Last Minute Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Last Minute Gorilla Trekking in Uganda : Booking gorilla trekking safari last minute is possible, although you are limited with a choice of services like accommodation, vehicle services, a professional driver guide and so many other factors that make up the gorilla trekking package.
The gorilla permits availability various depending on the season, in the peak season which runs from June to September and December to January, permits are highly demanded and the get done easily. During the low season, gorillas permits may not be highly demanded sometimes.
Securing a gorilla permit at last minute sometimes can cause panic and limits on the choices of service providers especially in the peak season.
Getting a gorilla permit on ground on the day of gorilla trekking is on longer possible in Uganda, but there are chances of securing a gorilla permit last minute from companies that are reselling their which a grand opportunity for last minute visitors.
As you are planning on going for a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda, here is the information you need to know.Uganda
Best way of booking last minute gorilla tour and permits in
How to book a last minute gorilla is the frequently asked by last minute trekkers, for booking a last minute gorillas trek all you need is to send us an email at info@treksandsafaris.com and our expert gorilla trek safari designers will get back to you instantly. We will check for the availability of gorilla habituation permits online with the Uganda Wildlife Authority and once we confirm permits are available for your planned dates we will let you know so that we can send you an invoice for you to make payments for the permits as well as your safari.
Once the payment is done and we have received the payment on our account, we will go ahead and purchase your permits immediately and then send you a scanned copy of the permits for your records. This will confirm you are booked for Gorilla Trekking Experience in Uganda either in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Cost of Gorilla Permits in Uganda and how to get a permit
As of 1st July 2024 , gorilla permits in Uganda costs $ 800 per person for foreign non-residents, $ 700 per person for residents and UGx 300,000 for East African Community Citizens (Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi and South Sudan).
Uganda hosts 17 habituated gorillas families open for gorilla trekking with 16 gorilla groups found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and 1 habituated family found in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. meaning 136 gorilla permits are available every day for gorilla trekking.
Getting gorilla permits in Uganda can only be done through a trusted tour operator in Uganda like Treks and Safaris.
What is the best time for Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Gorilla trekking in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park can be done throughout the year, but the best time to do gorilla trekking is during the drier months of January, February, June to early September. This is a dry season which makes it easier to travel to the park and gives you a clear view of gorillas since the vegetation cover is not too much high grown.
Last Minute Gorilla Trekking in Uganda Cancellation Penalities and Policy
To take part in gorilla trekking, you are required to have a gorilla permit, with this it is preferred that one who books a gorilla permit should be able to make good use for it by trekking on a given date.
In case you cannot make it on that given date, there are gorilla permit cancellations penalties and policy in Uganda,
- 0 to 8 days to the day of gorilla trekking – No refund
- 9-45 days to tracking date – 75% (25% Refund)
- 46 – 90 days to tracking date – 50% (50% Refund)
- 91 days and above to tracking date – 30% (70% Refund0
These terms and conditions are liable to change/review without notice.
How Long Does Gorilla Trekking Take
It hard to determine how long your gorilla trek will be, locating the mountain gorillas depend on several factors including
- The proximity of the mountain gorilla food (their feeding range) – mountain gorillas feed from a particular area for sometime until food is exhausted then, they relocate to another.
- A fight with another mountain gorilla – the gorilla family you are trekking may relocate to another area in the forest after a fight with another mountain gorilla family which prolongs your trek. They may celebrate for some time which may make it easy to trace them at times.
- The weather conditions – during the rainy season, the trails are more slippery and untimely down pours are received in the wilderness. This may delay your time to locate the gorillas, fortunately some times they relocate to the slopes.
- When a gorilla family losses a family member – in this case, they group may go into a somber mood which may keep them in hiding and so locating them may be challenging too.
- When a dominant silverback is adventurous – the entire gorilla family may be forced to follow is entire gorilla family may be forced to follow his hobbies. This makes trekking to locate the mountain gorillas challenging too.
What is the Age Limit for Gorilla Trekking
The maximum age limit for gorilla trekking in Uganda is 15 years and the maximum age is 85 years depending on the fitness levels, gorilla trekking for elders is now made possible especially in Bwindi Forest through provision of sedan chair carries. These chairs are used to carry those who feel unfit and are unable to walk into the forest at the time of their trek, you will be carried by potters to and from the forest during your trek. Hiring the sedan chair can done in advance or at the day of the trek and price ranges from 400 – 500 dollars.
