Price of Uganda Gorilla permit 2022
Price of Uganda Gorilla permit 2022 : Just like other park entry fees, the Uganda Wildlife Authority is the only body responsible for providing prices for gorilla permits in Uganda. The cost of gorilla trekking is relatively high compared to other wildlife encounters in Uganda because gorilla trekking is one of the most thrilling wildlife activities in Africa. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is special because the mountain gorillas have unique feature similar to human beings compared to any other animal. They live in families with a hierarchy where the dominant silverback dictates everything that is done by the group. Gorilla trekking is most expensive tourist activity because mountain gorillas are endangered and because of that many people want to see them. There are only about 1,000 mountain gorillas still on earth. The fact that they are endangered has contributed to the high price for permits. The governments need funds to protect the primates and preserve their natural habitat. 80% of the money generated from gorilla permits is used for gorilla conservation purposes. By paying for the permits, you are also contributing to the protection of a creature that reminds us of ourselves and past. The high numbers of tourists interested in seeing them has forced many governments to raise the price of permits. Because of the high demand, the cost of gorilla permits keeps increasing with time and again.
The gorilla trekking fees are collected for Gorilla conservation which involves significant investments in research, rangers and scientists and this requires money. Part of the money collected from gorilla permits are channelled towards the protection of these majestic primates. To be more specific, 15% of the money collected goes to the government, 10% to the local communities and 75% to gorilla conservation. It is important to also note that if the prices for gorilla permits is to be reduced considerably, there is a likelihood that there would be too many visitors to the parks hence affecting the overall well-being of the few habituated gorilla families.
In Uganda, mountain gorilla trekking is done in Bwindi Impenetrable national park and Mgahinga national park. There are about 20 gorilla habituated families available for visitors in Bwindi impenetrable national park and only 1 gorilla family in Mgahinga national park. Apart from gorilla trekking experience, Uganda so offer visitors Gorilla Habituation experience which is process of visiting mountain gorillas that are still in the process of getting used to humans. This is where primate lovers are given more time with the gorillas under the guidance of experienced researchers and trackers thus Price of Uganda Gorilla permit 2022.
If you are planning to do gorilla trekking in any of the gorilla trekking countries of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo especially Uganda, you will need to acquire a gorilla permit. A gorilla permit is a document that allows you access the mountain gorillas in their habitant. Acquiring a gorilla permit to meet the mountain gorillas is one of the most important things to consider when planning to go on a gorilla safari. Gorilla trekking permits must be booked and purchased as soon as soon as you make the decision to track the gorillas, you must confirm travel dates first to secure a gorilla permit at least 5 months before travel as gorilla permits are very competitive especially in the peak seasons.
What is included in the price of a gorilla permit?
The price of a gorilla permit includes one-hour time for gorilla trekking or 4 hours’ time for gorilla habituation, park entrance fees and the services of the Ranges and Guide who will be taking you to track the animals. The rangers protect you from any wild animals by scaring them away with gunshots (rarely). The price of a gorilla permits excludes accommodation, transport, porters and tips.
Price of Uganda gorilla trekking permits
Foreigners non-residents – USD 700
Foreign Residents – USD 600
East Africans citizens – 250,000 UGX
Price of Uganda gorilla Habituation permits
Foreigners non-residents – USD 1,500
Foreign Residents – USD 1000
East Africans citizens – 750,000 UGX
What you need to know about Uganda gorilla permits
Gorilla permits are priced based on nationalities; foreign non-residents are visitors who do not live or stay in the visiting country, foreign residents are those who stay and work in a particular country which is not of their origin and East African residents are citizen who belong to the East African countries including Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan and Burundi.
A gorilla permit is only valid for 24 hours and fees are charged individually (per person)
Payments are allowed in two currencies only – the Uganda shillings (UGX) which is Uganda’s local currency and United States of America Dollars (USD). All foreigners and foreign residents pay in USD and if they want to pay in local currency they are subjected to the current Foreign Exchange rate which is set the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The East African residents are allowed to pay in Uganda shillings.
You must be 15 Years and above to be accepted to trek mountain gorillas
Your gorilla tracking date will only depend on availability. Visitors are recommended to book 5 months before trekking date. This is particularly important during the peak seasons. If you get a gorilla permit in June or August without prior booking, then you should count yourself lucky.
Share your passport details to your tour planner/tour operator as soon as you confirm interest to travel. Gorilla permits cannot be transferred from one person to another and you will be asked for identification at the park to check if your information details match that on the permit.
Payments are directly made to the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Due to the changing technology, the Uganda Wildlife Authority introduced the cashless payments methods where the visitors use their own credit card and mobile transactions to pay for park entry fees as cash payments at point of entry has been removed. If you are booked under Elephant Whispers Safari, we will be solely response for your park fees and will make payments on your behalf.
There are other private activities at the park which are paid separately from the park entrance fees such as research fees, hiking fees, community walks, nature walk visit, guided bird watching, and others. Thus, park entrance fees only guarantee your entry to the park
Gorilla trekking is carried out throughout the year. However, the low season for tourism is during the months of March to April and the beginning of May or November. Those are the months were acquiring gorilla permits are considered relatively easy. You cannot count on getting a gorilla permit in the other months (peak season) unless you book your safari in advance.
The Gorilla habituation experience is quite different from gorilla trekking. It is a whole day’s experience and involves having four hours with mountain gorillas instead of the one hour allocated to tourists during standard gorilla trekking. A gorilla permit is a requirement for tracking gorillas. You cannot be allowed to take part in the activity without showing them to the park authorities.
