Online Gorilla tracking permits stopped in Uganda

Because of the growing demand for conservation tourism and the promotion of primate tourism, Uganda launched an online gorilla tracking system targeting international markets. The project was aimed at bringing attention to the plight of gorillas thereby promoting the country as a preferred tourist destination.

Through the launch of online gorilla permits by the government, the primate lovers were to have a chance to befriend any of the seven habituated gorilla families in Bwindi National Park at a cost. A website aimed at promoting gorilla tracking in this great nation was established at a cost of about US$25,000 and it had a variety of sections like Geo-track-where one could track gorillas using a global positioning system coordinating that the authority’s gorilla trackers could be given regularly.

The Managing Director of Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) said that “we believe that communication of our product using the latest online technologies will definitely make it more accessible to a bigger number of people and there will be more business for everybody. This is because UWEC is not into the business of doing tour operations”

The parliamentary committee on statutory agents in state enterprise was surprised when they learned that the minister of environment, Maria Mutagamba had stopped the project of online gorilla permit access. The minister is said to have succumbed to pressure from the tour operators of Uganda who earlier complained that the system eliminates them tactically from the business since the tourists do the bookings online.

The Managing Director of Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) pointed out that the minister called UWA officials together with the leaders of the tourism fraternity to bring out certain actions that would calumniate in an official announcement of the start of the online gorilla system.

The population of these rare primates has increased to 400 individuals in addition to the 80 primates found on the Ugandan side of Virunga which was also ranked highest in the world as far as the gorilla population is concerned. Tracking gorillas go for US$600 about Ush 1,500000 per individual for one hour.

If this is not changed, visitors intending to enjoy this wonderful experience will have to follow the old system of acquiring the permits. They can use any of the tour operators to obtain the gorilla permits on their behalf to avoid inconveniences. However, tourists are cautioned to use a credible tour operator who will offer the expected services kindly and efficiently. Our company is one of the leading tour companies that can help a visitor to obtain the permits in time and at a true cost as they plan for their safari tours to Uganda.

A visitor is not allowed to track the gorillas unless he/she obtains a permit. These gorilla tracking permits are issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) at their offices in Kamwokya, a Kampala suburb.