03/19/21

Gorilla Permit Cancellation Policy In Uganda

Gorilla tracking is Uganda’s leading and most fascinating travel activity in the pearl of Africa.

Uganda is home to the largest population of mountain Gorillas in the world with more than half of their entire population. The mountain Gorillas are habituated and made used to the presence of human beings in their different groups.

It is important to note that since the Gorillas live in a government protected area, you will need to acquire a permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority to be able to rack them in Bwindi Jungle and Mgahinga National Parks. The Gorilla permit therefore becomes an authorization for you to meet these forest giants for the time agreed.

Over 19 habituated gorilla families live in the Bwindi impenetrable forest and one Gorilla group lives in the Mgahinga gorilla Park in the neighboring district. This brings the total number of gorilla groups to 20 attracting thousands of travelers from all over the globe daily. You must be wondering what happens in case you book and you change your mind on the agreed date and you are unable to track the gorillas or you want to reschedule.

Uganda Wildlife Authority has a policy that guides cancellations for gorillas that guides them. And here are some of the terms and conditions that guide the decision to cancel or change your tracking dates.

In case you are unable to track because of illness after arriving, 50% of the permit cost will be refunded to them. The warden in charge at the park will have to provide evidence that the visitors was not feeling well and could not track the Gorillas.

Travelers who cancel their plans in a period of 90 days are refunded with 75% of the permit cost. Canceling between 45 to 90 days means a 50% refund and below hat period you will be refunded 25% and no refund for cancellation in the last one week of 7 days.

Gorilla Habituation in Bwindi National Park

Gorilla Habituation in Bwindi National Park

Cost of The Gorilla Permit

A gorilla permit costs 700USD per permit in Uganda for Nonresidents, 600 for foreign residents and 250,000Ugx for East African citizens. These prices changed recently in July for conservation purposes of the most endangered apes in the high mountains of Kigezi. Uganda is apparently the best place to go gorilla trekking in Africa since it has the highest number of Gorilla families giving you high chances of meeting the Gorillas. Gorilla habituation is another activity that requires all participants to have gorilla permits, a permit for gorilla habituation in Uganda s is at 1500USD per permit and the guests will be allowed to spend 4 hours with the Gorillas participating in the habituation of these gentle giants.

Where/When to get Gorilla permits in Uganda

Gorilla permits are issued by only the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), the government body that runs all protected areas in Uganda. The permits can be acquired through any trusted local tour operator or directly from UWA reservations through their contacts. We however recommend booking through your local Ugandan travel agency to make the process less stressing as you think about coming to Uganda. Gorillas can be visited anytime all year round in Uganda. The permits are always available since the weather favors the activity all the time.

Chance of Meeting the Gorillas in the Jungle

So many travelers keep wondering on the chance of them meeting the Gorillas in the forest since they are wild and keep moving from one point to another to feed. The park has trackers that move to the forest before the guests are led into this thick vegetation in search for the Gorilla. The trackers follow the Gorillas starting from the point where they spent the previous night. Once they get to where the Gorilla family is, they use radio call to connect to the team leading the guests to the exact point where the Gorillas are.

Some of the Gorilla families are found to live near the park headquarters and are easy to track by the visitors.

Minimum Age for tracking the Gorillas

Tracking Gorillas is for adults of 15 years and above. The argument here is that kids of 14 years and below may not be in position to make proper judgement on what to do when a mountain gorilla comes close to them. Children may run away, cry or scream loud when a gorilla gets closer to them. An exception to this is when the child’s birthday turning 15 is the tracking date and/or if the parents prove to the authorities that their child is mature enough to behave before the wild animals. The parent is then asked to sign an agreement to take responsibility of anything that may happen during the tracking.

Access to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla Park

Being tropical rain-forests, access to both parks is some times impossible without a 4×4 vehicle. Rain is expected at any time in the gorilla habitats and neighboring areas, and the roads are in terrible state. Like in any other national parks in East Africa, a successful safari requires a strong 4×4 car, and among the models recommended or guided or self drive safari in East Africa include Toyota Prado, Land cruiser V8, VX, GX, Nissan Patrol and many others.

