Gorilla permits in Uganda

Gorilla permits in Uganda

Gorilla permits in Uganda : Uganda wildlife Authority (UWA) announced with effective from 1st July 2020, the gorilla permit price for Uganda is set to increase from USD600 to USD700 for foreign non- residents and USD600 for foreign residents in East Africa. For East African citizens the cost still remains at Uganda shillings 250000 per person. The change in the price is as follows;

Gorilla Trekking (Bwindi & Mgahinga) : Current $600 – New $700

Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale              : Current $150 – New $200

Chimpanzee Habituation in Kibale        : Current $200 – New $250

Golden Monkey Tracking in Mgahinga : Current $ 90 – New $ 100

Gorilla habituation permits in Uganda

It should be noted that gorilla habituation experience is one of a kind natural experience that happens only in Uganda. While we have three countries where one can spend one hour with habituated mountain gorillas, it’s only in Uganda and particularly in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in the whole world where one can book a gorilla habituation permit to allow them spend up to four hours with mountain gorillas under habituation. At the time of booking, one is free to pay his or her gorilla habituation experience permit in full or make partial payment and top up at a later stage.

Gorilla habituation permit top up procedure in Uganda

Uganda Wildlife Authority has set guidelines on topping up gorilla habituation experience permits in Uganda. Gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experience in particular is a lifetime experience and in order to get a chance to spend up to four hours with mountain gorillas, one needs to book his or her gorilla permit in advance. This can be done directly by contacting Uganda Wildlife Authority or booking through credible tour operators like Great Nest Image Safaris. Gorilla habituation permits booked in advance can be paid partially by paying 30% of the total cost and once 30% payment is made, details will be entered in UWA system and you will be guaranteed of the spot to visit the mountain gorillas but remember the process will not be complete until you top up the 70% to make 100% payments.

When should l top up my Gorilla habituation permit?

According to the new guidelines, all individuals and tour operators must top up their gorilla habituation experience permits 90 days or three months to the actual trekking date. 

What happens when l don’t top up my gorilla habituation permit in time?

There are several scenarios where tour operators or individuals may fail or delay to top up their gorilla habituation permits and for this case you will have to bear with the following;

  • Uganda Wildlife Authority will release the permits so that they are bought by other companies and in this case, no money will be refunded to you. In other words you stand to lose out on the paid amount. We therefore encourage everyone to make sure that their gorilla habituation experience permits are topped up in time in order not to lose out.
  • If for any reason that may result into late top up, you are advised to formerly write to the Executive Director Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) explain the reason why you may delay to make final payment and whatever response you get from there will be help full.

Why does UWA give a deadline of 90 Days to top up permits?

Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) discovered that most gorilla permits ended up not being topped up and not being used while other companies could be looking for the same gorilla permits for the same dates. In order to reduce on this, Uganda Wildlife Authority called a stakeholder’s meeting where it was explained that all gorilla habituation top ups should be made 90 days to trekking dates and whoever fails to do so will end up losing out. 

Let Great Nest Image Safaris do the booking

Great Nest Image Safaris is a full registered tour operator offering tours to Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda and we have been operating and booking tours on behalf of our clients for the last nine years. When you contact us, you don’t have to worry about gorilla habituation permit availability, we work hand in hand with Uganda Wildlife Authority where we check availability, reserve and pay them on your behalf and when time comes for top up, we will definitely remind you in advance to enable you pay in time. Therefore, those interested in booking gorilla habituation safaris should contact Great Nest Image Safaris in advance to enable us check availability. All you need to do is to send us the exact dates, months and year and we will go ahead to check availability and once found, we will reserve them and advise you on how to make payments. Once payment is done, we will pay, secure your permits and send you scanned copies for your records and perusal. Great Nest Image Safaris offers affordable gorilla habituation safaris that depart every day at anytime. 

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