How Many Gorilla Permits Are Available in Mgahinga?

To plan a gorilla trekking trip in Mgahinga National Park, it is essential to know how many gorilla permits are available. Mgahinga is the smallest national park among the four parks where mountain gorillas live in their natural habitats. The other three national parks are Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. Located in southwestern Uganda, Mgahinga is part of the extensive Virunga massive volcanoes shared by three countries. Unlike the other national parks with multiple gorilla families, Mgahinga is the only park with one habituated gorilla family, which is trekked by tourists on a daily basis.

Gorilla Permits Availability in Mgahinga National Park

Mgahinga National Park, located in the southwestern district of Kisoro in Uganda, is home to only one gorilla family called Nyakagezi. Due to this, there are only 8 gorilla permits available daily for tourists to visit these magnificent apes. Globally, it is agreed that each habituated mountain gorilla family can only be visited by a maximum of 8 people per day for one hour. This means that since Mgahinga has only one family, only 8 permits and 8 people can trek gorillas daily for one hour.

It is worth noting that Mgahinga National Park is the smallest of the four national parks that are home to mountain gorillas in their natural habitats. The other parks are Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Unlike Mgahinga, these parks have more than one gorilla family, some of which are habituated while others are not.

The Nyakagezi gorilla family is a well-known group of mountain gorillas that inhabit the Mgahinga National Park, which is situated on the borders of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In the past, this gorilla family used to move frequently between Uganda and Rwanda, as well as the Virunga region. These movements were due to a variety of factors, such as the search for food and periodic migration patterns.

Unfortunately, at one point, gorilla trekking in Mgahinga National Park was stopped. During this time, permits for the Nyakagezi gorilla family could be booked in Rwanda, and the funds generated from these permits would be given back to Uganda, in accordance with the transboundary agreements between the three countries. This period was a difficult time for those who wanted to see the Nyakagezi gorilla family, as their movements made it difficult to guarantee their presence in Mgahinga National Park.

However, as of 2015, the Nyakagezi gorilla family has become a resident group in Mgahinga National Park. This has made gorilla trekking much more accessible, as visitors can now book permits at the Uganda Wildlife Authority park headquarters in Kampala. Initially, gorilla permits for Mgahinga National Park could only be reserved on the ground, making it a challenge for travelers to plan their trips in advance. However, the situation has now improved, and tourists can easily book their permits well in advance, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience while exploring this unique and beautiful national park.

A Guide to Booking Gorilla Permits with Trek Africa Tours

Trek Africa Tours offers daily day safaris and tours to Mgahinga National Park. If you’re interested in booking a gorilla permit to visit the Nyakagezi gorilla family, simply send your preferred dates to Trek Africa Tours. Using these dates, they will check the availability of permits at the Uganda Wildlife Authority trekking in Mgahinga National Park.

If permits are available, Trek Africa Tours will reserve them on the UWA online reservations system and send you an invoice to make a payment. Trek Africa Tours accepts three modes of payment: cash, bank transfers, and credit/debit card payments (with a 5% surcharge of the total cost). It’s important to send proof of payment to ensure that your gorilla permit is secured.

Trek Africa Tours uses their credit to pay for your gorilla permit to avoid missing out on a first-come, first-serve basis, as it takes 2-3 working days for the payment to show in their bank account. Once the permit is purchased, they will send you a receipt from the Uganda Wildlife Authority as proof. Trek Africa Tours will then pick up the permit cards closer to the time of your safari, and their guide will carry them and present them to park staff on the day of gorilla trekking.

With your gorilla permit in hand, you can embark on a trek to visit the Nyakagezi gorilla family in Mgahinga National Park. Gorilla permits are paid for in cash at the Uganda Wildlife Authority, and a receipt is issued. Trek Africa Tours ensures a seamless booking process for a once-in-a-lifetime experience of trekking the mountain gorillas in Mgahinga National Park.

When to Book Your Mgahinga Gorilla Permits

To guarantee your gorilla trekking experience in Mgahinga National Park, you need to have a gorilla permit. As Uganda becomes a popular destination for gorilla trekking, permits tend to sell out quickly. It’s recommended to book your Mgahinga gorilla permit at least 4-5 months to one year in advance. This advance booking gives Trek Africa Tours enough time to acquire your gorilla permit when there is still availability.

It’s important to note that Mgahinga National Park has only one gorilla family, and there are only eight permits available each day. This means that the limited permits are highly competitive, and you must book in advance to secure an opportunity to visit and trek the Mgahinga mountain gorillas.

Trek Africa Tours advises early booking to secure your Mgahinga gorilla permit for an unforgettable experience. Don’t wait until the last minute and risk missing out on the opportunity to see these majestic animals in their natural habitat. Start planning your gorilla trekking adventure today with Trek Africa Tours.

Who Can Book and Trek Mgahinga Gorillas?

Mgahinga gorilla permits are available to anyone around the world who wants to visit and trek these magnificent primates. You can contact the Uganda Wildlife Authority reservations team via phone or email to book your gorilla permit, or you can book through a registered and recognized Uganda tour operator like Trek Africa Tours.

Booking gorilla permits directly with Uganda Wildlife Authority can sometimes be challenging, as response rates to email and phone inquiries can be poor. To avoid this hassle, it’s recommended to book through a reliable tour operator like Trek Africa Tours, which will handle everything for you.

Trek Africa Tours ensures that the booking process is stress-free, and you will not encounter the difficulties mentioned above. The experienced and knowledgeable staff will help you secure your Mgahinga gorilla permit and make all necessary arrangements for an unforgettable trekking adventure. Contact Trek Africa Tours to book your Mgahinga gorilla permit today.

Trek Africa Tours – Your Trusted Tour Operator for Uganda and Rwanda

Trek Africa Tours has been operating successfully in Uganda and Rwanda for many years, earning a reputation as a reliable and responsible tour operator. As a company, we are committed to supporting the local communities and environment in the destinations we operate in. We encourage our clients to visit local projects and take part in activities that support the conservation of the environment and promote the local culture.

If you book any of our Uganda safaris, we urge you to request information about community projects where you can make a contribution. We believe that travel and tourism should have a positive impact on local communities and the environment. By visiting these projects, you will be making a difference to the lives of the local people and contributing to the preservation of their cultural heritage.

Trek Africa Tours has earned high ratings on TripAdvisor and Safari Bookings. We continue to work hard to maintain our reputation as a trustworthy tour operator, dedicated to providing our clients with an unforgettable experience in Uganda and Rwanda.