a mountain gorilla family
How to book Gorilla tracking permits?
Many questions are usually asked on how to book gorilla tracking permits for Uganda and Rwanda. Purchasing gorilla permits? Gorilla permit booking information, how can I purchase a gorilla permit, where can I buy permits in Uganda and Rwanda, and what is the best time for gorilla trekking in Uganda?
In our guide to booking gorilla permits, we answer all these questions, you will need to have your gorilla permit secured in advance to confirm that you are booked for the Gorilla Trekking Experience in Bwindi Forest National Park or Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
Once you have your planned dates of travel confirmed we will need you to send us an email at info@wildadventuresafaris.com so that we check for the availability of gorilla habituation permits online with the Uganda Wildlife Authoity once we confirm permits are available for your planned dates we will let you know so that we can send you an invoice for you to make payment for the permits.
Once the payment is done and we have received it on our account we will go ahead and purchase your permits immediately and send you a scanned copy of the permits for your records and perusal, this will confirm you are booked for Gorilla Trekking Experience in Bwindi Forest National Park.
We advise you to book with us your Gorilla permits in advance at least 2-3 months before your visit given the fact few permits are available per day and sell out very quickly on a first come first serve basis.
Where is Gorilla Trekking Done in East Africa?
Gorilla Trekking is done in Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo which countries host the four national parks that are home to the only remaining mountain gorillas.
These include Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Virunga National Park in Congo.
You also have an opportunity to see the Lowland gorillas which are found in Kahuzi Beiga National Park in the democratic republic of Congo.
To trek at any of the mentioned national parks a gorilla permit is required for you to be allowed to go for gorilla trekking.
With this once you have planned dates for gorilla trekking we recommend you start booking your gorilla trip immediately given the fact that services and permits sell out very quickly especially if you plan to do the trek in the peak season of June to September, it is always better to book with us at least 5 months in advance prior traveling.
Gorilla Trekking at the mentioned parks can be booked directly or through a trusted Tour Operator like Outback Adventure Safaris.
Cost and Getting Gorilla Permits in Uganda
The Gorilla permit in Uganda Costs $700 Per person per trek for Foreign nonresidents, $600 Per person for residents, and $70 for East African Citizens (Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, and South Sudan), this allows you to spend one hour encounter with the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Uganda has 17 habituated gorilla family groups with 16 found in Bwindi and 1 in Mgahinga this means 136 Gorilla permits are available every day for gorilla trekking in Uganda.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda also gives you the option to spend more time with the mountain gorillas through Gorilla habituation experience which is only done in Bwindi forest, gorilla habituation permits cost $1500 per person allowing you to spend 4 hours of encounter with the semi-habituated mountain gorillas under the guidance of trackers and researchers as opposed to one hour for the normal trekking.
Getting gorilla permits in Uganda can be done directly by booking them through the Uganda Wildlife Authority or a trusted tour operator in Uganda like Outback Adventure Safaris Limited.
Cost and Getting Gorilla Tracking Permits in Rwanda
The Gorilla permit in Rwanda Costs $1500 Per person per trek for Foreign nonresidents, $500 Per person for foreign residents, and $200 for East African Citizens (Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, and South Sudan), this allows you to spend one hour encounter with the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park.
Rwanda has 12 Gorilla families hence 96 Gorilla permits are available each day for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park. Getting gorilla permits in Rwanda can be done directly by booking them through the Rwanda Development Board or a trusted tour operator in Rwanda like Outback Adventure Safaris Ltd.
Cost and Getting Gorilla Permits in DR Congo
Gorilla tracking in Congo is done in Virunga National Park for Mountain Gorillas and Kahuzi Beiga National Park for Lowland gorillas.
A gorilla permit in Virunga National Park costs $400 per person per trek for the high season months of Mid-December to mid-march then June to October and then $200 for the low season months of mid-march to mid-May and then mid-October to mid-December every year.
A gorilla permit in Kahuzi Beiga National Park costs $400 for foreign non-residents, $200 for East African residents, and $20 for national residents.
Getting gorilla permits in Congo can be done directly by booking them through Virunga National Park or a trusted tour operator like Outback Adventure Safaris Ltd.
When booking your gorilla permit it is important to note that the gorilla permit price excludes accommodation, air tickets, ground transport, meals, and other expenses, you will need to get more details of the package you are booking with Us.
What is the age limit for Gorilla Trekking in East Africa?
The minimum age limit for Gorilla Trekking is 15 years and the maximum age is 85 years depending on fitness levels.
Gorilla trekking for elders is now made possible especially in Bwindi forest through the provision of stretcher chair carriers, these chairs are used to carry those who feel unfit and are unable to walk into the forest at the time of their trek, you will be carried by potters to and from the forest during your trek, hiring the stretcher chair can done in advance or at the day of the trek and price ranges from 400-500 dollars.
