Uganda Wildlife Authority has relaxed on its gorilla permit rescheduling and cancellation policy amidst closure of gorilla national Parks in Uganda due to Covid19. The new policy allows travelers and travel operators to reschedule mountain gorilla permits to a later date of convenience within 2 years to 2022. UWA’s relaxation of gorilla permit policy is meant to encourage postponement “Travel Tomorrow ” an avoid gorilla tour cancellations due to Covid19 pandemic. Travel operators can now reschedule gorilla permits in Uganda to any date till 2022 without facing any penalty.
Post Covid19 Uganda gorilla safaris
We hope for the continuity of post Covid19 Uganda gorilla safaris at a later date after the defeat of the deadly virus. Uganda is the best post covid19 gorilla safari destination given her low cost gorilla safaris, close connection from Rwanda to Uganda for short gorilla treks and gorilla trekking add-ons, which make Uganda a complete safari destination. Travelers are advised to keep ready for the exceptional post covid19 gorilla safaris in Uganda in the near future date. Gorilla Parks were closed to prevent the spread of corona virus to the endangered mountain gorillas. Gorilla share over 99% of human genes, which make them susceptible to communicable diseases, of which Corona Virus is among.
Gorilla Parks in Uganda
Uganda has 2 mountain gorilla parks both located in southwestern Uganda. The two gorilla parks in Uganda are Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Bwindi Forest is home to the highest number of gorilla families in the world (half of the world’s population). Bwindi Forest shelters 17 habituated gorilla families shared in 4 sectors that make up the national Park. The gorilla families in Bwindi Forest are Mubare family, Habinyanja gorilla group, Rushegura gorilla family, Nkuringo Family, Oruzogo Family, Nshongi Gorilla Family, Katwe family, Muyambi family, Christmas gorilla family, Bitukura Gorilla family, Kyaguliro gorilla family, Mishaya Gorilla Family, Bweza Gorilla group, Busingye Gorilla group, Kutu Gorilla family, Rwigi Gorilla Group, and Mucunguzi Gorilla Group. More 2 gorilla families i.e Bushaho and Bikyingi gorilla families are undergoing gorilla habituation experience in Rushaga sector south of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. On other the hand, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park shelters 1 gorilla family, Nyakagyezi Gorilla Family and it’s the only family in this park. Each gorilla family in Bwindi Forest National Park is visited by a group of 8 people.
Cost of Gorilla Tours in Uganda
Uganda gorilla tours cost $700 for foreign non-residents, $600 for foreign residents and UGX 250,000 for East African residents. The gorilla habituation experience costs $1500 allowing a traveler to spend four hours with the endangered gorillas. African Apes Holidays help you to book and reserve gorilla permits saving you time and energy. Alternatively, you can book a Uganda gorilla permit directly with Uganda Wildlife Authority. Gorilla permit bookings are recommended at least 6 months prior the trekking date to encourage timely planning.
Guide to Gorilla trekking in Uganda
On the day of gorilla trekking, travelers are gathered at the respective park head quarters in Bwindi Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks. The pre gorilla trekking briefing is about giving travelers a guide on gorilla trekking to ensure safety of the endangered gorillas. The guide to gorilla trekking in Uganda include among others:
• Do not trek when sick to protect the endangered gorillas
• Do not shout or speak loud in the presence of gorillas
• Do not use flashlight cameras
• Do not touch the gorillas
• Do not look direct into the eyes of the mountain gorillas
• Do not litter in the park, leave only the footsteps
• Keep within your group; do not move alone in the jungle.
Conclusively, the relaxation of Uganda gorilla trekking permit policy is a good move to promote sustainable gorilla safaris in Uganda. Reschedule your gorilla permit to a future date and save gorilla tourism in Africa.
