How Do I Book a Gorilla Trekking Permit in Uganda 2025 -2026?
How Do I Book a Gorilla Trekking Permit in Uganda 2025 -2026? The certificates required to enter mountain gorillas’ natural habitats are known as gorilla permits. The “UWA” Uganda Wildlife Authority, a government agency in charge of overseeing all aspects of Ugandan tourism and wildlife protection, is responsible for issuing gorilla permits. Gorilla permits can be purchased directly from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), however using a trustworthy tour operator is the best choice.
Note: In each country, the government wildlife conservation authority agencies grant gorilla permits, which are referred to as regal documents. Therefore, we suggest that you get assistance from a reliable, licensed travel operator.
What is the cost of a Ugandan gorilla trekking permit?
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are two of Uganda’s most memorable gorilla safari sites.
For both Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, gorilla trekking licenses cost USD 800 for foreign visitors, USD 700 for foreign residents, and UGX 300,000 for East African Community members.
The cost of another gorilla trekking location is as follows:
Rwanda gorilla trekking permits, which cost USD 1,500 per person per day, can be reserved directly from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB).
Gorilla permits in the Congo cost $400 USD per person per day.
Therefore, we suggest travelers who intend to undertake gorilla trekking in Uganda to reserve their gorilla permits well in advance, especially during the busiest times of the year, which last for at least three to six months. During the off-peak months, lodging costs drop.
In Uganda, how many gorilla permits are available?
On a given day, more than 152 gorilla permits are available. There are more than 22 habituated gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and two gorilla groups in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are suitable for gorilla trekking.
Ugandan gorilla permit booking process;
However, in order to trek gorillas in Uganda, which are located in two national parks—Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park—you may need a gorilla permit. Both parks are located in the southwest, and it takes around eight to nine hours to get to each safari site.
Trekking with mountain gorillas takes place in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
How Can I Reserve a Ugandan Gorilla Trekking Permit for 2025–2026?
Location: Uganda Wildlife Authority Head Offices along Kira Road in Kampala are the source of gorilla permits in Uganda. Note: All gorilla families in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can purchase gorilla permits from the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
All you have to do is get in touch with All In Africa Safaris, a reliable company, to make reservations for gorilla permits, which can be pre-purchased for you at no additional expense once you reserve a gorilla and wildlife safari vacation with us.
We are in charge of verifying for you whether gorilla permits are available at the “UWA” Uganda Wildlife Authority once funds have been transferred to our account. To expedite the gorilla permit issuance procedure, you will need to provide us with your name, passport number, and nationality after determining that gorilla permits are available.
How many individuals are permitted to go gorilla trekking each day?
On a given day, only a certain number of individuals are permitted to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda.
All of this is done to guarantee that the mountain gorillas experience the least amount of behavioral disruption possible.
Both for conversational purposes and to lessen the possibility that they will contract human diseases.
Note that each gorilla troop may only have a maximum of 8 trekkers per day. Therefore, if you contact a reliable tour company, you can make reservations for Uganda gorilla permits.
There are more than 22 habituated gorilla groups in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which are separated into four sectors: Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushaga, and Ruhija. Because to the high demand from the Uganda Wildlife Authority, or “UWA,” you must reserve a gorilla trekking permit in advance if you want to walk the mountain gorillas.
What are the allocations for long-term reservations?
As long as a 30% deposit is placed and the whole amount is paid 91 days prior to the trekking date, the Uganda Wildlife Authority permits reservations up to two years in advance. beyond that, 70% is allowed, but it could be regarded as 7 days, and there will be a 20% cost; beyond that, the deposit would be penalized without being refunded.
Only members of the “AUTO” Association of Uganda Tour Operations are able to reserve 80% of all gorilla permits each month for a period of two years in advance.
What is the short-term reservation?
Even with the assurance, a person can only purchase two licenses per month from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Please take note that reservations can be made on the first working day of the month, which is when reservations open. We strongly advise against attempting to book a gorilla permit at the last minute. We will secure it for you at no additional cost if you book with us. How Can I Reserve a Ugandan Gorilla Trekking Permit for 2025–2026?
The percentage of gorilla permits that the Uganda Wildlife Authority keeps after cancellations is as follows:
0–8 days before the expedition date—no reimbursement
-75% “25% refund to the client” between 9 and 45 days prior to the trekking date
Trek date is 46-90 days away, -50%
25% of the “75% refund to the client” will be returned after 91 days from the tracking-trekking date. Please be aware that any reimbursement for the 30% payment will only cover the permit value.
How bookings for permits are rescheduled;
Permit reservation rescheduling is prohibited unless done more than 91 days prior to the tracking date and within 7 days of the new date, in which case a 20% rescheduled cost will be charged.
Any additional fees associated with the date are regarded as cancellations and rebookings. As a result, you can use the cancellation policy and reschedule at the full permit cost.
What supplies are needed to pay for gorilla permits?
The following “cash” payment options are accepted: US dollars, GB pounds, euros, and Ugandan Shillings.
The gorilla trekking time limit;
The hours for gorilla trekking and tracking are 8:30 am to 7:00 pm. All guests must return to the lodge-campsite by 7:00 p.m., though.
We strongly advise travelers to select a trustworthy tour operator with a properly registered tour business when booking a gorilla permit.