gorilla trekking is yours to make and at Encounter Africa Safaris we advise you accordingly.

Our safari consultants then check availability per your request depending on the status of the day. As a registered member of Uganda Tourism Board and Rwanda Development Board, Encounter Africa Safaris is one of the lucky companies to excess the Uganda Wildlife Authority or Rwanda Development Board gorilla permit availability lists.

The Safari Consultant gets back to you as soon as possible in case there is availability. Since we have no entry into the gorilla permit booking system, we cannot reserve a permit for anyone without payments. This is a policy by Uganda Wildlife Authority because they use first come first served basis.

 Since only 8 gorilla trekking permits are released for the public to book per gorilla family, they get sold out fast because of the high demand worldwide.

We request all our clients to purchase there permits as soon as availability is obtained because status changes any time especially in the peak season that is June to October and December to January.

Is It Possible To Pay For A Gorilla Trekking Permit In Instalments In Uganda or Rwanda

Yes and no depending on the terms and conditions set by Uganda Wildlife Authority or Rwanda Development Board for this arrangement.

When you buy a gorilla trekking permit at least earlier than 90 days to the date of your gorilla trek, a certain percentage of payment for it may be accepted. This is on condition that you top up before 90 days to the trek day.

Paying for your gorilla trekking permit is the only confirmation for your interest in taking this adventure.

Which Is The Best Country For Gorilla Trekking Of Uganda And Rwanda.

In general, gorilla trekking experience is a lifetime adventure in the jungle no matter where you trek.

In Rwanda, the distance to travel from Kigali Air to Volcanoes National park is about three hours going through meandering roads with lash green vegetation cover. In Uganda, the distance travelled on the road to get to Bwindi Impenetrable National park or Mgahinga National park is about 530 km and 540 km respectively. This may last close to 8 hours to 9 hours

The cost of the Rwanda gorilla trekking permit is currently $1500 per person, the Uganda gorilla trekking permit cost is currently $700 per person.

During gorilla trekking in Rwanda, you can overnight in in Kigali the capital of this country before the date of the trek. In Uganda, it is impossible to overnight in Kampala the capital of Uganda and trek the gorilla in Bwindi or Mgahinga National Park the next day.

Driving for gorilla trekking experience in Uganda through Rwanda is possible in about 6 hours other than driving through Uganda to do go trekking in Rwanda without making stop overs. The journey on the road is very long and so tiring.

Uganda is endowed with a variety of other activities that you can combine with gorilla trekking like white water rafting on River Nile, Chimpanzee trekking, game drives, Boat trips and others.

Rwanda on the other hand is limited on where to go for safaris. Some of its major tourist’s attractions other than mountain gorillas include game drives in Akagera National park and Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe National park.

 The mountain gorillas of Mgahinga National park in Uganda are unreliable because at times they meander into Uganda or D.R.Congo. It is only one gorilla trekking family in this are called Nyakagezi gorilla family. All Rwanda gorilla families are steadily seem in its boundaries all year round.

Are Mountain gorillas Dangerous

Mountain gorillas are some of the most serene and shy creatures in the wilderness despite there sheer size. Mountain gorillas have a huge body structure covered in dark fur with sunken brown eyes.  Despite there physical appearance, mountain gorillas love being peaceful and have never attacked anyone in the history of gorilla trekking.

Wild mountain gorilla families to be confirmed ready for tourists visits have to undergo habituation. This is the activity of getting a gorilla family used to the presence of humans without altering there nature. It is one of the ways to create a relationship with the mountain gorillas respecting there nature.

You need to follow the instructions given during briefing that is no provoking the mountain gorillas, stay close to the group so that you do not look suspicious of ambushing the gorilla family you are trekking.

What Time Do You Locate The Mountain Gorillas

Locating the mountain gorillas may be between 2 hours from the starting time to three quarters of the day.  There movement may not be fast but they need to look for there own food. They are generally vegetarian and must consume enough food that should take them throughout day night.

Mountain gorillas usually do not feed very far from where they spent there night so when you locate the seemly fresh nests know that you may be getting close to seeing them.

They feed from a certain location for some time until when food is exhausted so that is why you follow the trail leading to where they were last seen the previous day.

In case they have a fight with a wild family, the mountain gorillas may relocate to another area in case they are the losers.

 When the gorilla family losses a family member, they mourn too so if you visit during this time, you may find it challenging to locate the mountain gorillas.

A family with a newborn is excited and you may find them in a happy mood.

Such moments contribute to time of finding the mountain gorillas and the vibe you get from visiting the family. Just like humans, they have moods too despite the fact that they are wild animals.

How Difficult Is Gorilla Trekking In Uganda And Rwanda

The Virunga area where mountain gorillas live is generally mountainous but different gorilla families occupy different positions according to conditions in the forest.

 In Rwanda, the Volcanoes National Park topography is surrounded by 5 mountains that is Karisimbi, Gahinga Mountain, Muhabura Mountain, Sabyinyo Mountain and Bisoke Mountains. These make the entire area more steep compared to other gorilla trekking Parks.

In Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park topography is fairly low compared to other gorilla trekking parks.

What Is The Age Limit For Gorilla Trekking In Uganda And Rwanda

15 years and above is the age limit for gorilla trekking. This because a lot of patience is required to stay searching for the gorillas. They are sometimes move into the deeper ends of the forest, which makes the trek longer.

The first glance at the mountain gorillas is usually scaring to children below this age because of there huge nature. It may stimulate some adrenaline, which may not rub well with the mountain gorillas causing some suspicion.

What To Pack Gorilla Trekking In Africa

• Whether gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda, you need some gorilla trekking gears to help you go through the entire adventure.
• Garden gloves to cover your hands in case you need to secure a tighter grip.
• Safari Boots that can withstand water logged conditions in the forest in case the rivers over flow.
• A foldable safari hat with a large brim that can protect your hair from water dripping off the tree leaves
• Safari long shirt and trouser that can withstand forest conditions. They must be in colors like Tan or Khaki to camouflage dirt.
• First Aid kit with emergency items especially if you have a non-communicable infection that may require urgent medical care.
• Medicated Insect repellent to keep away stinging insects in the wilderness
• A camera to capture highlights of the gorilla trekking tour for memories of your safari.
• A pair of binoculars to bring close the far ranging items of your interest
• Toiletries especially if your skin is sensitive to certain types of body chemicals.
• Energy bites to snack on when hungry and keep you going.
•  Shoe bag to keep in your dirty shoes especially when you get no time of cleaning them up after the trek.
• Hard cash to change into local currency in case you need to purchase certain items like souvenirs. In Africa credit cards are rarely used because of the lengthy process of obtaining money from them.

Contact us for more information.