Permit cost for gorilla trekking in Uganda 

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Permit cost for gorilla trekking in Uganda : Gorilla trekking is one of the best sellers on the tourism market of Uganda. Actually, you are guaranteed 100 percent of seeing the gorillas in both Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park. In fact, according to the reviews of tourists, it is the most exhilarating activity best done in Uganda and Rwanda. As a matter of fact, the encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is such a sentimental experience and will always make you satisfied.

However, to trek for the mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda, one needs to possess a permit that allows you to participate in this activity within a given area in these countries. Besides, in Uganda, the permit also grants you permission to trek the gorilla families in Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park. As a result, the gorilla trekking permits helps to fundraise for the local community, as social corporate responsibility, which in turn sensitizes people about conservation of the wildlife. Effective 1st April 2024, the gorilla trekking permits increased for both trekking and habituation in Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park. The increase is as follows;

Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park
STATUS

FNR

US$

ROA

US$

FR

US$

EAC

UGX

Gorilla permit800500700300,000
Gorilla habituation experience1,5001,0001,000750,000
Gorilla permit distribution

All the gorilla permits in Uganda are printed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, under the government of Uganda. It is also responsible for the sale of gorilla permits as well as distribute them to the tour companies. The Uganda Wildlife Authority generally distributes about 152 gorilla trekking permits every day. These permits basically cover the visitation of the mountain gorilla families in the four sectors of Bwindi National Park. It further sells about 8 permits for the gorilla habituation, for each day in Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park.

Best seasons for Gorilla trekking 

As a matter of fact, the Uganda gorilla trekking permits are highly demanded by tourists from all over the world. During the peak season, the permits become highly demanded and precautions need to be taken to secure a permit in time or else miss out. Peak seasons months for mountain gorilla trekking in Uganda include; December, January, February and June to October. The other months of the year are not competitive for gorilla trekking however, they are truly suitable for gorilla habituation. For this reason, you are advised to secure your mountain gorilla trekking permit in advance or earlier enough. As a matter of fact, no permit is sold on the day of gorilla trekking.

Where to buy gorilla trekking permits in Uganda

All the gorilla trekking permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority at their offices in Kamwokya-Kampala capital city. However, to avoid running on time, you can trust a tour operator to run for your permit so that you just come and enjoy your gorilla trekking in Uganda.  Note that; all gorilla permits are only sold to tour operators licensed by the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB).

Price of gorilla trekking now

The mountain gorilla trekking permits in Uganda are sold at 800usd for non-foreign residents, per permit per person, for trekkers to in Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park. On a contrary, the nationals of East Africa book their mountain gorilla trekking permits at 300,000shs. Still the tourists from the East African community, will need to book for their gorilla trekking permits in advance to avoid missing out on gorilla trekking. No doubt, Uganda today, is the best destination for mountain gorilla trekking in terms of cost and the number of gorilla families. On the other hand, gorilla habituation permits runs for 1,500usd for non-foreign residents and 750,000shs for East Africans.

Regulations for gorilla permits

The gorilla permits are legal licenses allowing you and your colleagues to visit a particular mountain gorilla family. The different gorilla permits issued are designed basing on the choice of the tourist on the gorilla family needed, the age of the tourist, and other interests. The trekking permits in Uganda are only and only issued to the travelers above the age of 15years old since the children below the age of 15years are considered too young for this activity.

Gorilla permit booking requirements

To book for your gorilla trekking permit in Uganda, you will be asked to comply with us or any other registered tour operators for the smooth flow of the booking process. The gorilla trekking permit is a legal document and your profile is always a requirement, some of these include;

  • Your name is very important for easy identification whereby the name on the gorilla trekking permit should be the same name you legally use on all your documents like the visa and passport.
  • Details of your passport are needed by the Uganda wildlife authority to print your permit. However, your details on the passport should match with the details on the gorilla trekking permit to avoid inconveniences.
  • You are required to pay a certain percentage as booking fee for your gorilla trekking permit, to your tour operator. Afterwards, the tour operator will use the fee paid to process all your permit documents.
Gorilla trekking permit validity

The permit is always valid from the time when the trekking starts, until it is done for the day. Its validity includes the time spent while tracking your gorilla family plus the one hour of encounter; after that, the validity expires. Note that; the gorilla trekking permits in Uganda are valid for only one day. Besides, don’t forget to book in time, about 4 months before the actual trekking day.  For more information, you can talk with us for the best bespoke gorilla trekking safari in Uganda.

