Uganda Introduces More Permits For Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla trekkers to Uganda have been blessed with extra gorilla permits hence an opportunity to see mountain gorillas. Uganda through the Uganda wildlife authority has put on market 16 new gorilla permits hence assure more 16 people an opportunity to take part in this once in a lifetime experience. The new permits come after introduction of new gorilla families (Katwe and Christmas) in Buhoma and Nkuringo sectors of the park respectively. This tells that 8 permits are in Buhoma north of Bwindi Park while the other 8 permits are in Nkuringo sector south of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Also, the introduction of new gorilla permits in Uganda is mean to improve gorilla trekking experience in the pearl of Africa in Mgahinga gorilla and Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. Presently, Uganda has total of 17 gorilla families available for trekking, which make it a best gorilla trekking destination in East and Central Africa. The news permits in Uganda 
brings a relief from pressure that UWA has been on related to high demand for gorilla permits by an increased population of people inquiring to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda. Since May last year when Rwanda doubled her cost of gorilla permits from $750 to $1500, most of the would have been gorilla trekkers in Rwanda diverted to Uganda. 8 people per day hence 8 gorilla permits per gorilla family. Travelers spend an hour with a gorilla family while taking photographs, capturing videos and closely observing the human like characters of mountain gorillas.
A gorilla permit in Uganda costs $600 for foreign non-residents, $500 for foreign residents and ush250, 000 for east African residents, which make Uganda an exceptional destination to see mountain gorillas compared to $1500 in the neighboring Rwanda. There has been scarcity of gorilla permit in Uganda to the point of travelers arriving at certain gorilla tracking points in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park without a guarantee to receive gorilla permits. Presently, Uganda has 136 gorilla permits for sale everyday, which guarantee travelers a chance to trek mountain gorillas. Just like in other tourism destinations, each gorilla family is visited by Each gorilla family is headed by a dominant silverback who determines the movements of a gorilla family and also defend a family from external attacks. Adult females nurse young ones while juveniles keep the family lively by entertaining the whole family as they play continuously jumping over and across.
The two newly opened families have successfully gone through a gorilla habituation experience for 2 years, which make them get used to travelers. Habituation process is the act of training wild mountain gorilla families to make used with human presence before they are opened up to travelers for trekking. Besides the gorilla permits for gorilla trekking, Uganda has 8 additional gorilla habituation permits available for sale everyday Two gorilla families namely Bushaho and Bikyingi are undergoing habituation experience in Bwindi both in Rushaga sector south of Bwindi and will be opened t trekking. Unlike in gorilla safaris where 8 people are allowed to trek a gorilla family, 4 travelers are allowed to see a gorilla family undergoing habituation. However a habituation permit is quietly costly at $1500, which allows travelers to spend four hours with mountain gorillas. This therefore allows travelers to spend extended time with these magnificent creatures rewarding them with memorable experiences.
Habituated gorilla groups in Uganda
Before confirming Uganda gorilla tour, check this list of gorilla families habituated for trekking so you can choose which one you want to trek. Uganda gorilla families include Katwe gorilla family, Christmas gorilla family, Nsongi family, Nkuringo gorilla family, Mishaya family, Oruzogo family, Mubare family, Habinyanja family, Rushegura family, Bitukura family, Nyakagyezi gorilla family, kahungye, Bweza family, Busingye gorilla family and kyaguliro family all available for trekking. Gorilla families in Bwindi are split into the four sectors of the park which are Buhoma in the north, Ruhija in east, Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors in the southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park.
How to book gorilla permits in Uganda
Al gorilla permits in Uganda are booked through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) a government body responsible for gorilla tourism and wildlife conservation in the pearl of Africa. UWA over looks all national parks in Uganda and all activities in these parks. It’s UWA that determines the prices of different activities, the time and other issues.
In general, Uganda remains the best option for exceptional gorilla safari experiences. The country is a home to half of the world’s mountain gorillas trekked at a relatively affordable rate.