Are Gorilla Permits Refundable? Gorilla permits are authorization documents that allow a gorilla trekker to carry out their trekking activities with an allocated gorilla family in a specific location on a specific date.
Gorilla trekking is an activity where tourists move into dense forests and mountains to search for an allocated gorilla family. Only 8 people are allowed to trek each gorilla family for one hour in 24 hours, with the help of a game ranger.
Due to the high demand for gorilla trekking permits, some tourists book their permits 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, or even a year in advance.
However, due to uncertainties, anything can happen, leading to the cancellation of gorilla trekking permits.
This raises the question: Are gorilla permits refundable?
In the three countries where gorilla trekking takes place, different refund policies apply.
In Uganda
Gorilla permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). Their cancellation policy determines whether refunds are possible.
- If the gorilla safari is canceled 9 to 45 days before the trekking date, travelers receive a 25% refund of the trekking fee, and UWA retains 75%.
- If the trekking activity is canceled 46 to 90 days before the scheduled date, travelers receive a 50% refund, and UWA retains the remaining 50%.
- If the cancellation is made 91 days or more before the trekking date, travelers receive a 75% refund, and UWA retains 25%.
It is important to note that UWA does not refund anything if the cancellation is made 0 to 8 days before the trekking date.
Tourists who make deposits are not refunded. Refunds are only given to those who pay the full gorilla trekking fee.
The cancellation policy applies only to UWA, not to safari tour operators. Tour operators have their own terms and conditions.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo
The gorilla trekking permit refund policy is similar to Uganda’s.
Bookings are made through Virunga National Park or a trusted tour operator.
In Rwanda
A gorilla permit refund is only given to trekkers who successfully reach the park but show signs of sickness, as determined by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB).
The refund is 50% of the permit fee, and RDB retains the remaining 50%.
By and large, it is very important to read and understand the gorilla refund policies in your chosen gorilla trekking location.
