Are gorilla permits refundable in Uganda, Rwanda and D.R. Congo?

Are gorilla permits refundable? No, gorilla permits are non-refundable. But, there are options you can consider to ensure that you do not male a loss on your money. Up to 50% of the money paid is refunded to any client if there is a sign of illness during briefing time or if you fail to find gorillas in the forest two times. Other than these 2 reasons, then you can’t get refunded, but only rescheduled to a later date when you are available to travel. Gorilla trekking permits must be booked when you are sure that you are travelling or taking an African safari.

A gorilla permit is a document that is bought from any recognized company or through a government body concerned about tourism and wildlife that allows a tourist to visit gorillas in the natural environment. Without a Uganda gorilla permit,you can’t visit the gorillas. Our gorilla safaris take you to 3 east African countries which are known as hubs for the gorillas. These are Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. Did you know that a gorilla permit is the only key that will take you into the presence of these gentle giants?

Why do gorilla trekking in Uganda?

Do you know that an African safari without a Uganda gorilla trekking tour is not a complete experience? Visiting mountain gorillas is the most rewarding experience in Africa and this is done either through gorilla trekking or gorilla habituation experience.

How much are gorilla permits?

Each country has its price for gorilla permits, Uganda offers gorilla trekking and gorilla habituation experiences where gorilla trekking offers an opportunity of spending an hour in the presence of the gorillas and for the case of habituation, four hours are spent following a group of gorillas. Gorilla permits for trekking in Uganda cost USD800, USD700 and 300,000 UGX for foreign non-residents, foreign residents and citizens of East Africa respectively.

In the case of Rwanda, gorilla trekking permits go for USD 1500 for foreigners. The Democratic Republic of Congo offers its gorilla trekking permits at USD400 and USD200 for foreigners and Congolese respectively.

Uganda gorilla habituation permits cost USD1500, USD 1000 and 750,000 UGX for foreign non-residents, foreign residents and citizens of East Africa respectively. Tourists find it cheaper to pay for gorilla habituation experience in Uganda, than for a gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda.

Gorilla permits are highly demanded and this means that you need to book earlier. This is through payment before the day of trekking, at least 3 months. After booking, each country has its policy about cancellation terms. For example Uganda, gorilla permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority or book one through a licensed tour agency.

In Rwanda, gorilla trekking permits are issued by Rwanda Development Board and gorilla trekking takes place in Volcanoes National Park. Gorillas in Uganda are located in two areas – Bwindi and Mgahinga national parks. Meanwhile in the Democratic Republic of Congo, gorillas can be located in Virunga National Park. This is for Mountain gorillas, while Kahuzi-Biega National Park houses the Eastern lowland gorillas.

A gorilla permit is only given to those who are 15 years of age and above. 8 visitors only can visit one gorilla family. Each gorilla family consists of a silverback. This is like the alpha male that controls the group. He is in charge of mating all the female gorillas and provides security to the family. While in the presence of mountain gorillas, you will meet the silverback practicing his leadership skills.

E A

My wife and I had the trip of a lifetime, an unforgettable experience from start to finish. From gorilla trekking to game drives, every moment was magical and the wildlife encounters were simply breathtaking. Our guide Godwin was knowledgeable and attentive, and every detail of the trip was perfectly organized. Uganda’s beauty exceeded all our expectations, and the team took wonderful care of us throughout. Thank you for showing us the Pearl of Africa, we’ll cherish these memories forever. Highly recommended

KLAU conde

I LOVE MY SAFARI WE DID GORILLA TREKING AND WE WERE LOOKING FOR THE BIG FIVES, Everything was phenomenal the drivers the lodges my favorite one was Acacia Lodge, where you open the door of your lodge and you have the Elephants and hippos there . we also went to the Ecuatorian line very cool

Elisa Peralta

We spent a WONDERFUL time in Rwanda, thanks to Standard Safaris and especially thanks to our amazing driver George. If you plan to go on safari in Rwanda with Standard Safaris, ask him as your driver guide. He will share all his knowledge and experience about animals, nature, people, food etc… He drives very safely and is friendly. Thanks to him we saw a lot of animals ( especially the big 5😃 in Akagera NP) and Know so much more about Rwanda. We were travelling with our 2 children (7 and 11 years old), and they were delighted. We feel very lucky and we are grateful for this wonderful safari in East Africa.