 Rules and Regulations 
  1. The Uganda Wildlife Authority issues gorilla trekking permits to anyone above the age of 15 years as long as it is booked in time.
  2. Uganda Wildlife Authority only allows a maximum of 8 visitors to trek a single gorilla family, thus, minimizes behavioral disturbance to the gorillas and also exposure to human borne diseases.
  3. Observing gorillas should be done at least 7 meters away since this makes the gorilla group more relaxed and uninterrupted. However, if gorillas come close to you, you can interact with them but don’t feed them.
  4. To avoid disturbing the gorilla group, you are supposed to keep your voice down once you have located and observed the gorilla group until you are about 200 meters away from it.
  5. Taking pictures of gorillas requires tourists to move slowly and carefully. It is also strongly recommended that flash cameras are not used since they scare gorillas when they see them.
  6. Mountain gorillas can only be viewed for one hour at most, however, if the gorillas feel disturbed during your visit, the guide might tell you to leave early if they feel disturbed. 
  7. Visitors with contagious diseases cannot visit mountain gorillas. Suppose you have a disease and the staff does not notice it. In that case, it is highly recommended that you volunteer and stay behind to prevent transmitting diseases to gorillas. 
What to pack for gorilla trekking
  • Passport

You need to have a passport with you since its one of the requirements needed by Uganda Wildlife Authority. In fact, the passport helps them find out it you have the right age for gorilla trekking since it holds your birth date.

  • Facemask

Gorillas share most of our genome, which means they could catch any contagious diseases carried by humans, especially respiratory ones. The same is true for us; we could catch infectious diseases from these great apes. However, you won’t have to wear the facemask while hiking through the jungle, only during your time with the gorillas.

  • Hiking boots

The jungle floor is a dump, and there are no designated hiking trails, so you’ll have to put your best foot forward. Therefore, here you will not need your canvas but rather wear comfortable hiking shoes suitable for steep muddy slopes

  • Hiking gloves

Hiking or outdoor gloves will come in handy when you have to clear your path and grip a branch to avoid sleeping on steep slopes. They’ll also keep you from leaving dangerous organisms on the things you touch during your trek.

  • Waterproof jacket

Since Bwindi and Mgahinga are rainforests, rain is expected any time of the day. Therefore, pack a light waterproof jacket for protection against the disturbing rain and thereby protecting yourself from getting wet.

  • Long-sleeved shirt/Trouser

The long sleeve shirt will also keep the bugs and thorny branches away from your skin. Please make sure they are light and won’t collect heat inside. Avoid the camouflage army like coloring or decoration, they’re reserved for the ranges or military, and it’s illegal to wear camouflage in Uganda and Rwanda. Pick up some kaki, green or light colors that won’t excite animals

  • Energy snacks

Lodges usually pack you something for lunch or snacking, which you throw in your backpack, and the guides typically allow short snack breaks. Still, you can carry something familiar like an energy bar and at least a liter of drinking water.

  • Cameras and extra Batteries

To avoid not missing out on the wonderful moments with the gorillas, a good camera is recommended. Also, pack extra batteries for your camera and a spare flash drive or memory card. This place is full of too many beautiful memories to store.

  • Pair of binoculars

Since gorilla trekking is done in forests, expect to come across some primates and bird species up in the trees as well as some from a far distance.

  • Insect repellents

And not just any tropical jungle; the African jungle with the highest species of animals, bugs, and all kinds of creepy crawlies on the continent. The bug spray will help you avoid unnecessary itching from most bugs.

Entebbe Heritage Sites

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Entebbe Heritage Sites : The word Entebbe came from the Luganda language “entebe” meaning “chair or seat”. Initially, Entebbe was a cultural site for the Mamba clan deriving the Luganda phrase ‘Entebe za Mugala’. Literally meaning the ‘Headquarters’ where the Baganda chief sat to adjudicate legal cases. Entebbe is located on a Lake Victoria peninsula, a few metres North of the Equator. It was capital of Uganda during the colonial era and became a British colonial administrative and commercial center in 1893. 

