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Gorilla Permits: What Is Included & Excluded

Gorilla safaris in Uganda, Rwanda and D. R. Congo are frequently considered expensive because of the gorilla permit cost. And most independent travelers resort to booking their own permits directly other than paying the all-inclusive packages sold by the tour operators.

Yes this is quite a smart idea, it may save you some few bucks if booked with the local tour agencies. But in which ever case, booking through a professional tour operator presents a much convenient, secure and all – inclusive and informed packages that meet all traveler’s expectations, than when booked directly.

Gorilla permits cost 600 USD, 1500 USD and 400 USD in Uganda, Rwanda and D. R. Congo respectively. This amount summed up with other trip inclusions like accommodation, transport and meals makes the whole tour package some how expensive and in most cases double the cost of the permit. However, still what is a gorilla trip without supporting services?

In Uganda, Rwanda and D. R. Congo, the gorilla permit costs cater for different services that you will find worth of the prices in each country. Actually the inclusions of a gorilla permit don’t so much differ in all these destinations where gorilla watching is conducted.

In all the gorilla homes, a permit includes visiting any habituated gorilla family in the park. On that cost, trekkers are allowed to walk in the forest at their own pace and convenience in search of the humble forest giants. Upon meeting them, spend an hour in their midst as you watch how they play and fight each other, jumping from one tree branch to another. There is nothing more amazing than coming face to face with the great silverback in Africa.On that same cost, travelers have all the freedom of taking as many photos of the gorillas as they want without any limitations, provided the camera doesn’t have a flash. Remember photos are the major signage of memories, what would be a gorilla safari without photos of cherished moments?

Ranger guide fees are also covered in the permit cost. Before every trek in the jungle, trekkers have simple briefings from the local guide on the Do’s and Don’ts while trekking the gorillas. Armed guides then take them around the forest to places where the sought after gorilla family is suspected to have slept the previous night.

These guides are not entitled to any payment from the visitors, unless tips in appreciation of the good services offered. And note that in Uganda this is not a must, it’s an act done out of personal will.

The permit costs also include park entrance fees plus the vehicle parking fees in the park. Don’t expect to pay to enter the park if you have a permit, it’s a guarantee of a direct pass into the park and entrance is valid for an entire day.

Still on the permit, costs for the services of well-trained trackers are covered. These trackers do the in depth inspection of the place where gorillas slept the previous night and inform the ranger guides on which areas to track these gentle apes from.

Mark that accommodation, transport to the gorillas, meals and airport pickups and drop offs are excluded from the gorilla permit costs. All those are your personal expenses, and this is where an all-inclusive travel package from tour operators is recommended for gorilla enthusiasts.

Gorilla trekking safaris in Africa are done in the three prime gorilla destinations of Uganda, Rwanda and D. R. Congo. Visit the Bwindi impenetrable forest and Mgahinga national parks in Uganda, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda, Virunga and Kahuzi-Biega national parks in D.R. Congo for ultimate encounters with the mighty apes of the jungle.

Gorilla Safaris and White Water Rafting in Uganda

A gorilla safari together with a white water rafting in Uganda will make your trip a historical and memorable one due to the excitement and enjoyment you will equip from them. Uganda has two national parks protecting the rare endangered gorillas thus Uganda itself protecting half of world’s gorillas in its two parks. The only two Parks in Uganda keeping the rare endangered mountain gorillas are Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park which are all found in the western parts of the country.

The amazing gorilla trekking experiences in Uganda are best done in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park because it protects approximately world’s endangered mountain gorillas (over 500 gorillas) however it can also be done in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park which is the smallest Ugandan park but blessed with over 100 mountain gorillas and the park has only one habituated gorilla family called Nyakagezi. There are over 14 habituated gorilla families in Bwindi which are tracked in four different sectors of the Park (Buhoma, Rushaga, Ruhija and Nkuringo).

Rushaga looks to be the good sector to track the mountain gorillas from due the fact that you will be able to see almost 7 habituated gorilla families which exist in the sector though Buhoma is the mostly famous sector and it is where most gorilla trekkers track from due to its easiest accessibility and because it has an historical habituated gorilla family (Mubare gorilla family) which is the most attractive family to the gorilla trekkers in Bwindi and it is the oldest in the Park.

