A gorilla permit is a card issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority that allows one to gain access to the mountain gorilla national parks, which are Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in the southern part of the country and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the southwestern part of the country.
Uganda used to offer low-season gorilla permits for April, May, and November.
However, when Rwanda increased its gorilla permit price to $1500 from $750, Uganda stopped offering low-season discounted gorilla permits.
Now, all permits cost $700 throughout the year, covering both the wet and dry seasons.
Low-season gorilla permits are still offered by the Uganda Wildlife Authority in conjunction with the Association of Uganda Tour Operators.
Only tour operators registered by the Association of Uganda Tour Operators can access these low-season permits.
However, this is not very frequent, and the offers come once in a while.
Even though Uganda no longer offers low-season gorilla permits, it remains the best place for trekking mountain gorillas because the price for trekking gorillas in Uganda is more affordable compared to Rwanda.
Additionally, the security situation in Congo is often unstable, making Uganda the top destination for gorilla trekking, where even budget travelers can afford a permit.
The best time for trekking mountain gorillas in Uganda is from June to September and December to February.
During these periods, the trekking trails are less muddy and slippery, and the roads leading to the parks are in good condition.
Gorilla trekking is not just any other activity like going out for game driving.
Tourists coming for gorilla trekking should be physically fit because it will require hiking to higher elevations in the rain-forests.
Tourists trekking gorillas should bring along garden gloves, raincoats, warm and long-sleeved clothes, insect repellents, plenty of drinking water, and energy-giving snacks.
