Gorilla permits are cards issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority that allow tourists to trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Uganda gorilla permits are organized in a way that each one gives you a visit and one-hour experience with one gorilla family, in a group of 8 tourists.
Before entering the forest, Uganda Wildlife Authority officials will ask you to present your gorilla permit to confirm your booking and details.
How much is a gorilla permit?
Uganda gorilla permits used to cost $800 in the peak season (January, February, March, June, July, August, September, October, and December) and $450 in the low season (April, May, and November). But after Rwanda increased their permit price, Uganda made the cost fixed at $800 all year round. Uganda Wildlife Authority removed the low-season discounts.
This helps both budget and luxury travelers.
In the peak season, permits sell out fast, so you should book them early. The price above is for foreign non-residents. Each day, about 72 people visit Bwindi to see gorillas, with only 8 people allowed per gorilla family.
Many travelers now book Uganda gorilla trekking from Kigali because permits in Uganda are cheaper.
How to book a permit
It’s best to book your permit through a tour operator early (when you book your safari). But you can also book directly from Uganda Wildlife Authority.
After paying for your safari, you must send scanned copies of your passport to your tour operator. They will use this to buy your permits from Uganda Wildlife Authority in Kampala and send you scanned copies of the permits for confirmation.
Always ask for scanned copies of the permits. Some operators delay buying the permits even after receiving full payment.
What if you want to buy the permits yourself? That is okay. It may seem hard, but at least you can book for the most popular gorilla families (Buhoma and Nkuringo).
Some operators delay and end up booking less popular families far from your lodge.
To book directly from Uganda Wildlife Authority, email them to ask about availability on your dates, then follow the steps to pay (including bank charges).
After payment (usually by electronic funds transfer), you send your payment receipt to Uganda Wildlife Authority to confirm your booking.
If you trust your safari operator, you can let them handle the process and be sure they will book for the right gorilla family unless it’s already full.
What to consider
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest has over 10 gorilla families in different areas. Some families get booked faster because they are near good accommodation. That’s why Buhoma permits are in high demand.
Some operators book permits for families far from your lodge, which can make travel harder. Always make sure your permit is for a gorilla family close to your lodge.
When to pay for a permit
Because many tourists visit Uganda for gorilla tours, it is best to book your permit several months before your trip.
Permits are sold on a first-come, first-served basis and get booked quickly. You must pay the full amount for your permit, as Uganda Wildlife Authority does not allow part payments or tentative bookings.
What if my permit is booked under the wrong name?
To avoid errors, send scanned copies of your passport so that your permit is booked under your real name.
Even with this, mistakes still happen. But in most cases, guides explain the mistake to park officials so you can still use your permit.
Discounted gorilla permits
Some safari companies offer discounted permits, but this mostly happens in the low season. It is rare to find discounts in the peak season due to high demand.
You can check tour operator websites or ask directly about any ongoing offers.
Refunds and cancellations
What if you cancel your safari? Will you get a refund? Most companies do not offer refunds for permits, or if they do, the refund may take a long time. That’s why you should only buy a permit when you are sure you will travel.
If you cancel your trip, the tour operator must resell your permit at a lower price and give you a partial refund. Uganda Wildlife Authority does not give refunds for permits bought long before in most cases, but sometimes they offer a small refund.
If gorillas in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park cross into Rwanda or Congo, and you cannot trek them, you will get a full refund.
If you trek the whole day and fail to see gorillas, you are entitled to a 75% refund. Refunds are processed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority reservations office in Kamwokya, Kampala.
Refund policy:
- 91+ days before trekking – 75% refund
- 46–90 days – 50% refund
- 9–45 days – 25% refund
- 0–8 days – No refund
Note: It is now harder to get refunds than before. Most safari operators also keep the refund as a service fee for the time and effort used to book the permit. That means refunds are rare.
Booking with well-known safari companies many months in advance gives you a better chance of getting permits for the most visited gorilla families. Some of these companies are also insured, meaning you might get a full refund if you cancel your safari.
Book your Uganda tours with these recommended Uganda tour companies for a well planned safari. Use the Voucher: UTBlog for up to 25% Discounts on Trips.
