Reasons The Uganda Wildlife Authority Increased Its Gorilla Permits!

Of recent, the Uganda Wildlife Authority released new for gorilla tracking in Uganda and other Uganda safari activities done in the different parks in Uganda including Kibale National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Kidepo National Park and Semuliki National Park. The Uganda Wildlife Authority raised its gorilla tracking permits from $600 at present to $700 that will be paid effective 1st July 2020.  This literary means, with effect from 1st July 2020, Uganda gorilla permits will cost $700 each. The increment has been made after many years of selling its mountain gorilla permits at $600.

This resolution was arrived to in the recent meetings by Uganda tour Operators Association who all supported the idea and promised to work hand in hand with the Uganda Wildlife Authority and Uganda Tourism Board. This newly set fee for Uganda gorilla tours will apply to both Uganda gorilla trekking safari destinations; Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

However, despite the increase, Uganda’s permits are still affordable. The increase of this Uganda gorilla safari permit is just $ 100 compared to $1500 paid in Rwanda by travellers interested in Rwanda gorilla tours.  Therefore, the small increase in the amount still makes Uganda’s gorilla permit the most affordable if you are a traveller interested in a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda or another country in Africa. This has been widely hailed as a brilliant move to keep demand for gorilla tracking in Uganda at peak levels. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks are easily accessed by road, however; daily flights are also available from the Entebbe to the Savannah airfield in Kihihi and to Kisoro.

Will The Increment Affect Tourism in Uganda?

Despite the $100 increment, Uganda has surely kept its gorilla trekking safari permit at an affordable cost as its cost is far lower than that of Rwanda that costs $1500.

Reasons the Uganda Wildlife Authority increased its gorilla permits

Mountain gorillas once appeared on the IUCN list as critically endangered creatures that were almost getting extinct henceforth called for great conservation of the majestic primates. Because of the efforts that are still ongoing, they were later scrapped off the IUCN list of the critically endangered and now they fall under the endangered species. Therefore, conservation of the endangered mountain gorillas is the major reason for the increase of the Uganda gorilla tour permit prices.
The money collected from selling the gorilla permits to tourists interested in Uganda safaris is used to fund various conservation projects, park rangers, trackers, the tourism police and mountain gorilla doctors who ensure gorillas are in good health. Great thanks to all gorilla lovers that have undertaken tours in Uganda just to engage in gorilla tours Uganda or Uganda gorilla trekking safari tours. Your penny has helped to conserve gorillas.

Will the increment yield the expected benefits?

The fact that $700 is still far less to $1500 in Rwanda, the Uganda Wildlife Authority expects to receive the highest number of travellers booking for gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda in both its Uganda gorilla trekking tour destinations;  Bwindi and Mgahinga.
It will also help the Uganda Wildlife Authority get enough funds to support gorilla conservation projects and also support the local people living near gorilla parks. 20% of the total revenue collected from the sale of gorilla permits is given back to communities to improve local livelihood.
The Uganda Tourism Board will as well get enough funding to market and create new tourism products in the Pearl of Africa.

About Mountain gorillas in Uganda

In 2018, a census was carried out and they estimate the gorilla numbers to be roughly counting to about 1004. Uganda still holds its position of being home to half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. These gorillas inhabit the jungle forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks. These gorillas live in groups called families. Bwindi has habituated families that are open to Uganda gorilla safari tourists. Bwindi has over 18 gorilla families while Mgahinga National Park has 1. Gorilla families in Uganda include Mubare, Rushegura, Kyaguliro, Bweza, Katwe, Kahungye, Bikyingi, Habinyanja, Mucunguzi, Kyaguriro, Nkuringo, Oruzogo, Bitukura, Nshongi, Mishaya, Busingye, Bweza, Bushaho, for habituation and Nyakagyezi in Mgahinga.
Gorilla habituation permits cost $1500 for 4 hours interaction with the wild gorillas undergoing training. Interestingly, just like our own families, each gorilla family too is unique in its own kind. The social characters of gorillas in every family are different from the other family. The number of individual gorillas and history of gorilla family formation varies from family to family. Each gorilla family is visited by 8 people per day.

The best way to book a gorilla permits in Uganda

It’s very hard to book a gorilla permit when not in Uganda, therefore we advise travellers to book their Uganda gorilla permits through Prime Safaris &Tours Ltd; Uganda leading travel company basing on its trip advisor reviews. It has organized gorilla safaris in Uganda for a number of groups and other travellers as well.  Due to high demands for permits, travellers are advised to boom at least 6 months before the trekking date to reserve the permits and avoid last time disappointments.

Best time for trekking gorillas in Uganda

Like always, the dry season is the best time to do everything. The dry season is between the months of June to October and December to February. This season is also known as the peak season making it easy to trek through the jungles of Bwindi and Mgahinga parks. However, gorillas can trek all year round. The low season or wet season of rains has its own advantages, which include fewer crowds and discounted hotel/ Lodge services.
Tracking commences every morning from the park headquarters at 8:30 am. The gorillas cover large distances overnight, and they are never constantly in one area. The guides will use their knowledge of the gorillas’ habits and information from the previous day to locate the group’s whereabouts. For this reason, one group cannot be said to be easier to track than another.

What to pack for gorilla trekking

Endeavour to pack the following essentials for gorilla trekking;
  • A small, lightweight, frameless, waterproof bag back
  • Light, waterproof hiking boots or shoes with treaded soles
  • Thick socks
  • Leather or heavy canvas (gardening-style) gloves
  • Waterproof rain pants, a rain suit or poncho with hood
  • A waterproof hat
  • A water bottle  with water
  • Camera
  • Rain jackets
  • gloves
It is also possible to modify your gorilla tour to suit a Birding safari in Uganda or Birding tour in Uganda  or anyother Africa safari destination like Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya among the many. Congo safaris or a Congo safari offers you chance enjoy a Congo gorilla safari in Kahuzi Biega National Park to trek lowland gorillas or a Congo gorilla trekking tour in Virunga National Park to trek the famous Mountain gorillas. Rwanda has lots of Rwanda safari activities to offer travellers interested in Rwanda tours like Rwanda birding safaris, Rwanda gorilla safaris in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda Chimpanzee trekking safaris in Nyungwe Forest National Park, a canopy walk in Nyungwe, a Kigali city tour or a Rwanda wildlife safari in Akagera National Park.
Tanzania safaris offer one of the best Africa wildlife safaris including Tanzania birding safaris. A Tanzania wildlife safari offers you the chance to visit Africas’ most famous Serengeti National Park while Kenya safaris offer Kenya birding safaris and Kenya wildlife safaris that bid you the chance to visit Masaai Mara National Park.
Book your Uganda birding safaris tour, birding safari Uganda or Bird watching safaris Uganda with us for the best ultimate Africa safari tour memories

Uganda Gorilla Safari Packages

Rwanda safari packages

1 Day Rwanda gorilla safari
2 Days Rwanda gorilla trekking tour
3 Days Rwanda gorilla safari
4 Days Rwanda gorilla & wildlife safari
5 Days Rwanda gorilla & wildlife safari
6 Days Rwanda gorilla safari tour
7 Gorilla Chimpanzee & Wildlife safari Rwanda
8 Days Uganda Rwanda gorilla trekking safari
9 days Uganda Rwanda gorilla, chimps & wildlife safari

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