How to Book Gorilla Permits in Uganda and Rwanda for 2025-26 with Tour operator.

The most convenient way to book gorilla permits in Uganda and Rwanda for 2025 -2026 is through a registered tour operator accredited by the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB). Gorilla Safaris Uganda with certified registration No: UTB/RTT/TO/2022/100372 streamlines the process of gorilla permits booking.  We make booking easier and more efficient than going through the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). the government’s regulatory agency.

While most tour operators charge $25–$100 per permit, Gorilla Safaris Uganda (G S Uganda Travel) offers it for just $35. Book directly via Tel/WhatsApp at +256 782744920. Plus, if you book additional travel services with us—such as safari holiday trips, car rentals, and more—there are no extra cost:

Our offices are always open from 8:00am to 5:30pm in the evening. Please contact us for your gorilla permit which we can pre-purchase for you at no extra cost once you book a gorilla and wildlife safari holiday with us. Please contact us and we will check availability of gorilla permits at UWA for you and go ahead to buy once you have transferred money on our account. 

You will need to share with us your details in terms of names, passport copy, travel dates, and number of permits required as Uganda Wildlife Authority requires them in order to issue your gorilla and chimpanzee permits.

Permits are valid for the specific date and gorilla family to trek. The permit fees includes:

• Park entry fees.
• The services of a professional guide
• Park rangers who accompany visitors during the trek.

Booking Gorilla permits with a reputable tour operator is highly recommended for several reasons:

• Operators have personalized relationships with the parks and often have better insight into gorilla permit availability. Knowledge on obtaining visa, they handle the entire bureaucratic process for you.

• They arrange all complementary services: airport transfers, accommodation, transport to the parks, other activities (e.g golden monkey tracking, city tours, community tours, exchange of money and etc.), and meals.

• They provide expert guides, ensure your trip complies with park regulations, and offer valuable advice on fitness, packing, and what to expect

• If a problem arises (e.g., a last-minute permit issue, vehicle breakdown), they have the network and experience to find a solution quickly.

• They save you the hassle of communicating with multiple lodges and transport services.

How to Book Gorilla Permits in Uganda and Rwanda through Government Wildlife Authorities.

Gorilla permits can also be directly booked with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) at a cost of $800 USD per permit. Rwanda Development Board (RDB) issues gorilla trekking permits at a higher cost of $1500 USD per permit. In Congo’s Virunga ranges, mountain gorilla trekking permits are priced at $400 USD per person. If you are planning a gorilla safari trekking experience in any of these destinations, you can obtain the necessary permits directly from the respective wildlife authorities.

Therefore Congo is cheaper in comparison to Uganda and Rwanda, though currently there is political Instabilities in DRC (ADF and M23 Labels in Congo forests) and gorilla trekking safaris are not guaranteed, please contact GS Uganda Travel For Updates.

But booking gorilla permits with the government authority bodies may turn out to be cumbersome for you, therefore we highly recommend you to seek help from genuinely registered tour operator.

To book a gorilla permit by your self, you have to contact Uganda Wildlife Authority offices through their website, email, or phone by calling  +256-414-355402/3/4/5 and you will talk to one person in reservations who will then tell you if gorilla permits are available. They will provide you with a form which you need to fill and then transfer funds to their account. Once they receive the money, they will then book your permit.

On arrival in Uganda, you have to go to their office in person with all your identifications to pick your gorilla permit. The only challenge with this method is that you might call and nobody picks due to the traffic caused by those calling reservation but please keep trying and someone will pick your phone.

Uganda Wildlife Authority Head Offices in Kampala just after Uganda Museum on Kiira Road. Every day, UWA sells gorilla permits for all gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga.

Gorilla Permits Booking in Advance.

We are available to provide guidance on when to book your gorilla permit. Generally, for low and high seasons, we recommend booking at least 5 months in advance. However, during low seasons, you can often book permits on short notice.

High gorilla trekking seasons in Uganda occur in June, July, August, September, early November, December, January, and February. Permits during these months are in high demand, and booking well in advance is advisable. When you book a gorilla safari holiday tour with us, we commit to securing your gorilla permit at no extra cost. Contact us for a hassle-free gorilla permit booking experience.

How much do gorilla permits cost in Uganda and Rwanda?

The Uganda Wildlife Authority has recently adjusted the cost of gorilla permits for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park, increasing the fee from USD $700 to $800 per person, effective from July 2024. In Rwanda, the gorilla permit for Volcanoes National Park is priced at USD $1500 an this allows to stay for 1 hour with the mountain gorillas.

For gorilla habituation in Bwindi Forest National Park, Uganda, the permit fees are $1500 USD for foreign non-residents, $1000 USD for residents, and 750,000/= for East African Citizens. The unique aspect of gorilla habituation is the extended time spent, lasting four hours, as opposed to the one-hour duration of regular gorilla trekking.

