How to Book Gorilla Permits in Uganda and Rwanda for 2024 to 2026

gorilla safaris uganda - African Safaris and holidays to rwanda and uganda

$800 pp (Gorilla Trekking Permit in Uganda)

Jungle Safaris | Best time to go: June to August and December to February

Gorilla Destinations: Bwindi Impenetable Forest, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Volcanoes National Park, Virunga National Park

Activities: Gorilla Trekking, Primates Viewing, Nature Treks, Bird Watching, Native Community Tours

How to Book Gorilla Permits in Uganda and Rwanda for 2024-26

The most convenient way to book gorilla permits in Uganda and Rwanda for 2024 -2026 is through a registered tour operator accredited by the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB). Gorilla Safaris Uganda with certified registration (No: UTB/RTT/TO/2022/100372) streamlines the process of booking permits, making it easier and more efficient than booking directly through the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).

While tour operators typically charge a fee of $25-100 USD per permit, GS Uganda Travel offers this service at a fee of $30 USD per permit. If you choose to book other travel services such as safari holiday tours, car rentals, and more from us, there is no additional cost.

How Book Gorilla Permits in Uganda and Rwanda through Government Wildlife Authorities

Gorilla permits can also be directly booked with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) at a cost of $800 USD per permit. Rwanda Development Board (RDB) issues gorilla trekking permits at a higher cost of $1500 USD per permit. In Congo’s Virunga ranges, mountain gorilla trekking permits are priced at $400 USD per person. If you are planning a gorilla safari trekking experience in any of these destinations, you can obtain the necessary permits directly from the respective wildlife authorities.

Therefore Congo is cheaper in comparison to Uganda and Rwanda, though currently there is political Instabilities in DRC (ADF Labels in Congo forests) and gorilla trekking safaris are not guaranteed, please contact GS Uganda Travel For Updates.

What is Gorilla Permits?

Gorilla permits are government legal documents or Tickets issued by Wildlife regulating authority bodies in the respective countries that’s Uganda and Rwanda, That allows tourists to access the gorilla national parks and spend a limited amount of time with gorilla groups in Bwindi National Park, Mgahinga national park for Uganda, Volcanoes national park Rwanda and Virunga ranges Congo. But booking gorilla permits with the government authority bodies may turn out to be cumbersome for you, therefore we recommend you to seek help from genuinely registered tour operator.

To book a gorilla permit by your self, you have to contact Uganda Wildlife Authority offices through their website, email, or phone by calling +256-414-355402/3/4/5 and you will talk to one person in reservations who will then tell you if gorilla permits are available. They will provide you with a form which you need to fill and then transfer funds to their account. Once they receive the money, they will then book your permit.

On arrival in Uganda, you have to go to their office in person with all your identifications to pick your gorilla permit. The only challenge with this method is that you might call and nobody picks due to the traffic caused by those calling reservation but please keep trying and someone will pick your phone.

Uganda Wildlife Authority Head Offices in Kampala just after Uganda Museum on Kiira Road. Every day, UWA sells gorilla permits for all gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga.

Gorilla Permits Booking in Advance.

We are available to provide guidance on when to book your gorilla permit. Generally, for low and high seasons, we recommend booking at least 5 months in advance. However, during low seasons, you can often book permits on short notice.

High gorilla trekking seasons in Uganda occur in June, July, August, September, early November, December, January, and February. Permits during these months are in high demand, and booking well in advance is advisable. When you book a gorilla safari holiday tour with us, we commit to securing your gorilla permit at no extra cost. Contact us for a hassle-free gorilla permit booking experience.

How much do gorilla permits cost in Uganda and Rwanda?

The Uganda Wildlife Authority has recently adjusted the cost of gorilla permits for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park, increasing the fee from USD $700 to $800 per person, effective from July 2024. In Rwanda, the gorilla permit for Volcanoes National Park is priced at USD $1500.

For gorilla habituation in Bwindi Forest National Park, Uganda, the permit fees are $1500 USD for foreign non-residents, $1000 USD for residents, and 750,000/= for East African Citizens. The unique aspect of gorilla habituation is the extended time spent, lasting four hours, as opposed to the one-hour duration of regular gorilla trekking.

Uganda Wildlife Authority 2020 to 2024 has not offered discounted rates on gorilla trekking permits and chimpanzee tracking permits, the prices instead has been increased from $700 to $800 USD, and $250 for chimpanzee tracking, UWA has always been reviewing its prices and tariffs in previous years to $450 during low seasons, April and November but not this time.

Gorilla permits in Uganda and Rwanda are booked considering the following tourist categories for 2022-2024-june-30th:

Foreign Non-residents = US $700
Foreign Residents to US $600
Ugandans/East Africans – UGX 250,000

Gorilla and Chimpanzee permits in Uganda are booked considering the following tourist categories from 1st July 2024-2026:

Foreign Non-residents:-US $800
Foreign Residents to:- US $700
Rest of Africans :- US $500
Ugandans/East Africans:–UGX 300,000/=
Kibale Chimpanzee permit: $250
Kyambura Chimpanzee permit: $100
Chimpanzee Habituation: $300

Cost of Gorilla permits in Rwanda?

A gorilla permits in Rwanda cost $1500 USD per person per day, with age limit from 15 years and above,

You can book gorilla permits for Volcanoes National park Rwanda considering the following tourist categories:

Nationals EAC – $200
Foreign Residents – $500
Corporates/organizations- 10% discount on bulk purchases from 30 permits.
Families – 15% discount for family visits(Couples & Children over 15years old)
African Citizens-$500 discounted on mountain gorilla trekking.
International Tourists travelling in a group of 100 people and more, a promotional rate of $500 Usd, will be applied on mountain gorilla trekking.

