A Uganda gorilla permit is a document with a receipt that is issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority to specific tourists that allows you entry to trek mountain gorillas. Gorilla permits are issued by respective conservation organs where gorilla trekking is conducted. In Uganda, mountain gorilla trekking is conducted in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in the southwest and Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) is in charge issuing gorilla permits; Volcanoes National Park in northwestern side and Rwanda Development Board (RDB) issues gorilla permits whereas the Virunga National Park-gorilla permits are issued by park authorities.

Gorilla permits are issued out to visitors above 15 years and one permit allows you to trek only one habituated family with only an hour given to you to have a face to face encounter with a group of mountain gorillas while in their natural habitat. Visitors are encouraged to book their gorilla permits early enough at least 3 to 4 months before the actual trek. Usually, other visitors do book permits even a year before the embarking on the actual trip. Please note, gorilla permits are scarce in the months of June, July, August, September and December, January, February.

Cost of gorilla permits

The Uganda gorilla permits cost $800 per person-for foreign non-residents, discounted at $700-for foreign residents and Ug.shs 250000 for East African residents. You can also secure gorilla habituation experience permits in Uganda at $1500 per person-for foreign non-residents, $1000-for foreign residents and Ug.shs 750000 for East African residents. Mountain gorillas can be trekked in Uganda only in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. Uganda is a home to half 1004 mountain gorillas that still exist on earth.

How to book gorilla permits in Uganda

  • You can contact our reservation at the link so we help you buy your gorilla permit and can have it sent to the park head offices where you can find it on trekking date.
  • The tour operator will cross check to find out availability of dates you intend to go trek mountain gorillas.
  • After, he will get back to you as soon as possible however, you will be required to give your details
  • You will be required to book your permit early enough however, you will to make a deposit of 30 percent and the rest can be cleared within 91 days to actual gorilla trek.
  • Payments should be made through account details given to you by tour operator or reservation at UWA. Note, after payment or deposit the tour operator will be in position to secure or book for you the permit.
  • Booking permit through tour operator is considered easier than booking direct given the long process involved. Meaning, you sit back home and let the tour operator go through the process. 80 percent of all the gorilla permits given to only members of Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO) which gets you higher chance to find one if you booked in advance.

    • Number of gorilla families in Uganda

    Uganda is a home to huge concentration of habituated families that account for over 21 of them that have been set for trekking, habituation experience and research. This translates into 168 gorilla permits that are available for booking. 20 of these families are in Bwindi National Park, all of which are distributed within the 4 main trailheads-Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga area.

    Families in Buhoma sector of Bwindi National Park

    • Mubare gorilla family
    • Rushegura
    • Katwe
    • Habinyanja

    Groups in Ruhija sector

    • Mukiza gorilla family
    • Oruzogo family
    • Kyaguliro family
    • Bitukura group

    Groups in Rushaga sector

    • Mucunguzi group, Kutu family, Mishaya gorilla family, Rwingi, Nshongi, Busingye, Kahungye, Bweza and Bikingi gorilla family.

    Groups in Nkuringo area

    • Nkuringo gorilla group, Christmas and Bushaho

    Note, Nyakagezi gorilla family is the only habituated family set for tourism in Mgahinga National Park. Visitors can be refunded 50 percent of the trekking fee in case he or she is ill and this can be done through recommendation of warden in charge and it applies to visitors who have already trekked gorillas in Bwindi National Park or Mgahinga National Park.

    In Rwanda, gorilla permits are issued by Rwanda Development Board and permits cost $1500 per person per day. You can obtain gorilla permit in Rwanda through tour operator or through the RDB reservationist. Volcanoes National Park comprises of 10 habituated families which translates to 80 gorilla permits. The habituated families to trek in Volcanoes National Park include the Susa A, Susa B, Kwitonda, Bwenge, Ugenda, Umubano, Amahoro, Agashya and Sabyinyo gorilla families.