Information on Gorilla Permit Booking is crucial for any traveller planning to venture into the jungles of East and Central Africa to search for the endangered mountain gorillas in their extraordinary natural environment. A Gorilla Permit is a document that offers the opportunity of trekking and spending one hour with the beautiful beasts and is only issued by authorized Government Agencies. Therefore, it should be noted that you will never be allowed to undertake gorilla trekking without a valid gorilla permit.

For Uganda, Gorilla Permits are issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority, while Rwanda they are provided by Rwanda Development Board and for the Democratic Republic of Congo it is Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature that issues gorilla permits.

How are Gorilla Permits booked?

Gorilla Permits are booked in two ways-directly from the Authorized issuing Agency or credible Tour          Operator. It is more convenient to obtain the permit through the latter, given the fact that it is less tiresome and quicker. Additionally, these Tour Operators or Safari Company Agents are very knowledgeable of the different gorilla groups, especially for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park that is divided into sectors/trekking regions, knowledge of surrounding communities/villages plus their cultural experiences and places of lodging hence can give required recommendations on how to extend your gorilla safaris.

For gorilla permit booking through authorized Government agencies, their reservations offices can be reached physically, telephone or via email. Inquiries and information on availability of dates to trek the mountain gorillas are provided and if not available, a nearest date can be suggested to make your dream come true. Prior to even embarking on gorilla trekking tours, travellers are guided on habituated gorilla groups to spend time with, depending on age, level of physical fitness and personal interests, given the fact that different groups occupy places of varying terrains/landscapes.

Given the limit to age of potential gorilla trekkers as well as difference in gorilla permit prices (especially Uganda), your passport or National Identity Card details especially name, date of Birth, passport number and Nationality will be required when booking for permits. For this reason, ownership of gorilla permits is not transferable because even on the trekking date, Identification documents will be asked alongside the gorilla permit.

Payments for the gorilla permit have to then be made and intended trekking dates also provided, which will help in finding availability and if not found, another trekking date will be suggested.

What are the prices of booking gorilla permits?

In Uganda, gorilla permits cost $700 per person per trek for foreign non-resident visitors, $600 per person per trek for foreign visitors and Shs. 250,000 for East African visitors. The Gorilla Habituation Experience for more elaborate encounter with these Great Apes cost $1500 per person per trek.

In Rwanda, permits for trekking mountain gorillas are at only $1500 per person per trek in Volcanoes National Park for the Democratic Republic of Congo, $400 can buy you a gorilla permit to spend time with one of the 8 habituated gorilla groups in Virunga National Park.

When is the best time to book gorilla permits?

Travellers are required to book for gorilla permits at least 3-4 months in advance for the low season or 6 months in advance if you plan to undertake the adventure during high seasons. The dry/peak season is in the months of January, February, June, July, August, September and December because most visitors prefer undertaking gorilla tours during these months. This is attributed to the drier forest grounds, little or no rain, thin/sparse vegetation and drier Park roads/paths that make treks less challenging.

Who is eligible for a gorilla permit?

Anyone eligible for a gorilla permit is therefore eligible for gorilla trekking and therefore you must be above 15 years to be allowed into the jungles to search for the endangered mountain gorillas, then spend a magical one hour in their presence.