Uganda has introduced new Gorilla permit prices effective 1st of July 2024. If you are planning to visit Africa for gorilla trekking in Uganda, you need to read on take note of these changes including the new offers that have been introduced.
Let’s take a look at the latest updated Uganda gorilla permit prices as of the 22nd of January.2024 issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority;
Uganda gorilla trekking permit price has been slightly increased to $800 from $700 per person for foreign nonresidents, $700 for foreign residents from $600 and 300,000ugx for east African community citizens from 250,000Ugx.
In addition to the latest changes made, a new special offer has also been introduced for all Africans who are not East African community citizens taking on the Uganda gorilla trekking experience and these will buy the gorilla permits at $500 per person, with changes effective from 1st. July. 2024 up to June 2026.
Remember, this gorilla permit is so important for the treks as it works as the gate pass to access the gorilla parks and it offers 1-hour close encounter with the gorillas in their natural environment as you watch them feed, play, and move within their habitat.
The Gorilla habituation permit prices have remained intact at $1500 per person for foreign nonresidents, $1000 per person for foreign residents, 750,000Ugx for East African citizens and habituation experience will be available for the rest of Africans at $1000 per person which is also a new offer onboard as the new Uganda gorilla permit prices take effect from 1st of July 2024.
Remember gorilla habituation experience offers spending more time with the semi habituated gorillas for four hours following them in their natural habitat with the habituation team of guides, researchers and rangers as you get to know more about these gentle giants.
The latest Uganda gorilla permit price changes updated apply to both Uganda’s only gorilla parks thus Bwindi impenetrable forest and Mgahing Gorilla national parks situated in the southwestern part of the country.
About Bwindi impenetrable forest national park
Bwindi impenetrable national park is a typical rain forest located in the southwestern region of the country and it borders with Congo on the western side.
Bwindi forest became so famous to the world because of gorilla trekking; it is one of the prime gorilla destinations in Africa harboring more than half of the worlds endangered mountain gorilla population existing in their natural habitat across world.
Bwindi impenetrable forest national park in Uganda is home to 17 habituated gorilla families found in four sectors/regions of the park – Rushaga – Nkuringo – Buhoma and Ruhija as the main tracking gateways to the forest.
Gorilla trekking takes place from the park every day for the entire year, however you must purchase a gorilla permit to book and confirm your trekking preferred dates.
Booking for Uganda gorilla permits can be done through a trusted tour operator or directly with Uganda wildlife Authority depending on the visitors’ choice. But booking with a tour operator remains the most convenient way of doing it.
Note; 8 individuals are allowed to visit a particular gorilla family group per day therefore gorilla permits are issued matching the number of gorilla families available for tracking on a first come first serve basis.
If you’re planning to visit Uganda for gorilla trekking in the high seasons of February, June, July, August and December, then timely and advance booking is highly recommended as demand for gorilla permits can be so high and permits tend to sell out so fast.
Bwindi impenetrable forest is not only a place of mountain gorillas, it’s also home various wildlife species including birds, plants and other more animals, insects and butterflies.
Highlight of activities in Bwindi
- Gorilla trekking
- Gorilla habituation
- Bird watching; the park has over 300 bird species including Red throated Alethe. Chestnut Throated Apalis, Fine banded woodpecker, Montana Oriole, African Green Broadbill, Chapin’s flycatcher, Handsome Francolin among so many others.
About Mgahinga national park
Mgahinga national park where Gold meets silver is Uganda’s home of Mountain Gorillas situated in the southwestern region in kisoro district and it borders with DR-Congo and Rwanda.
Mgahinga national park happens to be the smallest parks in Uganda covering about 33.5 square kilometers and was gazette in 1991 mainly to protect the endangered mountain gorillas and their natural habitat.
Among other things and attractions found in Mgahinga national park are the rare golden monkeys which are also endangered and these can also be found in Volcanoes national park in Rwanda as part of the Virunga mountains.
Highlight of activities in Mgahinga national park
- Mountain Gorilla trekking
Mgahinga harbours two habituated gorilla family groups named as Nyakagezi and Hirwa. These two groups are available for tracking on a daily basis with 8 trackers visiting each per day.
- Golden monkey tracking
Mgahinga national park is home to 6 habituated golden monkey troops available for tracking per day.
- Hiking tours
Mgahinga national park is blessed to host three of the virunga volcanoes, Mt Gahinga, Mt Muhavur ant Mt Sabinyo and these are of great opportunity for travelers looking out for hiking adventures with in the area.
- Bird watching
The park is endowed with various bird species including endemics the Virunga Mountains like the Rwenzori Batis, Olive thrush, red faced woodland among others.
- Batwa community experience
The Batwa people are the among the oldest indigenous groups of people existing in Uganda that once lived in the forest before they were displaced in the time of gazatting the area as a national park.
Batwa people lived and survived in the forest for the basic human needs of food medicine among others. And since their displacement from the forest, they have settled outside the forests and trying to adapt to other means of living and earning livelihood from their new community set ups that happen the immediate neighboring communities to the park.
Therefore, visiting the Batwa people communities is such a life-changing experience as you get a chance to know more about them, telling stories on how they lived back then and how they are surviving now as the major ambassadors of conservation and active players and direct beneficiaries of gorilla tourism within the region.
Contact Blue Monkey Tours Rwanda as your trusted leading Gorilla tours and wildlife adventure safaris across East Africa.
