When To Book Discounted Uganda Gorilla Safari Tour Permits
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Uganda still discounts gorilla trekking and habituation permits for international residents and East Africans. Discounted Uganda gorilla permits are available all year. At the moment the cost of discounted Uganda gorilla safari permits is $600 for foreign residents and 250000shs for East Africans. This gorilla permit cost is valid till 30th June 2024.
According to Uganda Wildlife Authority, from 1st July 2024 to 30th June 2026, the cost of the Uganda gorilla permits will be $800 for foreign nonresidents, $700 for foreign residents, other African residents $500 and 300000shs for East Africans.
Still the cost of Uganda gorilla permits for the foreign residents and East Africans are discounted.
Popular Gorilla Safari Packages
10 day gorilla, chimpanzee and wildlife Safari
9 Day gorilla, chimpanzee and Game Tour
8 day gorilla, chimpanzee and Wildlife Safari
6 day gorilla and chimpanzee safari
4 day gorilla and chimpanzee safari
Booking Uganda discounted gorilla permits is open all year but note that the high season gorilla permits are on high demand. The high Uganda tourism season in normally June, July, August, September, December and January. Most tourists purchase there Uganda gorilla permits at least 6 months to a year upfront as they sell out before break in of season.
Each day maximum 8 gorilla trekking permits are open to the public per gorilla family but Uganda currently has about 194 gorilla trekking permits for the entire world to book. These live in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. An additional four gorilla habituation families are now open for public booking in Uganda.
How to Book Discounted Uganda Gorilla safari Permits?
Before booking the discounted Uganda gorilla permits, you must have your identification documents or the right papers that confirm you as a residents of East Africa.
Select a date for your gorilla safari in Uganda and the number of gorilla permits you wish to book. The maximum number of gorilla trekking permits per gorilla family is 8 permits while maximum number of gorilla habituation permits is 4 permits per gorilla family.
You may book the gorilla [permits by yourself or use the help of tour operator like Arch Safaris and Tours. We can assist you book the gorilla permits and arrange all necessary amenities to support your safari adventure.
Upon receiving your enquiry, our tours consultant checks availability from the list of Uganda wildlife Authority and gets back to you.
Since booking the gorilla safari permits is first come first serves basis and the status of the gorilla permits changes any time, we advise clients to purchase their gorilla permits as soon as possible. During the high season, gorilla permits sell out fast and it is hard to get last minute permits.
For record purposes and identification, forward us some personal details that is your full names, Nationality, date of birth and others. These are embedded in the dark strip behind your gorilla permits card and retrieved later on gorilla safari day.
Does Uganda Accept Instalment Gorilla Permit Purchase?
The Uganda wildlife Authority accepts instalment gorilla permit payments of 30% and 70% respectively as long as you purchase the gorilla permits before 90 days to gorilla safari day and top up before 90 days to this date.
In case you fail to honor the top up days, you stand to loose even the deposit and the gorilla permit is re-opened to public booking without notifying you. In order to avoid such frustration on arrival it is best to purchase your Uganda gorilla permits in full.
How Much Is The Cost Of Uganda Gorilla Safari?
Other than the cost of the Uganda gorilla permits that cuts across all categories of safari packages that is Luxury, mid-range and basic, some other factors that determine the cost of Uganda gorilla permit may include number of people travelling with, days on safari, additional uganda safari activities and others.
To cost the Uganda gorilla safari you may also consider the time of booking the gorilla safari, accommodation to use, transport to mention but a few.
What Guarantees Seeing the mountain Gorillas in Uganda?
Gorilla safaris are a sure activity even though it is a jungle expedition. Game drives are a probability adventure while on safari since the wild animals are not restricted by any boundaries. In case you have a particular animal you wish to see during the game drive, you are advised to open your mind to see other animals rather than focus on only that animal.
During gorilla trekking, expect to see the mountain gorillas atleast 99% chances. These animals live in families that are not easy to break. They feed in particular area for sometime and this makes it quit easier to trace them. The bodies of mountain gorilla are bulky making it hard for fast movement.
The topography of Bwindi forest and Mgahinga forest is rugged with highlands that may not allow speedy hiking for the mountain gorillas.
Before opening the gorilla family to the public, it is first habituated to get used to human presence without altering there natural characteristics. This process is done by professional researchers and mocks are conducted before opening the gorilla family. The gorilla habituation process allows the mountain gorillas to stay in the presence of humans for atleast one hour.
You may get a second opportunity to do gorilla trekking or habituation the next day or get a 75% refund according to the Uganda wildlife Authority refund policy.
When and How Long is Gorilla Safari In Uganda?
Locating the mountain gorilla in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park depend on factors prevailing in the wilderness. The gorilla family that was close the previous day may be the furthest the next day that is why it is hard to determine the quickest gorilla family to trek.
Although some tourists have seen the mountain gorillas in less than 2 hours others spend more time depending on the weather conditions in the day, location of feeding area for the mountain gorillas, gorilla family dynamics, pace of fellow tourists and much more.
