Why are Uganda and Rwanda gorilla permits scarce during high and peak seasons

Why are Uganda and Rwanda gorilla permits scarce during high and peak seasons? The peak tourism season of Uganda and Rwanda runs June, July, August, September, December, and January, but gorilla permits in this period are scarce. Most tourists reserve gorilla permits for the high season at least 6 months to a year upfront because of their limited supply, yet demand builds up during the peak season.

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Rwanda has Volcanoes National Park as its only home of the mountain gorillas. At the moment, about 15 gorilla-habituated families are open for public booking. The number of gorilla permits in Rwanda is 96 per day.

Uganda is home to two gorilla safari destinations, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which hosts almost half the number of mountain gorillas worldwide. Mgahinga National Park, with one gorilla family called Nyakagezi, is fully habituated and open to public booking. Bwindi forest has 18 gorilla families living in four areas:

• The Buhoma area in the North
• The Ruhija area in the east
• The Nkuringo and Rushaga areas in the south

Uganda has 152 gorilla permits open for gorilla trekking and 8 gorilla permits open for gorilla habituation experience.

The number of gorilla permits opened to public booking is limited to a maximum of 8 per family for conservation reasons, as mass tourism affects the vegetation on which mountain gorillas feed. The forest is the sole food source for the mountain gorillas as they are vegetarian despite their vast bodies.

During the peak season, there is usually an overwhelming demand for gorilla permits in Uganda and Rwanda because of the influx of tourists on African holidays. Some would like to do gorilla trekking as their stopover activity before proceeding with their holiday travel plans. Despite the huge demand, the supply of gorilla permits is constant unless the number of fully habituated mountain gorilla families is expanded.

Let us first understand what gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experience means.

What is gorilla trekking?

Gorilla trekking adventure is where tourists follow a fully habituated gorilla family and spend one hour in their presence. Maximum 8 tourists are allowed to do gorilla trekking per day per family.

What is Gorilla Habituation Experience?

The gorilla habituation experience is when tourists follow a semi-habituated gorilla family in the wilderness and stay with it for four hours. Maximum 4 tourists are allowed to do gorilla habituation per family per day. So far, Uganda is the only home of gorilla habituation experience with two gorilla families.

Why Rwanda and Uganda Gorilla Permits Are Scarce In The High Season 

Its holiday season

The number of tourists traveling for African safaris is high in the peak season, and those interested in gorilla adventure every year increase, yet supply is fixed to a maximum of 8 permits per family. Some tourists reserve their gorilla permits in advance, at least 6 months to a year upfront, so most of the permits are sold out by the peak season.

Last-minute gorilla permits take a lot of work to get during the peak season.

Some Tour Operators Reserve Gorilla Permits for the peak season In Bulk

Because of the overwhelming demand for gorilla permits, many tour operators purchase them in Bulk the permits for peak season in anticipation of many bookings. This leads to a need for gorilla permits in Uganda or Rwanda.  

Sometimes, these tour operators try to resell these permits towards the booked dates under their

Umbrella body Association Of Uganda Tour Operator (AUTO). You may get an opportunity to get last-minute gorilla permits for the peak season.

Other Rwanda or Uganda safari activities are in high demand, too

During the peak season, the need for other safari activities in both countries is high, too, like game drives, chimpanzee trekking, and birding, to mention but a few. Many tourists would like to do an all-round adventure, including gorilla safaris. 

 Therefore, the demand for other Uganda or Rwanda safaris also prompts the purchase of gorilla permits.

How to book Uganda or Rwanda Gorilla Permits?

Select a date for your gorilla safari and the possible number of people you hope to travel with for this adventure.

Enquire about gorilla permit availability from an accredited tour operator like Encounter Africa Safaris or Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Our safari operator checks the availability of gorilla permits from the gorilla permit list of the Uganda Wildlife Authority or Rwanda Development Board.

Upon finding availability, we advise tourists to secure their gorilla permit immediately. They are sold on a first-come, first-served basis, and none is preserved without payment. The gorilla permits for the peak season sell out early, and by the last minute, chances of finding availability become slimmer.

For identification, forward personal details like your full name as indicated on the passport, date of birth, nationality, and passport expiry date. These details are added to your gorilla permit and retrieved from your gorilla permit card on the day of trekking or habituation experience.

When is the best time to book peak-season gorilla permits for Uganda or Rwanda?

Gorilla permits can be booked at least 6 months to a year in advance for the peak season because they sell out fast. Although a first come, first served basis is used to secure these permits, sometimes companies purchase the gorilla permits in Bulk, leaving just a few for the rest to compete for, leading to scarcity.

Although the gorilla permits are limited, they are only backed by an increase in supply when demand increases if a new gorilla family is opened to public booking.

Can I purchase gorilla permits for the peak season in installments?

Yes, as long as you purchase the gorilla permit 90 days before the trekking date, remember to top up 90 days before the trekking date. Please top up the gorilla permit to avoid receiving a penalty.

You can purchase your gorilla permit in installments of 30% and 70%, respectively.

