How to Check For Gorilla Permit Availability in Uganda
Are you planning to visit Uganda for gorilla trekking yet have no idea about how to check the availability of gorilla permits? When it comes to gorilla trekking tours in Uganda, first things first – a gorilla permit must be checked to ensure its availability. Checking the availability of gorilla permits makes it easier to secure a gorilla tracking slot in advance. This is the initial stage of planning a successful gorilla tour in Uganda and applies to first time or seasoned visitors. Explore a complete guide and tips on how to check a gorilla permit availability in Uganda.
How to check a gorilla permit availability
Talk to a reliable tour operator/company/agency
The easiest way to check availability of gorilla permits is by dealing with a reputable tour operator/company in Uganda. A reliable tour company like Maranatha Tours and Travel does assist visitors not only find out if gorilla permits are available but also ensure that they are booked on behalf of the clients.
The process of booking a gorilla permit starts with checking its availability and this is guided by the dates that a visitor intends to embark on a gorilla trekking expedition in Uganda.
Booking a gorilla permit is challenging because it involves certain steps including checking its availability. Gaps such as these are bridged through the local tour operator since you can’t fly to secure a gorilla permit and then return for an actual gorilla trek. Contact our team via info@adventureugandasafaris.com to start the process of embarking on your dream primate adventure.
When our team finds out that the gorilla permit is available as per the gorilla trekking dates you provided, we then get back to you. A visitor is expected to provide personal details as they are needed to be captured for verification purposes on the actual date of trekking. A visitor is also required to make payment to enable the tour operator to book a gorilla permit.
Gorilla permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and visitors can only book them through the tour operators on the ground. UWA is in charge of all the parks and reserves in Uganda. This agency is responsible for setting the conservation rates/tariffs including gorilla permits. A valid gorilla permit is required for all tourists wishing to track gorillas in Uganda.
Booking a Gorilla Permit
Securing a gorilla permit marks the first stage of planning your gorilla trekking tour. The process includes contacting UWA to inquire availability of trekking slots at the visitor’s desired destination. It is possible to walk into UWA tourism offices in Kampala or through email to inquire about the availability of permits.
Once the inquiry is made, the UWA sales executive team informs the tour operator if the trekking slots are not available as per the details presented. And in this case, the sales executive can suggest alternative dates and location with availability.
If a gorilla trekking slot is available, the tour operator can instruct the UWA sales executive to reserve the permit in the UWA booking system. UWA can then issue a proforma invoice that confirms the visitor’s reservation of gorilla trekking services.
The gorilla permit reserved shall be valid for 7 days without payment. Within this period, a visitor is expected to make a payment to secure a permit. The total amount to be paid should be equivalent to the total invoiced funds. The payment should be made through the relevant UWA bank accounts and take note of charges from the bank.
If a visitor fails to pay for the permits as per the UWA guidelines, the reservation can be considered canceled and the permit can be put back on the market for sale. To make the work of the tour operator easier, a visitor should make a payment of 100% as per UWA guidelines.
Note, that gorilla permits in Uganda are open for booking by persons above 15 years. He or she should be physically fit because the search for gorillas takes about 2-6 hours to have a round trek.
Book a gorilla permit in advance.
Early planning is great for gorilla trekking adventures in Uganda. This includes securing a valid gorilla permit. A gorilla permit must be secured early at least 2-6 months before you land in Uganda to begin your journey to any of the Uganda safari parks to track gorillas.
Where to see gorillas in Uganda
Gorilla trekking permits are booked with guidance by the destination where you intend to have a gorilla tour. In Uganda, the available options include Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The two parks offer refuge to about half the world’s 1063 mountain gorilla population with over 26 habituated gorilla families all open for gorilla tourism.
While in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, expect to begin your journey to explore gorillas from the 4 regions or sectors- Ruhija, Buhoma, Nkuringo, and Rushaga. At Mgahinga, expect to begin your trek from Ntebeko to explore Nyakagezi which is the only habituated gorilla group in this protected area.
The best time to track gorillas
Gorillas across the 5 sectors in Bwindi can be visited at any time of the year. However, the best period of the year to experience the most gorilla trekking is during the dry season. The dry season occurs twice a year with the longest extending from June to September and shorter dry months occur from December to February.
The dry months are ideal for gorilla treks because they come with low rainfall amounts. The forest floor/ground can be drier and generally, the conditions can be favorable making it easier to go about gorilla trekking expeditions.
The wet months are also essential for gorilla trekking and run from March to May then from October to November. These are the low months of the year –the months when heavy rains occur and the ground turns slippery and muddy.
Packing list for gorilla tours in Uganda
When choosing items to pack, essentials must be considered first including a waterproof daypack, long-sleeved shirts, a camera without a flashlight, a first aid kit, gardening gloves, bottled drinking water, a sweater, sunglasses, waterproof hiking boots, and sunglasses.