Having some level of patience allows you to watch out for others interesting features in the wilderness. Look out for other primates like olive baboons, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, black and white colobus and others. Keen birders may identify more than 100 birds while searching for mountain gorillas including Albertine rift endemics.
When you locate the mountain gorillas, only one hour is allowed with them but maximize it to your best interests.
How Dangerous Are Mountain Gorillas During Uganda Gorilla Tour?
Mountain gorillas are not dangerous animals although there exterior is intimidating. The mountain gorillas’ bodies are covered with fur, have deep brown eyes, walk by knuckle style and much more.
At a glance, the mountain gorillas are scaring but as the permitted one hour goes by, you realise there helplessness. In nature, mountain gorillas are composed, peaceful and shy primates. When angry, mountain gorillas donot normally attack but most times run into hiding.
This doesn’t mean you provoke the mountain gorillas because they can charge too. when agitated , mountain gorilla thump there chests, hoot, pull grass around them and much. It is not all the time that you notice such odd behavior that these mountain gorillas are angry with you. Sometimes they have hierarchy fights, may have been attacked by another gorilla family, trying to tease you and much more.
Wait for the ranger guide to establish the root cause of the matter and follow instructions he or she gives. Only one hour is allowed with the mountain gorillas which you need to exhaust to make memories of this one in a life time adventure.
Which accommodation to book for gorilla safari in Uganda?
Accommodations in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park are categorized into up-market, mid-range and basic. It is best to spend the night before gorilla safari day closer to where your gorilla permits is booked.
Gorilla trekking permits for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are booked according to four areas that is Buhoma, Rushaga, Nkuringo and Ruhija. It is best to book accommodation within or closer to these areas since you have to wake up early to catch up with briefing before the gorilla tour.
Bwindi accommodation: Clouds Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Safari Lodge, Bwindi View Bandas, Bwindi Backpacker’s Camp, Nshongi Camp, Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge, Icumbi Gorilla Lodge, Buhoma Community Bandas
Mgahinga accommodations: Traveller’s Inn, Kisoro Tourist Hotel, Mgahinga gorilla Triangle, Majambere Iwachu, Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge
Is Gorilla Safari in Uganda Tiresome?
Gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experience in Uganda is slightly tiresome because of the nature of the terrain of this area. The Virunga area was affected by volcanic action that led to the formation of highlands like plateaus and ridges. These are draped by tangled vegetation that has accumulated over the year and may obstruct the way.
At times the mountain gorillas spend there day on the slopes of these highlands which requires tourist to hike in order to find them. In order not to get exhausted, you need to bear some level of fitness prior to the gorilla tour.
Before starting the gorilla safari adventure, hire a porter to help you with your bags and may give you a push when tired. You may carry a walking stick to give you extra support while searching for the mountain gorillas.
What is the Age limit For Gorilla Safaris in Uganda?
The age limit for gorilla trekking or habituation experience in Uganda is 12 years and over from the 15 years. The Uganda wildlife Authority reduced this age to allow more children to have time with te mountain gorillas and appreciate the eco system.
The age limit for gorilla safaris was set to 12 years and over because children below this age may not be in position to follow the rules of gorilla tour like not shouting while with the mountain gorillas. sometimes the mountain gorillas tease there visitors which may not go well with children under this age.
While trekking to find the mountain gorillas, you may be required to hike which is quite strenuous. The nature of the topography of Bwindi and Mgahinga forests is rugged resulting from volcanic action in this area. This lead to the formation of several highlands that cover the most part of this Virunga area. Sometimes the mountain gorillas feed and lounge on the slopes so you have to trace them. for children below 12 years, this may not feel comfortable.
What Is The Packing list For gorilla safari in Uganda?
Safari hat with a foldable large brim to cover your head from buzzing insects in the wilderness and water draping
Safari attire in colors that are wilderness friendly like brown and Khaki. Packing long sleeved shirt and convertible trousers is a safe approach as you protect yourself from the rough surfaces in the jungle.
Foldable safari hat to cover your hair from buzzing insects that wander in this area.
Garden gloves to protect your palms from rough surfaces in the jungle that may cause skin eczema.
Warmers as this area gets so cold early morning and late evening so you need to get warm.
Insect repellant to keep away stinging insects that may harm you
A torch as solar energy is the main source of power in this area yet the sun doesn’t normally sun bright all the time.
Hard cash to exchange into local currency in case you need in ground purchase.
Toiletries in case your lodge doesn’t provide.
First aid kit with emergency items in case you need it.
Extra clothes but a few that are relevant to your safari as over packing may be an inconvenience to you.
A pair of safari boots s to use when walking through the different Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park
A pair of binoculars to get a clearer vision of far ranging items that you may wish to see while searching for the mountain gorillas.
A light waterproof backpack in which you carry some safari gears so as not to scatter them while on the walk.
The camera where to store the memories of your gorilla safari experience.
Extra fully charged batteries which you can exchange with when one runs low.
Fully charged batteries to exchange with in case one runs low
