+(256)-414-532-162 +(256)-773-912-891 / +(256) 702 12 3064
Last Minute Gorilla Trekking Safaris, Last Minute Gorilla Permit Booking Uganda & Rwanda
Last minute Gorilla trekking safaris are possible in Uganda and Rwanda as they take you to the top rainforests to meet the endangered Mountain Gorillas.
These last-minute Gorilla trekking expeditions have you trek Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Volcanoes National Park, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Mountain Gorilla tracking is one of the most sought safari activities in Africa as it is on every traveler’s bucket list. Tracking Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat in the national parks is a lifetime experience that you shouldn’t miss!
For you to enjoy a last minute Gorilla trekking safari, you need to have a last minute Gorilla permit which you can buy from a safari company or directly from Uganda Wildlife Authority or Rwanda Development Board.
In Uganda, the last-minute Gorilla permit may land you in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park which has one Gorilla family. This is because Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the most booked and you may not know how many permits are booked in each sector.
Every traveler wants to book a Gorilla safari in advance but due to some unavoidable circumstances, hence last minute Gorilla safaris are required. If you find yourself in this situation, reach out to us for the best deals for a last minute Gorilla safari.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda Rwanda is enjoyed in the national parks of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Park, and Volcanoes National Park.
Bwindi National Park hosts almost half of the total number of Mountain Gorillas in the world. This park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it has other primates that you can see during your Gorilla safari trek these include;
Bwindi Impenetrable Park has four trek areas that is to say Buhoma area, Ruhija area, Rushaga area, and Nkuringo area. Each of these areas has its own Gorilla families and tourists can enjoy a last minute Gorilla trekking safari while here on their visit to Africa.
Accommodation in Bwindi National Park depends on which area your valid Gorilla permit is booked.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park borders Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda and Virunga National Park of Congo.
This park is also good for a Gorilla safari in Africa. Mgahinga Park has one Gorilla family known as the Nyakagezi which is also a transboundary group.
This is where a last minute Gorilla trekking safari happens in Uganda in most cases since the park is less crowded and permits are mostly available. When exploring this Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, you have ranger guides who provide you with security.
Other primates also call this park home like Golden Monkeys, Blue Monkeys, Red Tailed Monkeys, and Vervet Monkeys. It is also a great area for birding safaris.
Volcanoes National Park is the only trek Gorilla destination in Rwanda and it borders Virunga National Park of DR Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
This park has about 10 Gorilla families which are all habituated making it a good destination for a Gorilla safari in Africa.
This park also has other amazing primates like the amazing Golden Monkeys and the Black-and-white Colobus Monkeys. It also has amazing bird species to watch.
Rwanda Gorilla permits for Volcanoes Park only allow you to be the Mountain Gorillas for one hour. Rwanda Development Board is responsible for selling Rwanda Gorilla Permits.
You can check for Rwanda Gorilla permits availability online. Last minute Gorilla trekking is also possible in Volcanoes National Park for a Gorilla safari in Africa.
You can also meet the gentle giants in Virunga National Park of DR Congo.
Booking last minute Gorilla permits for a last minute Gorilla safari in Uganda and Rwanda is possible though you may be limited to accommodation choices.
The availability of permits both in Uganda and Rwanda varies with season where by in the peak season, the permits are highly demanded. The low-season permits may not be in high demand as sometimes you can get them quickly during last minute Gorilla safaris.
Securing a last minute Gorilla permit for a Gorilla safari can be challenging and that’s when you can use a reliable tour operator as they can secure for you the permit. You can also reach out to Uganda Wildlife Authority to see if they have any left.
The best time to book permits is preferably 6 months or 1-3 years before a safari. Last minute permits for last minute Gorilla safaris may be available though it’s not common, especially in the dry season which is the peak season.
Uganda Wildlife Authority sells 160 permits per day and Rwanda sells 96 permits per day.
The latest time to book last minute Gorilla trekking safari is 24 hours. If you ask the day before earlier and we reach a mutual understanding, we schedule this Gorilla tracking tour by getting good lodges in Volcanoes National Park.
To enjoy a Gorilla safari, you need to have a valid Gorilla permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority which primarily costs $700 for foreign nonresidents. It is discounted for foreign residents as it goes for $600 and UGX 250,000 for East African citizens.
A valid Gorilla permit in Rwanda from RDB costs $1500 for foreign nonresidents, $500 for foreign residents, and $200 for East African residents.
The refund of the Gorilla permits once issued depends on the permit refund policy. However, in Uganda, you are refunded 50% of the total Gorilla trip fees if you cancel between 46 and 90 days before the scheduled Gorilla tracking date.
Uganda Wildlife Authority retains 50%. Also, 75% of the Gorilla tracking fee is refunded to the traveler by Uganda Wildlife Authority for cancellation from 91 days and above.
Uganda and Rwanda accept payment for a Gorilla permit in a 90-day installment as long as the person purchases it 90 days before Gorilla tracking day.
Both Uganda and Rwanda are great destinations for Gorilla tracking trips in Africa and both will offer you last minute trips.
You will enjoy Gorilla treks in Uganda Rwanda Gorilla destinations without any limitations.
