Cost of Uganda gorilla permits 2022 : Uganda Gorilla trekking is one of the most thrilling wildlife activities on the face of the earth. Gorilla trekking is special because the mountain gorillas have 98% DNA with human beings with similar looks and behave. They also live in families where the dominant silverback gorilla is the head of the family and directs everything that is done by the group. Gorilla trekking is only done in the 2 countries of East Africa of Uganda and Rwanda and Central Africa’s Democratic Republic of Congo. In Uganda, mountain gorillas can be found in Mgahinga gorilla national park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park while in Congo – Virunga national park while in Rwanda – Volcanoes national park.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority which is responsible for the conservation of the mountain gorillas to protect them. Gorilla conservation involves significant investments in research, rangers and scientists and this requires money. Part of the money collected from gorilla permits are directed towards the protection of these incredible primates. To be more specific, about 15% of the money collected goes to the government, about 10% to the local communities and about 75% to gorilla conservation.
Gorilla trekking permits are expensive because mountain gorillas are endangered and the demand to see the gorillas is high. The high numbers of tourists interested in seeing them has forced many governments to raise the price of permits. If you are planning a gorilla trekking experience in Uganda, you must pay attention the cost of a gorilla permit. To be able to visit mountain gorillas in their wild, you will need to acquire a gorilla permit which is simply a document that allows you access to the gorillas
It is important to note that if the prices for gorilla trekking permits increase gradually because of the increasing number of visitors to the parks; this has affected the overall wellbeing of the few habituated guerrilla groups, thus the responsible authorities keep revising the price of the gorilla trekking experience depending on their level and need for conservation.
Below is the cost of the Uganda gorilla permit
- Foreign Non-residents – US $700 per person
- Foreign residents – US $600 per person
- East African citizens – UGX 250,000 per person
For those who are interested in gorilla habituation experience – an experience offered to visitors who would like to learn the process of making gorillas get used to human visits. Gorilla habituation experience is quite different from gorilla trekking whereby gorilla habituation is a whole day experience with a 4 hours’ allowance to spend with mountain gorillas while gorilla trekking has an allowance of 1 hour to tourists to spend with the gorillas in their wild. This process of gorilla habituation is done for a long period of time and you particular in this process. Below is the cost of Gorilla habituation permits thus Cost of Uganda gorilla permits 2022
- Foreign Non-residents – US $1,500 per person
- Foreign residents – US $1,000 per person
- East African citizens – UGX 750,000 per person
To reserve a gorilla permit, you need to book a Uganda safari with us as your tour operator or book directly with the Uganda Wildlife Authority. It is recommended to book your gorilla permit or gorilla habituation permit at least 5 months in advance especially if you are travelling in the peak seasons because the permits are highly competitive during the peak seasons of January, February, June, July, August, September and December, however, the number of people travelling for gorilla trekking has increased that even in the low seasons of March, April, May, October and November the permits are competitive. Note that the gorilla permits are standard through the whole year and the low season or high season rates no longer apply.
In conclusion, the cost of gorilla trekking is a fraction of the overall cost of Uganda safari. You still have to consider transportation, accommodation, food, VISAs, air tickets, packing lists, porters and tips for the Guides.
