Advantages and Disadvantages of Booking Uganda Gorilla Trekking Tours from Kigali
February 20, 2023
How Many Gorilla Trekking Permits are Available Daily in Uganda?
February 20, 2023
Booking Gorilla Permits from Anywhere in the World
This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to book gorilla permits from anywhere in the world for gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda. Booking and securing a gorilla trekking pass or permit is necessary to ensure a successful gorilla trekking experience in any of the gorilla national parks located in these two countries. The mountain gorillas can be found in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Trek Africa Expeditions offers gorilla trekking excursions in Rwanda and Uganda, prioritizing the security and safety of their clients. Therefore, booking with them guarantees an unforgettable experience.
Booking Gorilla Permits from Anywhere in the World: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you’re interested in viewing mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, it’s essential to book gorilla permits in advance. Mountain gorillas can be found in their natural habitats in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. To trek mountain gorillas in Uganda or Rwanda, one must secure their gorilla passes beforehand, which means booking your permit before arriving in Africa. Fortunately, booking your permit from anywhere in the world is a straightforward process with Trek Africa Expeditions. Our team ensures that you receive instant availability, reservation, and dates within 15 minutes. With our help, you can easily book gorilla permits for an unforgettable mountain gorilla trekking experience.
To book your gorilla permits with Trek Africa Expeditions, there are different communication channels available for you to use. You can contact us through our telephone numbers or via WhatsApp, or send us an email ([email protected]) detailing when you plan to trek gorillas. In the email, please include the exact dates you intend to visit Uganda and/or Rwanda for your gorilla trekking expedition.
Upon receiving your email, we immediately contact the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) or Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to check the availability of permits for Rwanda or Uganda, respectively. Our team then cross-checks with your preferred dates to ensure there is availability before reserving the permits on your behalf. Once we have reserved the permits, we notify you and wait for you to make the payment to secure them. Our team ensures that you get the necessary support throughout the process of booking gorilla permits, making the experience seamless and stress-free.
Trek Africa Expeditions provides multiple payment options for our clients. We accept bank transfers, credit card payments, and on rare occasions, cash payments. After agreeing on the dates for your gorilla trekking expedition, our team sends you an invoice with instructions on how to make payment for the gorilla permits. You can choose to make payment via wire transfer to our bank account or by credit card. If you choose to pay with a credit or debit card, a surcharge of 5% of the total payment will be added to the transaction. However, this surcharge does not apply to wire transfer payments.
Once payment has been made, we request that you send us proof of payment so that we can proceed with purchasing your permit while waiting for your funds to reflect in our bank account. It’s important to note that bank transfers and credit card payments usually take between 2 to 3 working days to process. Our team ensures that we keep you informed throughout the payment process, making the experience smooth and hassle-free for you.
Once payment for your gorilla permits has been made, our team will send you scanned copies of your permit receipts as proof of purchase. When the time for your trekking expedition arrives, our team will collect your permits from either the Uganda Wildlife Authority or Rwanda Development Board on your behalf. During the trek, your guide will carry the gorilla permit cards and present them to the park headquarters on the day of the trek.
It’s important to note that the gorilla permit includes one hour of interaction with the mountain gorillas, park entry fees for either Volcanoes National Park or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and the services of a well-trained ranger guide who will accompany you during your trek in the forest. However, the permit fee does not include transportation to and from the park, or accommodation for the two nights you will spend in the park.
Our team ensures that you have all the necessary information and documents needed for a successful and enjoyable gorilla trekking experience. We keep you informed throughout the entire process, from the booking of the permit to the collection of the permit card, ensuring that the experience is seamless and stress-free for you.
