It is possible to resell your gorilla permit if you are unable to make it for the gorilla trek in Uganda or Rwanda. Trek Africa Expeditions can help with the process. In order to resell your permit, you will need to have it secured and have a receipt as proof of payment. This will confirm that you were booked for the gorilla trekking experience in either Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda or Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Keep in mind that reselling your permit is subject to the rules and regulations of the national park where you will be trekking. It is important to follow the proper procedures in order to successfully resell your permit.
Gorilla trekking is an exciting and once-in-a-lifetime experience that can be done in several countries in Africa, including Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. These countries are home to the four national parks that are home to the only remaining mountain gorillas in the world: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Virunga National Park in Congo. In Congo, you also have the opportunity to see lowland gorillas at Kahuzi Beiga National Park. In order to go gorilla trekking at any of these national parks, you will need to obtain a gorilla permit. It is recommended to start booking your gorilla trip as soon as you have your desired dates in mind, as services and permits can sell out quickly, especially during the peak season of June to September. It is advisable to book your trip at least 5 months in advance to ensure availability.
The cost of a gorilla permit in Uganda is USD800 per person per trek for foreign non-residents, USD700 per person for residents, and $70 for East African citizens (Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, and South Sudan). This fee allows you to spend one hour with the mountain gorillas in either Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Uganda has 20 habituated gorilla family groups, with 19 found in Bwindi and 1 in Mgahinga, making a total of 136 gorilla permits available for trekking in Uganda each day. In addition to the standard one-hour trek, Uganda also offers a gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi Forest, where you can spend four hours with semi-habituated mountain gorillas under the guidance of trackers and researchers for a cost of $1500 per person. You can obtain a gorilla permit in Uganda directly through the Uganda Wildlife Authority or through Trek Africa Expeditions a trusted tour operator in Uganda.
The cost of a gorilla permit in Rwanda is $1500 per person per trek for foreign non-residents, $500 per person for foreign residents, and $200 for East African citizens (Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, and South Sudan). This fee allows you to spend one hour with the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. Rwanda has 12 gorilla families, making a total of 96 gorilla permits available for trekking in Volcanoes National Park each day. You can obtain a gorilla permit in Rwanda directly through the Rwanda Development Board or through a trusted tour operator such as Trek Africa Expeditions. Keep in mind that prices and availability for gorilla permits can change, so it is always a good idea to check the most current information before booking your trip.
Gorilla trekking in the Democratic Republic of Congo is done in Virunga National Park for mountain gorillas and Kahuzi Beiga National Park for lowland gorillas. The cost of a gorilla permit in Virunga National Park is $400 per person per trek for the high season months of mid-December to mid-March and June to October, and $200 for the low season months of mid-March to mid-May and mid-October to mid-December. A gorilla permit in Kahuzi Beiga National Park costs $400 for foreign non-residents, $200 for East African residents, and $20 for national residents. You can obtain a gorilla permit in Congo directly through Virunga National Park or through a trusted tour operator such as Trek Africa Expeditions. It is important to note that prices and availability for gorilla permits can change, so it is always a good idea to check the most current information before booking your trip.
If you are unable to make it for your scheduled gorilla trek, it is possible to resell your gorilla permit in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. However, it is important to note that the cancellation policies for gorilla permits in these countries do not allow for refunds if you cancel within 8 days of the scheduled trek. In the past 6 months, the cancellation policies for gorilla permits have changed significantly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and both Uganda and Rwanda have relaxed their policies to a certain extent. If you are unable to make it for your scheduled gorilla trek and wish to resell your permit, it is best to contact the national park where you will be trekking or a trusted tour operator such as Trek Africa Expeditions to determine the most current policies and procedures for reselling your permit.