Purchasing a gorilla permit in Uganda is a responsibility designated for only a tour operator, just like Monteero Safaris. This tour operator must be registered with the Uganda Wildlife Authority and licensed by the Uganda Tourism Board. This affirms the authenticity of the tour operator and assures that visitors’ funds are in good hands and will do what they are meant for, and that’s purchasing a gorilla permit.
Protection and conservation of mountain gorillas is a responsibility of the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), a government body in charge of all protected areas in the country. This means it is this exact government body that handles the sale of gorilla permits. As mentioned earlier, the purchase of a gorilla permit can only be done through a tour operator. UWA issues the purchased permit under the tour operator, not an individual.
Why does one need to purchase a gorilla permit through a tour company?
In a move to crack down on the fraud and theft of funds paid by visitors to purchase gorilla permits, the government, through UWA, zeroed in on tour companies. These companies must be registered and licensed so that visitors can trace their money to the company. The registration and licensing ensure that visitors can access the details of the company by going to the website of UTB – Uganda Tourism Board. This means that in case of fraud, visitors can file a formal complaint with enough evidence to this body, and the matter can be resolved immediately.
It is also worth noting that a tour company may not stop at only purchasing a gorilla permit; no, it can further organize your entire tour. Going around Uganda as a first-time traveller can be quite challenging, especially when you are not guided. The gorilla destinations are further located in remote areas with bumpy roads that even Google Maps cannot get you through. This is why visitors need to contact an expert tour operator to handle their entire trip as they sit back, relax, and enjoy a flawless adventure experience with the mountain gorillas.
What is a gorilla permit?
As we figure out how to purchase a gorilla permit, what is this gorilla permit we are purchasing in the first place? A gorilla permit is a document issued by the government under its governing body to visitors, allowing them to trek and encounter mountain gorillas in their natural environment for an hour.
Mountain gorillas were recently lifted from the critically endangered species to the endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. And this is thanks to the combined efforts of both the government through its conservation programs and the visitors who fund these programs by purchasing gorilla permits.
Steps taken to confirm and purchase a gorilla permit
Different events can lead to the purchase of a gorilla permit in Uganda, as there are specific requirements that need to be confirmed before purchasing the permit. Below are some of the steps to obtain a gorilla permit in this country.
- Selection of the trekking date
Long before purchasing a gorilla permit, visitors need to select the date they desire to embark on a gorilla trekking experience in Uganda. Each gorilla family is visited by eight people a day, meaning each day there are 8 available gorilla permits. The tour operator then checks for the availability of the permits on the desired date.
- Selection of the gorilla sector
The second step is selecting the gorilla sector, which follows confirmation of space for the desired date. Uganda has over 4 gorilla sectors, namely, Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushaga, and Ruhija, just in Bwindi. All these sectors have different gorilla families, and Mgahinga has only one family. Each sector presents unique experiences in terrain and adventure. If the desired sector and dates are confirmed, we proceed to the next step.
- Payments/ Spending money for the gorilla permit
With everything else in place, that is, the date and sector, payments follow immediately. Visitors then spend the money on the purchase of the gorilla permits. The tour operator then confirms the money after receiving it from the client or visitor.
- Purchase of the gorilla permit
With the money in place, the next step is to purchase the gorilla permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. This is quite a simple step since it requires going to the bank, making the payment, and bringing the proof of payment to UWA for the gorilla permit to be issued.
- Confirmation of the purchased permit
After obtaining the gorilla permit, the last step is one for accountability. Here, the tour operator sends a scanned copy of the purchased gorilla permit to the visitors to confirm to them the purchase and obtaining of the gorilla permit. After arriving in the country, this is the exact permit they use to trek gorillas.
How much is a gorilla permit in Uganda?
The prices for gorilla permits in Uganda range between seasons and also the nationalities of the visitors. The low season permits in Uganda cost USD 600 for foreign non-residents and USD 500 for foreign residents. These permits are issued in the low season, which is the wet season that takes place during April, May, and November.
The dry season, which is considered the peak season, has its pricing of gorilla permits, as USD 800 for foreign non-residents, USD 700 for foreign residents, USD 500 for the Rest of Africa clients, and UGX 300,000 for nationals and East African citizens.