A Gorilla Permit is a document that allows one access to a particular group of habituated gorilla groups. It can be in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Rwanda or other gorilla trekking destinations. Are you thinking of how to book a gorilla permit? Acquiring a gorilla permit or pass to observe wild mountain gorillas is an important thing to consider when planning for a gorilla safari.
It is important to book your gorilla permit as soon as you decide to go for gorilla trekking. All tourists must have Gorilla permits before arriving at the park offices for gorilla trekking. They are advised to obtain one in advance especially if they plan to travel during the peak travel season.
As soon as you decide to go for gorilla trekking, you need to commit to the tour and request your chosen tour company to help reserve a permit for the planned tracking date. Booking gorilla permits during the peak season (June to early October and December to early March) can be difficult. It is not possible to acquire gorilla permits on your own. Only registered tour operators in Uganda and Rwanda can access the system for issuing out permits. A reliable tour company will help you get permits and put together your entire gorilla tracking safari. The company will also organize transport, meals, other activities and accommodation. The cost of the gorilla permit should be included by the company when calculating the overall cost of the tour. Let us now discuss more about the cost of gorilla permits in each of the three mountain gorilla trekking countries.
Gorilla Permits in Rwanda
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is done at the volcanoes national park. There are 10 habituated gorilla groups in Rwanda. The cost of a gorilla permit in Rwanda is $1500. Gorilla permits in Rwanda are obtained by authorized tour companies in Rwanda online. Only in rare cases can the Tour company secure the permit from the Rwanda Development Board offices in Kigali or directly from the park. The high price for gorilla permits in Rwanda has forced many budget travelers to cross the border for cheaper tours in Uganda and DR Congo.
Update: Rwanda may offer cheaper Rwanda gorilla permits to African Union Citizens, Residents of Rwanda, Conference Attendants and those traveling in very large groups. The discounts may still be valid as I write this.
Booking Gorilla Permits in Uganda and Cancellation policy
In Uganda, gorillas are found in Bwindi impenetrable forest and Mgahinga Gorilla Park. There are 19 habituated Gorilla groups in Uganda. Bwindi has 18 habituated gorilla families while Mgahinga has one 
large group. The cost of a gorilla permit in Uganda is $800 or Foreigner and $1500 if they wish to go for the gorilla habituation experience. Foreign residents in East Africa pay $700 for the normal gorilla trekking and $1000 for the gorilla habituation experience. East African Citizens pay 300,000 Uganda shillings for normal gorilla Trekking and 750,000 Uganda shillings for the habituation experience.
That makes the cost of trekking gorillas in Uganda cheaper than Rwanda. Uganda has benefited a lot by maintaining a lower price for its permits and the fact that it has more gorillas. It means that the country generally receives more visitors.
Gorilla permits in Uganda are obtained from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) offices in Kampala. The Uganda Wildlife Authority issues over 150 gorilla permits per day. Only registered tour operators in Uganda can book the permits directly with UWA or through their online system.
Bwindi impenetrable forest park has 4 sectors. Your permit will determine which gorilla family to track as well as your accommodation. There are discounted gorilla permits in Uganda for African Union Citizens and East African Residents. Mgahinga national park has only one habituated gorilla group and and is generally not busy during the low season. Getting a gorilla permit for Mgahinga can be very difficult during the peak season. Why? Because all Tour operators go for its permits when there is non remaining in other sectors of Bwindi.
Note: Uganda is the only country currently offering the gorilla habituation experience. This experience allows tourists more time with the gorillas under the guidance of experienced Researchers and Trackers. This gorilla habituation permit costs $1500 and is suitable for those who wish to have a more comprehensive understanding of Mountain gorillas. By the time you leave a group undergoing habituation, you would have spent four hours with the primates. Tourist can only be with the gorillas for one hour during the normal gorilla trekking.
