Overview
A Gorilla trekking permit allows a tourist to participate in the most adventurous breathtaking activity of tracing the giant mountain gorillas in the mysterious rainforests of Uganda. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is endemic in only two national parks that provide the perfect habitat for the endangered mountain gorillas, which are Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park, both baring several rainforest trees situated in south-western Uganda. The muscular mountain gorillas hold 98% of a man’s DNA as analyzed by the first primatologist the late Dr. Dian Fossey in her research and conservation ambitions of the mountain Gorillas, which simplified the habituation processes in 1992 when Uganda received its first habituated mountain gorilla family as Mubare gorilla family in Buhoma sector of Bwindi impenetrable national park.
With the 152 gorilla trekking permits available in Uganda, 24 gorilla families are open for trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. The mountain gorillas prefer living in the high altitude areas that make trekking a little bit complex since the mountain gorillas move longer distances gathering fruits in the woods, and the day’s shelter.
What is a gorilla trekking permit?
A gorilla trekking permit is a legal card issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in Uganda, permitting a tourist above 15 years of age to track the habituated mountain gorillas either in Bwindi impenetrable or Mgahinga National Park. The permit allocates which gorilla family to be trekked based on the 5 gorilla sectors in Uganda which are Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija, and Nkuringo sectors of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, then one sector next to Volcanoes National Park in Mgahinga national park. The permit ensures security by providing two armed experienced and trained park rangers to protect the tourists while in the forests for gorilla trekking. The permit also permits an hour with the amusing precious mountain gorillas watching them play, and feed their young ones, the silverbacks protecting the group and others gathering fruits as you take photos with the camera flashlights off.
What is gorilla trekking?
Talking about the gorilla trekking permit may leave you questioning, What gorilla trekking is? Ask no more because gorilla trekking is the process of moving down the misty rainforests in search of the habituated mountain gorillas and spending an hour with them. In Uganda, gorilla trekking is only possible in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park both located in South-western Uganda, an activity taking about 30 minutes to 5 hours or even a full day depending on the day’s movement of the mountain gorillas. The gorilla trekking moment is so memorable as it provides spotting of various wildlife species such as birds, butterflies, squirrels, bushbucks, and impalas among others all thriving in the rainforests.
How many gorilla permits are in Uganda?
Uganda is home to almost half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas distributed in its two national parks, Bwindi and Mgahinga with over 52 gorilla families and 24 habituated gorilla families of the 52 families, giving a provision of only 152 gorilla permits. Each habituated gorilla family only permits 8 members per trekking group since the gorillas are very sensitive primates, and most preferably to be on the safer side, booking the gorilla trekking permits should be made 3 to 6 months in advance to avoid collision on the final day most especially for the peak seasons. Peak seasons for gorilla trekking run from June to August, however, December to February is the peak since most people have longer holidays then and wish to have safaris during this time. From March to May, then September to November are usually off-peak months since they are very rainy and people are busy at work, a few spare times for safaris, but these months are very good too to experiencing the life of the mountain gorillas.
What is the current gorilla trekking permit rate in Uganda?
Uganda has strategically two National parks open for gorilla trekking, both charging the same rate as set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in the conservation of mountain gorillas. For each foreign non-resident, the permit costs 800 USD, per foreign resident costs 700 USD 300,000Ugx for each East African citizen, and 500 USD for the rest of Africa. The money paid for the permits is used in the conservation of the wildlife and development of the communities around the parks such as the poor community of the Batwa.
What happens when the permit expires?
Some unbearable circumstances may cause the expiration of the gorilla trekking permit, but all the way should be in the hands of the tour operator since UWA offers chances only before the expiration in requests for rescheduling are made 9 days before to 90days before the actual day of trekking. Always keep in contact with the tour operator so that trekking reschedules may be made before expiry. Reschedules are made first time if the permit has been partially paid and second time reschedules are made if the permit has been fully paid. For proper planning, all permit bookings should be made 3-6 months before.
When is the best time for gorilla trekking in Uganda?
Gorilla trekking is most preferable in the dry season that runs from June to August and then from December to February, a time when the rainforests are navigable with short grass and dry grounds. The forests during this time are less thick, making it easier to watch the gorillas as they are in the forest as well as other wildlife species. The wet season is yet another off-peak season but a fascinating one, allowing you to enjoy the forest at a time that gets you sweating in cold weather. During the wet season, the forest is too thick, with tall and muddy ground, making tourists overuse energy to get up the high altitude to find the mountain gorillas.
Glory Summit Tours and Travel is here to guide you on getting the gorilla trekking permit and getting the permit on hand at the right time and to keep up with you till the trekking safari is successful.