Booking gorilla trekking for group safaris has no significant difference from booking gorilla trekking for individual safaris.
Mountain gorilla permit prices cost $700 in Uganda, $1500 in Rwanda, and $400 in Congo.
However, it saves you money from other aspects like transportation and accommodation.
Most budget travelers prefer traveling as a group.
Please note that the price of gorilla permits does not change based on an individual’s status; each individual planning to trek gorillas will pay the same amount for a permit.
Booking mountain gorilla permits is typically done 3-6 months in advance, especially in Uganda due to high demand.
This applies when booking permits in Uganda.
Gorilla family allocation will depend on several factors, so you are not guaranteed that your entire group will trek together as one.
How to Plan Gorilla Trekking for a Large Group
When booking gorilla trekking for group safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, it’s advisable to book permits in advance so that you can obtain permits in one region of the park instead of acquiring permits in different sectors.
Booking permits in one sector will allow the group to trek mountain gorillas in the same region, saving time compared to others moving to other regions for hours.
Booking permits in the same region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park will also give the group the chance to stay in one hotel or lodge, depending on availability.
Staying in one lodge can reduce your expenses if rooms are shared among individuals.
Although mountain gorilla families are allocated based on age and physical ability, trekking a gorilla family in a group can be arranged if requested at the park headquarters on the morning of the trek.
However, this can only be done if there are few people trekking on that date and the physical abilities of the other trekkers have been met.
When planning gorilla trekking for large groups, also keep in mind that only eight people are allowed to visit each mountain gorilla family in a day, and a one-hour period is given for them to observe gorillas and take photos.
Each sector has more than three gorilla families, so you will have to be split according to the available gorilla families.
Sick people in the group will not be able to see mountain gorillas because they are vulnerable to human diseases and lack immunity to fight diseases.
This means that any infection in one gorilla could lead to several deaths, which is a significant concern given their endangered status.
