How Much Is A Gorilla Trekking Permit? $700 Uganda, $1500 Rwanda and $400 Congo.
A gorilla safari is an African wildlife safari of a kind that requires one to acquire a gorilla trekking permit to be granted access to the mountain gorillas in their habitat. The money spent on gorillas permits are used in conserving these gentle giants that were once on verge of extinction and also in developing the communities near the parks.
When you think of Gorilla Trekking Safari to Uganda, Rwanda or the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), one of the most significant questions any trekker should find answers is how much does a gorilla permit cost? A gorilla trekking permit is an important document every trekker on gorilla safari in Uganda, Rwanda or DRC should have if he or she is to be allowed to track any of the habituated gorilla family groups.
Gorilla Trekking is by far an unusual Africa wildlife safari experience offered to travelers not where else on earth except only in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). To participate in this thrilling experience, you need a valid gorilla permit and the cost differs depending on the gorilla trekking safari destination.
Cost of gorilla Trekking Permit per Country
Cost of Gorilla Trekking Permits in Uganda
Uganda gorilla trekking permits are obtainable depending on the category of visitors and the 3 categories include foreign non-residents. Visitors on gorilla safari in Uganda under foreign non-residents can secure gorilla permits at US Dollars 700, foreign residents at US Dollars 600 and Uganda shillings 250000 for citizens from East Africa Community member states.
The easiest way to have your gorilla permit reserved is through a reliable ground tour operator. Booking your gorilla trekking permit with us won’t only allow you secure your permit in advance but we also go further to plan an exceptional gorilla safari for you as well as find suitable accommodation facilities for your night stay in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park depending on where your gorilla permit directs.
Visitors on Uganda gorilla safari can also book their permits directly through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) whose headquarter is based in Kampala. While there is the option of book gorilla permits directly with UWA, about 80 percent of gorilla permits are given to registered tour operators meaning 20 percent remain with Uganda Wildlife Authority reservation team.
Cost of Gorilla Trekking Permits in Rwanda
If you are on Rwanda safari and you are interested in tracking mountain gorillas, then you need US Dollars 1500 to help you book gorilla trekking permit. Gorilla trekking safaris in Rwanda take place only in Volcanoes National Park, which is set in the Northwestern side of this magnificent land locked country. You can reserve your Rwanda gorilla trekking permits through our reservation team or via the Rwanda Development Board (RDB).
Cost of Gorilla Trekking Permits in the DR Congo
Tourists on Congo gorilla safari to Virunga National Park or Kahuzi-Biega National Park for Eastern lowland gorilla trekking tour can secure their gorilla permits at US Dollars 450. You can get in touch with our reservation team and let us plan your Congo safari together and also secure your permit in advance. Alternatively, you can book Congo gorilla trekking permits directly with the park authorities.
What is included/excluded in the cost of gorilla trekking permits?
The cost of gorilla trekking permits covers one hour of magical encounter which trekkers get on finding a habituated gorilla family group after about 2-6 hours of searching for these endangered species. It also includes photography, park entrance fees and the park ranger guide/trackers’ fees.
However, the cost for gorilla trekking permits excluded visitor personal expenses, tips to park ranger guides, trackers, porters and others; transport and accommodation in the gorilla safari park of your choice.
Where to go for Gorilla Trekking?
Volcanoes National Park
Volcanoes National Park is one of the best gorilla safari parks in Africa which attract thousands of tourists for gorilla trekking adventure. This protected area is situated in Northwestern Rwanda and visitors on Rwanda safari can reach it about 2-3 hours which also makes it the most accessible gorilla tour destination. Volcanoes National Park occupies an area of 160sq.kms and besides mountain gorillas, this park also inhabits a section of golden monkeys.
Presently, 10 habituated gorilla groups are available for gorilla tracking and they include Bwenge, Ugenda, Umubano, Amahoro, Hirwa, Sabyinyo, Kwitonda, Agashya, Susa A and Karisimbi (Susa B). The ten groups represent about 80 gorilla permits which are available for booking by tourists on Rwanda gorilla safari. 10 percent of the gorilla trekking permit fees is used to support various local community projects.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are the 2 premier mountain gorilla safari destinations in Uganda. These two parks are situated in Southwestern Uganda and they are reachable about 8-9 hours of driving when you are setting off from Kampala/Entebbe airport and from Kigali city, you will spend about 3 to 4 hours driving with border crossing through Katuna or Chanika border.
Uganda hosts nearly half of all the remaining mountain gorillas which still thrive today in the world making it a remarkable gorilla trekking safari destination. 20 percent of the gorilla permit fees is given back to local communities to support different projects.
Virunga National Park
Virunga National Park is one of the vast national parks in Africa occupying an area of about 7800 sq. km and it hosts some of the mountain gorillas which account for a population of 1063 today. It has 8 habituated gorilla families set for tourists on Congo gorilla safari to trek.
What to carry on gorilla trekking safari besides gorilla permits?
In addition to valid gorilla permits, trekkers also require to have other essential items such as valid passport which you have to present for verification, visa, waterproof hiking boots, long sleeved shirt, socks, insect repellents, first aid kit, camera but without flashlight, snacks, bottled drinking water, yellow fever vaccination card and others.
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