Why is the price of gorilla permits in Uganda and Rwanda so high?
The gorilla permits for Rwanda and Uganda are expensive, but they are well worth the cost. Among the remaining members of this species worldwide are the mountain gorillas found in Rwanda and Uganda.
About 300 mountain gorillas were known to exist worldwide by the 1980s, according to a census conducted by primatologist Dian Fossey and her team. As a result, mountain gorillas are now listed as one of the world’s most endangered primates.
Funds were needed to continue saving mountain gorillas in order to counteract the possibility that they might vanish off the face of the earth, just like dinosaurs did. One strategy to lessen hostility between humans and mountain gorillas was to get them closer to one other. One way to raise money and help the mountain gorilla conservation effort is through gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation.
To spend time with the mountain gorillas, you must obtain a gorilla trekking permit or a gorilla habituation permit.
A Gorilla Permit: What Is It?
You can enter a fully or semi-habituated gorilla family with a gorilla permit, which is a document or card. Only one hour is permitted for gorilla trekking with mountain gorillas. Visitors are permitted to spend four hours in the company of the mountain gorillas for the gorilla habituation experience.
Gorilla trekking: What is it?
Gorilla trekking is an excursion in which you spend just one hour with a fully habituated gorilla family. To minimize disturbances, a maximum of eight visitors are permitted to interact with the mountain gorillas.
Gorilla Habituation: What Is It?
The act of acclimating wild mountain gorillas to human presence without changing their natural behavior is known as “gorilla habituation.” In a gorilla habituation safari, you follow a family of semi-habituated gorillas while being escorted by trackers and habituators.
How much does a permit for gorilla trekking cost in Rwanda or Uganda?
The cost of a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda is 250,000 Shs for East African citizens, $700 for foreign residents, and $800 for foreign nonresidents. All Uganda gorilla permits and activities are sold and governed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
A permit to trek with Rwandan gorillas costs $1500 per person. The Rwanda Development Board is the organization that sells and regulates Rwandan gorilla permits.
What is covered or not covered by the price of a gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda and Uganda?
In Uganda and Rwanda, the gorilla trekking permit covers park fees for the day, an hour of gorilla viewing, security, ranger guide costs, funding for local communities, and gorilla conservation.
Transportation to the destination, gratuities, beverages, lodging, and any other personal belongings are not included in the price of the gorilla permit.
How Much Does a Permit for Gorilla Habituation Cost?
Foreign nonresidents must pay $1500 per person per trek for a gorilla habituation permit in Uganda, whereas foreign residents must pay $1000 per person per trek, and East African residents must pay 750,000 shs. Gorilla habituation permits are sold and regulated by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
What Does the Price of a Gorilla Habituation Permit Include And What Does Not
The gorilla habituation permit covers four hours of gorilla viewing, park fees, ranger and researcher fees, security, and assistance for gorilla conservation and the local community.
Transportation, energy bits, beverages, lodging, and any other personal belongings are not included in the cost of a gorilla habituation permit.
Where in Rwanda and Uganda can one go gorilla trekking?
Impenetrable National Park in Bwindi
Approximately 18 gorilla families are currently available for tourists to see at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. These gorilla families are found in four regions of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: the Buhoma region in the north, the Ruhija region in the east, the Rushaga region, and the Nkuringo region in the south. Area-specific gorilla permits are offered for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The deep and expansive primeval forest that is thought to have existed for more than 30,000 years is known as Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Because it served as a haven for several wild animals throughout the ice age, it is thought that its biodiversity has increased.
More than 350 bird species, 300 tree species, 88 insects, 51 reptiles, and many more can be found in the forest. As new findings are noted from each census, the list of Bwindi forest inhabitants’ fauna continues to grow.
Park in Mgahinga National
Mgahinga National Park is located in the southwest region of Uganda and spans 33.7 square kilometers. There is now only one gorilla family in the park that visitors can see. It was well known that the Nyakagezi gorilla family occasionally wandered into Rwanda. This family of gorillas currently resides in Mgahinga National Park.
Golden monkeys, one of the world’s endangered primate species, live in this woodland. Blue monkeys, red-tailed mangabeys, olive baboons, black and white mangabeys, and other monkey species can be found in the Mgahinga forest.
The Mgahinga forest is home to more than 115 bird species, including endemics of the Albertine Rift. The list of birds found in the Mgahinga forest is still growing, according to ornithologists.
The National Park of Volcanoes
The North Western Park is home to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. There are currently 15 gorilla families available for tourists to visit Volcanoes National Park.
Five of the six Virunga Volcanoes provide the backdrop of Volcanoes National Park, which has a generally rugged topography. They consist of the following: Mountain Karisimbi, Mountain Gahinga, Mountain Bisoke, Mountain Sabyinyo, and Mountain Muhavura.
The park is home to a variety of primates, including grey-cheeked mangabeys, blue monkeys, olive baboons, and golden monkeys. The Rwandan birding paradise is the ever-growing list of birds found in the volcanic forest. Volcanoes National Park is home to more than 300 bird species as of right now.
When is it possible to reserve a gorilla permit?
It is preferable to book your gorilla permit at least six months to a year in advance. They are restricted to eight gorilla licenses per family per day. Eight gorilla habituation licenses and 152 gorilla trekking permits are currently available for public reservation in Uganda.
