Booking Gorilla Permit in Uganda- Self drive Uganda

With the introduction of the new rules regarding the booking of the gorilla permits and chimpanzee permits which were introduced by Uganda wildlife authority aimed at protecting the Local Tour operators that are licensed by Uganda Tourism Board.

Gorilla permits can be booked directly with responsible tour companies, this system started in July 2022 by Uganda Wildlife Authority. However, the best or easiest way to book gorilla permit is through a trusted tour company like Self Drive Uganda Limited.

Booking a Gorilla Permit through a Local Tour Operator.

This is the best/easiest or most convenient and most secure way to book a gorilla permit in Uganda. Simply contact your preferred tour company with a choice date(s) on which you would prefer to go Gorilla trekking. Also send a copy of your passport.

The Gorilla Permit reservations rules have been changed by Uganda Wildlife Authority to only sell Gorilla permits to only companies that are licensed by Uganda Tourism Board. Self Drive Uganda Limited is licensed by UTB and is a member of Association of Uganda Tour operators , once you select to visit the Mountain gorillas in Uganda, we shall secure the Gorilla permit.

The tour operator will then contact Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to check if there are still gorilla permits available for the date(s) of interest.

The tour operator will then get back to you with a response on whether or not there are permits available. Assuming there are available, tour operator will then advise on how you should pay for the gorilla permit. This depends on if you are purchasing an all – inclusive Gorilla trekking holiday or only want the tour operator to buy a Gorilla permit and you arrange the rest of your tour – ask for my opinion, and I will say buy all – inclusive tour as it saves you the hassle of having to figure things out and reduces your chances of getting things completely wrong.

Mountain Gorilla permits in Uganda cost $800 Gorilla trekking permit and $1500 Gorilla habituation permit. If want the tour operator to only assist you to buy the Gorilla permit, then they will add an extra service fee charge of between 50$ – 100$ per permit. Otherwise if you are buying all-inclusive Gorilla tour, then they will not charge extra on the purchase of permit since it will be one cost for organizing your entire trip.

For instance, Self-Drive Uganda Limited will charge 1600$ PER PERSON SHARING for 4 days all-inclusive road trip to Bwindi which includes a gorilla permit (800$ PP), accommodation, meals, transport in a 4×4 Toyota land cruiser driven by an experienced local safari guide.

However, if you contacted us to arrange just the gorilla permits, we would ask you to pay $800 per person for Uganda plus an extra service fee of $50 per permit although if you have booked with them a Rental car , the gorilla permit booking will come as Safari Addon at no extra cost..

Once your tour operator receives your payment for the permit, they will make the payment have your Gorilla permit receipt and send you. Later near to your arrival they go back to UWA with the payment receipt print out your permit and give it to you at your arrival in the country.

MERITS OF BOOKING A GORILLA PERMIT THROUGH A TOUR OPERATOR

• Your work is eased, all you need is to state the exact trekking date, payment and you will have your permit with you.
• You will always have a one on one direct and easy communication. Whereby you are always updated on how the permits are being purchased.
• Tour Operators are the only ones allowed purchasing a permit at UWA, they have upper hand and you are secured.
• Tour operators can buy a permit from another tour operator, in case they are reselling due to reschedule or cancellation by the Clients.
• A tour operator can even get a permit even on your last minute, when you have lost all the hope of trekking.
• A tour Operator can extend his service to help you hire for you a vehicle for your Gorilla.
• A tour Operator can end up helping you organize the entire trip at a very friendly cost.

REQUIREMENTS FOR BOOKING A GORILLA PERMIT

1. Decide on which date(s) you would like to trek Gorillas

The first step is to decide on the date(s) you would like to trek Gorillas, and then your tour Operator will contact UWA. They will then reply advising on whether those date(s) are available or not. Assuming the date(s) you want are available, you will then proceed to the next step. If the dates are not available, then you will have to think of alternative date(s).

2. Pay for your permit

Considering that you have received confirmation regarding the availability of Gorilla permits from your Tour Operator, and then you will proceed to make payment for your Gorilla permit via PESA PAL, BANK ACCOUNTS that your Tour Operator will provide you with. Ensure to get and keep a receipt for your transaction. ( Never send money to personal account Please)

Note: Self Drive Uganda Limited recommends you to pay via their online payment link for credit card.

How much is a Gorilla permit? Currently, the Gorilla permits in Uganda cost $700 PP for foreign non – residents, $600 PP for foreign residents, and UGX 250,000 PP for East African citizens.

1. Send a scanned copy of your Passport (bios page) and payment receipt

You will be required to scan and send via email a copy of your passport. The page that matters most in your passport is that with your passport details i.e. names, date of birth, passport number etc. we call it the bios page. Tour operator will verify that payment has been done and thereafter they will send a confirmation of your booked gorilla permit.

NOTE: If the country you are traveling to enforces the six months passport validity rule, then this means in simple terms that your passport’s expiration date must be at least six months from the day that you plan to enter the said country.

DID YOU KNOW? IMPORTANT THINGS WORTH KNOWING ABOUT GORILLA PERMITS

1. The actual copy of your Gorilla permit(s) will be issued 2 weeks from the date of trekking.
2. Your Tour operator will come with your printed copy of Gorilla permit at your arrival.
3. Gorilla permits in Uganda can be pre-booked for up to two years in advance.

 WHY BOOK GORILLA PERMITS IN ADVANCE

Mountain Gorilla permits are scarce and easily get sold out. You don’t want news of sorry we can’t go gorilla trekking. It is because of this that we recommend booking your Gorilla permits at least 3 – 6 months before your actual gorilla trekking date(s).

Gorilla trekking Safaris in Uganda are getting very competitive to book and thus require in advance Gorilla safari planning especially when it comes to booking Gorilla permits, getting good rates for close accommodation close to your Gorilla trekking location, arranging transport, booking domestic flights, where applicable and other vital logistics to facilitate a successful Gorilla trekking safari experience.

BENEFITS OF BOOKING A GORILLA PERMIT IN ADVANCE

The benefits of in – advance Gorilla safari planning are many and are not limited to;

Guaranteed Gorilla permits, accommodation, transport, and other logistics, and most importantly in- advance Gorilla safari planning especially if planning your gorilla safaris with Self Drive Uganda allows good gorilla safari prices that can be locked down for even upto 02 years in advance of your Gorilla safari to Uganda.

1. Guaranteed Gorilla Trekking Permits

Whether trekking mountain gorillas in Uganda, in- advance gorilla safari planning with Primate Safari Experiences guarantees you gorilla permits. Upon confirmation of your gorilla safari booking with Primate Safari Experiences (subject to our gorilla safari booking policy), your gorilla trekking will be booked, confirmed and guaranteed.

2. Guaranteed Transport and Logistical availability

Gorilla permits are booked and guaranteed, and so is the accommodation. Next is the transportation and any other logistical support. Primate Safari Experiences operates a reliable fleet of 4×4 custom made Toyota land cruisers used on all our mountain gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda.

3. Guaranteed Gorilla Trekking Accommodation

After Self Drive Uganda has secured your gorilla trekking permit, we immediately book the accommodation mentioned in your gorilla safari itinerary. In-advance gorilla safari planning allows us to book and lock in the price of the accommodation promised or desired by the client.

CONCLUSION

Self-Drive Uganda Limited has experience in assisting clients with booking gorilla permits and arranges worry free gorilla trekking trips to Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park.