What is the price of a gorilla permit & how do I book one for myself? Anyone planning a visit to our hairy cousins should definitely have this question in mind; you will need a gorilla permit or license as others call it to be able to track gorillas. The price of a gorilla permit in Rwanda is 750 US dollars and $600 US dollars in Uganda with a low season discounted offer of 450 USD (Marrch, April, May and November). Remember these are highly endangered primates and the money from these permits is used in promoting conservation efforts and ensuring their survival. Only 10 permits are issued per group per day in Rwanda and 8 permits per group per day in Uganda in order to reduce their exposure to human presence and chances of contracting human diseases.
Gorilla permits have a very high demand and we advise you book for your permit at least 3 months in advance. Secondly, permits cannot be provisionally held so full payment is required to confirm your permit. But is also possible though not guaranteed that you can get one at short notice and we can help when contacted.
Where should I go for a gorilla trek; Uganda or Rwanda? This is the most repeated question when planning a gorilla safari, since the two countries are both relatively stable and offer quite the same chances of visiting the gorillas. We offer tailored safari holidays and usually leave the choice to you but Rwanda gorillas are relatively easier to find than those in Bwindi so gorilla trekking in Rwanda may be less strenuous compared to a gorilla trek in Uganda.
How long does it take to see the gorillas and how fit should I be? Gorilla trekking takes somewhere between 40 minutes to 8 hours of walking before finding the gentle giants. The ranger guides follow these primates every day so in most cases they have a rough idea about where they could be but we recommend a reasonable level of fitness as the trek takes you through thick & dense jungle. Remember to carry drinking water and packed lunch or something to snack on as you cannot determine how long it could take!
On finding the gorillas, you will be allowed 1 hour to observe them as they go about their business. Take photographs (guidelines will be provided) , and later trek back out of the forest to the starting point.
When is the best time to go gorilla trekking? This is an open activity and can be done at any time of the year but dry seasons of December to February and June to September is considered the best time to visit but keep in mind you are trekking through dense rain forests and you can expect to be drenched at any time! You will also need a good pair of walking or hiking shoes for the trek.