There are now 96 gorilla permits available for public reservation in Rwanda.
Although there is competition for these few spots worldwide, they are secured on a first-come, first-served basis.
Permits for gorilla trekking are in high demand during the months of June, July, August, September, and December to January. This season, obtaining gorilla permits at the last minute is really difficult.
Last-minute gorilla permits may be available during the off-peak months of March, April, May, and November, depending on the day’s demand.
Rwanda and Uganda occasionally provide cheap gorilla permits, particularly during the off-peak months, but this is not always the case. Regarding when to offer discounted gorilla permits, the Rwanda Development Board and Uganda Wildlife Authority have the final say.
Can I buy my Rwandan or Ugandan gorilla permit in installments?
Although it is advisable to pay in whole for the gorilla permit, there are situations where you may like to pay in part. Payment in installments of 30% or 70% of the total amount is accepted by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Rwanda Development Board for gorilla permits.
This is only applicable to Gorilla Permits purchases made prior to 90 days of the tracking date. Don’t forget to top up before then to avoid losing the prepaid amount.
Is it possible to reschedule a gorilla permit in Rwanda or Uganda?
You can reschedule the gorilla permit for Rwanda or Uganda as long as you contact the Rwanda Development Board or the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Send a letter to either body explaining why you are unable to go gorilla trekking or habituation on the scheduled date. If you have proof to support your request, please attach it.
Once granted, your gorilla permit can be rescheduled to the day of your choice, but only if that date is still available.
The rescheduling of the Rwanda gorilla permit has been paid for. Uganda offers two options for rescheduling the same permit, but the executive director alone can accept the third option. A quarter of the entire price of the Uganda gorilla permit must be paid.
How Do I Reserve Gorilla Trekking Permits in Rwanda or Uganda?
Methodology
Choose a date for your gorilla trekking adventure, either a confirmed or tentative date. Keep in mind that each individual can only get one gorilla permit per day, so decide how many gorilla permits you would want to reserve.
Our safari adviser verifies availability when you contact Katland Safaris with your desire to go gorilla trekking and other information. Our organization is one of the officially recognized safari firms in Rwanda and Uganda that is permitted to view the gorilla permit listings from the Rwanda Development Board or the Uganda Wildlife Authority. You can check availability directly with the Rwanda Development Board or Uganda Wildlife Authority.
We encourage our clients to buy their gorilla permits as soon as possible if availability is favorable so they won’t have to modify their dates when permits sell out.
In order to include your full name as it appears on your passport, date of birth, nationality, passport expiration date, and other personal information on your gorilla permit, we will later need you to supply it.
What is the duration of gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda?
Due to the many conditions that exist in the forest, it is unknown when the mountain gorillas can be found. After two hours, some visitors have a chance to find the mountain gorillas, while others spend more than three-quarters of the day there. As free primates, mountain gorillas follow their instincts when moving. Occasionally, the gorillas may move when they fight among themselves. They may go into hiding if a gorilla family member dies because it makes them feel depressed.
Finding the mountain gorillas is an amazing experience, regardless of the time of day you find them. When they encounter them, they typically continue to chew on leaves or relax, but they do not violate gorilla trekking regulations or habituation. The majority of visitors leave the mountain gorilla families with a sense of intimacy.
Do Mountain Gorillas Pose a Threat?
Despite their frightening appearance, mountain gorillas are among the most peaceful primates. Because they are bashful, avoid looking them in the eyes as they can hide.
No human has ever been assaulted by a mountain gorilla in the history of gorilla trekking or habituation.
They hoot, draw grass around themselves, thump their chests, walk on one foot, and hide in the furthest reaches of the forest when they are upset.
To avoid starting a stampede in the forest, heed your ranger guide’s advise when you observe this.
Is It Hard to Gorilla Trek in Rwanda or Uganda?
The geography of the area makes it difficult to walk in the forest for gorilla trekking or habituation. Because of the occasional volcanic activity in the Virunga region, several landforms, including ridges, mountains, and plateaus, have formed over time.
You must hike to find the mountain gorillas because they occasionally spend the day on the slopes of these land types. Reaching the mountain gorillas requires a certain amount of physical fitness. Prepare your body to withstand any difficult forest circumstances before embarking on a gorilla trekking or habituation trip.
Put on appropriate safari boots that can traverse damp terrain and climb steep peaks.
Is it possible for an elderly person to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda?
Yes, anyone above the age of 15 is eligible to go gorilla trekking. Due to their age, some hikers are not allowed to go gorilla trekking; nevertheless, sedan chairs can be reserved. Sedan chair services are offered for gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda, but reservations are required in advance.
The cost of using these sedan chairs for habituation or gorilla trekking varies by brand. Locally produced sedan chairs are less expensive than those that are imported. Porters carry it to the location of the mountain gorillas.
What to Bring to Rwanda or Uganda for Gorilla Trekking or Habituation
Boots from Safari
Energy bites from cameras
Safari clothing in hues that complement the wilderness
Water bottle that folds up.
A backpack that is waterproof
toiletries.
Safari hat that folds up
A duffel bag
A little cash
A first aid kit
Additional fully charged batteries
Additional clothing
Warmers
Gloves for gardening
A flashlight
A pair of eyeglasses
charger or adopter.
