How to Book a Gorilla Trekking Permit and Safari: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Book a Gorilla Trekking Permit and Safari: Learn how to book a gorilla trekking permit and safari in Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC. This 2025 step-by-step guide covers online and local booking options, permit costs ($450–$1,500), availability, and insider tips for a seamless adventure in Bwindi, Volcanoes, or Virunga National Parks.

Gorilla trekking in East Africa, particularly in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is a bucket-list adventure, offering a rare opportunity to encounter endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

Securing a gorilla trekking permit and planning a safari requires careful preparation due to limited permits, high demand, and logistical considerations.

As Maranatha Tours & Travel Company, a trusted, Uganda-based tour operator specializing in ethical wildlife experiences, we provide a comprehensive guide on how to book a gorilla trekking permit and safari, covering online and local options, costs, best practices, and insider tips for a seamless adventure in 2025.

Understanding Gorilla Trekking Permits

A gorilla trekking permit is a government-issued document granting access to track a habituated gorilla family in a protected national park.

Permits are mandatory and strictly regulated to ensure conservation and minimize environmental impact. Only a limited number are issued daily, making early booking essential.

Where to Trek:

Uganda: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (162 permits/day, 24 habituated families across Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, Nkuringo sectors) and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (8 permits/day, 1 family).
Rwanda: Volcanoes National Park (96 permits/day, 12 habituated families).
DRC: Virunga National Park (cheaper but less stable; 8 permits/family).

Permit Costs (2025):

Uganda: $800/person (foreign non-residents), $700 (foreign residents), UGX 250,000 (East African citizens).
Rwanda: $1,500/person (foreigners), $200 (East African residents). Discounts: 30% ($1,050) for low season (Nov–May) with 3+ days in other parks; 15% ($1,275) for conference guests.
DRC: $450/person, low season discounts to $250.

What’s Included: One-hour gorilla interaction, park entry, and ranger fees. Excludes transport, accommodation, porters, and tips.

Age Limit: Minimum 15 years for safety and terrain challenges.

Conservation Impact: 10–75% of permit fees fund gorilla conservation, local communities, and park infrastructure.

Why Book Early? Permits sell out 3–6 months in advance during peak seasons (June–September, December–February), especially in Rwanda and Uganda.

Step-by-Step Guide to Booking a Gorilla Trekking Permit

Step 1: Choose Your Destination and Dates

Select a Country:

Uganda: Most affordable ($800), with diverse trekking options in Bwindi’s four sectors. Mgahinga offers a quieter experience but fewer permits.
Rwanda: Pricier ($1,500) but logistically easier (2–3 hours from Kigali vs. 8–10 hours from Entebbe). Ideal for luxury travelers with high-end lodges like Bisate.
DRC: Cheapest ($450) but riskier due to security concerns. Best for experienced adventurers.

Pick a Season:

Peak (Dry) Season: June–September, December–February. Easier trekking but permits sell out fast.
Low (Wet) Season: March–May, October–November. Discounts in DRC and Rwanda, fewer crowds, but muddy trails.

Maranatha’s Tip: Contact us 6–12 months in advance for peak season or 3–6 months for low season to secure permits

Step 2: Check Permit Availability

Uganda: Permits are managed by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). Only licensed tour operators like us, Maranatha Tours & Travel can access UWA’s online booking system to check availability for Bwindi or Mgahinga.

Rwanda: The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) manages permits via the Irembo platform or tour operators. Only 96 permits are available daily for Volcanoes National Park.

DRC: Virunga National Park handles bookings directly or via operators.

Process: Provide your tour operator (e.g., us) with travel dates, passport details (name, number, date of birth), and preferred park/sector. We check availability and suggest alternative dates if needed.

Maranatha’s Service: We confirm availability within 24 hours and reserve permits for your chosen dates, ensuring alignment with your safari itinerary.