Susana Lara Valenciano

We booked a 9-Days safari in Uganda with Standard Safaris, all-inclusive with a driver guide, all tour activities, permits and lodges. Honestly, we were very happy to have George as our guide. He drove us safely around the country and explained many things along the way. Thanks to him, we were able to spot many animals in the national parks, and we always stayed on track with our itinerary. The jeep was new and well maintained, however, the seats in the back were quite high with small windows, which made it difficult to look outside. But nevertheless, we still had a 10/10 safari experience in Uganda. We look forward to returning for another safari next year and telling our friends about Standard Safaris.

Pablo Sanchez Rubio

My wife and I had a gorilla safari of a lifetime in Uganda late last month. Our driver/guide Denis was incredible. He gave us so much information about Uganda and was so knowledgeable about the wildlife, cultures, people, politics, the geography, etc. By the end of the week we considered him a friend and we will recommend him and Standard Safaris to anyone looking to go to East Africa. Thank you so much guys!

Salome Ochando

If there were 10 stars I would give them. From my first "Hello" with Coleb to our last set of selfies on the equator with Denis, this tour company out-did themselves!! Absolutely professional and helpful from beginning to end. We're already booking another trip for next year! They had organised everything- gorilla permits, chimpanzee permits, all national park entrance fees, lodgings, every meal included. It was so easy I didn't even know where we were going until we were there! Pure relaxation. We had a few extra free days at the end so Coleb suggested adding on Mabamba Wetland and this was a wonderful experience with the shoebill and all these beautiful birds. Denis is the best tour guide I've ever met. 100% knowledgeable and professional and accommodating and..a new friend😊.. Thank you Standard Safaris!!

G L

Everything was great Amanya and Ian the drivers are amazing they take good care of us i highly recommended this tour

Jennifer Johns

Denis is such a fun ball of energy. He was always on time and nothing was too much work or a hassle for him. He takes everything as a learning opportunity and has an eternal optimism that is infectious. Organising our different tours etc through Coleb was also seamless. He responds so quickly and always has great advice on how to best travel in Uganda

Niklas Freese

We booked a very last minute gorilla trekking tour from Kigali with Standard Safaris, and everything was perfectly organized from start to finish. The booking process via WhatsApp was incredibly easy, fast, and uncomplicated. Our guide, Ian, picked us up right on time at our hotel in Kigali. The entire tour was an amazing experience, but Ian truly made it unforgettable. From the beginning, he told us to let him know anytime we wanted to stop for photos, which made the drive much more enjoyable. He also introduced us to traditional Ugandan food along the way and shared interesting information about the country and its culture. Ian is genuinely one of the kindest and warmest people we have met. His friendliness, enthusiasm, and care made us feel welcome throughout the whole trip. Thank you, Ian, for making this experience so special:)

Vanessa Paola Varsallona

I had a fantastic experience on this tour and would highly recommend it. Everything was very well organised, and the highlight was, of course, the unforgettable gorilla trekking experience. Ian was my driver and Frank was my guide. They were both incredibly helpful, professional, and friendly throughout the trip. Ian was always punctual and reliable, making every transfer smooth and stress-free, while Frank was an excellent guide who made sure everything went perfectly. They went above and beyond to accommodate all my requests and helped me secure a gorilla family with babies, which made the experience even more special. Their kindness, flexibility, and dedication truly made a difference, and I couldn't have asked for a better team. I highly recommend both Ian and Frank!