Most gorilla trekkers who make it to Buhoma sector may by chance view the amazing tree climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park since Buhoma is too close to Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park where these amazing lions are seen from hence attracting many trekkers to make it to Buhoma sector.

A gorilla permit in Uganda is sold at US$ 600 for both parks and only individuals above 15 years qualify for the gorilla tracking. Gorilla tracking is done quietly and calmly however if the gorillas are found you are emphasized to stay with them for only one hour but you must keep at least 7 to 8 meters for your self-defense since the primates are wild though habituated and also not to spread diseases to the primates. The Mountain gorillas will be found on the ground thus you will not be disturbed in taking photos like for the chimpanzees which jump from tree to tree however you are recommended to not use flashlight cameras while taking photos. Before going for the tracking, you will first be briefed at the head offices of the park where your activity will have taken place and all activities will be guided with qualified and professional park guides/rangers who will help you to find the primates easily and also protect you.

Both parks have accommodations of good quality which are self-contained comprising of restaurant, bar, swimming pool and many more. Bwindi Forest National Park’s accommodations include; Buhoma lodge, Clouds lodge, Engagi lodge, Silver back lodge, Bwindi community Banda’s, Chameleon hill lodge, Buhoma haven lodge and many others well as Mgahinga national park include; Amajambere Iwacu community camp, Kisoro traveler rest hotel, Mount Gahinga lodge, Kisoro tourist hotel and many others. Advance booking is essential whenever you are to have gorilla safari tours in any of Uganda’s gorilla protecting national parks.

White Water Rafting in Uganda:

Uganda is really a pearl of Africa!!! Uganda has many different things which can make you relaxed and joyous besides its distinct national parks. River Nile is another great thing that Uganda owes and apart from being Africa’s longest and world’s second longest, many other luxurious activities are done on the River which attracts many whites and blacks from various continents and countries to go in Uganda for the various activities which are done at the River of which one of the interesting activities done at the River is the white water rafting in Uganda which takes place at the Owen falls dam in Jinja.

The River Nile passes through Jinja and it is where the Owen falls dam is found, here many Ugandan tourists go there for the white water rafting for enjoyment and relaxation after doing the tiresome activities in Uganda’s parks such as gorilla tracking in Bwindi and Mgahinga, Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest National Park, Mountain hiking in Mountain Elgon National Park and Rwenzori Mountain National Park among others.

Before going for the white water rafting you will first wear a life jacket and helmet such that you will be protected from sinking into the River if something bad happens to the boat. Therefore, if you get an accident, they will quickly come to rescue you when you just floating with nothing bad happening to you. Rescue boats are always there to help those who might have got accidents. This activity will only take you few hours and you will be able to continue with your other destinations in Uganda shortly after the activity.

Gorilla Watching Safari in Uganda

Gorilla watching is one of the most enjoyable activities in Uganda and the activity takes place in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Forest National Park. Bwindi national park covers almost half of the world’s mountain gorillas and this activity is most ideal in the morning at 08:30am.

Organize a visit to Uganda and get higher chances of viewing as many gorillas as you want since Uganda is one of the countries in the whole world to inhabit gorillas. Many companies will help you to book for you a tour even when you are still in your homeland and one of the best countries in the tourism industry in Uganda is the Nature Adventure Africa and this is evidenced by the huge number of guests who work with it annually due to its best services compared to other companies.

For you to organize a tour for gorilla watching in Uganda, you will need to consult the Nature Adventure Africa Safaris who will help you in securing your visit to Uganda for gorilla watching and here you will be talking to the company consultant Moses.

Before coming to Uganda for a gorilla watching, you will be required to first pay at least a 30% booking fee in order to confirm and secure your tour in Uganda and this helps you to be able to have a secured tour because the company is ever busy so it needs you to book earlier for better services.

After paying the 30% booking fee, the company will book for you where to live after the gorilla watching and in any need of you owning a private, it will also be offered to you if at all you pay for it. Some of the types of vehicles offered by the company include Prado, super customs, safari vans, Costas, Land cruiser and others of which you will first test them on your arrival before going with them in the field to see whether they are in a good condition and you advised to drive carefully while in the field because for any damage you put on the vehicle, you will be asked to pay for it for better services of the company.

On your arrival is when you should pay the balance and then after paying the balance and when you also booked for a private car for self driving, you will also test it and see whether it is eligible for the tour. You will then be taken to your lodge in order to take bath, supper and whatsoever till the morning to start your tour.

