Where to buy permits for gorilla trekking
A gorilla permit is an authorization card given to tourists to allow them visit gorilla national parks.
In Africa 3 countries sell gorilla trekking permits and each country as a governing body which sells the gorilla permits or tourists can contact their tour operator to buy for them the gorilla permits.
In Uganda , gorilla permits are bought from Uganda wildlife Authority . Each gorilla permit costs USD 800 for foreign non residents per person per trek. USD 700 for foreign residents per person per trek.
UGX 300,000 for East Africans
In Rwanda , gorilla permits are bought from Rwanda Development Board . Each gorilla permit costs USD 1500 for tourists from outside Africa.
USD 200 for East African citizens .
In Democratic Republic of Congo, gorilla permits are bought from the park offices or through a lincesed tour operator. Each gorilla permit costs USD 450 per person for foreigners .USD 250 for Congolese citizens . USD 300 for SADC nationals.
Requirements for obtaining a gorilla permit
Valid passport
A passport is a document that allows you to enter another country. The passport shows where the tourist is coming from and it is also used to confirm the age and approve whether the tourist is eligible to trek.
Valid Visa
One cannot enter into a country without presenting a valid visa for that country. With a visa you will be able to enter into the 3 countries of Uganda , Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Proof of payment for permit
The tourists must present proof of payment for the permit . This is the only way a gorilla permit can be issued in these countries.
About gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking is an experience that involves tourists going to the dense forest to search for mountain gorillas . Gorilla trekking takes place in 3 countries of Uganda , Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Gorilla trekking is open in four national parks ie Bwindi impenetrable and Mgahinga National Parks in Uganda , Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo.
Gorilla trekking starts very early in the morning with a briefing at park head quarters and then tourists are led by a well armed park ranger to the forest to search for mountain gorillas. Gorilla trekking takes about 4 to 6 hours as tourists search for gorillas and when gorillas are allocated they will spend only one hour with them.
In conclusion , gorilla permits are the only authorization for tourists to trek gorillas.
