WHEN TO BOOK GORILLA PERMITS IN UGANDA
Many travelers keep wondering when they can book their Gorilla permits to have an up-close view of the Gorillas in their natural forest. The mountain Gorillas live in the high mountains in the thick rain forests where it is hard to predict the occurrence of rains in this area. The times when you can visit the Gorillas in the wild and can be visited at any time of the year. Booking a gorilla permit depends on your favorite time though most people prefer booking in the peak season when the climate is a bit dry.
The peak season
The months between June to September and November to January are the dryer months of the year and are most preferred by most travelers. The forest trails are a bit clearer and the Gorillas can be seen without much disturbance. Booking the Gorilla permits in this season is normally very tricky due to the high demand for the permits by tourists. We normally encourage booking permits months before the actual date of travel. A period of 3 and above months is recommended if you must engage in this lifetime event of watching the mountain Gorillas in their natural forest.
The low season
This period normally runs between the months of February to May and August to October. The season is normally characterized by much rains since the gorillas live in the rain forests. The rains in this season come with a challenge yet they give a unique experience to the trackers. The hope of resuming the activity after a heavy down pour is high since the sun may return soon to dry the ground. The beauty about this season is that there will less congestion of visitors coming to watch the mountain Gorillas. For travelers that may not like meeting many more tourists in the park normally find this period more favorable.
Where to get the Gorilla permit
Gorilla permit is a document that authorizes a tourist to visit the mountain Gorillas and spend time as they watch and learn about them. The permits are issued at the Uganda Wildlife Authority headquarters in Kampala. This is the only institution that has been authorized to issue the Gorilla permits either directly through them or through a trusted local travel agency. The tracking permits allow the visitors to spend one full hour in the presence of the mountain Gorillas. Visitors intending to book the permits must ensure that they deal with trusted companies with specifics of the dates they intend to track depending on their program to avoid extra charges that come with cancelation and rescheduling of the permits.
Cost of the Gorilla Permits in Uganda
Uganda has the most affordable Gorilla permits with a high chance of watching the Gorillas in their natural homes. The permit costs 700 USD for no residents, 600 USD for foreign residents and 250000UGX for the East African residents. The cost of this permit includes park entrance fees, guiding fees and a tracking certificate in appreciation for your contribution towards conservation of the mountain Gorillas.