For that case therefore your required to provide your details in terms of passport, and National identification card which also Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) uses to track your records, to confirm that your are of the right age and other references in terms of marketing etc.

Booking procedures and Requirements for gorilla permits in Uganda and Rwanda.

Y Gorilla-trekking-permit ou require a gorilla permit to trek Ugandan gorillas found in two National Parks of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga forested National Park all found in south western Uganda.

Rwanda mountain gorilla trekking is done in volcanoes national park, while in Congo its done in Virunga ranges.

When is the Gorilla Permit Issued?

Once payment is completed, Gorilla trekking permit will be issued on the same day, provided that your gorilla trekking period is approaching. If your trekking period is not imminent, you will receive a payment receipt. This receipt allows for any necessary changes or adjustments to be made more easily. if you still want it to be issued it can printed.

Uganda Wildlife Authority/Gorilla Permit Issuing Offices.

Offices are always open from 9:00am to 5:00pm in the evening. Please contact us for your gorilla permit which we can pre-purchase for you at no extra cost once you book a gorilla and wildlife safari holiday with us. Please contact us and we will check availability of gorilla permits at UWA for you and go ahead to buy once you have transferred money on our account.

You will need to share with us your details in terms of names, passport number, nationality, travel dates, and number of permits required as Uganda Wildlife Authority requires them in order to issue your gorilla permits.

They are valid for the specific date and gorilla group to trek. The permit fees includes:

Park entry fees.
The services of a trained guide.
Park rangers who accompany visitors during the trek.

What is the total number of peoples allowed for per day Gorilla Trekking?

The number total of people allowed to go gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda is restricted on a particular day. This is done to ensure least behavioral disturbance to the mountain gorillas as well as reduce the risk of them catching contagious human illnesses and conversational purposes.(gorilla trekking rules and regulations)

A maximum of 8 people are allowed to trek each gorilla group per day, ensuring a more intimate and less intrusive experience with the gorillas, This restriction makes it competitive to book gorilla permits especially during peak seasons. It is therefore necessary to book permits as early as possible. We strongly advise you book at least 3 months in advance to ensure that you can track on the requested date, especially if you plan to trek during the peak season (school holidays) or if you are in a large group.

There are over 12 habituated gorilla groups living in bwindi impenetrable forested national park, distributed in the four sectors that’s: Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushanga and Ruhija, to track the mountain gorillas you need to book a gorilla trekking permit in advance because of high demand from UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority).

Health Requirements:

While not specific to gorilla permits, it’s essential to be in good health when visiting the gorillas. Gorillas share a high percentage of DNA with humans and can be susceptible to human diseases. If you have

Long Term Advance Booking Allocations

Uganda Wildlife Authority allows advanced booking of up to two years as long as a deposit of 30% is made and the balance shall be paid 91 days to the tracking date. Late top up of 70% is not permitted but may be considered 7 days, and will attract a Surcharge of 20% beyond which deposit is forfeited without refund. 80% of all the gorilla permits in each month can be booked for two years in advance by the Association of Uganda Tour Operations (AUTO) members only.

Foreign tour operators will book through local tour operators. Each tour operator (AUTO) shall book up to only 20 permits for that particular month on the day the booking opens, which is the first working day (Monday to Friday) of the month.

Short time booking

Individual trackers can buy from Uganda Wildlife Authority not more than 2 permits for the month. There is no guarantee, which dates or how many per day will be available. Booking can be done on the day the booking opens, which is the first working day of the month, Please do contact us for last minute gorilla permit booking and we will secure it for you at no extra cost once you book a gorilla tour with us, (info@gorillasafaris-uganda.com) or call us/what’s app:+256 782744920

Gorilla Permit Limits.

Gorilla Permits not sold on the day the booking opens will be open for sale the following day with no limits on the number each tour operator would buy. Refunds/Cancellation Guidelines

UWA shall refund 50% tracking fee, if the visitor fails to track due to illness, this will be at recommendation of the Warden in Charge and this clause only applies to visitors who have already tracked BINP or MGNP.

Visitors who fail to track the gorillas (MGNP) as a result of their movement to the neighboring country shall receive a full refund on their permits. However, those who would have tracked the whole day and failed to view the gorillas for one reason or another will be refunded 75% of the tracking fee. All refunds shall be effected through the Reservation Office at UWA Headquarters in Kampala.

UWA will retain the following percentages upon cancellations;
0 – 8 days to tracking date – no refund
9 – 45 days to tracking date – 75% (25% refund to client)
46-90 days to tracking date – 50%
91 days and above to tracking date – 25% (75% refund to client)
Any refund to be made on the 30% deposit shall be at the value of the permit.
Permits must be sold at face value, whoever sells at higher value will be penalized.
Primary sale of permits by individuals or tour companies anywhere is illegal. All permits MUST be sold by Uganda Wildlife Authority only.
Payment for gorilla permits must be made directly to Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Reschedules of Permit Reservations

Reschedules of Permit reservations are not permitted, except if it is more than 91 days to tracking date and is within (7) seven days of rescheduled date. This will attract a reschedule fee of 20%. Any other charges of the date will be considered as a cancellation and a re-booking. A cancellation policy will therefore apply and re-booking a new date at the full cost of a permit.