Why should I Book a Gorilla Permit in Advance?

Gorilla tips and Advice: Why you should book a Gorilla Permit in advance.

If you want to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda, you need to have it in mind that Gorilla permits are secured basing on first come first serve basis and in this blog, post – Trek Africa tours give tip and reasons, why you should book your gorilla permit in advance? Kindly read it before you book. Gorilla tracking is done only in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park both located in the south-western part of the country. You will be visiting over 18 habituated Gorilla families and only 8 visitors are allowed to trek a gorilla family every day. Therefore Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park gives out about 144 Gorilla tracking permits per day to visitors.

If you are planning a Gorilla trekking trip on your next safari to Africa, you are advised to pay a deposit in advance for a Gorilla permit and it applies in all Gorilla destinations, which are Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.

Gorilla permits price in Rwanda is at USD1500 per person per trek, Uganda sells Gorilla permits at USD700 per person per trek for foreign non-residents, USD600 for foreign residents and 250,000shs for East African residents and Democratic Republic of Congo sells Gorilla permits at USD450 per person per trek. On the day of Gorilla tracking, each traveler is required to have a valid individual Gorilla permit without which no one is allowed to see these endangered apes.

Reasons for early booking of your Gorilla permits

Booking of lodges and hotels

Timely booking of a Gorilla permit enables timely booking of suitable lodges ensuring quality food and sleeping services. This mostly applies in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park where Gorilla treks are done in four sectors of the park. The lodges/camps booked depend on the Gorilla family allocated and the region. Lodges in Bwindi are scattered in Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija and Nkuringo regions, which necessitate a traveler to trek Mountain Gorillas near his/her lodge.

Since Gorilla permits in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park bear the name of the sector, travel operators find it easy to book the appropriate safari lodge hence saving travelers time and energy in the actual day of trekking the Gorillas. Sectors are far away from each other and maybe disturbing to sleep in one sector and trek Gorillas in another sector the next day. The driving distance can be tiresome and inconveniencing for travelers. Lodges always get fully booked in the peak season since lodge rooms are also served on first come first serve basis.

Continued demand for Gorilla permits

Seeing mountain gorillas in the natural habitat is a dream of most travelers from all over the World. And tourists who arrive in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo take Gorilla tracking as their priority. This shows a high demand for Gorilla permits compared to the availability hence chances for those who book early enough and pay a deposit.

Gorilla permits are issued out on first come first serve basis hence travelers who book as early as possible stand high chances of accessing the Gorilla permits. Presently there is a high demand for Gorilla permits in Uganda due to the high cost of Gorilla permits in Rwanda. This has caused a scarcity of Gorilla permits and some trips cancelled. High demand for Gorilla permits in Uganda is mainly during the peak season in June, July, August, September, December, January and February.

In conclusion, the booking of your gorilla permit is a requirement for everyone intending to see these majestic creatures. Book for a Gorilla safari to Uganda and Rwanda with Trek Africa Tours, and secure a Gorilla permit and enjoy a once in a lifetime experience.