Can I resell my gorilla permit if I fail to trek ?
Could I be able to resell my gorilla permit if I miss treking? Depending on how you got your gorilla trekking permit, reselling it before the day of hiking is both feasible and impossible. Should you have bought your gorilla trekking permit from an agency, you might find opportunity to resale it through the agent.
At times, the umbrella group Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO) provides members with chances to promote their resale licenses elsewhere. This is not certain, however, since purchasing the gorilla trekking licenses relies on demand.
Demand for gorilla permits is strong throughout the peak seasons, which run June to September and December to January. The gorilla permits for these days are sold out quickly, so there is great opportunity for reselling them during this time. This does not certain, however, that your gorilla permit on selling will attract a buyer.
Even the amount of gorilla permits you are reselling counts as it gets difficult to sell them if they are so many but on various days.
The number of days between the day of the trekking and when you submit your gorilla permit for resale counts as demand decreases as times get closer the actual date of gorilla trekking.
Reselling the gorilla permit on the day of the gorilla trekking area slim relies on the presence of persons on waitlist. Even the networks of the person reselling the gorilla permit or permits matter on the day of trekking. There are good chances of finding someone to pay less than you paid for it.
Should another company resell the same day for gorilla trekking as you are, the survival of the fittest principle may be relevant. The one that offers a more extensive range of gorilla permit advertising can get the most business.
At least 90 days before the day of gorilla trekking, if you purchased the permit in installments and failed to top up before the due date. Half purchased gorilla trekking licenses have little chances of not reselling. These permits bind you to lose possession should the top up date be past due.
Customers who reserve gorilla trekking permits separately may not be able to get their money back should they choose to cancel the trip. It becomes really lengthy, hence a lot of time may be used as specifics have to actually support your argument.
Is it possible to refund Gorilla Permits?
The terms and conditions of Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) or Rwanda Development Board (RDB) determine the Gorilla Permit Refund Policy.
The Authority or Board terms and conditions are followed when a visitor provides a sincere explanation for missing gorilla trekking day with evidence in advance to decide how to revoke their gorilla licenses.
When you find a communicative infection before gorilla trekking or feel sick right before gorilla trekking, notify the Uganda Wildlife Authority or Rwanda Development Board beforehand.
You may be able to get your money depending on Uganda Wildlife Authority’s or Rwanda Development Board’s Refund policy. Although you may still try your luck even if getting it back might not be certain.
Where should one go gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda?
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Among the four habitat areas, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda has the biggest gorilla trekking area. About 327 square kilometers of land make up the park. Its heavy forest cover gets it the moniker Impenetrable. Locally, Bwindi is Impenetrable, and this moniker fits this forest really well.
There are about eighteen gorilla trekking families in the forest accessible for visitors. They are all scheduled under gorilla trekking regions. Rushaga gorilla family, Buhoma gorilla area, Nkuringo region, Ruhijah area are the four gorilla trekking sites. This was carried out for administrative reasons.
Previously, visitors needed to reserve gorilla permits specifically for the Northern section of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Less frequented, the habituated gorilla groups in other parts of Bwindi have begun returning to natural behavior. Their rehabilitation takes time and money.
Uganda Wildlife Authority developed a per region approach to find a balance in gorilla trekking.
Over 10 primate species including blue monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, olive baboons, red tailed monkeys and others call Bwindi Impenetrable National Park a biosphere reserve home.
Bwindi Impenetrable National park’s abundant wildlife makes it a recommended visit for those interested in African birding. Including Albertine Endemics on the IUCN red list, over 350 bird species have so far been documented to be present in this area. List of bird species for Bwindi impenetrable National Park is currently under development.
Magahinga gorilla National Park
This park runs in the southern Western corner of Uganda and Rwanda. One of the mountain ranges in the park, Mountain Sabyinyo, is reachable from which one may observe the border of Uganda Rwanda and D.R. Congo.
About 33.7 square kilometers make up Mgahinga National Park. This park is on the Northern slopes of Mountains Gahinga, Sabyinyo, and Muhabura. This serves as a regional background.
Mgahinga National Park comprises one gorilla trekking permit known as Nyakagezi gorilla family. Because mountain gorillas are free ranging with no concept of political borders, this gorilla trekking family used to wander into Rwanda in the past.
Booking the gorilla permits for Mgahinga National park was on arrival then and contingent on their presence in the park.
The mountain gorillas have now been shown to be long-standing residents of Mgahinga National Park.
Mgahinga National Park has around 115 different bird species. One of the less frequented national parks still has virgin greenery including crisscrossing twisted climbers.
Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda
Mountain gorillas only find habitat in this wooded national Park located in Rwanda. The park covers 160 square kilometers on ground.
The geography of the park consists of five volcanoes: Mountain Bisoke, Mountain Muhabura, Mountain Karisimbi, Mountain Sabyinyo, and Mountain Gahinga.