03/2/21

Gorilla Tour cost inclusions and Exclusions

Inclusions in a gorilla safari cost

It’s wise to understand the inclusions and exclusions in a gorilla tour cost before confirming any trip.  What is excluded and included in a gorilla tour quite is one of the frequently asked questions by most travelers booking gorilla safaris in Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo. Upon any confirmation of any gorilla safari package, a traveler is given a quote by the contacted travel operator. With no doubt, a gorilla tour quote is often expensive compared to other wildlife experiences.  In most cases, the total cost of a gorilla safari is normally huge compared to other wildlife experiences but the thrilling feeling that comes with a close encounter with gorillas is worth the penny. African Jungle Adventures brings you detailed inclusions and exclusions of gorilla tour cost in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo,

Gorilla safari in Mgahinga National park Uganda

Gorilla safari in Mgahinga National park Uganda

  • Mountain gorilla permit

The number one inclusion in your gorilla safari cost is the gorilla permit. Depending on which country you will be trekking gorillas from, you must have a gorilla permit to allow you visit and interact with these endangered species. In Rwanda, a single gorilla permit cots $1500 paid by all travelers while in Congo, a gorilla permit costs $450 for foreigners and $400 for nationals. In Uganda, a single gorilla permit costs $700 for foreign nonresidents, $600 for foreign residents and UGX 250,000 for Ugandans and east African citizens. Upon booking, travel operators must ensure gorilla permits are available on a travelers desired date.

  • Park Entrance Fees

More so, your gorilla safari quite entails park entrance fee to the respective gorilla park. Unlike in savannah parks where travelers are asked to pay park entrance fees, clients visiting gorilla parks are not asked to pay entrance fees. The entrance fees to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks is inclusive in the gorilla safari quote.

  • Conservation fee

Your gorilla safari quote will also entail conservation fee in the respective gorilla national park. The conservation fee is majorly to facilitate personnel who ensure the well-being of the endangered mountain gorillas in the jungle. These people include the gorilla doctors, conservationists, park rangers, tourism police and park wardens who together ensure safety and well-being of the endangered mountain gorillas hence promoting sustainable gorilla safaris in Africa.

  • Full-time English speaking guide

Upon your arrival, you will be welcomed by a professional driver guide from African Jungle Adventures. A traveler will not pay the driver guide unless if he or she wants to tip. Therefore, the driver guide will be paid by the company part of the money paid by a client. A driver guide is given a daily allowance depending on the number of days on a trip. The amount of a driver guide’s allowance varies between companies.

  • Accommodation and meals

Unless you are doing a private tour or self drive in Uganda, your safari quote also entails accommodation and meals throughout the trip. Various budget, midrange and luxury lodges and hotels have been established in all gorilla national parks in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. If you book through African Jungle Adventures, we reserve the best accommodation services for you at negotiated prices. The cost of accommodation services depends on the standard on the lodge and the quality of services offered. However, travelers are assured that both categories of gorilla lodges in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo offer excellent food and sleeping services.

Bisate Lodge Rwanda

Bisate Lodge – Volcanoes National Park Rwanda

  • Transport to and from the airport

Your gorilla safari quote also entails transport to and from the airport or the hotel. The driver guide will pick you up on the starting day and drop you off at the end of the tour without asking you for transport money. We guarantee you safe and comfortable transfers in our 4X4 safari vehicle.

Other inclusions in a gorilla safari quote include miscellaneous, bottled drinking water and government taxes.

Exclusions in a gorilla tour cost

The following are exclusions in your gorilla safari cost in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. These include:

  • International flights and Visa fees

The cost of your international flight to your desired gorilla country is not inclusive in the permit cost. You will therefore pay for your flight separately in addition to your gorilla sari quote. Similarly, travelers pay for their Visa fees in the respective countries. If you are visiting East Africa, applying for an East African Visa which allow you to move freely in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo is best option.

  • Alcoholic beverages

Premium and alcoholic beverages are also not inclusive in your gorilla safari quote. Travelers are only served with soft drinks free of charge to accompany food in all lodges and hotels. Travelers are therefore reminded to bring extra income for the alcoholic beverages in case they want to take some.

  • Driver/guide tip

Tips are also not inclusive in your gorilla safari quote. Whereas its not mandatory, tipping on a safari is highly recommended. The amount to tip is the choice of a traveler depending on the quality of services he/she will have received from the driver guide. Tipping is a sign of appreciation which encourage service providers in this case driver guide to work harder and better.

  • Porter’s fee

If you hire a porter, you will pay him/her separate from the gorilla tour quote. Porters are local people who help to carry traveler’s baggage to and from gorilla trekking, Hiring a porter costs between $15 to $20 dollars for a full day.

  • Extra activities not in the itinerary

A traveler will also pay for any extra activity he/she adds in the itinerary.

Conclusively therefore, in-depth understanding of gorilla safari inclusions and exclusions is advisable for all travelers visiting for gorilla safaris in Africa.