How much do gorilla permits cost in Uganda and Rwanda, 2024 to 2026
The Uganda Wildlife Authority has recently adjusted the cost of gorilla permits for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park, increasing the fee from USD $700 to $800 per person, effective from July 2024. In Rwanda, the gorilla permit for Volcanoes National Park is priced at USD $1500.
For gorilla habituation in Bwindi Forest National Park, Uganda, the permit fees are $1500 USD for foreign non-residents, $1000 USD for residents, and 750,000/= for East African Citizens. The unique aspect of gorilla habituation is the extended time spent, lasting four hours, as opposed to the one-hour duration of regular gorilla trekking.
Uganda Wildlife Authority 2020 to 2024 has not offered discounted rates on gorilla trekking permits and chimpanzee tracking permits, the prices instead has been increased from $700 to $800 USD, and $250 for chimpanzee tracking, UWA has always been reviewing its prices and tariffs in previous years to $450 during low seasons, April and November but not this time.
Gorilla permits in Uganda and Rwanda are booked considering the following tourist categories for 2022-2024-june-30th:
- Foreign Non-residents = US $700
- Foreign Residents to US $600
- Ugandans/East Africans – UGX 250,000
Gorilla and Chimpanzee permits in Uganda are booked considering the following tourist categories from 1st July 2024-2026:
- Foreign Non-residents:-US $800
- Foreign Residents to:- US $700
- Rest of Africans :- US $500
- Ugandans/East Africans:–UGX 300,000/=
- Kibale Chimpanzee permit: $250
- Kyambura Chimpanzee permit: $100
- Chimpanzee Habituation: $300
Cost Gorilla permits in Rwanda?
A gorilla permits in Rwanda cost $1500 USD per person per day, with age limit from 15 years and above,
You can book gorilla permits for Volcanoes National park Rwanda considering the following tourist categories:
- Nationals EAC – $200
- Foreign Residents – $500
- Corporates/organizations- 10% discount on bulk purchases from 30 permits.
- Families – 15% discount for family visits(Couples & Children over 15years old)
- African Citizens-$500 discounted on mountain gorilla trekking.
- International Tourists travelling in a group of 100 people and more, a promotional rate of $500 Usd, will be applied on mountain gorilla trekking.
For that case therefore your required to provide your details in terms of passport, and National identification card which also Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) uses to track your records, to confirm that your are of the right age and other references in terms of marketing etc.
Booking procedures and Requirements for gorilla permits in Uganda and Rwanda.
You require a gorilla permit to trek Uganda gorillas found in two National Parks of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park all found in south western Uganda.
Rwanda mountain gorilla trekking is done in volcanoes national park, while in Congo its done in Virunga ranges.
In Uganda Gorilla permits can be obtained from Uganda Wildlife Authority Head Offices in Kampala just after Uganda Museum on Kiira Road. Every day, UWA sells gorilla permits for all gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga.
Offices are always open from 9:00am to 5:00pm in the evening. Please contact us for your gorilla permit which we can pre-purchase for you at no extra cost once you book a gorilla and wildlife safari holiday with us. Please contact us and we will check availability of gorilla permits at UWA for you and go ahead to buy once you have transferred money on our account.
You will need to share with us your details in terms of names, passport number, nationality, travel dates, and number of permits required as Uganda Wildlife Authority requires them in order to issue your gorilla permits.
They are valid for the specific date and gorilla group to trek. The permit fees includes:
- Park entry fees.
- The services of a trained guide.
- Park rangers who accompany visitors during the trek.
What is the total number of peoples allowed for per day Gorilla Trekking?
The number total of people allowed to go gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda is restricted on a particular day. This is done to ensure least behavioral disturbance to the mountain gorillas as well as reduce the risk of them catching contagious human illnesses and conversational purposes.
A maximum of 8 people are allowed to trek each gorilla group per day, ensuring a more intimate and less intrusive experience with the gorillas, This restriction makes it competitive to book gorilla permits especially during peak seasons. It is therefore necessary to book permits as early as possible. We strongly advise you book at least 3 months in advance to ensure that you can track on the requested date, especially if you plan to trek during the peak season (school holidays) or if you are in a large group.
There are over 12 habituated gorilla groups living in bwindi impenetrable forested national park, distributed in the four sectors that’s: Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushanga and Ruhija, to track the mountain gorillas you need to book a gorilla trekking permit in advance because of high demand from UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority).
Health Requirements:
While not specific to gorilla permits, it’s essential to be in good health when visiting the gorillas. Gorillas share a high percentage of DNA with humans and can be susceptible to human diseases. If you have
Long Term Advance Booking Allocations
Uganda Wildlife Authority allows advanced booking of up to two years as long as a deposit of 30% is made and the balance shall be paid 91 days to the tracking date. Late top up of 70% is not permitted but may be considered 7 days, and will attract a Surcharge of 20% beyond which deposit is forfeited without refund. 80% of all the gorilla permits in each month can be booked for two years in advance by the Association of Uganda Tour Operations (AUTO) members only.
Foreign tour operators will book through local tour operators. Each tour operator (AUTO) shall book up to only 20 permits for that particular month on the day the booking opens, which is the first working day (Monday to Friday) of the month.
Short time booking
Individual trackers can buy from Uganda Wildlife Authority not more than 2 permits for the month. There is no guarantee, which dates or how many per day will be available. Booking can be done on the day the booking opens, which is the first working day of the month, Please do contact us for last minute gorilla permit booking and we will secure it for you at no extra cost once you book a gorilla tour with us, (info@gorillasafaris-uganda.com) or call us/what’s app:+256 782744920
Gorilla Permit Limits.
Gorilla Permits not sold on the day the booking opens will be open for sale the following day with no limits on the number each tour operator would buy. Refunds/Cancellation Guidelines
UWA shall refund 50% tracking fee, if the visitor fails to track due to illness, this will be at recommendation of the Warden in Charge and this clause only applies to visitors who have already tracked BINP or MGNP.
Visitors who fail to track the gorillas (MGNP) as a result of their movement to the neighboring country shall receive a full refund on their permits. However, those who would have tracked the whole day and failed to view the gorillas for one reason or another will be refunded 75% of the tracking fee. All refunds shall be effected through the Reservation Office at UWA Headquarters in Kampala.
UWA will retain the following percentages upon cancellations;
0 – 8 days to tracking date – no refund
9 – 45 days to tracking date – 75% (25% refund to client)
46-90 days to tracking date – 50%
91 days and above to tracking date – 25% (75% refund to client)
Any refund to be made on the 30% deposit shall be at the value of the permit.
Permits must be sold at face value, whoever sells at higher value will be penalized.
Primary sale of permits by individuals or tour companies anywhere is illegal. All permits MUST be sold by Uganda Wildlife Authority only.
Payment for gorilla permits must be made directly to Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Reschedules of Permit Reservations
Reschedules of Permit reservations are not permitted, except if it is more than 91 days to tracking date and is within (7) seven days of rescheduled date. This will attract a reschedule fee of 20%. Any other charges of the date will be considered as a cancellation and a re-booking. A cancellation policy will therefore apply and re-booking a new date at the full cost of a permit.
Payment Terms of the gorilla permits in Uganda and Rwanda:
The acceptable payment methods are:
Cash (Uganda Shillings, US dollars, GB Pounds, Euros),
Time Limit
The tracking time is limited from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. All visitors are expected to be back at the camp ground before 7:00 p.m.
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