The gorilla permit refund policies in Uganda and Rwanda are fairly similar, though each country applies its own specific rules and refund percentages. Understanding the gorilla permit refund process before you travel can help you avoid losing money if your plans change unexpectedly.
Gorilla permits are official cards issued by wildlife authorities. They act as passes that allow visitors to trek mountain gorillas in a specific national park. These permits are only issued to people aged 15 years and above. If a visitor is found to be sick on the morning of the trek, they will not be allowed to join the group, and a partial gorilla permit refund may be offered instead.
Gorilla Permit Refunds in Uganda
In Uganda, gorilla permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. These permits allow visitors to trek gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The cost of a standard trekking permit is $800, while the gorilla habituation experience costs $1,500.
Getting a gorilla permit refund in Uganda can take time. If you booked through a tour operator, you may not receive a full refund right away. This is because the operator will usually need to resell the permit to another traveler first, often at a lower price, before passing part of the money back to you.
In rare cases, if you complete the trek but the group does not manage to see any gorillas, the Uganda Wildlife Authority will refund 75% of the permit fee.
If a client cancels their trek for personal reasons, the gorilla permit refund amount depends on how close the cancellation is to the scheduled trekking date:
- 0 to 8 days before the trek: no refund
- 9 to 45 days before the trek: 25% refund
- 46 to 90 days before the trek: 50% refund
- 91 days or more before the trek: 75% refund
If a visitor is found to be sick before the trek begins, they will receive 50% of their permit fee back. This policy exists because mountain gorillas are highly susceptible to human diseases. During the morning briefing, park wardens carry out checks on all visitors, and anyone found to be sick, or under the age of 15, will not be permitted to trek.
Gorilla Permit Refunds in Rwanda
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda takes place in Volcanoes National Park, located in the northwest of the country, near the borders with Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Rwanda has the most expensive gorilla permits in the region, priced at $1,500 per person.
The Rwanda Development Board is responsible for issuing gorilla permits in the country. You can obtain a permit directly through them or through a trusted tour operator. If a visitor is found to be sick during the morning briefing, they will receive back 50% of the permit cost, similar to Uganda’s sickness refund policy.
Booking and Refund Tips
Only book a gorilla permit once you are confident you will be traveling to Africa, as this helps you avoid losing money to cancellation fees. Most operators require a deposit of 30% to 50% of the permit cost, paid at least 3 to 6 months in advance of your trekking date, due to high demand for permits during peak seasons.
Since refund policies and percentages can be updated by the relevant wildlife authorities, it is worth confirming the current gorilla permit refund terms with your tour operator or the issuing body directly before booking, so you know exactly what to expect if your plans change. Ready to book your gorilla safari? Once you’re ready, you can browse gorilla safari packages for both countries.