Gorilla Permits in Congo
There are 8 Gorilla Groups in Congo and gorilla trekking permits cost $450 per per person. Booking gorilla permits in Congo is done either directly with the park or using a tour operator. The park or tour operator helps you reserve the permit based on mutual trust. Tour operators can also help you book Eastern lowland gorilla permits in Kahuzi-Biega national park. Lowland gorilla permits can be secured last minute but we recommend that you plan your booking in advance just to be sure.
Why is the Cost of a Gorilla Permit is High?
After learning about the price of a gorilla permit, you might begin wondering whether it’s worth it. Gorilla permits are expensive because many find the primates fascinating. They have a striking resemblance to we humans. They may not be as intelligent as chimpanzees but their behavior and family arrangement is strikingly familiar. Gorillas are wiser than chimpanzees. They are also more gentle, peaceful and considerate of all family members. Gorillas will protect their family and especially the young to death.
Mountain gorillas are an endangered species with about 1000 remaining in the wild. They are only found in the wild forests of Congo, Uganda and Rwanda. No mountain gorillas are found in zoos. The experience of observing them in the wild is special and the fact that they are endangered has contributed to the high price for permits. The governments need funds to protect the primates and preserve their natural habitat. 80% of the money generated from gorilla permits is used for gorilla conservation purposes. Without tourists visiting the gorillas, there would be no funds to use for protecting them. The primates would be left alone and prone to poaching or pet Traders. This is one reason why many think gorilla trekking is ethical. By paying for the permits, you are contributing to the protection of a creature that reminds us of ourselves and our past. The local communities and former poachers gain a lot from gorilla tourism and are less likely to harm the primates.
Additional Information about Booking Gorilla Permits in Rwanda, Uganda and Congo
A gorilla permit is the one document that gives you the right to enter the park and observe the primates for one or four hours. Tour operators will ask you to share your passport details or copy at the time of booking your trip so that they can know your age. Your age is important because it determines if you qualify for gorilla trekking or could need a porter while at the park. The passport copy will also help the tour company figure out if you need a Guide who speaks multiple languages.
What is included in the price of a gorilla permit? The price of a gorilla permit includes park entrance fees and the services of the Ranges/Guides who will be leading you while in the forest. The Rangers protect you from any wild animals like forest buffalos and elephants. The price of a gorilla permit excludes accommodation, transport, porters and tips.
It is important to book your gorilla permits and safari months in advance before traveling. This is particularly important during the peak travel seasons.
Never accept to pay for gorilla permits at a price different from that offered by the government Authorities. If it is peak season, it is better to wait or book for another month. There is no need to rush because you will eventually see the gorillas regardless of when you visit.
Avoid sending money to a personal account when booking your gorilla permit or tour. A Tour company should have a bank account in their name. This will help you follow up in case you ever need to. All Tour operators must also give you an option of paying by credit card such as the Pesapal online system, Paypal or something similar.
Gorilla trekking is carried out throughout the year. However, the low season for travel is during the months of March to April, the beginning of May and November. Those are the months were acquiring gorilla permits is easier. We recommend that you book your tour in advance if you plan to visit during the peak travel season. You can read our article about how to choose an easier gorilla group to trek.
Gorilla Permit cancellation penalties and policy in Uganda
Should you cancel your gorilla tour after booking a gorilla permit, this is what you need to know. The Uganda Wildlife Authority will not refund you anything if you cancel the tour from 0 to 8 days to the day of tracking. They will refund you only 25% of the permit cost if you cancel from four to forty five days before the activity. Cancelling a tour 46 to 90 days before gorilla trekking attracts a refund of 50% of the cost of the permit. If you cancel the activity 91 days beforehand, you receive a refund of 75%. These refunds only apply to those who paid the whole amount for the gorilla permit. If you had only made a deposit, you are not liable for a refund.
The above cancellation policy applies to the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Tour operators have their own cancellation policies and you might want to read our Terms and Conditions.