Frequently Asked Questions about Gorilla Trekking Permits

To have the popular gorilla trekking experience, a tourist requires to acquire a gorilla trekking permit. There are several questions that always come up when people want to know about gorilla trekking permits and for this reason, we give you answers to the frequently asked questions about gorilla trekking permits.

What is a gorilla trekking permit?

The Gorilla trekking permit is a document or small card issued as permission for an individual to trek a single family of Mountain Gorillas after payment of the permit cost. A gorilla permit is issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, Rwanda Development Board, and Virunga National Park management in Congo.

A gorilla permit is the only document that allows a person to visit any of the gorilla safari parks be it Volcanoes National Park for Rwanda gorilla safaris or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for Uganda gorilla safaris.

Who is eligible for a gorilla trekking permit? – Frequently Asked Questions About Gorilla Trekking Permits

Each day 8 tourists are allowed to trek one gorilla family. However, not anyone is eligible to purchase a gorilla trekking permit. Only individuals above the age of 15 are allowed to purchase a gorilla permit for mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo.

This is the minimum age because it is believed that persons below the age of 15 may not be able to adhere to the rules and regulations of gorilla trekking. They may react in ways that may not be comfortable for the gorillas. Individuals above the age of 15 years are thought to be able to follow all the rules and regulations set by the park for trekking.

Those below the age of 15 cannot be allowed to purchase a gorilla permit. However, those who have about 15 years can have an exception but this is only when it is a few months to their 15^th birthday. This is done only when you are allowed by the relevant authorities and the individual has to trek alongside their parents.

What is the cost of a gorilla permit in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo? – Frequently Asked Questions About Gorilla Trekking Permits

In Uganda, foreign non-residents have to pay US$ 700 to purchase the Uganda gorilla permit. Foreign residents will pay US$ 600 to buy the Uganda gorilla permit. East African Residents will purchase a gorilla permit at Ugandan Shillings 250,000 only.

Foreign Residents here refer to tourists who are not Ugandans and are from other countries specifically outside East Africa just for the purpose of Uganda gorilla safaris.
Foreign residents refer to foreigners who live in Uganda and have a working permit or any other identification as residents of Uganda.
East African citizens here refers to the people of the East African community of which Uganda is part.

In Rwanda, a gorilla trekking permit Rwanda costs USD 1500 each. A permit allows you to spend 1 hour in the habitat of the mountain gorillas that the popular primatologist Dian Fossey first conserved. The cost is general for any person who would want to trek gorillas in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.

In Congo, the gorilla trekking permit costs USD 450 for each individual. This is the cheapest permit in Africa and the best place for budget travelers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gorilla Trekking Permits

How do I get a gorilla trekking permit?

To get a gorilla trekking permit in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo you can contact the relevant authorities. A gorilla trekking permit can be purchased through a tour operator like Acacia safaris who helps you with all the permit bookings. It is easier to book your permit through a tour operator than doing it individually.

To have a gorilla trekking experience, you will have to have a gorilla trekking permit and now you know how to do so. When gorilla trekking is open to the public again, do not forget to book with Acacia Safaris your gorilla trekking permit and have the Uganda gorilla tour or gorilla safari Rwanda.