Sometimes the mountain gorillas eat off the slopes, which makes gorilla trekking here somewhat difficult. Sometimes the trek is steep and somewhat challenging, particularly in heavy weather.
Currently available for visitors, Volcanoes National Park has around 13 gorilla trekking families.
With about 90 bird species so far identified, including around 13 species of Albertine endemics as Shelley’s Crimmsonwing, beautiful Francolin, and others, Kilimanjaro National Park is the birding hotspot for Rwanda.
Several other primates call this home golden monkeys, olive baboons, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, blue monkeys to name but a few.
Virunga National Parks
About six gorilla families available for tourism in D.R. Congo makes this National Park home. Among the Gorilla families are those of Munyaga gorilla, Kabirizi gorilla, Mapuwa gorilla, Rugendo gorilla family, Humba gorilla family, and Lulengo gorilla family.
The volatility in this region has delayed the growth of gorilla trekking safaris here.
Along with other primates such red tailed monkeys, olive baboons, De Brazaa monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, Hamlyn’s monkey, blue monkeys, the park houses chimpanzees.
Great vegetation that supports the survival of many species, especially the Albertine endemics, explains its large bird list.
How To Purchase Gorilla Trekking Permits
Gorilla trekking permits supplied in Uganda exclusively come from the Uganda Wildlife Authority The body in charge of Uganda’s National Parks is…
Rwanda Development Board sells the gorilla permit from Rwanda.
Before you get a gorilla trekking permit, you should find out daily availability of them.
When availability is favorable, you have to get yours right away as they run quickly out. First come first served basis means that none is permitted to reserve a permit for you without paying.
For Uganda, on the other hand, you must supply certain personal information such your complete passport name, nationality, date of birth, expiration date of your passport and others. Some of these are completed on your gorilla trekking certificate and card.
The status of the gorilla permits changes in a flash as demand for them during the peak season is quite great yet few are realized daily to the public.
When should one book Gorilla Trekking Permits?
You may book your gorilla trekking permits all year long, but you should take into account the busiest seasons—June through September and December through January. This is the time when even the lodging is somewhat sought after and the desire for gorilla trekking activities is strong.
Though ideal at least six months in advance, the least time needed to book the gorilla trekking permits is ninety days to the day of the trip. This prevents last-minute stress in order to get the gorilla trekking permits.
The Difficulty of Gorilla Trekking
Mountain gorillas dwell in the Virunga region, whose terrain is usually mountainous. Since the vegetation in this region has been there for more than 30000 years, entangled creepers are very common. The ranger guide may sometimes have to make room for the party to pass with a machete.
It is somewhat difficult to encounter the mountain gorillas as they eat from the slopes during the heavy wet seasons. To really appreciate the gorilla walk, one must be somewhat fit beforehand.
Are Mountain Gorillas belligerent?
Some of the most calm primates on Earth are mountain gorillas. Mountain gorillas physically seem frightening because of their huge weight and dense black hair covering their whole body. That they are usually vegetarian is rather remarkable. Bamboo, leaves, delicate stems, fruits and others are delicacies.
As of now, no one has been claimed to have been victim of a gorilla assault. To savor every second of this adventure, you only have to follow gorilla trekking guidelines. Generally calm primates are mountain gorillas.
What Should One Bring For Gorilla Trekking?
Foldable safari Use this hat to guard your hair from flying insects in the bush while in the wild.
a flashless camera to preserve jungle memory of your trip. Every minute is very valuable to save for future reference.
Travel adapter to replenish your devices in case of low power supply
Given the chill of the forest, fleece or pocho will help to remain warm. You have to guard yourself from cold catching.
Pajamas to don before turning in for sleep.
Two binoculars for close inspection of far-off attractions.
Savannah Tracking footwear to protect your feet from jungle’s harsh terrain. Make sure your feet are safe as the terrain is muddy and damp at times that makes mobility difficult.
Just in case it rains while you are looking for the gorillas, Rain Coat or Poncha
When you feel hungry in the outdoors, snacks to match.
Hand sanitizer helps to avoid bacteria that can contaminate the plants you handle. For mountain gorillas, it is their meal.
Garden gloves will help you get a firmer hold on the slippery creepers during rain.
A mask to don in front of the mountain gorillas
A light water resistant bag to save your belongings from dispersing into the bush.
To dress in the outdoors, long sleeved shirts and convertible trousers have to be in tones fit for the wild.
Use insect repellent to spread over the body and avoid stinging flies like tsetse flies.
First aid pack with some medicines should you sustain an injury.
Use bag spray to prevent any pest invasion into your room.
Some hard cash to convert into local money should you have to buy anything like souvenirs. Since receiving money from credit cards is somewhat difficult, they are seldom utilized as a form of transaction.
