Late Gorilla Permit Rescheduling: What’s the Penalty?

Uganda Wildlife Authority has implemented a new regulation on their 2020-2021 tariffs, which imposes a fine or penalty for late rescheduling of gorilla permits in Uganda. Late rescheduling of gorilla permits will now result in a charge of 25% of the permit fee. It is important for individuals who are purchasing or planning to reschedule Bwindi or Mgahinga National Park gorilla permits to do so in a timely manner to avoid incurring this fine. Failure to reschedule permits in a timely manner may result in unnecessary delays and additional costs.

Understanding the Origins of the Fine or Penalty for Late Rescheduling of Gorilla Permits

Gorilla permits are essential documents that allow tourists to visit mountain gorillas in various national parks, including Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga National Park, Volcanoes National Park, and Virunga National Park. During the one-hour visit, tourists are allowed to observe the gorillas’ behavior and take photographs. To promote the conservation of these animals, a percentage of the gorilla permit fee is dedicated to their preservation.

In recent years, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has introduced a fine or penalty for late rescheduling of gorilla permits. This policy aims to encourage tourists to reschedule their permits in a timely manner to avoid disruptions in the conservation efforts of these endangered species. According to the 2020-2021 UWA tariffs, late rescheduling of gorilla permits will be charged 25% of the permit fee. This fee is intended to deter tourists from making late changes to their permits and ensure that the parks can properly plan for the arrival of visitors.

The origins of the fine or penalty for late rescheduling of gorilla permits can be traced back to the growing popularity of gorilla tourism in recent years. As more tourists visit the parks to observe these majestic animals, UWA has become increasingly concerned with managing the impact of tourism on the gorilla population and their habitat. By introducing a penalty for late rescheduling of gorilla permits, UWA hopes to promote responsible tourism practices and ensure that the conservation efforts are not compromised by the actions of tourists.

When gorilla trekking first began in Uganda, as well as the other three countries where mountain gorillas reside, there was no option to reschedule gorilla permits. In other words, the dates for gorilla trekking were always fixed, and rescheduling was not allowed. However, Uganda Wildlife Authority later revisited this strict policy and introduced some flexibility, allowing tour operators and individuals to move permits from one date to another.

It is important to note that the fine for late rescheduling of gorilla permits only applies to those who want to move their permit from one date to another at the last minute. Those who apply to transfer their booked gorilla permit from one date to another two weeks before the actual gorilla trekking date are not affected by this fine. The fine for late rescheduling of gorilla permits only applies to those who want to move permits within eight days of the trekking date.

How to Reschedule Gorilla Permits in Uganda’s Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks

In order to reschedule gorilla permits in Uganda’s Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks, there is a procedure that must be followed as stipulated by Uganda Wildlife Authority. It’s important to note that gorilla permits are typically booked well in advance to avoid missing out. Tour operators can book permits on behalf of their clients up to a year or two in advance, and individuals can also book directly from UWA. However, unexpected circumstances such as illness may require the rescheduling of a permit.

In the event of needing to change the date of a gorilla trek, a formal request must be made to the Executive Director of Uganda Wildlife Authority. The request should specify the number of permits to be moved, the current date of the trek, and the desired new date for the trek. Additionally, the person responsible for the transfer of the permits should provide evidence or a reason for the need to change the dates of the permits.

To request a rescheduling of your gorilla permits, you have two options: physically send an official letter to the Uganda Wildlife Authority head office, or attach it as an email. It is important to follow up to confirm that the letter has been received and reviewed. After the Executive Director’s office receives and evaluates your request, they may grant or deny your rescheduling. If approved, the IT section of the Uganda Wildlife Authority will be informed and will move your gorilla permits to the new dates. Once the rescheduling is complete, the Uganda Wildlife Authority will notify you of the changes and you can pick up your acceptance letter from the head of reservations at their office.

Once you book gorilla permits, an ID or identification number is generated and provided on the receipt issued to you. When your rescheduling request is approved, you must present this receipt with the ID to have it updated in the system. A new ID will be generated for your reference. It is important to note that there is no penalty or fine for rescheduling your gorilla permits more than two weeks prior to your trekking date. Late rescheduling, however, incurs a fine, which applies only when the request is made at the last minute.

Rescheduling Uganda Gorilla Pass: Terms and Conditions

To reschedule a gorilla permit in Uganda, a late request incurs a 25% fee of the total cost of the permit. As of July 1st, 2020, the price of a gorilla permit is USD800. Therefore, if you need to reschedule your gorilla trekking permit and your request is late, you will be required to pay a penalty of 25% of USD800, which equals USD 175. To avoid this additional cost, it is important to request a date change in a timely manner.

To reschedule all gorilla permits, owners must ensure that they are fully paid up. This means that the Uganda Wildlife Authority requires 100% payment before a rescheduling request can be processed. Individuals and tour operators are allowed to pay 30% of the total gorilla permit price and then top up the remaining 70% three months before the trekking date. If you need to reschedule your gorilla permits due to a change in dates, you must first ensure that they are fully paid up and then submit a formal letter to the Executive Director requesting a rescheduling.

Please note that Uganda gorilla permits can only be rescheduled once. This means that it is important to ensure that your office staff are aware of this policy and do not make errors when booking the permits, as there is no room for leniency from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. At Trek Africa Expeditions, we take extra care to obtain the correct dates from you during the gorilla tour booking process to avoid any mistakes in the gorilla permit reservation.

In order to reschedule gorilla permits to a new date, the Uganda Wildlife Authority must ensure that availability or space exists for the requested date. At Trek Africa Expeditions, we check the availability of space on the new dates before advising you on the best course of action. If there is no space available on the desired date, we may suggest alternative dates before or after the preferred date.

Reasons for Late Rescheduling Penalty for Gorilla Permits in Uganda

There are several reasons why gorilla permit rescheduling may be necessary in Uganda. These situations may arise due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness, death, or changes in flight schedules. Whatever the reason may be, it is possible to reschedule the trekking date as long as you inform us in advance. Failure to do so will result in a 25% penalty.