How many gorilla permits are available in Uganda?

A question of debate that comes to every traveler on securing availability for his/her trekking dates, month and year is always about considering how many gorilla permits that are available for trekking on each particular date to as well make bids to undertaking the experience in the Pearl of Africa. A gorilla permit is thus a document/ card that offers you a pass to have a once in a lifetime experience to glance at the great giant Apes in their natural habitat.

The number of gorilla permits available in Uganda for those who love to enjoy the experience or add it on to their travel itinerary are thus required to contact or get accurate information from Uganda Wildlife Authority the only regulatory body mandated to issue out gorilla permits for all the sectors where gorilla trekking/Habituation experience occur. Uganda is a home to the highest population of the world’s mountain gorillas meaning there is increased number of gorilla permits with about 17 mountain gorilla families habituated and two semi habituated which makes up 156 gorilla permits for normal gorilla trekking and 8 gorilla permits for gorilla habituation

The cost of gorilla trekking permit in Uganda apparently cost $600 but to increase to $700 as of July 2020/2021, the cost of gorilla habituation retained its stand at $1500 and the difference in this amount is because of the time allocated for either of the experience once you encounter the primates in the jungle though both offers a marvelous experience  once the gentle giants are met.(gorilla habituation experience allows one to spend up to four hours with mountain gorillas under habituation whereas gorilla trekking takes only one hour with the primates. Visitors to Bwindi after trekking are given certificates as a sign of greatly participating in the conservation of these endangered primates.

Gorilla permits in Ruhija sector.

Ruhija sector is located in the eastern part of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and as well host tourists for gorilla trekking activity. It comprises of 4 gorilla families which include Oruzogo, Bitukura, Kyaguriro and Mukiza. With these families there are 32 gorilla permits only allocated to the sector with only 8 visitors allowed to visit a single family per day. This implies that you are required to book your slot early enough for availability.

Gorilla permits in Rushaga sector.

Rushaga sector is located in the southern part of the park and a home to 5 habituated gorilla families. Of recent it’s the only unique sector which offers habituation experience which takes 2-3 years before the families are open for human encounter in their natural habitat with 2 families in habituation process. This has given rise to the number of permits allocated for visitors to the sector. Gorilla families in this sector include Bweza, Nshongi, Busingye, Kahungye, Mishaya, Bushaho and Bikingi.

Gorilla permits in Buhoma sector.

Buhoma sector is a historical and most visited area for gorilla trekking given the fact that gorillas to this sector are easy to trek and at times they can be spotted from the lodges when they are moving around the lodge or park headquarters. Gorilla permits in Buhoma constitute to 24 per day from three habituated gorilla families which are Mubare, Habinyanja and the Rushegura gorilla group.

Gorilla permits in Nkuringo sector.

Nkuringo located in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with 3 habituated gorilla families active for gorilla tracking which include Nkuringo, Bushaho and Christmas, at Nkuringo 24 gorilla permits are accessible daily, a total of 24 people can trek mountain gorillas daily in a group of 8 people per day.

Gorilla Tracking Rules For Post Covid Visitors

Mountain gorillas pose 98% of human genes which exposes them to communicable diseases like the current corona virus pandemic. Gorillas can catch flu and other airborne diseases making Covid 19 a big threat to the survival of the gorillas however Uganda Wildlife Authority with guidance from ministry of health designed precaution measures that can be undertaken by tourists to all open tour destinations for everyone’s safety intending to enjoy memorable experiences. These guidelines include the following;

• Observe a distance of 7 meters away from the gorillas.
• Age limit of 15 years or more stands.
• You are allowed only 1 hour to see the gorillas
• Wearing of masks is important
• Avoid sneezing.
• Sanitize and observe other SOP guidelines.

Besides the mountain gorillas, you can track the Chimpanzee in Kibale Forest National Park or the golden monkey in Chimpanzee trekking, golden monkey trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and a number of other monkey species in Uganda.
After your gorilla safari, you can visit the tree climbing lions of Ishasha, Murchison Falls National Park, among other destinations best suit for wildlife safaris in Uganda.

Our safari packages are inclusive of a gorilla trekking permit, transportation arrangements, accommodation and meals among other extra offers when you book with us. Contact us with any of your inquiries regarding gorilla trekking safaris; we go further to offer different optional activities that can be tailor made together with the gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi impenetrable forest which will supplement on your lifetime adventure in the pearl of Africa.