You can buy/book a gorilla permit in Uganda at Uganda Wildlife Authority headquarters in Kampala through a trusted tour operator or online at $700(non residents), $600 (foreign resident), UGX 250000 for East African citizens per person. Rwanda gorilla permits are bought at $1500 from RDB and Congo permits can be bought at $400 from Virunga park offices.

You can directly apply for a gorilla permit to Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) by email or telephone. It’s however important to note that applying for a gorilla permit in Uganda directly is not easy and most people who apply directly become frustrated. Many are unable to get through with calls or emails. You should also note that only a small portion of permits are allocated for direct sell.

You are strongly advised to book your Uganda gorilla permit through a Uganda tour operator. During your search for tour operators in Uganda, you will find out that there are over 300 tour and travel companies in Uganda. However, some of these companies are ‘Briefcase companies’. A fraction of those is officially recognized partners in the marketing and selling of gorilla permits.

How do I book a gorilla trek in Uganda?  How to get a trustable Dependable Gorilla Safari Company in Uganda

The best Uganda gorilla trekking companies are those that have permanent offices and members of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO).

One of the reasons why you book your gorilla permit through a tour operator is that tour operators have intimate knowledge of the accommodation option and proximity of gorilla families.

Also, routes to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and its various regions are often tricky because it is a remote area. If you would like to plan a gorilla tour in Uganda on your own to save costs, you might end up incurring more. Uganda safari operators know these remote areas very well and their drivers are experts at negotiating slippery and steep dirt roads.

Tour operators also don’t ask for any extra money for the gorilla permit if you’re reserving the rest of your tour through them. Any additional costs will be for services like telephone and transport that will be incurred when acquiring the permit. Tour operators usually speed the reservation so you can confirm your gorilla permit faster.

Note: Since 2014, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) started issuing gorilla permits according to the region within the park where the gorillas are located. This moves visitors easier particularly in Bwindi National Park which has 4 gorilla trekking sectors (Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija, and Rushaga) each with a different gorilla family. The permits are bought according to the specific gorilla trekking sectors.