What Is Included In A Gorilla Trekking Permit?

What Is Included In A Gorilla Trekking Permit? A gorilla trekking permit is a legal document that is issued by the Uganda wildlife authority allowing one to visit any gorilla group in Uganda. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is carried out in Bwindi impenetrable national park in kanungu district and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in kisoro district. The following is what is included on a gorilla trekking permit;

The gorilla trekking permit includes park entrance fees
One hour in the presence of the gorilla family through the gorilla trekking activity which takes 2 to 7 hours in the forest depending on the location of the gorillas.
Security. Once you are in the park, be assured that you are safe because Uganda wildlife authority has well trained park rangers and tourism police which offers protection to the national park.
The permit caters for the gorilla trekkers who wake up early and move into the thick forest to search for the mountain gorillas so as to communicate to the guides where to take the visitors when trekking.
The cost of the gorilla trekking permit carters for the fees of the veterinary doctors who look after the well-being of the gorillas.

HOW MUCH IS A GORILLA TREKKING PERMIT

A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs 800$ per person for foreign non-residents, 700 USD for foreign residents and 300,000 UGX for east African citizens. In Rwanda, a gorilla trekking permit costs 1500 USD per person for foreign residents and non-residents as well as East African citizens. Rwanda is the country with the most expensive gorilla destination in the world. In the democratic republic of Congo, a gorilla trekking permit costs 400 USD per person during the peak season and 200 USD during the low seasons.

HOW LONG DOES A GORILLA TREKKING TAKE

Gorilla trekking takes between 6 to 8 hours or more depending on the location of the gorillas within the forest. And once they are located, the tourists spend with them an hour as they watch their behaviors and ways of living. At this point, tourists are allowed to take as many pictures as they want and videos of the gorillas as they carry out their daily activities.

HOW TO BOOK A GORILLA TREKKING PERMIT

The best way to book a gorilla trekking permit is through a trusted company. This way it’s easy for visitors to acquire their gorilla permits without going through the long and tedious process of physically buying a gorilla permit from the tourism offices in Uganda, Rwanda or Congo.

What Is Included In A Gorilla Trekking Permit? — Gorilla

Alternatively, you can book your gorilla trekking permit through the reservations offices at Uganda Wildlife Authority for those doing gorilla trekking in Uganda. Rwanda Development Board for those in Rwanda and tourism office at Virunga national park in Congo.

WHEN TO BOOK FOR A GORILLA TREKKING PERMIT

A gorilla trekking permit in either Uganda, Rwanda or Congo should be booked 3 to 6 months in advance before the trekking date because the gorilla trekking permits are competitive and usually get sold out especially during the peak season in the months of June to September and December to February. During the peak season the permits are on a high demand thus should be booked in advance to avoid disappointments.

Therefore tourists should know that 10% of fees collected from gorilla trekking permits are distributed amongst local communities that live near the local communities and also sensitize them on the importance of conserving and protecting gorillas.