What is a Gorilla Trekking Permit? A gorilla trekking permit is a piece of document/ card issued or printed to give travellers interested in gorilla trekking to track the gorillas in their natural habitats. Gorilla trekking has gained popularity over the years because of the fact that the gorillas are endemic species whose numbers are quite sensitive which is among the reasons a number of travellers visit Africa in order to watch the endangered species in the wild. Gorilla trekking in Africa is famous in three gorilla trekking destinations in Africa that is Uganda, Rwanda and the democratic republic of Congo.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda will help you participate in the activity in two destinations that is gorilla trekking in Bwindi impenetrable national park, in the park you can also have the chance to participate in gorilla habituation in Uganda and gorilla trekking in Mgahinga national park which will give you access to the habituated gorilla families in Uganda along the slopes of the Virunga mountains in Uganda for an amazing gorilla trekking experience in Uganda.
For gorilla trekking in Rwanda, you will have the opportunity to track the habituated gorilla families by hiking along the Virunga mountain in Rwanda mount gahinga, mount muhabura, mount sabyinyo, mount karisimbi and mount bisoke and for gorilla trekking in Congo you will get to access the mountain gorillas in Africa by participating in gorilla trekking in Virunga national park and gorilla trekking in kahuzi biega national park will give you the chance to access the habituated eastern lowland gorillas in Africa.
In order to access the gorilla families in Africa, you should first obtain a gorilla trekking permit and this article, you will be able to understand how to book a gorilla trekking permit, the price of the permit and their validity to help you organise your gorilla safaris in Africa.
Price of the permit
The price of the permit differs when you visit the different gorilla destination and depending on your budget you will have the most rewarding gorilla trekking experience in Africa in any of the destinations. A gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda can be obtain at a price of 1500USD and this can be got from a trusted tour operator or the Rwanda development board.
A gorilla trekking permit can be obtained at a price of 700USD from a trusted tour company or from the Uganda wildlife authority or a trusted tour operator across the country and in Congo you can access a gorilla trekking permit from the park websites or from trusted tour operators at a price of 400USD making gorilla trekking in Congo much more affordable than gorilla trekking in other destinations, however for gorilla trekking in Congo, because of the political unrest in the country and the fact that mount Nyiragongo erupted which led to the closure of the parka and a number of tourism activities in Virunga national park the activities are suspended for some time.
Validity
Interesting about a gorilla trekking permit is the fact that after its issuance, a date for your gorilla trekking experience will be issued for you to take part in gorilla trekking in Africa. While you participate in gorilla trekking on the day issued for your gorilla trekking experience in Africa, you will be given the opportunity to participate in the activity which takes about 2-8 hours and when you locate the gorillas in the wild you will have one hour to spend time with the gorillas in the wild which will give you the chance to understand the behaviour of the primates in the wild. After the one hour with the gorillas ends, the gorilla trekking permit will have expired.
How to book for the permit
Booking a gorilla trekking permit in Africa is quite easy but important to note is the fact that gorilla trekking experience is quite a competitive activity where a number of tourists that are interested in African safaris visit the different gorilla trekking destinations in Africa to take part in the activity. To book a gorilla trekking permit, you should have a passport or anything equivalent to that that have all the information for your details, if you’re of the right age which is 15 years and above to take part in gorilla trekking in Africa. With a tour operator, after providing all the relevant information, and a scanning of your passport, you will be given an account where you will send the money for the gorilla trekking permit, after the deposit is made, it will be verified and a receipt will be sent to you to confirm your payment.
