Uganda has a total of 160 Gorilla permits available for purchase on the daily.
Uganda boasts of being home to 20 habituated gorilla families; 19 of these can be tracked in Bwindi Impenetrable forest National Park and one can be seen in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Because only 08 tourists are allowed to track a particular gorilla family, when you do the Maths ( 08 tourists x 20 gorilla families = 160 gorilla Permits are available for sell or purchase every day in Uganda.
What is the Price of a Gorilla Permit in Uganda?
- $700 per person for Foreign non-Residents (international tourists).
- $600 for foreign Residents including ex-pats working in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya & Burundi.
- Ugx250,000 pp for East African citizens.
The rates mentioned above are per person intending to trek & spend 01-hour viewing & Photographing a fully habituated mountain gorilla group in either Bwindi forest or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park gorilla trekking experience.
Latest: Uganda slashes Gorilla trekking permits – offer valid till 31st/March/2021
Alternatively, for persons that would like to an exclusive gorilla trekking experience of only 4 persons tracking a group of wild mountain gorillas in the company of a team of researchers, should consider booking the gorilla habituation experience. Gorilla Habituation permits in Uganda cost $1,500 per person.
What is interesting about gorilla Habituation? Unlike the mountain gorilla trekking explained above, the gorilla habituation experience is an extraordinary experience that can only be done in Uganda ( Bwindi forest National park ) and nowhere else in the world. Mountain Gorilla Habituation is a full day gorilla trekking experience that allows trekkers to spend up to four hours in the presence of a wild gorilla family – still undergoing habituation. Gorilla Habituation permits cost USD1,500 per person – Only a maximum of 04 tourists are allowed to track and spend four (04) hours with a wild mountain gorilla group in Bwindi Forest ( Rushaga or Nkuringo regions of Bwindi Forest).
Why are gorilla permits so expensive?
Gorilla Trekking is perhaps the most sought for adventure experience that is only done in Rwanda, Uganda and DR. Congo. For Safety reasons, Realm Africa Safaris™ only operate Gorilla Trekking tours in Uganda and Rwanda – DR. Congo is politically unstable with ongoing civil unrest. No Matter the destination, Gorilla permits still don’t come cheap, and this is why;
- Research, monitoring and safety
Because Gorillas are considered critically endangered, they require constant research studies and monitoring to ensure they are conserved. Both Gorilla research and monitoring require a lot of money which is financed through the sale of Gorilla Permits.
In each gorilla country, bodies responsible i.e. Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in Uganda and Rwanda Development Board (RDB) in Rwanda hire personnel to monitor the where about the gorillas like; their movements, feeding, and ongoing health status. Every morning, an advance group of trackers hike into the forest to check on the gorillas. Similarly, tourism police and other armed rangers are hired to accompany tourists during their trek to see the gorillas. This is to ensure the client’s safety from any possible external attacks by either poachers or rebel groups from DR. Congo who in the past used the gorilla habitat as their hiding place.
- Limit human interference
Mountain Gorillas are considered an endangered species with hardly 1,000 still surviving on earth. These can only be seen in three places; Uganda, Rwanda and DR. Congo.
Rwanda & Uganda remain the safest places to see gorillas in Africa; Why gorilla trekking in Congo is considered unsafe.
On a typical gorilla trekking day, only 08 persons are allowed to trek and visit a particular gorilla family. It is at this point that the high price on gorilla helps limit crowds. Not Many can afford, meaning that there will be fewer people visiting. This, in turn, helps to minimise human interference and possible disease transmission from us, humans, onto the gorillas – remember they are endangered species and if we are not careful we could lose them completely.
- The livelihood of the communities living beside the gorillas
Gorilla tourism has become an indirect source of livelihood for the communities besides the gorilla Parks. All governments have a standing revenue sharing policy with the local communities in a bid to promote sustainable gorilla conservation. For example, In Uganda, the locals are entitled to 20% of the total revenue earned from the sale of gorilla permits. Revenue sharing with local people has created a positive attitude of local people towards gorilla tourism and conservation hence create a conflict-free harmonious living between the locals and the management of respective national parks.
In a bid to continue conserving these endangered species, all governments have put up clear Gorilla Trekking rules and regulations for tourists to follow. We kindly request that you adhere to these regulations as they protect both you and the gorillas.
Which is the best way to book a Gorilla Permit in Uganda?
The best way to book a gorilla permit is through a local Gorilla tour company like Realm Africa Safaris™. While it is possible to directly book your own Gorilla permit through the Uganda Wildlife Authority, we recommend working with a local gorilla safari company that has experience in booking gorilla permits in Uganda. This will limit any possible error likely to occur as you try to do it yourself.
Related: The Best way to book a Gorilla Permit in Uganda.