Uganda permits ($700) are cheaper compared to Rwanda Gorilla permits ($1500).
Uganda Gorilla tracking is experienced in Bwindi National Park and Mgahinga National Park though Rwanda Gorilla tracking is only done in Volcanoes National Park.
Uganda offers habituation experiences which Rwanda doesn’t.
There are more habituated Gorilla families in Uganda compared to those in Rwanda.
Rwanda can offer a 1-day Gorilla trip which is impossible in Uganda.
To truly appreciate these differences, you can go on Gorilla tours both in countries. It is easy to trek Gorillas in both destinations when you have an East African Visa.
The age limit for trekking Gorillas in Uganda Rwanda is 15 years. If you are below this age range, then you cannot track the apes. Ranger guides can emphasize this during the Gorilla tracking briefing.
Children sometimes make it more difficult for other members on Gorilla treks. However, they can track if you reach a mutual understanding with the officials and sign a consent form.
Below are the popular trips for last minute Gorilla trekking in Uganda Rwanda;
3 days Uganda Gorilla tracking
3 days Fly in Gorilla Habituation experience
3 days Chimp and Gorilla Habituation
3 days Rwanda Gorilla tracking
4 days Mountain Gorillas and Golden Monkeys
Volcanoes National Park is open to visitors all year round though the best time is in the dry season which is from December until late May and July till August. Tourists can enjoy tracking Mountain Gorillas without any inconveniences but note that permits can be in high demand.
Wildlife experiences are also great during this time. You can also enjoy last minute Gorilla trekking trips in this park.
The cheapest place for a Gorilla safari is Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park as the Gorilla permits here are cheaper ($700) compared to the Gorilla permit of Volcanoes National Park which is $1500.
The easiest Gorilla treks are that of the Buhoma sector as this sector is at a lower altitude.
Yes, tracking Mountain Gorillas is worth the money and time. You get to meet the Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat and be with them for one hour. Seeing the Mountain Gorillas is a remarkable experience.
Also, a percentage of the purchased permit is used in the conservation of the Mountain Gorillas.
That is Uganda Rwanda as these as these countries are safe. If you are on schedule, they can offer last minute Gorilla trekking trips. The last minute Gorilla Safari requires you to have a Gorilla permit.
The cost of a Gorilla safari depends on many factors. First, you need to consider the price of the Gorilla permit, group size, transportation, accommodation type, food, Visas, air tickets, packing lists like gardening gloves and the rain jacket, porters, and tips for the guides.
Uganda Wildlife Authority sell Gorilla permits at $700 and Rwanda Gorilla permits are at $1500 and these are fixed prices. A Last minute Gorilla trekking in Uganda can be a bit costly though you need a reliable tour operator.
You can either trek in the Bwindi Forest or Mgahinga National Park.
Both countries offer amazing Gorilla tours and you can witness this when you trek Gorillas in both destinations. You can use a safari company for last minute Gorilla trekking tours.
You can also read recent traveler reviews to know the better destination.
You can book the permit using a tour operator or directly from Uganda Wildlife Authority which sell Gorilla permits in the country year round. If it is last minute Gorilla safaris, then it is ideal to use a tour operator for buying last minute Gorilla permits and you can trek in Bwindi Forest or Mgahinga Park.
To avoid last minute trips/last minute Gorilla trekking in Uganda, buy your Gorilla permit in advance.
Uganda Wildlife Authority sells Gorilla permits at $700 for foreign nonresidents per person, $600, and UGX 250,000 for East African citizens. Each of the permits allows you to be with the gentle giants for one hour in Bwindi Forest or Mgahinga Park.
The cost of a Gorilla safari varies from one tour operator to the next. Remember that a Gorilla permit goes for $700 for each person per trek from Uganda Wildlife Authority. A 3-day budget Gorilla safari can cost around $1300 per person and a luxury Gorilla safari can go to $3900 per person. Last-minute tours can be slightly higher since everything is last-minute.
All prices are exclusive of air tickets.
Rwanda Gorilla tracking is good all year round though the best time is in the dry season which is from December until late May and July till August. Tourists can enjoy Gorilla treks in the park as Mountain Gorillas don’t move too deep in the forest and wildlife experiences during this best time with no challenges.
However, always carry your gardening gloves and rain jacket with you.
This is also the high season of tourism and permits can be in high demand. It can be a bit challenging to get last minute Gorilla permits for last minute Gorilla safaris during this time.
Tracking the gentle giants in this country requires you to have a Gorilla permit which costs $1500 per person for foreign nonresidents.
In conclusion, last minute Gorilla trekking safaris are the best for those on tight schedules though they want to track Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla Park, and Volcanoes National Park.
Last minute Gorilla safaris require you to have a Gorilla permits which you can get from Uganda Wildlife Authority or RDB through assistance from a safari company. If you have an East African visa, then you can track the gentle giants in both countries for better wildlife experiences.
Inquire for the Best Deals for Last Minute Gorilla Trekking tours!
Cate
Samuel
Robert
If you're looking for exceptional safari recommendations or require professional assistance, don't hesitate to reach out to us.
