Essential Travel Documents You Need to Trek Gorillas

Are you aware of the essential travel documents you need to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda or DR Congo? Well, to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Congo’s Virunga National Park, you are required to have valid travel documents. Every enthusiastic gorilla trekker is required to have to have these documents while on gorilla safari.

On actual gorilla trek, you will be required to present them before the park official for you to be verified. The other reason you need these travel documents during gorilla trekking tour in Uganda, Rwanda or DRC is to ensure visitors heading to trek these endangered apes are safe which in return protects them from human infectious diseases. It is also one way to ensure sustainable gorilla tourism in respect gorilla parks.

Below are some of the essential travel documents you need to trek gorillas

Gorilla permit

A valid gorilla permit is one of the essential travel documents you need to trek gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda or the DR Congo. When planning gorilla tour to any of these gorilla destinations, take note that each of them has a set rate for gorilla permit. In Rwanda, trekkers on Rwanda safari can secure gorilla trekking permit at $1500 and this rate applies to all visitors.

In Rwanda, Maranatha Tours and Travel makes it easier for you to reserve your gorilla permit which lets you track mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. Simply get in touch with our team and we shall be of great help to you. Booking with recognized tour operator like us is advantageous as we go through the tedious process, find you a comfortable accommodation for your night stay and a lot more while you sit back home till that time you will be required to hit the jungles to strike your imaginations with rare mountain gorillas in the wild. Alternatively, gorilla permits in Rwanda can also be reserved through reservation team at Rwanda Development Board (RDB).

In Uganda, gorilla permits are obtainable at $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents and shs. 300,000 for East African citizens. It should be noted that these rates have been effective from 1st July 2024 and run up to 2026 applying for every trekker. The easiest way to reserve your gorilla permit in Uganda is through our reservation team or reservation team at Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).

In the DR Congo, gorilla permits cost $450 per person and you can secure the park authorities at the Virunga National Park. However, prior embarking on gorilla trekking tour in the Congo Virunga National Park make sure that you have conducted adequate research on current safety and security situation or get in touch with your embassy in the DR Congo.

Uganda alone consists of about 168 gorilla permits which translate into 24 habituated gorilla families which are in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. In Rwanda, there are 12 habituated gorilla groups and this translates into 96 gorilla permits. The DR Congo comprises issues out about 64 gorilla permits which let visitors on Congo gorilla tour to trek the 8 habituated gorilla families in the Virunga National Park.

Essential Travel Documents You Need to Trek Gorillas -Valid visa

A valid visa is what lets you have access to Uganda, Rwanda or DR Congo. You can secure your visa online through your home embassies prior your actual date of trekking mountain gorillas. You can check through the immigration page of your home country and fill in the application form and then submit it. In case you plan a gorilla tour in Rwanda, Rwanda and DR Congo, you can apply for a single visa or the single East African visa which lets you explore Uganda or Rwanda without necessarily securing another visa. You need $100 to help you secure your visa.

Valid passport

You require a valid passport when planning gorilla trekking. A copy of the original passport is usually needed when making reservation for gorilla permit. The original passport is needed for verification at park headquarters or on the date you will be at the visitor center for briefing on gorilla trekking rules and regulations. The East African citizens who don’t have passports can present valid Identity cards. This adds on the essential travel documents you need to trek gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo.

Citizenship Identity Card – (Essential Travel Documents You Need to Trek Gorillas)

If you are within Uganda, Rwanda or DRC, you are advised to have your citizenship identity card.

Yellow fever vaccination certificate

You need to vaccinate against yellow fever prior embarking on gorilla tour. You will be required to present it before officers at the point of entrance (especially at the airports) to East African nations.

Mountain gorillas share about 98.7% of their DNA with humans which makes them to be very susceptible to human infectious diseases. By vaccinating against yellow fever, it helps safeguard these endangered species from getting infected.

Important tips to observe on gorilla trek

• Have a valid gorilla permit.
• No flashlight camera is allowed on gorilla trek.
• In case gorillas charge against you stand still and observe the instructions from your park ranger guide.
• Never touch gorillas even if they get close to you.
• Maintain a distance of 7 meters away from gorillas.
• In case you are sick, don’t go to trek gorillas.
• Wear environmentally friendly attire.
• Leave the gorilla habitat in a better state than you found it.
• Keep your voices low at all times when trekking gorillas.