What is a gorilla trekking permit and why is it required?
What is a gorilla trekking permit? A gorilla trekking permit is a legal document that grants you privilege to traverse the protected areas to observe a habituated gorilla family in their natural habitat. This ticket acts an exclusive permission that allows you to spend one hour with the endangered human cousins, mountain gorillas.
Imagine yourself standing in lush forests of the African jungles to fulfil your life dream of meeting the gentle giant apes in their habitat. With the gorilla permit your dream becomes a reality. Mountain Gorilla tracking is carried out in three countries including Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo and the gorilla tracking permits are issued by the responsible bodies, that is Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in Uganda, Rwanda Development Board (RDB) in Rwanda and the Virunga National Park Authority in DR Congo.
Gorilla trekking permits are more than a pass to the gorilla homes but serve different roles that contribute to the well being of the mountain gorillas and the park surroundings including:
- Conservation: The funds got from the sales of gorilla trekking permits greatly contribute to conservation of the gorilla home in the following ways.
Anti poaching patrols: The park rangers set up anti poaching patrols to prevent illegal hunting and trafficking of baby gorillas. Patrols help to prevent the natives in the areas surrounding the park from trespassing on the park premises thus safeguarding the park’s biodiversity.
Community development and engagement: People living near the gorilla habitat get improved facilities like schools, health centers which helps to improve their standards of living.
Research and monitoring: gorilla permit funds help to fund researchers which is an opportunity for many individuals have a deeper understanding of how to safeguard these amazing apes.
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Regulating tourism:
Gorilla trekking is a highly desired activity and a dream to many nature lovers. So, in a bid to limit the number of tourists visiting a gorilla family on a particular day, the responsible tourism bodies set specific permit prices and also limit the age and number of visitors per day. This helps to reduce over crowding in the gorilla parks and minimize human influence on the gorillas and their habitat.
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Safety:
With the help of permit funds, every trekker is assured of safety while on the trek. this is because armed rangers and knowledgeable guides are facilitated to protect both the tourists and the gorillas. Though the mountain gorillas are reached after traversing challenging forest terrain, trekkers are safe and by the end of the activity, every one’s dream is a reality.
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Responsible and sustainable tourism
Gorilla tourism is a potential and effective conservation strategy if handled properly. Governments guarantee that permit funds are used for community development and conservation initiatives. This establishes a sustainable, long-term paradigm that benefits wildlife and the local population.
Types of Gorilla permits
There are mainly two types of gorilla permits
Standard gorilla trekking permit: This permit grants you access to observe a gorilla family for one hour in their natural habitat.
Gorilla habituation permit: This permit allows trekkers an immersive experience of spending four hours with a gorilla family that is still undergoing habituation. Such permits are mainly opted for by researchers, conservationists and serious video and photographers who intend to get more knowledge about mountain gorillas.
Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda Vs Rwanda Vs DR Congo
The three main gorilla tracking destinations in East Africa offer remarkable gorilla trekking opportunities despite the difference in permit prices. Below is a simple breakdown of the cost of the gorilla trekking permits per country, their availability and tracking destinations.
Uganda gorilla permits
- Foreign non-residents: $800 per person
- Foreign residents: $700 per person
- African Citizens: $500 per person
- East African Citizens: UGX 300,000 per person
- Gorilla habituation Experience: $1500 per person
Trekking locations:
Uganda has two gorilla tracking locations that is Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Mgahinga National Park has one park center where trekking begins (Ntebeko)and also one gorilla family (Nyakagezi).
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has four diverse sectors where trekking starts. These include Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija and Nkuringo. With these two tracking destinations, one can chose a trek that fits his/her fitness levels.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the only gorilla tracking destination in east Africa that offers the gorilla habituation experience in Rushaga sector.
Availability of gorilla permits:
Uganda has a total of 22 habituated gorilla families when you combine both parks, Bwindi and Mgahinga. This means that there are approximately 172 gorilla permits available for daily tracking.
The gorilla trekking permits can be obtained through booking directly with Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) website or offices. Or through a recognised and registered tour operator company.
Rwanda Gorilla permits:
Foreign non-resident: $1500 per person pe trek
Foreign residents and African nationals: $500 per person
East African citizens: $200 per person.
Trekking location:
gorilla trekking in Rwanda is only done in Volcanoes national park which lies in the northwestern part of the country. This park is part of the Virungas and encloses five of the Virunga volcanoes.
Availability of gorilla permits:
Volcanoes national park houses 12 gorilla families thus providing 96 permits for daily gorilla trekking. These gorilla permits are lesser than those in Uganda, so for travelers who wish to track gorillas in Rwanda need to book in advance at least 3-4 months to the tracking date as permits tend to run out of stock especially in the peak season.
Rwanda gorilla permits can be booked directly through Rwanda Development Board (RDB) website. Or through a reputable tour operator like Active African Vacations.
DR Congo gorilla permits
- Foreign non-residents: $400 pr person
- SADC Nationals: $300 per person
- Congolese citizens: $200 per person
- Congo offers discounted gorilla permits in the low seasons in April to May and October to November.
- East African residents: $200
- Congolese citizens: $20
Things to consider when booking a gorilla permit.
Early booking:
it is always good and secure to book your permits in advance. This should be 3-4 months before the tracking date particularly in the peak season (December to February and June to September). Do not wait for the last minute as permits are always highly demanded.
Consider booking with a tour operator: since most travelers are unfamiliar to the process of obtaining the gorilla trekking permit, it is good to book through a reputable tour operator like Active African Vacations. These will help to you from the hustles involved with booking directly from the responsible bodies which at times need presenting yourself in person before issuing of the permit. The tour operator will also help to book your accommodation guiding and transportation services.
Check for discounts on gorilla permits: Ask about any discounts that may be available especially if you are an East African citizen or a foreign resident. Verify your eligibility because some nations provide certain groups with discounted permits.
Reading reviews: if you consider booking through a tour operator, you should take time and read different company reviews and testimonials. This will help you choose the best option for your gorilla trekking arrangements.
If you follow these tips, you’ll have a better chance of securing a gorilla trek and will have a memorable experience.
Cancellation and refund policies for gorilla permits
At times things don’t always go as planned in life. It is always important to make smart choices to keep your money safe, you should know how to cancel and get a return for gorilla permit funds in both Uganda and Rwanda.
No refunds: in both Uganda and Rwanda the bodies responsible for issuing gorilla permits do not offer refunds for cancelled gorilla permits.
Rescheduling: permit rescheduling is possible in both Uganda and Rwanda. Permits can be changed to further dates in advance, and this is done at an extra fee that is not part of the initial permit cost (at least a month before the trekking date).
Exceptions: In some circumstances, when the park officials determine that a trekker is medically unsuit for the trek, full or partial refunds of the gorilla permit may be done in Rwanda and Uganda.
Now that you know what a gorilla permit is, why you need one, and how to get one, you’re prepared to go on this amazing journey. You will realise that your gorilla permit guarantees a life-changing gorilla trekking experience, regardless of your preference for the Virunga Volcanoes of Rwanda and Congo or the beautiful Bwindi forests of Uganda. By obtaining your gorilla trekking permit, you are directly contributing to the up grade of the local communities, protecting mountain gorillas and their habitat, thus setting guarantee that future generations will be able to experience the wonder of seeing the gentle giants in the wild.
Always remember to book your gorilla permit in the right season of the year so that you don’t miss a great opportunity to encounter Africa’s great apes in their natural habitat for lifetime memories.
