Why Are Gorilla Permits Scarce In Uganda?

Why Are Gorilla Permits Scarce In Uganda?
Gorilla trekking is extensively famous as the best wildlife experience in the world. The availability of gorilla permits and the cost of a gorilla tours is a question asked by all travelers intending to do gorilla tours in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. Everyone who ever intends to see mountain gorillas MUST buy a gorilla permit and carry it on the day of trekking. Uganda has presently become a first target for most gorilla trekkers from all parts of the world. The high demand for gorilla tours has led to shortage /scarcity of gorilla permits in the country. Uganda has 13 gorilla families each of which is visited by eight people for an hour everyday. This tells that 104 gorilla permits are issued out everyday in Uganda 96 of which are in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park while 8 permits are in Mgahinga gorilla national park. The shortage of gorilla permits in Uganda has started of late unlike in the past years when there was low demand. Due to high demand for gorilla tours to Uganda, all travel operators have directed their safaris to Uganda unlike in the past when the pearl of Africa would come second after Rwanda. Travelers are advised to book for permits as early as possible and pay the deposit to secure permits since they are sold at first come first serve basis. The reasons fro the scarcity of gorilla permits in Uganda include among others:

High cost of gorilla tours in Rwanda
Rwanda gorilla tours are undeniably expensive compared to Uganda. The double increase of Rwanda’s gorilla permits prices from 750usd to 1500usd last year made gorilla trekking in volcanoes national park an activity for luxury travelers. Its shocking how the cost of a 1 day gorilla tour to Rwanda cost the same amount as a 3 days gorilla tour to Uganda. A gorilla permit in Uganda costs 600usd for foreign non-residents, 500usd for foreign residents and 250000ush for east African residents, which make Uganda best for gorilla trekking. The high cost of gorilla safaris in Rwanda make Uganda a first choice for most travelers especially those traveling on budget.

Insecurity in Congo
Insecurity issues in Democratic Republic of Congo have put gorilla tourism on a stand still. Right now, all gorilla tours to Virunga national park are closed till 2019 all attributed to insecurity; continued kidnap and killing of people especially park rangers in the national park. In May 2017, two Briton travelers were kidnapped Virunga national park by an unknown rebel group who killed their guide. Fortunately, these travelers were freed two days after their kidnap but the park remained insecure. Several other incidences related to killings and kidnaps have been reported in Virunga national park, which make it unsafe for gorilla tourism. On the other hand, Uganda has not registered any occurrences related to traveler’s kidnaps and killing. Security and peace in Uganda guarantee travelers safety in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda making it an option for gorilla trekkers. The closure of Virunga national park has diverted all focus to Uganda, which has in turn led to shortage of gorilla permits in the country. Before the kidnap of travelers and killing of a ranger, gorilla tourism in Virunga national park had grown emerging as the next best alternative after Uganda credited for selling cheap gorilla permits at 400usd for an hours interaction with the gorillas.

The ease of connectivity from Kigali Rwanda
Unlike in the past years when short gorilla trips were not doable in Uganda due to long distance from Kampala to Bwindi/Mgahinga/ connecting through Kigali has shortened the distance. Now days, travelers fly to Kigali from where they cross over to Uganda. Travelers can cross through Cyanika border in kisoro connecting them, to Mgahinga gorilla national park or Rushaga in southern Bwindi or else cross through Katuna connecting to Buhoma north of Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. Much as a 1 day gorilla tour to Bwindi require travelers to wake up early and setoff from Kigali at 9:00am to catch up with early briefing at the respective briefing point in Bwindi forest park or Mgahinga forest national park depending on where a traveler is trekking.

In conclusion, Uganda is now a first target for most if not all gorilla trekkers from all parts of the world. Gorilla tours in Uganda are done in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga gorilla national parks.

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