Gorilla Permit cancellation penalties and policy in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo
To go for gorilla tracking you are required to have a gorilla permit, with this it is preferred that anyone who books a gorilla permit should be able to utilize it for the trek on a given date.
Gorilla permit cancellation penalties and policies in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo are the same when you fail to make it to the date of the trek from 0 to 8 days, to the day of tracking, and with this, you don’t get the refund for the permits.
For the last 6 months gorilla permit cancellation policies have changed a lot due to the outbreak of Corona Virus which has forced both countries to relax the cancellation policies, in Uganda all gorilla treks that were affected by the pandemic have been allowed to change their dates of trekking twice up to 2022 December. Contact us here for details.
What is the best time for Gorilla Trekking in Africa?
Gorilla trekking is done throughout the year and the best time to do gorilla trekking in East Africa is during the drier months of January, February, June to early September, this makes it easier to travel to the park and gives a clear view of gorillas given the vegetation cover is not too much high grown.
What to pack for Gorilla Trekking in East Africa?
While gorilla tracking, you will need a comfortable, hard-wearing, pair of walking shoes or boots. Conditions are generally very muddy in the forest when it is raining.
There are uphill sections which may be quite steep and strenuous. It is also advisable to wear a long-sleeved cotton shirt and lightweight long trousers to protect yourself from the undergrowth, stinging nettles, and biting ants.
When you go Gorilla trekking with us, we suggest you pack items like; Insect Repellent • Torch/Flashlight – and Spare Batteries • Wet Wipes • Water Bottle • Camera, lenses, etc • Comfortable walking/hiking boots & socks • Gardening gloves for gorilla tracking • Sandals/strops/walking shoes • Hat and Sunscreen • Rain Jacket • Sweater/fleece • Swimwear • Binoculars (game/bird watching)
Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Are you interested in spending much more time with the Mountain Gorillas?, then booking a Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari will be the right choice for you, as this safari allows you to visit the endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and spend more time with them while in the forest during the encounter once you find them during your trek.
A Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari is one of the unique safaris for any traveler visiting Uganda for gorilla tracking given the fact you can only find this experience in Uganda among the other two countries with the remaining endangered mountain gorillas that is Rwanda and DR Congo.
Outback Adventure Safaris is ready to plan and book for you a memorable Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari, we have various Gorilla Habituation Experience safari packages available that you can choose from ranging from mid-range to luxury options, these can also be customized to best match your interests and plans.
send us an email and we will guide and book for you accordingly.
Our Popular Gorilla Habituation Safari packages
6 Days Gorillas and Wildlife Safari
7 Days Uganda Gorillas and Wildlife Tour
20 Days Birds and Gorillas in Ugandan Forests
What is Gorilla Habituation Experience?
Gorilla Habituation Experience is a gorilla activity that involves trekking/walking and hiking through the forest to search for semi-habituated mountain gorillas that live together in a given gorilla family group but are not used to human presence, once you find them you will participate in activities geared to making these mountain gorillas get used to human presence.
Gorilla Habituation Experience allows you to spend time with the mountain gorillas which is a 4 hour-long encounter different from the one-hour encounter during the normal gorilla tracking.
This experience is unique given the fact it allows you to learn more about mountain gorillas. It is done is a group of 4 visitors tracking a given semi-habituated gorilla group.
Where is Gorilla Habituation Experience done?
Gorilla Habituation Experience is only done in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in Uganda.
It is done in the southern sectors of Bwindi that is Rushaga and Nkuringo. Bwindi has 4 major sectors for gorilla tracking which include Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga, and Nkuringo.
The gorilla habituation experience is only done in two sectors of Bwindi impenetrable national park, that is Rushaga and Nkuringo.
While 12 gorilla families are habituated for normal tracking in Bwindi, there are only 2 gorilla families that are open for Gorilla Habituation experience in Bwindi.
What is the Difference between Gorilla Habituation Experience and Gorilla tracking
Gorilla Habituation Experience and Gorilla tracking are both done in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, the difference is that during Gorilla Habituation Experience, you spend much more time with the mountain gorillas, which is 4 hours while for gorilla tracking you spend a 1-hour encounter with the mountain gorillas.
On Gorilla Habituation you visit the mountain gorillas in a group of 4 people and for gorilla tracking in a group of 8 people.
A gorilla habituation permit costs USD1500 for foreign non-residents, USD1000 for residents, and 750,000 Uganda Shillings for East African Citizens while a gorilla tracking permit costs USD700 for foreign non-residents, USD600 for foreign residents, and 250,000 Uganda shillings per person per trek.
Steps taken when booking a Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari in Uganda
You will need to have your gorilla habituation permit secured in advance to confirm that you are booked for the Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi Forest National Park.
Once you have your planned dates of travel confirmed we will need you to send us an email here so that we check for the availability of gorilla habituation permits with the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
once we confirm permits are available for your planned dates we will let you know so that we can send you an invoice for you to make payment for the permits.