Uganda Wildlife Authority 2020 to 2024 has not offered discounted rates on gorilla trekking permits and chimpanzee tracking permits, the prices instead has been increased from $700 to $800 USD, and $250 for chimpanzee tracking, UWA has always been reviewing its prices and tariffs in previous years to $450 during low seasons, April and November but not this time.

Gorilla permits in Uganda and Rwanda are booked considering the following tourist categories for 2022-2024-june-30th:

• Foreign Non-residents = US $700 per person
• Foreign Residents to US $600 per person
• Ugandans/East Africans – UGX 250,000/=(around $70 USD at the current exchange rate) per person

Gorilla and Chimpanzee permits in Uganda are booked considering the following tourist categories  from 1st July 2024-2026, and non-negotiable and must be booked well in advance:

• Foreign Non-residents:-US $800 per person
• Foreign Residents to:- US $700 (must provide proof of residency like a work permit)
• Rest of Africans :- US $500 (must provide national ID)
• Ugandans/East Africans:–UGX 300,000/=(around $85 USD at the current exchange rate)
• Kibale Chimpanzee permit: $250 per person
• Kyambura Chimpanzee permit: $100 per person
• Chimpanzee Habituation: $300 per person

Cost of Gorilla permits in Rwanda?

A gorilla permits in Rwanda cost $1500 USD per person per day, with age limit from 15 years and above,

You can book gorilla permits for Volcanoes National park Rwanda considering the following tourist categories:

• Nationals EAC – $200 per person (must provide national ID)
• Foreign Residents – $500 per person (must provide proof of residency like a work permit)
• Corporates/organizations- 10% discount on bulk purchases  from 30 permits.
• Families  – 15% discount for family visits (Couples & Children over 15years old)
• African Citizens-$500 discounted on mountain gorilla trekking.
• International Tourists travelling in a group of 100 people and more, a promotional rate of $500 Usd, will be applied on mountain gorilla trekking. 

To process your permit, you may be requested to provide a copy of your passport. The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) requires this information to verify your eligibility (including age) and for their official record-keeping and administrative purposes.

What is Gorilla Permits?

Gorilla permits are government legal documents or Tickets issued by Wildlife regulating authority bodies in the respective countries that’s Uganda and Rwanda, That allows tourists to access the gorilla national parks and spend a limited amount of time with gorilla groups in Bwindi National Park, Mgahinga national park for Uganda, Volcanoes national park Rwanda and Virunga ranges  Congo.

Gorilla permit price covers everything for the trek itself: park entry e.g in Bwindi National park, the pre-trek briefing, Uganda Wildlife Authority trained guides and rangers, and your one-hour gorilla trekking safari experience.

When is the Gorilla Permit Issued?

Once payment is completed, Gorilla trekking permit will be issued on the same day, provided that your gorilla trekking period is approaching. If your trekking period is not imminent, you will receive a payment receipt. This receipt allows for any necessary changes or adjustments to be made more easily. if you still want it to be issued it can be printed.

Where to go for mountain Gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo?

In southwestern Uganda, mountain gorillas are protected in two adjacent national parks: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Rwanda’s mountain gorilla trekking takes place in Volcanoes National Park, while in the Democratic Republic of Congo, it is done in the Virunga National Park.

Bwindi National Park has 18 gorilla groups /families: best park for viewing the mountain gorilla in natural habitant, found in four sectors: Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga,.

Mgahinga national Park has only one family found in Nyakagezi, which sometimes migrates to Volcanoes of Rwanda or Virunga of Congo.

Proposed Gorilla Trekking Safari Trips:

• 3 Days Gorilla Safari to Bwindi Forest with tour price & Itinerary from $1400USD per-person:3 Days gorilla safari trip to Bwindi forest or Mgahinga national parks of Uganda or Volcanoes national park of Rwanda, you can also opt for Bwindi gorilla safari from Kigali for more convivence
• 7-Day Gorillas, Chimpanzee & Wildlife Safari in Bwindi, Uganda from $2500 Usd Per-person: 7 day trip involves a visit Kibale National Park for chimpanzee trekking, queen Elizabeth national for the big cat and the big five, Bwindi for the magical mountain gorilla safari.
• 10 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari – All-Inclusive with Pricing from $3700 Usd per-person: 10 day safari holiday here you will visit the best national parks that Uganda tourism destination has to offer: Murchison falls national park, Kibale national park for chimpanzee, queen Elizabeth national park and Bwindi national park home of the mountain gorillas world over.
• 13 Day Masai Mara & Uganda Gorillas Safari from $6500Usd Per-person: The great travel from Kenya’s masai mara to Bwindi impenetrable national park, Taking you from Nairobi Kenya, through eastern park of Uganda with a vist to mountain Elgon, source of the mightly River Nile to South western Uganda’s bwindi National Park for mountain gorilla trekking trip.

for more Inquires and bookings please don’t hesitate to contact us on : WhatsApp number: +256 782744920. 