It's best to buy the gorilla permit in full, or you may need to remember the top-up date and be penalized.

Can I reschedule the gorilla permit for the peak season?

Gorilla permit rescheduling is accepted by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and Rwanda Development Board as long as you follow the following:

Write to the Uganda Wildlife Authority or Rwanda Development Board requesting to reschedule your gorilla permit. Stat the date to which you wish to move the permit.

 In case you have evidence prompting you to change your date, state it, as this will act as evidence to back up your request.

 Upon approval, your gorilla permit is moved depending on prevailing availability.

Note:

Uganda Wildlife Authority accepts two free gorilla permit reschedules on the same permit. If you want to move your permit the third time, you need permission from the executive director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Rwanda charges for gorilla permit reschedule.

Which country of Uganda and Rwanda is best for gorilla permit booking in the peak season?

Meeting the mountain gorillas is a once-in-a-lifetime encounter, no matter where you go. Uganda, Rwanda, and D.R.Congo are the only homes of mountain gorillas. That moment when you stand before the mountain is heartmelting.

The difference of whether to do gorilla safari in Uganda or Rwanda may be felt with:

The cost of gorilla permit

The cost of a Uganda gorilla permit is $800, whereas the Rwanda gorilla permit cost is $1500 per person per trek.

Number of gorilla permit

Uganda currently has 152 gorilla permits per day, while Rwanda has 96 gorilla permits open to public booking.

Time from the airport to Gorilla safari destinations

The drive time from Kigali airport is about 3 hours, but from Entebbe Airport to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park is about 8 to 9 hours.

Additional activities to combine with a gorilla safari

Uganda has more safari activities to combine with gorilla safaris, like chimpanzee trekking, game drives, launch trips, white water rafting, visiting the source of the River Nile, and others. Rwanda is limited with choices of what to combine with gorilla safaris like game safaris, chimpanzee trekking, and genocide memorials, to mention but a few.

How difficult Are Gorilla Safari Adventures In Uganda or Rwanda? 

Although gorilla safaris are challenging, the joy of getting face-to-face with the giants of the jungle is unmatched. The Virunga area is generally volcanic, with ridges and plateaus over which tangled vegetation drapes. Sometimes, the ranger guide has to use a machete to trim and create a way for tourists to locate the mountain gorillas.

When it rains, the ground gets slippery and soggy from the logged water and decomposing matter. It would be best if you were fit to hike where the mountain gorillas may be lounging or feeding.

On your way, you may encounter stinging nettles that may cause skin irritation, so you must wear long safari clothes.

When it rains, the forest may get cold and dark because of the dense canopy and little sunray penetration.

It would be best to have some fitness level to enjoy the gorilla safari adventure.

Is gorilla safari adventure safe in Uganda or Rwanda?

Although gorilla safaris are in the jungle, the Uganda and Rwanda ranger's guides are trained to counter-act with anything that befalls them. A team of trackers rises earlier to patrol the forest and establish where the mountain gorillas may have spent the night and possible hangout spot.

Tourists are escorted by an armed ranger and one holding a machete to protect tourists from any attack. The rangers also follow the pace of the slowest trekker so that everything is remembered in the wilderness.

Other Uganda or Rwanda security agencies are within the tourist destinations to keep law and order in this area.

 Tourists must pay attention to personal security by only entering the forest with an escorting ranger guide. Stay away from the rest of the tourists because you may be lost in the jungle.

 If you wish to taste local cuisine, ask your drive guide for a hygienic local food center so that you do not get food poisoning that can cost you the experience of your life.

What can I Include on the Packing List for Uganda or Rwanda Gorilla Safari?

• Sunglasses to wear on your way to the mountain gorillas and during trekking to keep away from buzzing insects.
•  A camera to protect memories of your encounter with the mountains as this is a lifetime adventure whose photos are worth returning to in the future 
• Safari boots can take you through the hike in case that is where the mountain gorillas are lounging.
• Garden gloves protect your hands from getting hurt in case you wish to hold a tighter grip from falling.
• Bring a Waterproof backpack with your gorilla trekking gears and hand them to the porter if you wish to.
• Insect repellant to protect yourself from biting insects in the wilderness.
• Long-sleeved shirt and trousers to walk in the wilderness and protect your body.
• Some cash to exchange into local currency if you wish to make on-ground purchases.
• Toiletries in case your lodge doesn't provide them.
•  Foldable water bottles were to carry drinking water to quench thirst.
• A large brim foldable hat to cover your head from water falling off the tree leaves and the dew.
• Shoe bag to keep in your dirty shoes so they don't stain your clothes.
• A pair of binoculars to get a clearer view of far-ranging features.
•  A torch to use in the night when lights run out.
• Extra batteries to exchange with in case you run low on power
• Stockings to tack in your clothes and prevent insects from creeping into them
• Duffel bag to carry in your belongings and quickly transfer them anywhere if you have no one to help.
• First aid kit with emergency medication in case you need help.
• Raincoat or poncho in case it rains without warning.

Contact us for more information about gorilla permit availability.