Uganda Gorilla Permits

Uganda Gorilla Permits

Uganda Gorilla Permits are documents required to take a Gorilla safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The two parks are home to amazing mountain gorilla families in different sectors. 

• Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, nestled within the Virunga massif, is a unique sanctuary for gorillas. Its diverse landscape, including mountains, thick forests, and bamboo forests, provides a perfect habitat for the gorillas. The park is home to two habituated gorilla family groups, Nyakagezi and Hirwa, offering tourists a rare opportunity to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

Nyakagezi was initially habituated while in this park, and it offers tourists a chance to appreciate the beauty of the ten individuals who spend the day with them. Hirwa is an explorer kind of group that migrated from the volcanoes, and it’s not known when it will migrate back. Still, while it’s in Mgahinga, tourists enjoy awe-inspiring sights from the seventeen members of this gorilla family. The Park has just two habituated gorilla families. Still, it should be noted that it has about 100 mountain gorilla families, which typically means that the rest of the population enjoys being out in the wild.

• Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, with its impassable forests, is a unique haven for mountain gorillas. The park’s undulating landscape and pristine environment make it ideal for these wondrous creatures. The park is renowned for housing nearly half of the world’s gorilla population, which is divided among its four sectors, making it an exclusive destination for gorilla trekking.

Over 500 black beauty apes are in the park, but seventeen families are available for trekking. In Bwindi, tourists can visit the Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija, and Nkuringo sectors for an exquisite gorilla encounter they will forever remember. When tourists choose to visit Ruhija, they will be blessed with views from Bitukura, Oruzogo, Kyaguriro, and Mukiza gorilla families. In Rushaga, Nshongi, Bikini, Mishaya, Kahungye, Bweza, Busingye, Kutu, Muchunguzi, and Rwigi gorilla families are always ready to please the eyes of tourists.

Mubare, Habinyanja, Rushegura, Katwe, and Muyambi gorilla families blossom while in the Buhoma sector of the park. Visitors shouldn’t miss out on the Nkuringo sector because it has gorilla families with unique and peculiar names, including Nkuringo, Bushaho, Posho, and Christmas. While trekking with these gorillas, guides are highly familiar with the nature of these groups; hence, they know which families are easier to trek with than others. Also, tourists can choose the gorilla group they can trek, depending on their fitness level.

Process of Booking Permits

The first step in realizing the dream of encountering the incredible mountain gorillas is getting a gorilla permit. These permits are only issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, so tourists can either book the licenses from the authorizing body directly or book with a reliable tour operator.

Due to the high demand for gorilla permits, travelers must book their permits well in advance, preferably six months before their planned trek. The process involves filling out forms and transferring the required funds to the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Once the payment is received, the permit is automatically booked in the tourists’ names. Upon arrival in Uganda, tourists must visit the designated office with their identification to obtain their gorilla trekking permits.

Cost of permits in Rwanda and Congo

The cost of gorilla trekking permits in Uganda is affordable compared to getting them in Rwanda and expensive compared to permits sold in the D.R. Congo. A gorilla permit in Uganda costs US$800 per person per day, US$400 in D.R. Congo, and US$1500 in Rwanda.

Trekking in the D.R. Congo is way cheaper than in Rwanda and Uganda. Gorilla habituation is another enjoyable activity that engages tourists with the gorillas for four hours. It only occurs in Uganda for US$1500 per permit. Now that you know about booking Uganda gorilla permits, let us know when you are planning your Uganda Safari for proper planning.