Once the payment is done and we have received it on our account we will go ahead and purchase your permits immediately and send you a scanned copy of the permits for your records and perusal, this will confirm you are booked for Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi Forest National Park.
We book your Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda in advance at least 2-3 months before your visit given the fact that there are only 4 people who go for gorilla habituation per group.
There are two groups available making the gorilla habituation permits limited to 8 permits per day and selling out very quickly on a first come first serve basis.
How Much is a Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari in Uganda?
The Gorilla Habituation permit price shares a much higher cost for any Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari in Uganda on top of other services like transport, accommodation, and guiding.
A gorilla habituation permit costs USD1500 for Foreign nonresidents, USD1000 for Foreign residents, and USD70 (750,000 Uganda Shilling) for East African Citizens per person per trek, this gorilla habituation permit allows you to spend 4 hours encountering the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Forest National Park.
On top of the gorilla habituation permit you will also pay for other services for a successful gorilla trekking safari which includes transport, accommodation, and guiding.
Our 4 Days Uganda Rwanda Gorillas cost starts from USD1272 per person. Contact us here and we will book for you according.
What is the best time to book a Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari?
Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda is best done from June to October, and December to March. during this time it is a dry season in Uganda with mild rainfall making it easy for the treks in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, as well during this time the vegetation is not fully grown and it is easy to view the mountain gorillas offering great sights for photographs.
The months of April, May, and November which is normally the wet season make the vegetation grow high making the sightings unclear, however, during this time of year, the treks tend to be shorter given the fact mountain gorillas don’t move long distances looking for food, as the food is readily available.
We can organize for you the Gorilla Habituation Experience in Uganda throughout the year given the fact it is a very well-organized activity and you have a 99% chance of seeing the mountain gorillas.
Where to stay during your Gorilla Habituation Experience Safari in Bwindi
Gorilla Habituation Experience is done in the southern part of Bwindi Forest National Park and we recommend staying in this part of the park.
Accommodation in the southern part of Bwindi Forest National Park ranges from:
Budget options include; Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, Karungi Camp, and Nshogi Camp which cost between USD 90-100 per person per night.
Mid-range lodge options like; Rushaga Gorilla Camp, and Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge among others cost USD150-200 per person per night, Luxury options include Four Gorillas Lodge, Clouds Gorilla Lodge, and Nkuringo Bwindi Gorilla Lodge which costs USD250-700 per person per night.
How to get to Bwindi Forest National Park for Gorilla Habituation Experience
Getting there by Road;
The southern sector of Bwindi Forest National Park can be accessed through the main safari circuit from Entebbe/Kampala which is approximately an 8-9 hour drive.
You will need to turn off at Muko along the Kabale-Kisoro road you will see the signpost of Uganda Wildlife Authority which you will follow up to your booked lodge for accommodation in either Rushaga or Nkuringo sector.
Getting there by Air;
You can fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kisoro Airstrip from where you can access the southern sectors of Bwiindi; Rushaga and Nkuringo. 
we have established partnerships with domestic Scheduled and chartered flight operators like Aero Link and Fly Uganda. You will need to plan or book with us for a transfer from the airstrip to the Park
Why book with Outback Adventure Safaris your Gorilla Permits?
At Outback Adventure Safaris we provide personalized service with the utmost dedication to the safety and enjoyment of our clients. We are committed to the well-being of our staff and guests as well as to having a positive impact on the communities and wild places that our operations reach.
When you take a safari with us, we embrace the environmental ethic “Take Nothing but Photographs, Leave Only Footprints” All our packages are eco-friendly. 
During your travel Post, the safety and health of our clients will be our major priority and we shall ensure all our service providers and workers implement the SOPs and healthy guidelines set for the safety and health of clients and service providers while on safari.
Special COVID National Park Offers and Discounts in Rwanda
From trekking to see the majestic mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park to walking high above the canopy in Nyungwe National Park, Rwandans, and foreign residents have the chance to experience the wonders of nature in the country’s incredible national parks. Take advantage of these special offers today and be sure to read the new guidelines before planning your visit.
Product Category
Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park Nationals, EAC – $200 Foreign residents – $500 Corporates/Organizations – 10% discount on bulk purchases from 30 permits Families – 15% discount for family visits (couples and children over 15 years old) African citizens a promotional – $500 will be applied for mountain gorilla trekking.
Africa foreign residents – a promotional $500 will be applied for mountain gorilla trekking. International tourists (Non- non-African citizens) traveling in a group of 100 or more – a promotional rate of $500 will be applied for mountain gorilla trekking.
All other products/experiences in Volcanoes & Nyungwe National Parks Nationals, Foreign residents, EAC – 30% discount on groups of 10 where applicable Nationals, Foreign residents, EAC – 10% for individual travelers Corporates/Organizations – 30% discount on bulk purchases from 30 permits Families – 15% discount for family visits (couple and children)
Book with us now by sending us an email at info@wildadventuresafaris.com or WhatsApp/Call us on +256752641914
