Updated
There is no official waiting list for gorilla permits in Uganda. The Uganda Wildlife Authority sells permits on a first-come, first-served basis for each sector and date, and once a date is full you have to choose another date or sector. Permits do sometimes become available again when other visitors cancel or change dates, so a good operator can watch for openings, but you cannot reserve a place in a queue. Here is how availability works and what to do if your dates are sold out.
How permits are allocated
Each habituated family can be visited by up to eight people a day, so the number of permits per day is fixed by the number of families in each sector. Permits are sold through UWA, directly or through licensed tour operators, and are confirmed once paid. Your permit is for a specific date and sector; the family is assigned on the morning of the trek. The permit costs US$800, or US$600 in April, May and November. See our guide to booking a gorilla permit.
When dates sell out
Demand peaks in June to September and December to February, and around holidays such as Christmas and Easter. Book three to six months ahead for these periods, and longer for large groups or the Gorilla Habituation Experience, which has only a few places a day. Outside peak months, permits are often available a few weeks ahead, though not guaranteed. See our guide to the best time for gorilla trekking.
What to do if your date is full
First, check other sectors: if Buhoma is full, Ruhija, Rushaga or Nkuringo may have space on the same date, and Mgahinga is another option. Second, move your dates by a day or two and rearrange the rest of the itinerary around the permit. Third, ask your operator to watch for cancellations, which do happen, especially in the weeks before a trip. Finally, consider trekking in Rwanda, where permits cost more but availability can differ.
Avoiding problems
Book the permit before flights and lodges, since it is the hardest part to change. Use a licensed operator or UWA directly, and be cautious of anyone offering “guaranteed” permits for sold-out dates at a premium. Check the cancellation and rescheduling rules before paying, as changes are subject to UWA’s policy and fees. See our guide to cancellation and refunds and Bwindi’s sectors.
Frequently asked questions
No. Permits are first-come, first-served, though cancellations can free up places.
Three to six months for peak months; less in quieter periods.
Try another Bwindi sector or Mgahinga, or shift your dates.
No. Be wary of anyone promising sold-out permits for an extra fee.
