How to Book Your Gorilla Permit in Uganda and Rwanda?

How to Book Your Gorilla Permit in Uganda and Rwanda? A Gorilla permit is your pass to trekking and spending time with the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. This is a document offered to only eligible travellers and allows them to spend an one hour with the Giant Apes in their natural habitat. Rwanda and Uganda Gorilla Permits are only issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority and Rwanda Development Board respectively.

Gorilla Permits in Rwanda can also be booked via Rwandan-based Tour Operators. You can contact them by email or call. Having confirmed, you will be required to pay via wire transfer. Passport copies will be required while booking for these permits, after which you will be issued your gorilla permit.

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It will interest you to know that Mountain gorilla trekking is done in only three countries. That is; Uganda (where it is provided within Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park).  In Rwanda (where gorillas are tracked from Volcanoes National Park) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (where it is offered within Virunga National Park).

Only 8 gorilla permits are allocated to each habituated gorilla group. In Uganda, only 168 permits are issued each day. In Rwanda, 96 gorilla permits are issued each day for the 12 habituated gorilla families.

When should gorilla permits in Uganda and Rwanda be booked?

Given the high demand for gorilla permits against the limited supply, intending gorilla trekkers are advised to book for gorilla permits at least 6 months to two years, especially is you are planning on tracking in the peak season (January, February, June, July, August, September and December). The earlier you book, the easier it will be to get the sector which you desire. For visitors planning on tracking mountain gorillas in the low season (March, April, May, October and November), booking for permits should be done at least 3-4 months in advance.

How much do Rwanda and Uganda gorilla permits cost?

Uganda and Rwanda charge different prices for gorilla permits . In Rwanda, you will pay $1500 per person to trek and spend time with the mountain gorillas within Volcanoes National Park. However, a 30% discount is offered to travelers that also visit Nyungwe Forest or Akagera National Park for three consecutive days. Those buy the Rwanda Gorilla permit at $1,050 per person.

For Uganda, gorilla permit cost $800 per person for foreign non-resident travelers, $700 for the resident visitors (those with proof of residence such as work permit) and Shs 350,000 for the East African Citizens (Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi and DRC).

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Important requirements for booking your gorilla permit in Uganda and Rwanda

1. Scanned copy Passport (biodata page): For Uganda, gorilla permit cost $800 per person for foreign non-resident travelers. Resident visitors pay $700 (those with proof of residence such as work permit). East African Citizens on the otherhand pay Shs 350,000 (Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi and DRC).
2. The required date of tracking: The required date of trekking mountain gorillas will be required. This is done after confirming availability with Uganda Wildlife Authority or Rwanda Development Board. Having completed all these requirements, a scanned copy of your gorilla permit will be sent to you via email at least three weeks to the intended tracking date.