What is a Mountain gorilla Trekking Permit?
A gorilla permit is a document (plastic card with a microchip or paper) issued by the relevant authority allowing a person to engage in gorilla trekking. This temporary permit is valid for only one (01) day.
In Uganda, all gorilla permits are issued by the Uganda wildlife Authority – UWA. Gorilla Permits In Uganda Cost USD600 per person to trek and watch gorillas for 1 hour. Effective 01st/July/2020, Uganda gorilla permits will increase to USD700 per person. Gorilla permits to trek gorillas in Uganda are often booked through local tour operators. However, booking one yourself is also possible but might turn out a daunting experience.
Rwanda gorilla permits are issued by Rwanda Development Board – RDB. The permits cost USD1,500 per person. While you can book your own gorilla permit by contacting RDB, we recommend working with a local tour Operator – this will save you the hassle that comes with this.
Why is a gorilla permit so important?
Gorilla permits help regulate the number of person trekking to see the endangered mountain gorillas. Only 08 tourists are allowed to visit a particular gorilla group. These exclude the additional number of UWA staff and local trekkers and porters that help make this experience a lot more worthwhile for the tourists.
The UWA staff are there to ensure that standard operating procedures are adhered to during the gorilla trekking. These operating procedures are to protect both the Gorillas and tourists.
The procedures protect the Gorillas from health risks that could arise from humans adhering to the distance rule of 7 meters etc.
In turn, these procedures, also protect humans from being attacked by wild gorillas.
How much is a Gorilla Permit?
Gorilla Permits in Uganda cost USD600 per person but will increase to USD700 effective 01st/July/2020.
Rwanda gorilla permits cost USD1,500 per person trekking and spending a maximum of one (01) hour with the gorillas.
Where do I buy a gorilla permit?
Depending on where you intend to go gorilla trekking, In Uganda, all permits are bought from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). In Rwanda, Rwanda Development Board (RDB) handles all matters regarding the sale/buying of mountain gorilla permits.
How long is a gorilla Permit Valid?
A gorilla permit is only valid for that specific date imprinted on it. Last minute (on the actual date of trekking) is impossible.
How many people can use a Gorilla Permit?
A gorilla permit is issued individually on a per-person basis and is only valid for the day/date indicated on it. Two (02) people can not trek gorillas using one permit.
Are Gorilla Permits transferable?
All gorilla tracking permits have a unique serial number including your personal details written on it and are therefore non-transferable.
In case I choose not to go gorilla trekking, do I get a Refund?
Uganda wildlife Authority only refunds 50% of the tracking fee (US$350) if a visitor fails to track due to illness. A visitor is only declared unfit to track due to illness by the warden in charge. However, this clause only applies to visitors who have made their way to Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Visitors who fail to track the gorillas (especially in Mgahinga gorilla national park) as a result of their movement to the neighboring country (Though this has been unheard of in the last two years) receive a 100% refund (US$700) on their permits.
In case visitors track and fail to view gorillas for any other reason that is not their movement to the neighboring countries; only 50% (US$350) is refunded.
No refund can be accessed online; rather someone has to move physically to Uganda wildlife Authority headquarters in Kampala through the reservations office.
The process of getting a refund on a gorilla permit is very bureaucratic and can also be frustrating causing many people to give up.