Step 3: Book the Permit

Online Options:

Uganda: Booking directly via UWA (reservation@ugandawildlife.org) is possible but complex for international travelers. Provide passport details and pay via bank transfer. Tour operators like us simplify this process.
Rwanda: Use the Irembo platform (visitrwandabookings.rdb.rw) to select a date, upload passport details, and pay online. Ensure accurate documents to avoid rejection at park gates.
DRC: Book via virunganationalpark.com or a trusted operator.

Local Options: Visit UWA’s Kampala office (Plot 7 Kira Road) for Uganda permits or RDB’s Kigali office for Rwanda permits. Requires in-person payment and coordination, less practical for international travelers.

Through Maranatha Tours & Travel: Email us ( info@trekrwandagorillas.com) or WhatsApp with your details. We secure permits, send a scanned receipt, and provide the physical permit upon arrival in Uganda or Rwanda. Our costs are the Same as direct booking ($800 Uganda, $1,500 Rwanda) with no additional fees, plus we handle logistics.

Step 4: Pay for the Permit

Payment Methods:

Online: Credit card or bank transfer via Irembo (Rwanda) or UWA’s bank account (Uganda).
Local: Cash or bank transfer at UWA/RDB offices.
Maranatha: We accept secure bank transfers to our business account or escrow services for peace of mind. Avoid cash or personal payment apps like Western Union to prevent fraud.

Refund Policies:

Uganda: 75% refund if canceled 3+ months before; 50% (1.5–3 months); 25% (1–1.5 months); no refund within 1 month. Full refund if gorillas aren’t seen due to their movement.

Rwanda: No refunds for cancellations or late arrivals; full refund or rescheduling if gorillas aren’t seen due to movement; 75% refund if tracking fails after a full day.

Maranatha’s Tip: Confirm travel dates before payment to avoid cancellation fees.

Step 5: Plan Your Safari Itinerary

Accommodation:

Uganda: Choose a lodge in the same Bwindi sector as your permit (e.g., Buhoma: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, $300–$1,500/night; Rushaga: Gorilla Safari Lodge, $50–$200/night).
Rwanda: Stay near Volcanoes National Park (e.g., Bisate Lodge, $1,000+/night; Kinigi Guesthouse, $50–$100/night).
DRC: Limited options in Virunga; budget lodges ($50–$150/night).

Transport:

Uganda: 8–10-hour drive from Entebbe to Bwindi or domestic flight to Kihihi airstrip ($200–$400) plus 1–2-hour drive.
Rwanda: 2–3-hour drive from Kigali to Musanze/Kinigi ($100–$200 private car).
DRC: Drive from Goma or Kigali; security escorts may be required.

Additional Activities:

Chimpanzee trekking (Kibale, Uganda: $200/permit), golden monkey trekking (Rwanda: $100), game drives (Akagera, Rwanda; Queen Elizabeth, Uganda).
Gorilla habituation experience (Bwindi, Uganda: $1,500 for 4 hours).

Maranatha’s Packages: We offer 3-day gorilla trekking tours ($1,500–$3,000/person, including permit, mid-range lodging, transport) or luxury safaris ($4,000–$6,000). Contact us to customize your itinerary.

Step 6: Prepare for the Trek

Briefing: Arrive at park headquarters (Kinigi for Rwanda, Bwindi/Mgahinga sectors for Uganda) by 7:00 a.m. for a briefing on rules (e.g., maintain 7m distance, no flash photography).
Gear: Wear waterproof hiking boots, long pants, gloves, and a raincoat. Bring water, snacks, and a camera.
Fitness: Treks last 2–9 hours on steep, muddy terrain. Light training is advised. Porters ($15–$30) assist with bags or mobility.
Health: No trekking if sick (e.g., flu) to protect gorillas. Rwanda refunds 50% for illness detected at the park.

Step 7: Trek and Enjoy

Trekking Day:

Groups of 8 are assigned a gorilla family based on fitness levels.
Rangers and trackers guide you, ensuring safety from wildlife (e.g., buffalo).
Spend 1 hour with gorillas (4 hours for habituation in Uganda).

Maranatha’s Support: Our guides accompany you, handle permits, and coordinate transport/lodging for a stress-free experience.

