Uganda Gorilla Filming Permits – Mountain gorillas are found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, located in southwestern Uganda in the districts of Kanungu, Kasese, and Kabale.
Mountain gorillas are one of the subspecies of the eastern gorillas. They are highly regarded as the most endangered primates on Earth, with about 1,063 individuals remaining in the wild.
Bwindi is home to over 459 individuals, nearly half of the wild population.
The major threats to these great apes include diseases, habitat destruction, and poaching. Mountain gorillas are distinctive from other species of gorillas, possessing the thickest and largest fur. They are also quite bulky, with males weighing around 270 kg and females between 80-100 kg.
Mountain gorillas are herbivores, feeding on leaves, roots, shoots, and fruits. They live in groups or families of about 4 to 30 members, led by a dominant silverback.
The silverback protects and defends the family, even to the point of death. He decides on feeding locations and times, oversees nest building, and is responsible for mating with the females, among other duties.
Mountain gorillas use around 25 vocalizations to communicate in the tropical rainforests, including grunts, barks, roars, and screams.
Uganda Gorilla Filming Permits
Uganda gorilla filming permits are authorizations issued to anyone intending to film gorillas in Uganda. Gorilla filming is conducted at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park.
Anyone in need of a Uganda filming permit must obtain it from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. They are required to explain their filming intentions and must also acquire media cards from the Uganda Media Council.
Gorilla filming includes both photography and videography, allowing tourists to have unforgettable experiences with mountain gorillas.
Cost of Gorilla Filming Permits
The Uganda gorilla filming permit costs about USD 4,800 per hour. This price excludes the USD 800 required for gorilla permits. The Uganda Wildlife Authority allows only 8 people per group for gorilla filming.
NB: Those intending to film gorillas are required to pay the fee for gorilla permits per person.
Best Time to Go for Gorilla Filming
Gorilla filming can be done throughout the year; however, the best time is during the dry season. The dry months are June to August and December to February. During this time, there is less rainfall, and navigating the steep slopes is much easier.
How to Access Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks for Gorilla Filming
Bwindi
By Road: Tourists can take a 10-hour drive from Kampala or Entebbe via the Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale highway. From Kabale, they can branch off to Bwindi.
By Air: Tourists can take a flight from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kisoro Airstrip and then proceed to Bwindi by car.
Mgahinga
By Road: Tourists can travel by car from Kampala or Entebbe to southwestern Uganda, in the district of Kisoro, and then branch off to Mgahinga National Park.
By Air: Tourists can take a flight from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi Airfield to Kihihi Airstrip and then connect to Mgahinga National Park.
Uganda gorilla filming permits are essential for tourists who wish to film gorillas in Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks, contributing to ongoing conservation efforts.