Why book your gorilla permits in advance?  In Africa gorilla trekking can be done in 3 countries, DR Congo in Virunga national park, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Uganda is blessed to be having gorilla trekking in two national parks of Bwindi impenetrable forest and Mgahinga national park. Bwindi impenetrable forest national park alone has 19 habituated gorilla families spread in 4 gorilla trekking sectors and also are open for gorilla trekking. Each group is trekked by 8 people per day for a maximum of one hour. Therefore Bwindi impenetrable forest national park alone has 152 gorilla permits available every day to visitors.

If you are planning to do a gorilla safari in Africa, you are strongly advised to pay for your gorilla permit in advance. This applies in all countries where mountain gorillas are found, which are Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo.

Rwanda sells her gorilla permits expensively at $1500, followed by Uganda at $700 for foreign non – residents, $600 for foreign residents while east African residents pay UGX 250,000 and DR Congo has the cheapest going for only $450 all this is for per person per day.

Presently gorilla trekking is not safe in DR Congo because of political unrests but they will be safe after some time. Democratic republic of Congo is the least visited country despite the fact that it has cheap gorilla permits and this is because of civil wars that make safaris in Virunga national park and other tourism spots unsafe. You must possess a valid gorilla trekking permit on the day of tracking and without you can’t be allowed to see these endangered apes.

Reasons for booking gorilla permits in advance

The following are the reasons why  you should book your gorilla permits in advance;

High demand for gorilla permits especially in peak season: Gorilla trekking is a dream come true by most travelers from the entire world. Over 90% of tourists who come to Uganda, DR Congo and Tanzania take gorilla trekking activity as their first priority.

Gorilla permits in all countries are issued out on the first come first serve basis meaning travelers who book so early stand a high chance of getting gorilla permits. The demand of gorilla permits in Uganda has always been high due to high cost of gorilla permits in Rwanda. The peak season in Uganda happens in the months of June to September and from December to February.

Advance booking of gorilla permits helps in booking of suitable lodges with quality foods and sleeping services. This most happens in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park where treks are done among 19 habituated gorilla families in 4 gorilla trekking sectors. Advance booking of gorilla permits helps in booking of suitable lodges with quality foods and sleeping services. This most happens in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park where treks are done among 19 habituated gorilla families in 4 gorilla trekking sectors. The lodges booked in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park depend on the gorilla family you’re going to trek and in which sector it’s found. Lodges located in Bwindi are scattered in Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors.

The fact that gorilla permits for Bwindi impenetrable forest national park bear the sector name, this is always easy for travel operators to book the best lodges hence saving travelers time in the actual day of gorilla trekking. Sectors are far away from each other so you can’t sleep pin one sector and trek in the other sector because distance can be tiresome and inconvenient for travelers. The rooms are served on first come first serve basis and in peak season they are fully booked.

Advance booking of a gorilla permit gives a traveler enough time to prepare for the safari. Preparing is in form of so many ways among which includes exercises which keep you physically fit even on the day of tracking. Mountain gorilla trekking is not for the lazy. Travelers must prepare enough for this adventurous safari to avoid disappointments.

Conclusively, advance booking of a gorilla permit is a requirement for all travelers intending to visit Africa to see these giant apes. Book for a gorilla safari to Africa with Africa Adventure Vacations, we secure you a permit and enjoy this once in a life experience.