To trek mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda or the Democratic Republic of Congo, you need a gorilla permit that is why we regard it as an essential tool. It is what offers you a chance to track only one habituated gorilla family in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in southwestern Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in the Northern Province of Rwanda or Virunga National Park in eastern DR Congo.
Whether you are first-time or repeat traveler, for any plans to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda or DR Congo, our advice is to book your gorilla permit as early as you can since there is high demand for gorilla permits.
In Uganda, about 21 gorilla families have been habituated and 20 of them can be tracked in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and only one is available for trekking in Mgahinga National Park. Each gorilla permit costs $600 per person but from 1st July, Uganda will be issuing its gorilla permits at US$700 per trekker-for foreign non-residents whereas in Rwanda, 80 gorilla permits are available for booking with each costing US$1500 per person per trek and DRC, there are 64 gorilla permits and each is obtainable at US$450 per person.
Deal with a trustworthy recognized reliable ground tour operator and in Uganda, we are among a few or get in touch with a reservationist at Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) although the process usually tends to be tedious. To book for you a gorilla permit, please send your email with dates you wish to track gorillas and we shall check the availability of gorilla permits for you as you sit back home. The dates you intend to track gorillas are available, we shall reserve a permit for you and you will be required to make a deposit.
In case you have any plans to explore mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda or DRC this coming season, please book for your permit at least 3-6 months before embarking on the actual trek. To other visitors, they even reserve permits 2 years earlier. Booking a permit in advance comes with lots of benefits as it gets you out of the stressful moment to book a permit at last minute the fact that demand gorilla permits are on high demand.
The dry season which is also best known as high/peak season is the busiest period for all Uganda’s national parks and you really need to secure your permit earlier enough to avoid any kind of disappointment. The high or dry season in Uganda or Rwanda starts in the months of June, July, August, September, and December, January, February. But this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t book permit early during the wet or rainy season which starts from the month of March, April, May and from October to November.
Securing a gorilla permit in advance for your gorilla safari makes it easier to plan for other things including means of transportation, accommodation options and many other exciting activities you need to fix in your travel plan.