Currently Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has introduced discounted gorilla permits and chimpanzee tracking permits which are cheap and referred to as promotional Uganda gorilla permits. It’s an incentive for tour operators in Uganda that started from December 2020 and purposely is to revive the tourism sector that had been hit hard by the impact of Covid-19 pandemic.
The promotional rates which include Cheap gorilla permits, Chimpanzee tracking permits and reduced park entrance to savanna parks around the country were to last from December 2020 to march 2021 but the good news is that UWA has extended this promotion up to end of June 2021. Uganda’s tourism sector like in any other country was greatly affected by the coronavirus global pandemic and it was suspended from march 2020 until October 2020 when the international airport and the borders were opened.
Having reopened the country to international visits, Uganda Wildlife Authority reopened all the national parks and reserves to tourists. The tourist traffic was so low and in an effort to promote Uganda’s tourism from the effects it had suffered during Covid-19 pandemic, Uganda Wildlife Authority introduced promotional rates, gorilla and chimpanzee permits from 1st Dec 2020 to 31st march 2021. These promotional rates were as follows;
Other promotional rates are; 50% on Park entrance fees to all Savanna parks including Queen Elizabeth national park, Lake Mburo national park, Murchison falls national park, Kidepo Valley national park, Semuliki national park and some wildlife reserves like Katonga, Kabwoya, Pian Upe, Toro Semuliki wildlife reserves. Birding fees are also discounted by 50%.
Effective 1st April, Uganda Wildlife Authority has extended all the above promotional rates up to 30th June 2021. The promotional discounts on gorilla and chimpanzee permits will only apply to new permits purchased between 1April 2021 and 30th June 2021 and not on reschedules of already deposited on permits. These Discounted Uganda gorilla permits cannot be rescheduled. A Uganda gorilla trekking trip includes, gorilla permit, transfers and accommodation, therefore consider booking your best accommodation near the start point of your gorilla trek.
Uganda continues to do everything possible to revive its tourism sector as many people especially those around the national parks have always depended on the proceeds from tourism so the government fears they might resort to poaching and other habits. Uganda wildlife Authority continues to encourage all visitors to adhere to the Covid-19 guidelines during their visit to the pearl of Africa.
Uganda is a home to half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas and these are in Bwindi Impenetrable national park and Mgahinga national park. All these parks are open for visitors but everyone must adhere to the standard operating procedures set by Uganda Wildlife Authority. Remember to wear your mask at all times, wash your hands or sanitize and always follow the gorilla and chimpanzee rules in place.