Since Bwindi Forest National Park lodges’ like Buhoma Lodge are close to the park, it will be easy for you to get in the park early in order to make the activity simple because it is better for trekking gorillas in the morning before the clock reaches 09:00am.

When you arrive in the park, you will be given well trained guides to escort and direct you in the activity. You will then begin trekking gorillas at 08:30am because it is the ideal time. You will really come to realize that Bwindi national park covers a huge number of gorillas compared to other parks. You will begin seeing gorillas jumping from trees to trees and you will see the mature gorillas playing with their young ones and protect them from their enemies.

This activity is really enjoyful especially when you go to parks with a large number of gorillas like Bwindi Impenetrable Forests National Park found in Uganda though gorillas are seen from a certain distance to prevent spread of air diseases between them and humans.

Gorilla Tours & White Water Rafting in Jinja

Taking up a gorilla tour in Uganda offers the best experience hence enabling you to see the rare wildlife in the African continent , going for a gorilla trek and after summarize your trip in Jinja helps you to write a good review from the experience you get with Nature Adventure Africa Safaris limited, even though Uganda is one of the land locked countries, its preferred by the majority tourists from the different country who enjoy its wildlife most importantly the Rare endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

Gorillas in Uganda are only tracked from its two amazing national parks of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park both located in the south western part of Uganda. Prior arrangements are done and required by every tourist in consultation with Moses from Uganda gorilla tours based company. A gorilla tracking permit cost USD 600 and for those who are interested in going in for the Gorilla habituation experience can get a permit at USD 1500, this is the best experience forever and indeed making an organized tour with Nature Adventure Africa Safaris Limited will not leave you disappointed.

All gorilla trekkers are advised to reach at the park headquarters before 8am for preparations, after a warm briefing, all visitors are escorted by the park rangers towards their destinations of trek, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park only harbors about fourteen Gorilla groups from its four sectors of Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo.

Trekking on a good day may take around 4-5hours while looking for the gorillas since they move day to day while looking for food. All trekkers are allowed to use one hour of enjoying these gentle creatures including the infant gorillas, juveniles, silver backs and the female black gorillas as they play around the family but those on habituation enjoy them throughout the day.

After this wonderful trek, you cannot leave Uganda minus having a tour to Jinja a city in the eastern parts of Kampala and this is where any tourist may witness the source of the Nile. Jinja is known for its great amazing features that give visitors a nice stunning view and memories after going back to their motherland and it is referred as the Adventure Capital of Uganda. Rafting grade five rapids is one of the best enjoyed while at the Nile.

Visitors who are more enthusiastic with white water rafting are all encouraged to carry with them equipment’s such as light clothing, cap, towel and changing clothes after rafting. There are options of rafting and visitors can take up either a full day or a half day, a family white water rafting including bungee jumping to those who are excellent in health.

These trips on this longest river starts at a slow pace but later as the rapids increases then the speed increase too. But before setting off for this activity, all visitors are taken through a good detailed briefing entailing all safety measures and provided with safety equipment’s. The river is best enjoyed towards the Bujagali Falls and here rapids becomes larger and more spectacular, at Itanda (this is a place recognized as being the worst) therefore visitors are removed from water and taken around the land as they embark again in their rafts at another point after this dangerous area.

Kayakers are always on the rafter’s sides for emergence response hence making the activity a secure and enjoyable activity round the Nile. The great river is characterized by multiple islands in its middles hence adding on the beauty of the raft and for sure visitors enjoy more while on this trip up to the ending point where visitors are picked by the vehicles back to the starting point in Jinja.

Gorilla Watching Tours in Uganda & Congo

Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the best places to go for gorilla watching, the mostly visited national park in Congo for gorilla tracking is the Virunga mountains national park in its south eastern parts. The park can be easily accessed from Goma and this is the shortest route to the park. DR. Congo is among the three largest countries in Africa and this has made her to be among the best countries to be occupied by wonders.

A good gorilla tour package can be obtained from Nature Adventure Africa Safaris limited website and all the necessary requirements. Virunga mountain national park was first named as Albert National park and it is regarded as the first national park in Africa, its characterized by its natural beauty which is divided by the two other African countries including Uganda and Rwanda and it’s a mountainous area with rolling hills from where the endangered mountain gorillas stay in their natural habitat.

