African Gorilla permit
African Gorilla Permit: A gorilla permit is a type of document that is required for gorilla trekking. Gorilla trekking is a tourist activity that allows visitors to explore the virgin forests that are home to mountain gorillas and other gorilla subspecies. The gorilla genus has four subspecies: the Cross River gorilla, the Western Lowland gorilla, the Eastern Lowland gorilla, and the famous mountain gorilla. These gorillas prefer the rainforests of eastern and central Africa, mountainous areas for mountain gorillas, and lowlands for lowland gorillas. These gorillas have been living in the wild since ancient times and were recently listed as endangered by the IUCN. Previously, there were only about 1,000 mountain gorillas left in the world.
African Gorilla permit
Previously, there were fewer than 1,000 mountain gorillas left in the world, but conservation efforts in mountain gorilla habitats have been introduced and implemented. Volcanoes National Park offers gorilla trekking. The most recent mountain gorilla census was conducted in 2019, and approximately 1,063 mountain gorillas were recorded, elevating this subspecies from endangered to threaten. A gorilla trekking permit is required to get within 7 meters of this mountain gorilla or any other gorilla species. Mountain gorillas are currently found only in the Virunga Conservation Area, which includes the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Virunga National Park, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
Gorillas live in families of three to a maximum of 30 animals, and each of these gorilla families is known in the park, and trekkers can visit any of these gorilla families when visiting any of the parks listed above. Volcanoes National Park has 12 families, Virunga National Park has 8, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has one, and the park is home to approximately 23 gorilla families. This means that Volcanoes National Park has 96 gorilla permits per day, Virunga National Park has 64, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park has 8, and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park has 184.
The dry season is usually the best time to visit this mountain gorilla sanctuary. In the region, there are two weather seasons: the dry season and the rainy season.
The rainy season lasts from March to May and then again from October to mid-December, while the dry season lasts from June to September and late December to early February. Gorilla permits are usually scarce and in high demand during the dry season due to the large number of tourists.
Visitors traveling during the dry season should book their gorilla permits at least three months in advance to avoid missing their preferred dates of visit. Rwanda Development Board (RDB) issues gorilla permits, which can be purchased for all activities in Volcanoes National Park via an online platform called Irembo; cash is not permitted in the park. This Mountain Gorilla Trekking Permit costs US$1,500 per person.
Mountain gorilla permits for Uganda’s national parks must be purchased or reserved at the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s Kampala office, and cash payments upon arrival at the park are strictly prohibited. African Gorilla permit are available for US$700 each. A Gorilla Habitat Experience permit, which allows you to spend up to one day with the gorillas for US$1,500, is also available. This gorilla habitat experience is only available in Rushaga.
Virunga National Park mountain gorilla permits can be purchased through Virunga National Permits. This permit is $400 per permit, but please keep in mind that it is purchased as part of the safari package and is not sold separately. Virunga National Park organizes all visitor transportation, accommodations, and other logistics as a security measure to monitor and protect visitors. These gorilla permits are only issued to individuals 15 years of age or older at all locations, and these are verified during the activity briefing. . Discounts may be available depending on the national park, so check with them first. Please keep in mind that there are no refunds for permits purchased for any of these destinations, but you or your tour operator will be notified of any schedule changes if you miss your scheduled travel dates. A reputable tour operator, such as Africa adventure Vacations, can help you obtain the aforementioned mountain gorilla permits as well as the lowland gorilla trekking permit for Kahuzibiega National Park. Please get in touch with us to plan your ideal gorilla trekking safari and reserve your gorilla trekking permit.
