How Many Gorilla Permits are Available in Uganda
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 are available for trekking on each particular date as well as making bids to undertake 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.
Travelers who wish to incorporate the gorilla experience into their itinerary in Uganda must contact the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the sole regulatory body authorized to issue gorilla permits for all sectors where gorilla trekking and habituation experiences take place. Uganda boasts the highest population of mountain gorillas worldwide, resulting in an increased availability of permits. The Uganda Wildlife Authority has fully habituated approximately 17 mountain gorilla families and semi-habituated two families, resulting in a total of 156 permits available for standard gorilla trekking, as well as 8 permits for gorilla habituation.
As of July 2020/2021, the cost of a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda was $600, which increased to $700. Gorilla habituation permits remain at $1500. This price difference is attributed to the duration of the experience, as encounters with the primates in the jungle vary. The gorilla habituation experience allows visitors to spend up to four hours with the mountain gorillas undergoing habituation, while gorilla trekking offers a one-hour encounter. Upon completing the trek, visitors to Bwindi receive certificates as a token of their significant contribution to the conservation of these endangered primates.
Gorilla permits in the Ruhija sector.
Situated in the eastern part of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, the Ruhija sector is a prime destination for gorilla trekking. It’s home to four gorilla families: Oruzogo, Bitukura, Kyaguriro, and Mukiza. However, there are only 32 gorilla permits designated for this sector, and just 8 visitors are permitted to visit a single family each day. Consequently, it’s imperative to secure your booking well in advance to ensure availability.
Gorilla permits in the Rushaga sector.
Rushaga sector is located in the southern part of the park and a home to 5 habituated gorilla families. However, Recently, it’s the unique sector that offers habituation experience which takes 2-3 years before the families are open for human encounter in their natural habitat with 2 families in the 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 Bikini.
Gorilla permits in the Buhoma sector.
The Buhoma sector, known for its historical significance, attracts the highest number of visitors for gorilla trekking. This is because gorillas in this sector are easily accessible for trekking, and there are instances when they can be sighted from the lodges as they move around the vicinity of the lodge or the park headquarters. Gorilla permits in Buhoma constitute 24 per day from three habituated gorilla families which are Mubare, Habinyanja, and the Rushegura gorilla group.
Gorilla permits in the Nkuringo sector.
In the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park lies Nkuringo, where 3 habituated gorilla families are available for gorilla tracking: Nkuringo, Bushaho, and Christmas. In addition to that, at Nkuringo, there are 24 available gorilla permits each day, allowing a total of 24 individuals to trek mountain gorillas, with groups limited to eight people per day.
Gorilla Tracking Rules For Post Covid Visitors
Mountain gorillas possess 98% of human genes which exposes them to communicable diseases like the current coronavirus pandemic. The potential transmission of flu and other airborne diseases poses a significant threat to the survival of gorillas, with COVID-19 being a major concern. The Uganda Wildlife Authority, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, has formulated precautionary measures that tourists can follow at all open tour destinations to ensure the safety of everyone while still enjoying memorable experiences. These guidelines include the following;
- Observe a distance of 7 meters away from the gorillas.
- An age limit of 15 years or more stands.
- You are allowed only 1 hour to see the gorillas
- Wearing 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 several other monkey species in Uganda.
After your gorilla safari, you can visit the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, and Murchison Falls National Park, among other destinations best suited 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’s impenetrable forest which will supplement your lifetime adventure in the pearl of Africa.
Safari Vacations and Travel Services designs itineraries in Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC with over 10 years of experience and we are proud of our reputation for executing some of the most highly-rated vacation experiences. Our local consultants plan your preferred itinerary using expert ground knowledge. We take care of all the local logistics like permits, accommodation, and transport. Also, manage your entire trip, from start to finish with other services like car hire services.
For inquiries, advice on how to plan for this safari, booking the hiking permits; organize transport and accommodation, get in touch with safari vacations and travel services, we help you to avoid inconveniences after landing for the safari.
