Gorilla Permits Uganda Or Rwanda, How Much Do They Cost?

Gorilla permits cost in Uganda for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park apparently go for USD $700 per person (As of June 2020) while a Rwanda gorilla permit for Volcanoes National Park costs USD $1500. This was increased a few years back from $750 in case you’re wondering. Gorilla permits and chimpanzee permits under Uganda Wildlife Authority have been discounted for purposes of encouraging guests go gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking during this corona pandemic times at a rate of 450 dollars until June 30, 2021 thereafter the prices will be maintained back at $700. You can book gorilla permits in Uganda considering the following tourist categories for June 2021:

• Foreign Non-residents = US $700
• Foreign Residents to US $500
• Ugandans/East Africans – UGX 250000

You can book gorilla permits in Rwanda considering the following tourist categories 

• Foreign Non-residents = US $1500
• Foreign Residents to US $1500
• Ugandans/East Africans $1500

Gorilla permit costs and booking procedures

Gorilla permits for the ultimate Gorilla Trekking Uganda experience? you definitely need a gorilla permit to trek Uganda mountain gorillas found in two National Parks of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National park all found in south western Uganda. Gorilla permits can be obtained from Uganda Wildlife Authority Head Offices in Kampala just after Uganda Museum on Kira Road. Every day, UWA the responsible wildlife conservation body sells gorilla permits for all gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga or you can get a gorilla permit at no extra cost through your travel agent or tour operators handling your Uganda safari. As away to support their fellow Uganda private sector, Uganda wildlife authority passes on first priority for Gorilla permits to tour operators. Talk to your travel agent or get one from the AUTO directory with all the registered travel agents in Uganda. Getting a gorilla permit is also no different from the Rwanda  where payments are done at Rwanda development board or bank and cards are issued. Neither do both respective authorities accept Payments on ground for tourists, It is always before hand prior to tracking Gorillas in both Countries Uganda has June, July, August, September and early November and then December, January and February as high seasons meaning Gorilla permits are on high demand. Gorilla permits tend to be very scarce and if you intend to trek gorillas during a particular month, you need to book them way back in advance. In Rwanda however Gorilla permits can always be available though can also be scarce if they are done in Uganda. 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 90 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 reason you stand more chances to find a gorilla permit in Bwindi.

Cancellation Guidelines for gorilla permits cost

Gorilla permits for the ultimate Gorilla trekking experience are offered by Uganda wildlife authority 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 Bwindi or Mghainga. Visitors who fail to track the gorillas as a result of their movement to the neighboring country (in this case the nyakagezi mghahinga Gorilla family) shall get another chance to see mountain Gorilla the next day or 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 may not be refunded because this is wild so we expect the gorillas to be where they want to be however 99% chances will be offered another chance to track them the next day. UWA will retain the following percentages upon cancellations; 0 – 10 days to tracking date – no refund 10 – 45 days to tracking date – 75% (25% refund to client) 46-60 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. 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 20%. The acceptable payment methods are, Cash and bank transfers (Uganda Shillings, Rwanda Francs.US dollars, GB Pounds, Euros),you cannot buy  gorilla permit for Rwanda in Uganda and vice versa. Gorilla permits reservations are given Tour operators as a way to support the private sector of tourism, Members of the Association of tour operators in Uganda have higher chances of getting a gorilla permit for you. Gorilla walking safaris is in full co0ntrol and has higher chances to reserve you a Gorilla permit for gorilla trekking or Gorilla Habituation in Uganda.