How much is Gorilla trekking permit in Uganda and Rwanda? For anyone who wants to go on a guided hiking trip to track mountain gorillas in their native habitats, the national park authorities in Rwanda and Uganda demand a gorilla trekking permit. In essence, the permit is a license that allows you to enter gorilla habitats in national parks, notably Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda.
The cost of the permit varies by country and is typically acquired through a licensed tour operator such as Achieve Global Safaris. Alternatively, gorilla trekking permits can be bought directly from the national park authority.
In Uganda, the permit for trekking the gorillas costs 800 USD per person per trek for non-foreign residents, 700 USD per person for foreign residents, and 300,000 UGX per person per trek for East African Citizens. The cost of a gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda is $1500 USD per expedition.
The permit fee supports the park rangers and guides who accompany trekkers on their tracking expedition, as well as conservation, research, and community development initiatives. In order to reduce the negative effects of tourism on gorillas and their habitats, the permit also makes sure that a certain number of persons are permitted to track the gorillas each day.
The gorilla trekking permit covers entry costs to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, and an hour spent with the gorillas. It also includes the services of armed park rangers and knowledgeable park guides.
Best time to do gorilla trekking safari in Uganda and Rwanda.
In Uganda and Rwanda, the dry season—June, July, August, September, December, January, and February—is the ideal time of year to go gorilla trekking. Moving through the lush forests of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, followed by Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, is a delightful and fulfilling experience when gorilla trekking during the dry season.
The trekking trails are less muddy and treacherous due to the dry weather, which lowers the possibility of accidents and facilitates movement through the woodlands. Moreover, the trekkers can more easily detect the gorillas during the dry season because to improved visibility and more comfortable trekking conditions brought on by cooler temperatures. Gorilla trekking is made more pleasurable and fulfilling by the dry season, which also lowers the risk of malaria and other illnesses. Clear skies also provide breathtaking vistas of the surrounding landscapes.
When should I book gorilla trekking permit.
It’s crucial to reserve your gorilla trekking tours or permits three to six months before the gorilla trekking date if you wish to embark on a gorilla trek in Rwanda or Uganda. Gorilla trekking permits are more difficult to obtain, particularly during the busiest times of the year, therefore it’s always advisable to make reservations well in advance to prevent last-minute disappointments.
There are several ways to reserve gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda and Uganda. In Rwanda, permits can be reserved directly through the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) website or by calling their Kigali offices. As an alternative, travelers can make their permit reservations through a certified tour operator, such as Focus East Africa Tours, who will take care of the entire process.
To check the availability of gorilla trekking permits in Uganda and make a reservation, contact a licensed tour operator who is a member of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) or the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO). Additionally, tourists can arrange permits directly with UWA, although doing so requires paying the permit price, which is now $1500 USD per person per trip in Rwanda and $800 USD per person per trek in Uganda, as well as giving personal information such names, nationalities, and passport numbers.