What is the total number of peoples allowed for per day Gorilla Trekking?

The number total of people allowed to go gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda is restricted on a particular day. This is done to ensure least behavioral disturbance to the mountain gorillas as well as reduce the risk of them catching contagious human illnesses and conversational purposes.(gorilla trekking rules and regulations)

A maximum of 8 people are allowed to trek each gorilla group per day, ensuring a more intimate and less intrusive experience with the gorillas, This restriction makes it competitive to book gorilla permits especially during peak seasons. It is therefore necessary to book permits as early as possible. We strongly advise you book at least 3 months in advance to ensure that you can track on the requested date, especially if you plan to trek during the peak season (school holidays) or if you are in a large group.

There are over 12 habituated gorilla groups living in bwindi impenetrable forested national park, distributed in the four sectors that’s: Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushanga and Ruhija, to track the mountain gorillas you need to book a gorilla trekking permit in advance because of high demand from UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority).

Health Requirements:

While not specific to gorilla permits, it’s essential to be in good health when visiting the gorillas. Gorillas share a high percentage of DNA with humans and can be susceptible to human diseases. If you have

Long Term Advance Booking Allocations

Uganda Wildlife Authority allows advanced booking of up to two years as long as a deposit of 30% is made and the balance shall be paid 91 days to the tracking date. Late top up of 70% is not permitted but may be considered 7 days, and will attract a Surcharge of 20% beyond which deposit is forfeited without refund. 80% of all the gorilla permits in each month can be booked for two years in advance by the Association of Uganda Tour Operations (AUTO) members only.

Foreign tour operators will book through local tour operators. Each tour operator (AUTO) shall book up to only 20 permits for that particular month on the day the booking opens, which is the first working day (Monday to Friday) of the month.

Short time booking

Individual trackers can buy from Uganda Wildlife Authority not more than 2 permits for the month. There is no guarantee, which dates or how many per day will be available. Booking can be done on the day the booking opens, which is the first working day of the month, Please do contact us for last minute gorilla permit booking and we will secure it for you at no extra cost once you book a gorilla tour with us, (info@gorillasafaris-uganda.com) or call us/what’s app:+256 782744920

Gorilla Permit Limits.

Gorilla Permits not sold on the day the booking opens will be open for sale the following day with no limits on the number each tour operator would buy. Refunds/Cancellation Guidelines

UWA shall refund 50% tracking fee, if the visitor fails to track due to illness, this will be at recommendation of the Warden in Charge and this clause only applies to visitors who have already tracked BINP or MGNP.

Visitors who fail to track the gorillas (MGNP) as a result of their movement to the neighboring country shall receive a full refund on their permits. However, those who would have tracked the whole day and failed to view the gorillas for one reason or another will be refunded 75% of the tracking fee. All refunds shall be effected through the Reservation Office at UWA Headquarters in Kampala.

UWA will retain the following percentages upon cancellations;
0 – 8 days to tracking date – no refund
9 – 45 days to tracking date – 75% (25% refund to client)
46-90 days to tracking date – 50%
91 days and above to tracking date – 25% (75% refund to client)
Any refund to be made on the 30% deposit shall be at the value of the permit.
Permits must be sold at face value, whoever sells at higher value will be penalized.
Primary sale of permits by individuals or tour companies anywhere is illegal. All permits MUST be sold by Uganda Wildlife Authority only.
Payment for gorilla permits must be made directly to Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Reschedules of Permit Reservations

Reschedules of Permit reservations are not permitted, except if it is more than 91 days to tracking date and is within (7) seven days of rescheduled date. This will attract a reschedule fee of 25%. Any other charges of the date will be considered as a cancellation and a re-booking. A cancellation policy will therefore apply and re-booking a new date at the full cost of a permit.

Payment Terms of the gorilla permits in Uganda and Rwanda:

The acceptable payment methods are:
Cash (Uganda Shillings, US dollars, GB Pounds, Euros),

Time Limit

The tracking time is limited from 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. All visitors are expected to be back at the camp ground before 7:00 p.m.

 

 

 

What you need to Know about Mountain Gorilla Trekking:

1.World Of The Mountain Gorilla

2.Gorilla Tracking Families in Bwindi National park Uganda.

3.The Gorilla Habituation Experience

4.What is a Gorilla Permit

5.Best Time To Trek Gorillas

6.Clothes to Wear on Mountain Gorilla tracking

7.Age Limit For Mountain Gorilla Tracking.

8.Gorilla Trekking Etiquette in Uganda

9.Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Permits.

10.Price for gorilla tracking permits 2020-2021

11.How Senior and Disabled persons go for Gorilla trekking in Uganda.

Corona Virus and Tourism in Uganda

Bwindi Forest National Park Home to the Mountain Gorillas

Gorilla Permits Uganda, Rwanda and Congo Here to buy ?

Or Send us a direct email to: info@gorillasafaris-uganda.com