Heritage sites in Entebbe

Entebbe Golf Club

After the Entebbe Golf Course was founded in 190 this clubhouse was constructed and later expanded. It was to act as a venue in which the British colonial administrators and expatriate community could indulge in leisure activities. In fact, it still contains some original furniture and fittings, and plays host to the Uganda Open golf tournament.

Entebe Za Mugula

This sacred site is where Chief Mugula Bukulubwawadda sat in a stone seat to preside over judicial cases and village meetings in the 19th century hence, the name “Mugula’s Seat” – Entebe Za Mugula.  It gave Entebbe its name, when early British visitors failed to pronounce the full name correctly. The cave, containing a shrine, and the nearby rock islands, are still places of pilgrimage for some Baganda who wish to pay homage to the spirits they believe reside in Lake Victoria.

Bugonga Church
(Entebbe Catholic Parish) 

One of the oldest permanent catholic churches in Uganda built in 1902. Additionally, this church marked the spot where the first catholic missionaries camped and prepared for their meeting with Kabaka Muteesa in 1899. In fact, the ancient tree next to the church is said to have grown out a tent peg placed by the missionaries.

Chadwick Namatte Primary School

This historic school was founded as Entebbe central school by Walter Chadwick (1874-1917), an Irish Anglican Missionary.  It is architecturally notable for both its original building (1910) and later extension dating from 1940. In addition, it is one of the earliest examples of schools set up to educate Africans.

Entebbe Post Office

Built between 1900-1910, Post office was among the first buildings constructed by the colonial government. Besides, it still contains a number of original features such as its individual post boxes on the verandah.

Independence Tree

Earlier known as the Freedom Tree, this tree became famous as the site of rallies in the 1950s. It was addressed by nationalist leaders such as I. K. Musaazi and J. W. Kiwanuka, prior to Uganda’s independence in 1962. However, today it acts as a location for many community functions and markets.

St John’s Church

Prominent along the main Entebbe–Kampala highway, this church’s octagonal bell tower gives it a fort-like appearance. Built in 1939 to replace an earlier structure, St John’s has served Entebbe’s Anglican community for almost 80 years.

The secretariat
(NARO building)

This is one of the grandest colonial administrative buildings in Entebbe, befitting its role as the Secretariat to the Governor’s Office. It is also and where the Legislative Council (Leg Co) – Uganda’s first parliament held its meetings from 1921 until 1955 when it moved to Kampala. At the present time, this place is housing National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) head offices in Entebbe

Entebbe Old Airport Tower

Entebbe Old Airport Tower (1952) was Commissioned by colonial Governor Sir John Hall. In fact, this building is best known for being the setting of the 1976 hostage situation. This is when Israeli Defence Forces came to rescue their compatriots who had been taken hostage by Palestinian militants. Interestingly, it still bears witness to this event whereby the bullet holes are still in its walls.

Entebbe Botanical Gardens

This is the earliest public gardens in Uganda (1898) and was originally set up for botanical research. These gardens are some of the oldest in Africa as well as the earliest public gardens in Uganda. Originally set up for botanical research, the gardens were the location for filming the movie ‘Tarzan’s Hidden Jungle’ in 1954.

Stanbic Bank

This historic bank premises stands proudly on Portal Avenue. It generally housed the Uganda Commercial Bank from the 1960s-1986, when it was acquired by Stanbic Bank.

Maps and Surveys Building

This building was home to the ministry which kept records of all maps and surveys done within Uganda in 1930-1951. Today, it serves a similar purpose, being headquarters to the Department for Maps and Surveying under the Ministry of Lands, Urban development and Surveying. Furthermore, the building contains stores for photographic chemicals, printing and drawing rooms, and dark rooms. Some antique equipment can still be found on site, despite being obsolete.

Ministry of Agriculture Building (1927)

This attractive government office still houses the same department for which it was constructed. Its high ceilings, verandahs and large windows are representative of colonial architecture in this period. As a matter of fact, they were designed to maximize air flow, and create shade from the sun and shelter from the rain.

Lake Victoria Hotel

Built in 1948, this handsome and well-preserved hotel is most famous for hosting Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Uganda in 1958. However, it continues to be a popular location for luxury holidays, weddings and VIP events.