The Gorilla Trekking and Habituation Permit Refund Policy.

Is the gorilla trekking and habituation permit refundable?

Gorilla trekking is a thrilling experience taking place within the southern part of Uganda in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park, Bwindi is home to half the remaining population of mountain gorillas offering travelers the chance to meet the large primates in their natural habitats, these are characterised by their large fur bodies, brown eyes and heavy weight living in families of up to 20 members per gorilla family led by a male silver back. Are the gorilla trekking permit and habituation permit refundable? is a popular question asked by many gorilla enthusiasts.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda requires a permit that allows you access to see the critically endangered species; it helps control the number of people and ecological footprint on the environment within which the primate exists. The park includes park fees, guide/ranger fees, and conservation fees that directly fund the community and 1 hour of witnessing the magical moment with the gorillas. In Bwindi, there are 24 habituated gorilla families, each of which is only tracked by 8 people per day.

The price of the gorilla trekking permits this year is $800 per person for foreign non-residents, $700 per person for foreign residents, and 300,000 shillings for East African citizens. These are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), a government body that regulates permit costs and oversees the protection of Mountain gorillas. Only Ugandan-registered tour operators can purchase the permits; these need to be booked at least 6 months in advance of the date of tracking due to availability.

The gorilla trekking permit in Uganda is non-refundable but can adhere to the terms and conditions as per the Uganda Wildlife Authority cancellation policy. Any request within 14 days of the date of tracking receives zero refund of the permit fees; within 45 days, 25% of the permit fees is refunded, less costs if bank charges and government taxes; 60 days to the date of tracking, 50% of the permit fee is refunded to the agent; a client of 61 days is entitled to 75% of the funds.

Rescheduling permits is also an alternative in cases where the guest is unable to move; the first time of moving permits to new dates without any extra costs to the guests, the second time of tracking a 25% penalty if the permit fee is charged, and on the third time of rescheduling the guests will lose the gorilla permit fees and may be required to purchase new permits.  Permits are rescheduled to the same date of the next year or chosen month of travel depending on availability.

UWA may or may not approve gorilla permit fee refunds under the circumstances; the tour operator will be requested to write a formal letter explaining why the permit is being cancelled to the Executive Director. Upon receiving the letter, he may agree to the request or reject it.

All payments are made at the Uganda Wildlife Authority offices and banks or the establishment; no payments are taken or allowed on ground for the gorilla trekking experience. This can be executed through your tour operator.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda is done all year round but is best during the dry season in January, February, December, June, August, July, September and early October; it makes it easier to track gorillas due to the less slippery ground and warmer temperatures, that mentioned even in the wet season, it is more than possible to do gorilla trekking.

There is accommodation available in the park areas; the gorilla trekking permit purchased determines which accommodation to book, as it is wise to stay closer to the beginning point of the gorilla trekking experience.