Purchasing a gorilla trekking permit is a mandatory requirement for all tourists intending to see the endangered mountain gorillas in Africa. All the main gorilla trekking destinations, Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo charge a fee for all travelers who would like to take a gorilla safari. The fees vary for each gorilla destination and in some cases according to season.  The gorilla trekking permit includes the entry into the national park, the cost of paying the ranger guides who will accompany you, the one-hour adventure with the gorillas, government taxes, as well as the Gorilla trekking certificate that is given to you at the end of the tour.

Combining Gorilla Tours, Big 5 and Beach Holidays 2022 – 2023

For better the value of money, many of the tourists to East Africa national parks like the Masai Mara and Serengeti are including the gorilla trekking tour in the safaris, either at the beginning or at the end of the wildlife safari.  In fact, the last few years, the mountain gorilla destinations have seen a steady increase in the number of travelers seeking to include gorilla trekking as per of their safari to East Africa.

Big 5  Safaris Combined With Gorilla Trekking and Beach

10 Days Bwindi Gorillas and Kenya Big Five Safari  – from US$4200

12 Days Kenya Elephant Safari Big Cats and Rwanda Gorillas – from US$4687

14 Days Kenya Tanzania Rwanda Highlights – Big 5 and Gorillas – from US$5694

14 Days Rwanda Gorillas-Serengeti-Zanzibar Safari – from US$5075

16 Days Victoria Falls – Masai Mara – Serengeti – Gorillas – from US$7650

Cost of Gorilla Permit in Rwanda

Out of the 3 mountain gorilla destinations East Africa, Rwanda charges the most expensive fees for gorilla permits – US$1500.  This is the permit fees paid by non-east African passport holders who want to take the tracking tour. It is applicable throughout the year and is not seasonal.   Before May 2017, Rwanda was charging US$750 per permit, for the normal 1 hour visit.  For East Africa residents who wish to take the gorilla trekking trip in Rwanda, the permit is 30,000 Rwandese Francs.  The gorilla permits can be bought 2 years advance through Rwanda Development Board or tour operators.

Currently, only 80 gorilla tracking permits are issued per day.  This time limitation is designed to ensure that gorillas have enough time for themselves, to feed and get involved in there natural wild activities.  And because of the limitations on the number of permits per day, permits can easily be sold out on your preferred dates.  It is there advisable to buy your tickets as soon as you can.  Permits get sold out sometimes 5 months out.  This is especially the case travel dates that fall within the peak travel seasons – July, August – September – October – December – January – February.

Cancellation of Gorilla Permits in Rwanda

Rwanda Development Board refunds at the discretion of the head ranger,  50% of the gorilla trekking fee, if a visitor is found to be sick in anyway, or shows signs of illness while at the park. Sick people are not allowed to go gorilla trekking.

Cost of Booking Gorilla Permits in Uganda

The cost of a single gorilla permit in Uganda is around US$600 −700 per person. However, gorilla permits do vary in price according to the season and passport.  For non-resident tourists, the single gorilla tracking permit costs US$700 per person. Foreign residents living in Uganda pay US$600 per person, while East Africa residents pay Ushs. 250,000.  In Uganda, there is sometimes an off-peak discount for travel dates within April, May and November. Check this with your tour operator at the time of planning your gorilla trekking trip.  The off peak permit prices would be  US$450 for non-resident tourists, US$400 for foreign residents living in Uganda, and UShs. 150,000 for East Africa residents.

For non-resident tourists to Uganda, there is a gorilla habituation permit that goes for US$1500.  The habituation permits allow tourists to take part in the habitation process. This process involves gradually encouraging wild gorillas to feel comfortable in the presence of humans, which is essential for tourism. This is the reason these permits are more expensive. Guests get to spend 4 hours with the gorillas rather than just one hour.

The permit fees paid for Uganda gorilla tours applies to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which has 19 habituated gorilla groups, two of which are only visited as part of habituation treks. It also applies to Mgahinga National Park, which has one habituated group. Currently, there 152 permits available per day.  These are split between the habituated gorilla families in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park.

Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), a government body responsible for gorilla tourism and conservation in Uganda, issues gorilla permits in Uganda out.  The high demand for gorilla permits in Uganda requires one to book as early as 6 months to avoid disappointment.

Cancellation of Gorilla Permits in Uganda

If you have only paid a deposit for your permit, you will not receive any refund on cancellation.

If you have paid your permit in full, the following cancellation rules apply:
75% refund if you cancel your permit 91 days or more before your trek
50% refund if you cancel 46 to 90 days before
25% refund if you cancel nine to 45 days before
No refund if you cancel zero to eight days before

If, however, you cannot trek due to illness (established on site), 50% of the permit fee may be refunded. This is to encourage people to be more honest about feeling unwell (even a common cold can be fatal for gorillas) and prevent the gorillas becoming sick.

Gorilla Permit Fees  in Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo has so far the cheapest gorilla permits at $450 each.  Virunga National park in Congo has 8 gorilla families habituated everyday hence 48 gorilla permits issued out each day. Hover, the continuous ranger kidnap and killing in the park has hindered gorilla tourism in Virunga national park.  Congo gorilla permit booking can be done direct with the park management or through any trusted travel operator.

What Do I Need to Purchase a Gorilla Trekking  Permit?

There are 3 very important requirements:  First, you need a valid passport if you are a foreigner. You will be required to send  a copy of this document in advance for processing.  For citizens and residents, make sure you have a valid National ID. Secondly, you have to be above the age 15 years. Thirdly,  you are required to  be healthy and not having an communicable disease that may be passed on to the gorillas.

Purchasing The Gorilla Permits and Booking Your Gorilla Trekking Trip

Whereas it is very possible  and easy to book your gorilla permit directly from authorities in charge of the process (UWA for Uganda and RDB in Rwanda), we highly recommend booking through a recognized tour operator. This is because safari companies provide much more than  just a permit. They will reserve your hotel, may help with your visa information, can provide transportation and also show you other destinations.

More so, the advantage of booking with a tour operator is that they have close local knowledge of the accommodation facilities options and the proximity of gorilla families. They know the remote places well and their drivers are experts at local conditions.

You can contact our office to help you acquire or buy a mountain gorilla tracking permit in Rwanda or  Uganda. Alternatively, have a look at our gorilla tours that include the gorilla tracking permit as part of the package.