Gorilla Permit prices increased to $700 begining 1st July 2020
With effect from 1st July 2020, Uganda gorilla permits will cost $700 each.
After many years of selling gorilla permits at $600, the Uganda Wildlife Authority has made a move to increase her gorilla permit by $100 to $700 or visitors trekking gorillas in Uganda.
The new cost was set in the recent meetings by Uganda tour Operators Association who all supported the idea and promised to works hand in hand with Uganda Wildlife Authority and Uganda Tourism Board.
However, despite the increase, Uganda’s permits are still affordable and at low cost compared to neighboring Rwanda, which costs $1500 each.
Reasons for the increase of gorilla permits in Uganda
Conservation of the endangered mountain gorillas is the major reason for the increase of gorilla permit prices in Uganda.Money collected from the sale of gorilla permits is used to fund various conservation projects, par park rangers, trackers, tourism police and mountain gorilla doctors who all ensure gorillas are in good health.
Mountain gorillas are one of the endangered species, which were once at the verge of extinction.
However, great thanks to conservation bodies, gorilla lovers and local communities who have jointly supported to conserve gorillas.
Expected benefits
The fact that $700 is still far less to $1500 in Rwanda, Uganda expects to receive the highest number of travelers to see gorillas in Bwindi and Mgahinga.Also, Uganda Wildlife Authority will get enough funds to support gorilla conservation projects and also support the local people living near gorilla parks.
Uganda Tourism Board will as well get enough funding to market and create new tourism products in the Pearl of Africa.
20% of the total revenue collected from the sale of gorilla permits is given back to communities to improve local livelihood especially around broadbill.
Gorilla census
According to the 2018 gorilla census, Uganda is home to over 600 mountain gorillas, which is half of the world’s mountain gorillas counting to roughly 1004 species.
These gorillas inhabit the jungle forests of Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga gorilla national parks.
Gorillas in these parks have been habituated into 18 gorilla families of which 17 live in Bwindi and 1 in Mgahinga.
Gorilla families in Uganda
They include Mubare, Rushegura, Kyaguliro, Bweza, Katwe, Christmas, Kahungye, Habinyanja, Nkuringo, Oruzogo, Bitukura, Nshongi, Mishaya, Busingye, Bweza, Kutu and Nyakagyezi.More so, 2 gorilla families namely Bikyingi and Bushaho are undergoing through habituation experience in arugula sector Eastern of Bwindi Forest National park where broadbill is located.
Gorilla habituation permits cost $1500 for 4 hours interaction with the wild gorillas undergoing training.
Interestingly, each gorilla family is unique in its own kind.
The social characters of gorillas in every family, the number of individual gorillas, and history of gorilla family formation vary from family to family. Each gorilla family is visited by 8 people per day.
How to Book gorilla Permits in Uganda
Book your Uganda gorilla permit through Broadbill forest camp or rangerafricasafaris, your best safari company.With over 12 year experience of booking gorilla permits and arranging gorilla safaris, Ranger Africa Safaris is the number one travel company to deal with based on their excellent trip advisor reviews.
Due to high demands for permits, travelers are advised to boom at least 6 months before the trekking date to reserve the permits and avoid last time disappointments.
What’s the best time to trek gorillas in Uganda?
The dry season between the months of June to October and December to February is regarded as the best time to trek gorillas in Uganda.Travelers Trekking in Bwindi Forest.
This season is also known as the peak season associated with less or no rains which make it easy to trek through the jungles of Bwindi and Mgahinga gorilla national parks.However, gorillas can trek all year round, Broadbill is open to hosting you at any time.
What to pack for gorilla trekking
Endeavor to park essentials for gorilla trekking. The gorilla trekking packing list includes among others:- Hiking boots/shoes
- Rain jackets
- Ponchos and sweaters
- Hats
- Gardening gloves
- Cameras and extra batteries
- Energy giving snacks
- Enough drinking water A traveler with the appropriate packing list is assured of an enjoyable and flawless mountain gorilla encounter.
- Keep a distance of 7 meters away from gorillas
- Speak at allow tone
- Keep within your group
- Do not use a flashlight camera
- Do not litter
- Don’t trek when sick
- Turn your faces when coughing
- Do not touch or feed gorillas Lastly, visit Uganda to trek gorillas, buy a gorilla permit at $700 and enjoy a once in a lifetime experience in Bwindi forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National parks with Ranger Africa Safaris.
Reminder:
While with the gorillas, travelers are reminded to follow the trekking rule and regulations to ensure safety for themselves and the gorillas. The dos and do not of gorilla trekking include: