Gorilla permits
Gorilla permits or pass are the most crucial requirement for trekking mountain gorilla in all these countries. Gorilla permits can be bought through a trusted tour agent like Travitude safari tours company at least months in advance prior to the date of visit. The number of trekkers is limited per gorilla family per day so for surety of a gorilla trekking trip advance booking is needed.
Habituation is only done at Bwindi impenetrable national park giving an opportunity to visitors 4 hours per day with the Gorillas at a charge of $1,500 (tourists), $1,000 (foreign residents) and 750,000 UGSHS for East African nationals.
A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs $800 for tourists (FNR- foreign nationals/residents), $700 for foreign residents (FR), $500 for individuals from the rest of Africa, Ugshs. 300,000 for East African residents.
A gorilla permit in Rwanda costs $1500 for foreign nationals, $500 for foreign residents in Rwanda, rest of Africa and African nationals and $200 for East African residents and Rwandan citizens.
What next after finding the gorillas.
As soon as you locate these mountain gorillas, you will be allowed to stay with them for over an hour as you are having photos, observing, asking questions and so on. However, during this session, you are not allowed to eat anything, drink, and take photos when the flash lights are on.
You are not allowed to get too close to the gorillas and also advised to wear a mask if you’ve got one a regulation aimed at protecting the primates from catching viral or bacterial respiratory diseases like flue or cold.
When the one hour of staying around a particular gorilla family elapses, you are asked to get back to the lodge and leave the jungle for the gorillas.