Gorilla tracking permits costs USD 400 and this is booked before any safari to the country due to the fact that permits are usually on high demand. The park was expanded north to include the Rwindi Plains, Lake Edward, and the Rwenzori Mountains. The park is said to be a geological wonder with two of the world’s most active volcanoes.

A visit to Virunga for watching mountain gorillas offers one of the memorable experiences of all time to the visitors, gorillas are considered to be among the most intelligent and nice to see primates, they are the largest primates followed by the chimps. The park has got around eight Gorilla groups and every gorilla group; eight people are allowed to visit it per day. The silver back is the most inspiring though too gentle and too calm. But is strict to its group since it is responsible for the group protection These are the head of the family and the female gorillas are seen taking care of the young ones, this amazes all the visitors to the park.

All visitors are assigned with park rangers are provided they are all required to reach the park early in the morning and it starts from Bukima patrol post. Seeing the gorillas and the time taken depends on where the gorillas spent the previous night. And visitors can double trek after buying two permits each one being valid for one day.

Mikeno lodge is the best accommodation place for all the visitors, visitors can request for packed food and water before tracking, this is because trekking is somehow hectic since gorillas stay on higher altitude hence water being a major requirement for every visitor. On lucky days, visitors who stay at Mikeno lodge may get a chance to see mountain gorillas around the lodge compounds as they look for foods and vegetables since they are too vegetarians.

Visitors can also engage in gorilla photography and filming and the juvenile gorillas show off their experience in pausing for photos after being excited, despite of all other destinations, DR. Congo remains one of the best national park for hiding from stress.

Gorilla Trekking Prices in Rwanda vs. Uganda

Rwanda as a country might seem be a small in size, but it is such a beautiful place to visit. The land of a thousand hills is a perfect safari destination for those looking for a new and rich African experience. Uganda is a land-locked country mostly in the Rift Valley, on the shore of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake and the world’s largest tropical lake.

Game viewing is the most popular tourist activity in Uganda. Wild animals like lions, buffaloes, giraffes, antelopes, elephants are common in Uganda’s ten national parks. Uganda is one of only three countries where it is possible to visit the endangered mountain gorillas. The others are Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Mountain gorillas are found in two separate locations: the Virunga range of extinct volcanic mountains on the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo (D.R.C), Rwanda and Uganda, and in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. Both Rwanda and Uganda are gifted with counts of the critically endangered mountain gorillas in their respective parks of Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks for Uganda and Volcanoes National Park.

When it comes to comparing gorilla trekking safaris prices in Rwanda and Uganda, there are many things that can be considered that cover a ranger of aspects. In May 2017, the Rwanda Development Board recently announced an increase in the price of Gorilla Permits from US$ 750 to US$ 1,500 for all visitors. The cost of a gorilla permit in Uganda is much more affordable. Each gorilla permit costs US$ 600 per person, and in the low season the country offers discounted gorilla permits costing just US$ 450 per person and more than US $1,000 cheaper than a permit in Rwanda.

Rwanda raised its Permit Prices in order to help it pay the way for Gorilla Conservation, assist the local communities surrounding the trekking areas with much-needed infrastructure and to market Rwanda as an upmarket Gorilla Trekking Destination.

Gorilla Permits for trekking in Rwanda are now at US$ 1500 per person while in Uganda one gorilla permit to trek gorillas in Bwindi or Mgahinga National Park is at US$ 600 per person. Therefore this means that gorilla tracking in Rwanda is more expensive compared to gorilla trekking in Uganda. Once can save US$ 900 if he tracks in Uganda and can use it to track chimpanzees in Kibale National Park. With this prevailing, you would need at least two days to complete your gorilla tour in Rwanda and 3 days for a Uganda gorilla tour.

However, Rwanda’s pride is in the ability for one to do the gorilla trek even in one day and fly back home which is impossible for Uganda. Volcanoes National Park is located 2 hours’ drive from Kigali. On the other hand, Bwindi is located about 8 – 9 hours’ drive from Kampala/ Entebbe Airport. In this case, you will spend at least 3 days for your gorilla trek tour for one-day traveling to Bwindi, the another day doing the gorilla trek, and the other day driving back to Kampala/Entebbe.