How to Reserve and Secure Your Gorilla Permits in Uganda and Rwanda
How to Reserve and secure your gorilla permits in Uganda and Rwanda begins with choosing a date or period for your gorilla safari. In Uganda, both gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experiences require a gorilla permit. Rwanda, on the other hand, offers gorilla trekking safaris.
The Rwanda Developments Board oversees gorilla permit sales and regulations, while the Uganda Wildlife Authority is responsible for selling and holding Uganda gorilla safari permits. You can book a gorilla permit in Uganda or Rwanda through accredited tour operators like Abunda Discoveries Uganda.
For gorilla safaris in Uganda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park are the exclusive destinations. Uganda currently has 19 gorilla families available for gorilla trekking and 2 gorilla families open for gorilla habituation experiences.
Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is the sole habitat for mountain gorillas in the country. Presently, Rwanda offers 15 gorilla trekking families for public booking, with a total of 96 gorilla families accessible for public booking.
During peak seasons, gorilla permits are in high demand, with a maximum of 8 permits available per gorilla family. Peak tourism seasons in Uganda are June, July, August, September, December, and January. Before delving into the process of booking a gorilla permit in Uganda, it’s essential to understand the distinction between gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experiences.
What is Gorilla Trekking?
Gorilla trekking allows a maximum of 8 tourists to visit a gorilla family and spend 1 hour with them. This adventure is limited to 8 persons for conservation reasons, prioritizing the welfare of mountain gorillas even with a valid gorilla permit. Both Uganda and Rwanda offer gorilla trekking experiences.
What is Gorilla Habituation Experience?
Gorilla habituation experience involves a maximum of four tourists accompanying a team of researchers and habituators into the wilderness to observe a semi-habituated gorilla family for four hours.
In Uganda, gorilla habituation experiences take place in the southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Currently, two gorilla families are open for gorilla habituation experiences, with 8 gorilla permits available.
How to Find Gorilla Permit Availability in Uganda or Rwanda?
Here’s how you can reserve a Uganda or Rwanda gorilla trekking permit:
Select your preferred date and the number of participants for your gorilla safari to streamline the permit availability checking process.
Contact the Uganda Wildlife Authority or choose an accredited tour operator like Abunda Discoveries Uganda to secure your gorilla permits and help you learn more on How to reserve and secure your gorilla permits in Uganda and Rwanda.
Upon using our services, our safari consultant checks the availability of gorilla permits from the Uganda Wildlife Authority or Rwanda Development Board.
Once availability is confirmed, we advise our clients to secure the gorilla permit promptly, particularly during peak seasons when permits sell out quickly.
Provide personal details such as full name, nationality, date of birth, and passport expiry date as required.
How Much Do Gorilla Permits Cost in Uganda Or Rwanda?
In Uganda, gorilla permits cost $800 per person per trek for foreign nonresidents, $700 for foreign residents, and 300000 shillings for East African residents. The cost includes park entrance fees, researcher fees for gorilla habituation experiences, ranger guide fees, security during gorilla trekking, mountain gorilla conservation support, community support, among other inclusions. Exclusions are porter hire, accommodation, transport, snacks, and personal items.
Can Gorilla Permits in Uganda Or Rwanda Be Purchased in Installments?
While full payment for gorilla permits is preferred, both the Uganda Wildlife Authority and Rwanda Development Board allow installment purchases. To qualify, permits must be purchased at least 90 days before the gorilla trekking date, with full payment required before 90 days to the trekking day to avoid penalties.
It is advisable to book gorilla permits in full to ensure compliance with the regulations of the Uganda Wildlife Authority or Rwanda Development Board.
At Abunda Discoveries Uganda, we assist in planning gorilla safaris, including permit acquisition and additional amenities, providing free advice on safari activities and options.
Can I Still Get Discounted Gorilla Permits in Uganda Or Rwanda?
While previous promotional discounts have ceased, Uganda and Rwanda currently offer discounted gorilla permits for foreign residents and East African residents year-round. Rwanda also offers discounted low-season permits for $1050 per person under the condition of spending at least two nights in Akagera National Park or Nyungwe National Park.
When Is the Best Time To Book Uganda Or Rwanda Gorilla Permits?
Booking gorilla permits well in advance, preferably 6 months to a year ahead, is recommended to secure availability, especially during peak tourism seasons. Uganda has more gorilla trekking groups and 8 gorilla habituation experience permits available per day, while Rwanda has less gorilla trekking groups.
During high tourism seasons, competition for permits is fierce, making last-minute availability scarce. Likewise, during low seasons, securing permits becomes challenging, with slim chances of confirmation even when waitlisted. Accommodation arrangements should also be made in advance, considering the early reporting time at ranger stations.
Can Gorilla Permits for Uganda Or Rwanda Be Rescheduled?
Both the Uganda Wildlife Authority and Rwanda Development Board permit gorilla permit rescheduling under certain conditions:
Write to the respective reservation office requesting a rescheduled date, accompanied by supporting evidence if necessary.
Upon approval, the permit is rescheduled based on availability.
Uganda allows two free reschedules per permit; subsequent reschedules require approval from the executive director of the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Rwanda charges for permit rescheduling.
Where Can I Have the Best Gorilla Safari Adventure in Uganda Or Rwanda?
The thrill of encountering mountain gorillas is unforgettable, whether in Uganda or Rwanda. While both destinations offer unique experiences, some differences to consider include:
Permit Availability: Uganda has more permit options compared to Rwanda.
Trekking Destinations: Uganda offers Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park, while Rwanda has Volcanoes National Park.
Drive Time: The journey from Kigali airport to Volcanoes National Park takes about 3 hours, while it’s 8 to 9 hours from Entebbe airport or Kampala to Uganda’s gorilla parks.
Additional Activities: Uganda provides a range of activities to complement gorilla safaris, including chimpanzee trekking, game drives, birding, and river Nile visits, while Rwanda offers fewer options.
Are Mountain Gorillas in Uganda Or Rwanda Aggressive?
Mountain gorillas undergo habituation before opening to public visits and are naturally calm and shy. Aggressive behavior is rare, but visitors must adhere to safari guidelines to avoid agitation.
How Strenuous Is Gorilla Safari In Uganda Or Rwanda?
Gorilla safaris entail navigating through rugged terrain, requiring a reasonable level of fitness. Proper attire and provisions for energy are essential during treks.
Why Do I Need to Hire a Porter During Gorilla Safari in Uganda Or Rwanda?
Porters assist in carrying belongings and contribute to the local community’s livelihood. Hiring a porter not only aids personal comfort but also supports conservation efforts and community development.
This is a guide on How to reserve and secure your gorilla permits in Uganda and Rwanda
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