Online vs. Local Booking Options

Online Booking

Buying gorilla trekking permits online comes with both advantages and drawbacks. On the positive side, it is convenient for international travelers, as direct platforms like Irembo in Rwanda and UWA in Uganda offer transparency and allow you to secure permits from anywhere.

Additionally, tour operators such as Maranatha can streamline the process by handling the booking, ensuring the permits are secured correctly, and planning the entire trip’s logistics.

However, the process requires accurate passport details and full payment upfront, and there’s a risk of errors—like selecting the wrong dates—which could result in being denied entry to the park.

How to Book with Us Online:

Fill in our contact forms or directly talk to us on WhatsApp
Provide dates, passport details, and preferences (park, sector, budget).
Receive availability confirmation, pay via bank transfer/escrow, and get a scanned permit receipt.
We deliver the physical permit upon arrival.

Local Booking

Purchasing gorilla trekking permits in person has its benefits and challenges. On the plus side, it allows direct interaction with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in Kampala or the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) in Kigali, and during the low season (March–May, October–November), travelers may even find last-minute permits available. However, this method can be time-consuming, as it requires in-person visits, and during the peak season, walk-in bookings are limited and often unavailable due to high demand.

How to Book Locally:

Visit UWA’s Kampala office or RDB’s Kigali office with passport and payment.
Confirm availability in-person, which is risky without prior reservation.

Why Choose Us: We handle both online and local bookings, leveraging our UWA/RDB partnerships to secure permits and tailor safaris, saving you time and effort.

Insider Tips from Maranatha Tours & Travel

Book Early: Reserve 6–12 months in advance for peak season to secure permits and preferred sectors.
Choose the Right Sector: In Bwindi, book accommodation in the same sector as your permit (e.g., Buhoma for Buhoma permits) to avoid long drives.
Use a Reputable Operator: Avoid fake operators offering “discounted” permits. We’re members of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO), ensuring legitimacy.
Budget Wisely:
- Uganda: $1,500–$3,000 for a 3-day mid-range safari (permit, lodging, transport).
- Rwanda: $2,500–$5,000 due to higher permit costs and luxury options.
- DRC: $1,000–$2,000, but security risks may outweigh savings.
Combine Activities: Add chimpanzee trekking, game drives, or cultural tours for a fuller experience.
Prepare for Refunds: Confirm cancellation policies; use flexible travel insurance.
Hire Porters: Support local communities and ease your trek ($15–$30).
Stay Healthy: Avoid trekking if sick to protect gorillas and secure refunds.

Why Choose Maranatha Tours & Travel Company?

As a Uganda-based, AUTO-member operator, at Maranatha Tours & Travel, we offers:

Expertise: Since 2018, we’ve guided 500+ clients through Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC, earning 5-star reviews for ethical, seamless safaris.
Competitive Pricing: Permits at official rates ($800 Uganda, $1,500 Rwanda) with no hidden fees; safari packages from $1,500.
Conservation Commitment: We source permits directly from UWA/RDB, ensuring funds support gorilla conservation and local communities.
Customized Safaris: From budget ($50/night lodges) to luxury ($1,000+/night), we tailor itineraries with transport, lodging, and activities.
Global Support: We arrange permits, flights, and transfers for international clients, with 24/7 support via info@maranathatours.com or +256 707 585144.

Booking a gorilla trekking permit and safari in 2025 is a straightforward but time-sensitive process, requiring early planning to secure one of the limited daily permits (162 in Uganda, 96 in Rwanda).

Choose Uganda ($800) for affordability, Rwanda ($1,500) for accessibility, or DRC ($450) for budget-conscious adventurers.

Online booking via Irembo (Rwanda), UWA (Uganda), or trusted operators like Maranatha Tours & Travel is easiest, while local booking at UWA/RDB offices suits those already in-country.

Follow our steps—select dates, check availability, book and pay, plan logistics, and prepare gear—for a hassle-free experience.

With our expertise, AUTO membership, and commitment to conservation, we ensure your trek in Bwindi, Mgahinga, or Volcanoes National Park is unforgettable.