How to check the Gorilla Permits Availability in Uganda

If you want to see gorillas in Uganda, you have to check the Gorilla Permits Availability. Uganda is one of three places in the world where you can find these rare animals in the wild. The other two countries are Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. But before you can go gorilla trekking, you must get a gorilla trekking permit. It’s best to secure this permit in advance. To make sure you don’t miss out, check with us or Uganda Wildlife Authority to see if permits are available for the dates you want to trek. Here’s how you can do that easily:

Checking Permit Availability

Before booking your gorilla trekking adventure with Iconic Africa Safaris, it’s essential to see if permits are available for your preferred dates. You can do this online through Uganda Wildlife Authority. This system shows which dates have permits available and which ones are already sold out. Once you have your travel dates ready, send us an email, and we’ll check permit availability for you.

Booking Your Permits

Once we confirm availability for your desired dates, the next step is to book and purchase your permits. You can do this through Iconic Africa Safaris. We’ll help you with the booking process and arrange partial payment. After payment is complete, we’ll purchase the permits for you. Gorilla permits can only be bought from Uganda Wildlife Authority headquarters. It’s crucial to book your permits well in advance, preferably 2-3 months before your trip. However, if permits are still available, it’s sometimes possible to book them at the last minute.

What Happens After Purchasing Your Permit?

Once you’ve purchased your gorilla permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority through Iconic Africa Safaris, you’ll receive a receipt confirming your purchase. This receipt contains a booking ID that you’ll need for your trek. However, you won’t get the actual permit card until one week before your trekking date. If you’ve booked through us, we’ll send you a scanned copy of the receipt for your records. You’ll own the permit until your trekking date arrives. On the day of your trek, you’ll leave the permit card with Uganda Wildlife Authority officials, who will return it to headquarters for reuse.

Gorilla Permit Validity in Uganda

When you buy a gorilla permit in Uganda, it’s important to know how long it’s valid for. Your gorilla permit is good from the day you get it until the day you go on your trek to see the gorillas. After that trekking date, the booking ID expires, and your gorilla permit isn’t valid anymore. That’s why it’s smart to plan ahead for your gorilla trek. Sometimes things come up, and you can’t make it on your scheduled trekking day. If that happens, you should try to reschedule at least a week before your trek. You can get more information on rescheduling by contacting us.

Cost of Gorilla Trekking Permits in Uganda

Gorilla trekking permits have different costs depending on where you’re from. For foreign non-residents, a permit costs $800 per person per trek. If you’re from East Africa, like Kenya or Tanzania, the cost is $700 per person. And for East African citizens, which includes people from Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, and South Sudan, it’s $77 per person. These prices are valid until June 30, 2026.

Checking Availability of Gorilla Trekking Permits

If you’re planning a gorilla trek in Uganda, you’ll want to make sure permits are available for the dates you’re interested in. Starting July 1, 2024, permits will cost $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for residents, $500 for the rest of Africa, and $77 for East African citizens. You can check permit availability by reaching out to us.

Where Gorilla Trekking Happens in Uganda

Gorilla trekking in Uganda takes place in two national parks: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Both parks are in the southwestern part of Uganda. You can reach them from Entebbe or Kampala in Uganda or from Kigali in Rwanda.

Best Time for Gorilla Trekking

If you want the best experience when trekking to see gorillas in Uganda, it’s good to plan your trip during certain times of the year. The drier months, like January, February, and June through early September, are ideal. During these months, it’s easier to travel to the park, and you’ll have a clearer view of the gorillas because the vegetation isn’t as thick.

 Where to Stay for Gorilla Tracking in Uganda

If you’re planning a gorilla tracking safari in Uganda’s Bwindi Forest National Park, you’ll need a place to stay. There are different areas where you can stay, depending on which part of the park you’ll be exploring.

In the Rushaga sector, you can choose from several lodges like Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Four Gorillas Lodge, and more. These lodges offer comfortable accommodation close to the gorilla habitats. Similarly, in the Nkuringo sector, options include Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, and Lake Mutanda Resort.

If you’re heading to the northern part of Bwindi, Buhoma and Ruhija are the sectors to explore. Lodging options in Buhoma include Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi Lodge, and Buhoma Community Rest Camp. In Ruhija, you can stay at Trekkers Tavern Cottages, Agandi Eco Lodge, and others. These lodges offer a comfortable stay close to the gorilla trekking starting points.

If you’re exploring Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, lodges such as Gahinga Lodge and Lake Chahafi Resort offer convenient accommodation options.

How to Get to Bwindi Forest for Gorilla Trekking

There are two main ways to reach Bwindi Forest for gorilla trekking: by road or by air.

By Road

If you choose to travel by road, it’s about an 8-9 hour drive from Entebbe or Kampala. Depending on which sector you’ll be trekking in, you’ll need to follow specific routes. For the northern sectors of Ruhija and Buhoma, you’ll turn off along the Kabale-Kisoro road and follow signs for Uganda Wildlife Authority. For the southern sectors of Rushaga and Nkuringo, you’ll turn off at Muko along the Kabale-Kisoro Highway.

By Air

Alternatively, you can fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kampala’s Kajjansi airfield to either Kisoro airstrip for the southern sectors or Kihihi airstrip for the northern sectors. Scheduled and chartered flights are available through domestic airlines like Aero link and Fly Uganda. Once you land, we arrange transportation from the airstrip to your lodge.

Why Book with Iconic Africa Safaris for Gorilla Trekking Permits in Uganda

Iconic Africa Safaris will assist you in booking your gorilla trekking permits in Uganda. We offer various gorilla trekking safari packages, including budget, mid-range, and luxury options, all of which can include gorilla permits. Our goal is to ensure you have a memorable safari holiday in Uganda, Rwanda, or DR Congo.

With Iconic Africa Safaris, you can expect excellent service and customer satisfaction. Our team of experienced tour consultants is always available to answer your safari questions and ensure you have a fantastic gorilla tour experience.