Five more gorilla families available to track in Bwindi + Tracking fee increases in Uganda.
Got a thing for great apes? This is what you need to know if you want to track gorillas and chimpanzees in Uganda in 2024 and beyond
There are now at least SIX* more great reasons to track gorillas in Uganda!
🦍 Did you hear that five more gorilla families are now available for tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest? Scroll down for full information.
🦍 And to make gorilla tracking even more appealing, we’ve just heard that another baby has been born in Rushaga, to the south of the forest.
*5 more gorilla families + 1 new baby = 6
Is there anything cuter than a baby gorilla?
This week brought exciting news from the Uganda Wildlife Authority: a fluffy addition to the Bikingi mountain gorilla family! The newest family member is the offspring of mother Mucecuru and fathered by Silverback Kaharata.
Five more gorilla families available for tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
With the habituation programme complete, UWA has confirmed that permits can now be booked to see the following gorilla families:
- Buhoma [northern Bwindi] – Binyindo + Muyambi families
- Nkuringo [southwest Bwindi] – Posho family
- Rushaga [southern Bwindi] – Rwigi + Tindatine families
During the course of habituation, which has taken up to four years for some gorilla families, visitors from around the world have accompanied rangers and researchers on their daily monitoring. The process of habituation gradually acclimatises wildlife to the presence of humans. It means we can safely spend time in each other’s company safely without impacting the great apes’ behaviour.
With another five habituated gorilla families, Uganda now has 194 gorilla tracking permits available every day. In addition, there are four permits available for the gorilla habituation experience.
What’s the catch?
Simultaneously, Uganda Wildlife Authority have announced price increases* to primate tracking fees, and a number of other activities, to take effect on July 1 2024. Still, with a gorilla permit in Rwanda costing a hefty $1500, Uganda’s gorilla permits continue to get snapped up very quickly, particularly during peak seasons of summer and Christmas. If you’re planning a gorilla tracking safari, you may even need to reserve permits a year in advance.
*These are the key fee changes, but scroll down for the full list.
Mountain gorilla tracking permits
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks: $800 (currently $700)
Chimp tracking permits
Kibale Forest: $250 (currently $200)
Kyambura Gorge, Queen Elizabeth National Park: $100 (currently $50)
Chimpanzee habituation permits
Kibale Forest: $300 (currently $250)
Gorilla tracking discounts for African passport holders:
Gorilla tracking permit: $500
Gorilla habituation experience: $1000
Why have the fees increased?
The revision in permit fees is a response to the increasing expenses associated with conservation, which encompasses anti-poaching campaigns, patrolling, monitoring and community development initiatives. It’s worth highlighting that a significant portion, specifically 20%, of the fees for permits and park entry is given to invest in communities neighbouring the National Parks. This ensures that experiences with primates (notably gorillas, chimpanzees and golden monkeys) contribute meaningfully to community development.
Uganda Wildlife Authority revised CONSERVATION TARIFF from July 2024
Click here to download Uganda Wildlife Authority’s 2024 tariff for all permits and National Parks. Note that unless stated in the letter above, other prices will not increase after July 1 2024 (as far as the muzungu is aware!)
What’s it like to track gorillas and chimpanzees?
I’ve tracked gorillas, chimps and golden monkeys numerous times in Uganda and Rwanda and written extensively about gorilla tracking for international publications. I also work closely with gorilla and chimpanzee conservation NGOs, guides and tour operators. Got a question? Send me a message 😎
