Understanding the Gorilla Trekking Permit
Find out what the Price of a gorilla trekking permit covers. When planning to trek gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda, or Congo, a valid permit is essential. Securing a gorilla permit increases your chance to participate in the trek with mountain gorillas or Congo’s lowland gorillas. As you consider obtaining a permit, it is essential to know precisely what the price covers.
Knowing what is included in the gorilla trekking permit price lets you plan appropriately for your safari, especially for what is excluded. Here is a detailed guide to help you understand the inclusions in a gorilla trekking permit price/cost/rate.
The Gorilla Trekking Permit Price Includes the Following:
A solid 1-hour Encounter with Gorillas
The main reason why you book a gorilla permit is to see or explore gorillas in their natural environment. After the lengthy trek in the jungle, visitors are guaranteed one hour for a close encounter with these massive apes. This magical encounter is covered in the gorilla trekking permit price. During the 1-hour encounter, visitors are free to observe how the gorillas behave and use their unique body gestures, and to take photos. It is a special moment every trekker must take advantage of during gorilla trekking in any destination.
The Park Entry Fees
A gorilla trekking permit price includes the park entrance cost. Access to the National Park is possible, provided you have cleared the entrance fees. The difference between gorilla safari parks is that once you have purchased a gorilla permit, the cost of securing the permit also covers the entrance fee. This is not the case with visitors on game-viewing tours in the savannah protected areas/national parks. In certain savanna wildlife parks, visitors are required to pay both entry fees and additional fees.
Note that the gorilla permit entrance fee covers only gorilla tracking. If you are travelling for other safari activities, excluding gorilla trekking, the standard park entrance fees apply.
The Park Ranger Guide/Tracker Services
During the trek, trained ranger guides or trackers must accompany visitors. These professionals stay with you throughout the trekking experience. They lead the group, ensure participant safety, and monitor gorilla wellbeing. The permit fee covers the cost, so no separate payment is required for ranger guide services.
Safety and Security Services
Your safety and security are essential, and the permit covers these services. On the trek, experienced armed rangers guide you, ensuring your safety throughout. These rangers are highly trained.
Gorilla Trekking Certificate
After trekking with mountain gorillas, you’ll receive a certificate. The cost you pay for permits covers the gorilla trekking certificate. The certificate signifies your participation in the gorilla trek.
Gorilla Conservation
Revenue from permits purchased by tourists supports gorilla conservation and community development. The price of gorilla permits covers the expenses of conserving gorillas and other wildlife. This is why your participation in the gorilla trekking is highly appreciated. Preserving gorillas and their habitats costs more, and the primary source of funding is the gorilla permits issued to visitors.
What is Excluded from a Gorilla Trekking Permit Price?
Several things are excluded from the cost of a gorilla permit. They include transportation, accommodation, meals, tips/gratuities, and porterage fees.
First, you need to secure a means of connecting to your destination, whether in Uganda or Rwanda. Getting to the gorilla trekking destination can be done by 4×4 safari vehicle or by flight (all options can be arranged through Native Africa Tours). Our reservation team can also book the accommodation options. We have vast knowledge of the various lodges and camps that are suitable for visitors’ overnight stays in any destination of their choice.
The cost of lodges/camps varies depending on the class you desire to book. The notable accommodation options across the gorilla safari destinations range from budget to midrange to luxury.
Top Places to Visit for Gorilla Trekking in Africa
When planning to book a gorilla permit, first, you should have an idea of the destination to visit. Top gorilla trekking destinations in Uganda include Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. You can also enjoy gorilla safaris in Volcanoes National Park in northwestern Rwanda. So far, we say Uganda and Rwanda are the safest places to consider for gorilla trekking.
The Democratic Republic of Congo also offers gorilla trekking adventures, but first, you should get in touch with a local expert to stay up to date on current security conditions. In Congo, visitors can explore the rare mountain gorillas and Eastern lowland gorillas. These are available in different parks, with mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park and Eastern Lowland gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega National Park.
In Uganda, tourists can track gorillas in up to 5 regions, including the Ntebeko (Mgahinga), Rushaga, Ruhija, Buhoma, and Nkuringo sectors in Bwindi. 25 gorilla groups are readily available for tourists to visit in Uganda alone. This means Uganda offers more opportunities for tourists to participate in gorilla trekking than any other destination.
Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is currently home to 13 habituated groups, and Congo’s Virunga Park contains about eight groups. A maximum of 8 visits a single gorilla group (eight) pax, and visitors enjoy only single gorilla treks, unlike traditional game drives or boat tours.
Gorilla Trekking Permit Costs
The prices of gorilla permits in Uganda/Rwanda/Congo vary. If you are visiting Uganda, the price of gorilla permits currently stands at USD 800 (for non-residents), and this price is valid through 2026. By 2026, Uganda Wildlife Authority will review its overall conservation tariffs. Booking your gorilla permit now puts you at an added advantage to engage in the trek to explore mountain gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga.
Other visitor categories also have their own rates: Ugandans/East African citizens pay UGX 300,000 per person, and foreign residents pay USD 700. Lastly, tourists from the Rest of Africa are issued a permit at USD 500 per visitor.
Rwanda gorilla permits are still issued at USD 1500. The Congo permits are available for booking at USD 400 per visitor. Book a gorilla permit in advance, as demand is high and you shouldn’t wait until the last minute. Note: gorilla permits are open for booking only to persons aged 15 or older. The age limit guideline applies to all the gorilla safari destinations (Uganda, Congo, and Rwanda).
What else to carry besides permits?
Other items to consider for a gorilla trekking tour include long-sleeved shirts, gardening gloves, enough drinking water, insect repellent, sunscreen, a safari hat, a rain jacket (preferably waterproof), and walking boots or shoes. A good camera, plus an additional camera battery and storage, shouldn’t be left out of your packing list for a gorilla tour.
It is essential for all visitors planning a gorilla safari in Uganda or Rwanda to know what the gorilla trekking permit price includes. Book your gorilla permits and safaris now with Native Africa Tours to enjoy the most thrilling gorilla trekking experience.
