Gorilla permits are key identification issued to clients in form of cards/documents and they are the ones that allow a visitor above 15 years to go track mountain gorillas and enjoy one hour face-to-face with these large apes in their natural environment. A gorilla permit is what shows that a visitor can visit a National Park for gorilla trekking and in Uganda; you can travel to see the endangered mountain gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
How to obtain Uganda gorilla permits?
Two criteria can get you a valid Uganda gorilla permit. You can contact the licensed tour operators or immedtely from the reservation office of Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) at their headquarters in Kampala. A valid passport will be required as evidence to confirm nationality and be certain that you are 15 years and above. All visitor records are kept at UWA and because of the high demand; you must secure your permit in advance and do not wait until the last minute.
Gorilla permits in Uganda like in Rwanda gorilla permits are competitive and we recommend that you have yours secured at least 2-5 months before visiting Bwindi or Mgahinga to see gorillas. This is especially with the peak season/months of the year; June to September and December to February.
The second option for obtaining Uganda gorilla permits; deal with a reliable tour operator on the ground. Over 80% of Uganda gorilla permits are issued by local tour operators and 20% remain with UWA. This means that dealing or planning your gorilla tour with a safari company/tour operator puts you at a higher advantage to secure your permit.
How many gorilla permits does Uganda Have?
Each gorilla trekking family is visited by a maximum of 8 guests and this translates to 8 gorilla permits. Uganda supports over half of 1063 mountain gorillas in its 2 parks with up to 22 habituated gorilla families and these translate into over 176 valid gorilla permits exist for booking. This comes as an advantage to guests as it presents plenty of opportunities for them to visit gorillas in Uganda. Uganda gorilla permits are issued based on first-come, first-served criteria and there are 5 sites to track mountain gorillas from; Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors as well as Mgahinga national park.
How much is a Uganda gorilla permit 2023-2024?
A single valid Uganda gorilla permit is issued at USD700 for foreign nonresidents, USD600 for foreign residents and UG. Shs. 250,000 if you are a Ugandan or East African citizen. Note, Uganda gorilla permits are valid for single use only.
Gorilla habituation experience in Uganda.
Often the one-hour one enjoys during the normal gorilla trek isn’t enough and you want to spend more quality time with these rare apes. The available option is to undertake a guided gorilla habituation experience and this is only done in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Kisoro Southwestern Uganda. On finding a family of mountain gorillas during the gorilla habituation tour, you have a guarantee of 4 hours to enjoy up close and personal encounetrs with these unique primates.
How much are Uganda gorilla habituation permits?
Each Uganda gorilla habituation permit is issued at USD1500 per person when you are a foreign nonresident, USD1000 for foreign residents, and UG. Shs. 750,000 if you are East African citizen. Like normal Uganda gorilla trekking permits, the gorilla habituation permits must be booked early as well.
Where to find gorillas in Uganda?
Mgahinga and Bwindi National Parks are the only two parks where the endangered mountain gorillas reside. These 2 protected areas host half of the world’s 1063 endangered mountain gorillas and 22 families can be visited on any Uganda gorilla safari tour. Some of the remarkable gorilla families in Uganda include Bitukura, Mubare, Habinyanja, Katwe, Christmas, Nkuringo, Oruzogo, Rushegura, Mishaya, Kahungye, Nshongi, Bweza, Busingye, and more.
Book your dream safari below.
We are very much open to customizing tour packages to match your taste and preference. You can customize any of the packages we have on this website or tailor your own experience. Simply click the button below.
