A Gorilla Permit is a document which allows one access to a particular group of habituated gorilla groups. It can be in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Rwanda or other gorilla destinations. However, it’s much easier and faster to obtain a Gorilla Trekking Permit via a Tour Company or Safari company since it tends to be quick and less tiresome.

Another advantage of booking with a safari company is that they have knowledge of the various Gorilla families as well as clear knowledge of the community around and the different places of accommodation, of which they can do the accommodation booking for you. They can also give great travel recommendations in case you want to extend your trip. Therefore, you can contact us at Adventure in the wild safaris, to help in booking your gorilla trekking permit.

Here is information that you need to know about gorilla permits.

What is the cost of a gorilla permit?

In Uganda, a Gorilla trekking permit in Uganda cost $700 Non – Foreign residents, $600 Foreign residents and 250,000 UGX for East Africans. And in Rwanda, Gorilla trekking permits are at $1500 and Kahuzi Biega national park, you are advised to book with one of the best local tour operators and the Congo gorilla permits costs ($400) per person for trekking and ($500) per person for Habituation all these prices are per person respectively.

You should note that you cannot be able to go for Gorilla Trekking unless you have a Gorilla Trekking Permit. Therefore, in order to book your gorilla trekking permit, you will have to provide your name, nationality, passport number and date of birth. And for this case, you should note that Gorilla trekking permits cannot be handled to the possession of another person so you will have to show your passport and identification documents at the pre-trekking briefing.

Booking Gorilla Permits

You need an official permit handled by each of the national parks to see the mountain gorillas. Usually you have to obtain these several months in advance. It is advisable to book your gorilla permit usually 5 months in advance. While booking a gorilla tour, always pay your gorilla permit fee in advance to enable us acquire it for you. Gorilla trekking is guaranteed when you acquire a permit. They are very competitive and scarce most especially during peak seasons. Sometimes gorilla tracking permits get sold out four months in advance.

Booking Gorilla Permits in Uganda
In Uganda it costs US$ 800 per day per person for a gorilla permit. You can book the gorilla permits in Kampala (the capital of Uganda) at the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) headquarters or through a local tour operator. It is easier to make an international booking for permits through a local tour operator.

Booking Gorilla Permits in Rwanda
In Rwanda gorilla permits cost US$ 1500 per person. You can book the gorilla permits through the Rwanda Tourism Board offices (ORTPN) in Kigali or Ruhengeri (near the PNV). Gorilla Permits can also booked through a local tour operator.

In the DRC its best to use a local tour operator working in Congo, Uganda or Rwanda to arrange your gorilla permit. A gorilla viewing permit costs only USD 400 per person.

For those are planning to do a gorilla tracking safari, the following guidelines and rules would apply.

How early should I book a Gorilla Permit

Do I need to book a Uganda gorilla permit early and when? One of the frequently asked questions by visitors on a gorilla tour in Uganda or Rwanda is how early should I book a gorilla permit? Yes, a Uganda gorilla permit, Rwanda or DRC gorilla permit should be booked early or in advance due to many reasons.

Visitors on gorilla safaris are always advised to have their gorilla permits booked at least 2-6 months in advance before boarding the plane to Uganda, Rwanda, or Congo for actual gorilla trekking. There are many reasons why you should book your gorilla permit early but most importantly, to avoid last-minute stress or disappointment, high demand, especially during the peak season.

The peak months of the year characterized by high demand for gorilla permits run from June, July, August to September, and from December, January to February. Booking your gorilla permit 2-6 months early guarantees that you will be part of gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda.

The low season/months of the year begin from March to May, October to November and though they are low months or seasons, it still essential to have your gorilla permit secured early. Booking a gorilla permit in advance gives you room to plan a successful gorilla trip, have all that is needed, plan and budget for the accommodation to stay while on a gorilla tour.

Gorilla Permit Cancellation Policy in Uganda

Should you cancel your gorilla tour after booking a gorilla permit, this is what you need to know? The Uganda Wildlife Authority will not refund you anything if you cancel the tour from 0 to 8 days to the day of tracking. UWA will refund you only 25% of the permit cost if you cancel from four to forty-five days before the activity. Cancelling a tour 46 to 90 days before gorilla trekking attracts a refund of 50% of the cost of the permit. If you cancel the activity 91 days beforehand, you receive a refund of 75%. These refunds only apply to those who paid the whole amount for the gorilla permit. If you had only made a deposit, you are not liable for a refund.

The above cancellation policy is applying to the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Tour operators have their own cancellation policies and you might want to look at our Terms and Conditions.

Cancellation policy in Rwanda

Rwanda development board refunds 50% of the gorilla trekking fee to any visitor who shows signs of illnesses during the briefing at the park headquarters because sick visitors are not allowed to trek the endangered mountain gorillas because they are vulnerable to human diseases.

Visitors who cancel their gorilla trekking permits within three months to the actual tracking date 75% of the amount will be refunded, those who cancel within 2 months 50% will be refunded, one month and below 25% will be refunded and cancellation from 0 to 7 days to the tracking date there will be no refund.