Number of Gorilla Families in Uganda and Rwanda
Before booking gorilla permits, it is important to know the number of gorilla families in Uganda and Rwanda. This information helps in determining the permits available daily for gorilla trekking. In Rwanda, there are 20 mountain gorilla families situated in Volcanoes National Park. Out of these 20 gorilla families, 10 are available for gorilla trekking while the other 10 are reserved for research. In Uganda, there are over 19 habituated mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park combined. Two of these habituated gorilla families are reserved for gorilla habituation experience. Trek Africa Expeditions is one of the pioneer companies offering expeditions to spend four hours with mountain gorillas under habituation in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Knowing the number of gorilla families in Rwanda and Uganda is crucial in securing gorilla permits. This is because the permits are limited to a specific number per day to ensure conservation efforts are not compromised. Therefore, having this information beforehand is essential in booking permits for the preferred dates. Gorilla permits provide a unique opportunity to spend an hour with these endangered species in their natural habitats, and also cover park entry fees, and services of well-trained ranger guides. However, the permit fee does not include transport to and from the park, as well as accommodation for two nights at the park.
Gorilla Permits for Trekking in Bwindi: How Many Are Available Daily?
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, located in Uganda, offers the highest number of gorilla permits for sale each day. With a total of approximately 162 permits, this park has about 18 gorilla families that are available for trekking. The number of gorilla families keeps increasing due to new habituations and natural separations of the existing groups. When booking gorilla permits, it is important to note that they can be booked per region, and Bwindi has four regions: Buhoma in the north, Ruhija in the east, and Rushaga and Nkuringo in the south.
Trek Africa Expeditions, a reputable safari company, can advise you on which region to book your gorilla permit, depending on factors such as your preferences, availability, and overnight accommodations. This information is critical since it determines the lodge or overnight accommodation you will be staying in and the airstrip for those who prefer flying safaris.
Once you have decided on the region and the date of your gorilla trekking, Trek Africa Expeditions can then help you book your gorilla permit. It is important to note that securing your permit in advance is essential, and the process should be done through a trusted and experienced safari company like Trek Africa Expeditions.
Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga National Park: How Many Permits Are Available Daily?
Mgahinga National Park, located in southwestern Uganda, offers a unique gorilla trekking experience, with only one gorilla family available for trekking. This means that there are only 8 gorilla permits available for booking daily. The Nyakagezi gorilla family, which used to migrate to Volcanoes National Park, has finally settled in Mgahinga and can now be booked through the Uganda Wildlife Authority offices in Kampala, just like permits for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Due to the limited number of permits available, Trek Africa Expeditions recommends booking in advance to secure a spot for gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park. With only one family available, the trekking experience in Mgahinga is an exclusive one, providing a unique opportunity to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. Additionally, the park offers breathtaking scenery and a variety of other activities, including bird watching and hiking the Virunga Mountains.
Trek Africa Expeditions can assist with booking permits and planning the perfect gorilla trekking experience in Mgahinga National Park. Their team of experienced guides can provide insights into the behavior and lifestyle of the Nyakagezi gorilla family and ensure a safe and enjoyable trekking experience.
Availability of Gorilla Trekking Permits in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda has ten habituated gorilla families and offers 80 gorilla trekking permits per day. The remaining gorilla families in the park are reserved for research purposes. To book gorilla permits in Rwanda, interested individuals can contact Trek Africa Expeditions from anywhere in the world. The company can provide further details on how to secure permits for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda.
Cost of Gorilla Permits for Trekking in Uganda and Rwanda
Gorilla trekking is a popular activity for tourists visiting Uganda and Rwanda. In Uganda, the cost of a gorilla permit for a normal one-hour trek is USD800. However, for those who are interested in spending more time with the gorillas, Uganda also offers gorilla habituation experience permits at $1500. These permits allow visitors to spend four hours with a family of habituated mountain gorillas in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
In Rwanda, the cost of a gorilla permit is $1500, which is relatively more expensive compared to Uganda. The fee includes park fees, the services of a trained ranger guide, and one hour with a family of habituated mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. Rwanda is a luxury destination and the most expensive option for gorilla trekking due to its efforts to position itself as a high-end tourism destination. Nonetheless, both Uganda and Rwanda offer unique and unforgettable gorilla trekking experiences for tourists.
