How to Book gorilla permits in Uganda online? Do you know that you can book and block a Uganda gorilla permit to Bwindi forest/Mgahinga national park online? YES, you can reserve your permits direct with Uganda Wildlife Authority online without necessary traveling there. Uganda Wildlife Authority has simplified the booking of Uganda gorilla permits through the introduction of online gorilla permit booking system. This saves travel operators from long hours of driving and traffic jam to book gorilla permits at UWA headquarters. The online permit system allows travel operators to access and book the available permits by just logging into the system and clicking on BOOK a permit. Upon booking, a traveler operator can further block the permit booked from being seen by other traveler operators. The high demand for permits in Uganda is one of the reasons why UWA introduced the online permit booking system to avoid congestion at the headquarters.
How does it work?
For one to book a gorilla permit online, he/she must first register with the Uganda Wildlife Authority. A travel operator is then given a login and password to access the database of UWA, which shows the available permits and the dates. If the travel operator gets the permits on his/her desired date, be blocks it and colors it with red to tell that it’s booked already. UWA allows blocking for seven days after which its put back for sale if a travel operator fails to pay for it. During registration, travel operators are taught how to read the dashboard. The red color in the database indicates that all permits on that particular day have been sold out while the green color tells the availability. A travel operator can, therefore, book any permit on any date according to his/her choice. The booking and blocking of gorilla permits in Uganda give travelers a chance to access permit availability wherever they are without any troubles. Knowing the available permits and dates also help travel operators to confirm trips with the incoming travelers without missing out.
What happens after blocking a permit?
After blocking the permit, it’s colored red showing that it’s no longer available for booking, the system then releases an invoice to the travel operator requesting for permits. A travel agent only deposits on the permit and can finish the permanent within the seven days. However, on the other hand, blocking permits online is a disadvantage. Some travel operators have a tendency of blocking permits, which they fail to pay at the end leading to losses. It’s so unfortunate when a travel operators check the available permits and find them blocked leading to loss of a client. On the government side, permits, which are blocked and then released after having low chances of being bought. It happens that UWA finds all gorilla permits booked but with fewer clients on the ground. This shows that some permits are blocked by travel operators but not bought. Also, a travel agent who has money can block very many permits denying others to access permits at a later date.
More about gorilla permits
A gorilla permit is a pass to see mountain gorillas without which no traveler can access the endangered species. Gorilla permit booking is required at least three months to the actual trekking date to ensure timely allocation and planning. At present, Rwanda sells the most expensive permits at $1500 each for all people including Rwanda nationals. Uganda has made it quite easier by charging according to one’s nationality. A single gorilla permit in Uganda costs $600 for foreign non-residents, $500 for foreign residents and 250,000shs for east Africa residents.Also, Congo is now open for gorilla trekking in Virunga national park at a cost of $450 hence the best place to see gorillas by budget travelers. A gorilla permit allows a traveler to interact with mountain gorillas for an hour after which it expires. The low cost of gorilla permits in Uganda and the ease of access to Bwindi from Kigali make Uganda the first priority for most travelers coming to see mountain gorillas. The high demand for Uganda gorilla permits started in 2017 when Rwanda hiked her gorilla permits from $750 to $1500 with immediate effect. Uganda maintained her gorilla permit at $600 hence the best place especially for those traveling on a budget.
Where to see mountain gorillas?
Uganda gorilla tours take you deep into the jungles of Bwindi impenetrable forest and Mgahinga gorilla national park in southwestern Uganda. The remaining population of gorillas lives in Rwanda’s volcanoes national park and Virunga national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Gorilla trekking remains the best wildlife experience a traveler can ever get on his/her African safari. Contact Gorilla Trek Africa; book your Uganda gorilla safari to Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo to enjoy this lifetime experience at affordable rates.
