Are Gorilla Permits Refundable?
Are Gorilla Permits Refundable? Gorilla permits are generally non-refundable once purchased. In Uganda, partial refunds may be possible in rare cases, such as if a trekker falls ill or fails to see gorillas during a full day of tracking, but these require approval from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). In Rwanda, gorilla permits issued by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) are strictly non-refundable, even in cases of cancellation. It’s important to understand these policies before booking, as permits are also non-transferable and must match the trekker’s identification at the time of the trek.
Can I transfer my Uganda Gorilla permit?
No, you cannot transfer your Uganda gorilla permit to another person. According to the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the issuer, a gorilla permit is non-transferable once purchased. Firstly, each gorilla permit bears the name and passport information of the person it was sold to.
This implies that transferring the gorilla permit will necessitate changes to so many important details, which certainly leads to inconveniences.
Bear in mind that each day, Uganda Wildlife Authority makes available a limited number of gorilla permits for sale. This is to enhance the planning and management of the gorilla treks for each day. So, changes such as transferring a gorilla permit will add to the inconveniences.
Also, the critically endangered gorillas need to be protected from diseases and other human threats in Bwindi impenetrable National park, Volcanoes national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda ,Rwanda and Democratic Republic Of Congo respectively
Therefore, visitors should be regulated to avoid overcrowding and disease spread to the apes.
Are Gorilla Permits Refundable?
If gorilla permits are non-transferable, there are alternatives available in case you change your mind about a gorilla trek. These alternatives exist to accommodate travelers affected by illness, transport disruption, and emergencies, etc. All these are quite unpredictable issues that should be addressed to reduce a visitor’s financial losses. We at Marvel gorilla Adventures recommend that you either reschedule your permit or cancel the permit as explained below.
Reschedule the gorilla permit.
This implies changing the gorilla trekking date or the tracking location. This applies to reschedules requested within 14 days before the gorilla trek. The park authorities will also have to check for the availability of space for the requested reschedule of the permit. Not more than 2 reschedules are allowed for a particular gorilla permit. Moreover, the new tracking dates following the reschedules should not exceed 12 months from the initial booked date of tracking.
The first reschedule is at no extra cost, while a second reschedule incurs a 25% surcharge. However, not all gorilla permits can be rescheduled. These include the gorilla permits purchased through promotional offers and complimentary ones. Finally, a gorilla permit is only rescheduled strictly for a gorilla trek and in a particular conservation area. There are no refunds offered on rescheduled gorilla treks, though.
Cancel the gorilla trek.
This is done by writing to the Executive Director of Uganda Wildlife Authority, requesting a cancellation of a gorilla trek. This implies that you will be refunded the money for purchasing the gorilla permit. A reputable tour operator will help you in requesting for the cancellation. Nevertheless, the Executive Director doesn’t need to consider the request due to a number of reasons.
The gorilla permit could be cancelled if the visitor is involved in an accident right before the gorilla trek begins. A 50% refund on the full amount of purchasing a gorilla permit is processed for this type of situation. This is only offered if the visitor was already in the park to track gorillas. Also, a gorilla permit can be cancelled once the visitor is declared ill while in the forest, right before trekking commences. A 50% refund is offered on the initial fee paid.
A gorilla permit cannot be cancelled if the visitor failed to see the gorilla family after tracking them for a whole day. It is instead rescheduled to the next day if there is available space for trekking. If this is impossible or if the visitor cannot stay a day longer, a 60% refund is offered by Uganda Wildlife Authority. This is less than the money paid for purchasing the permit. The rest is meant to cover taxes and bank charges incurred by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Conditions for cancellation of gorilla permit
No refunds are offered if a visitor requests cancellation of a gorilla permit within 14 days of a gorilla trek. Requests for cancelling a gorilla permit between 15 to 45 days before a gorilla trek can be made. Only 15% of the initial fee is refunded to the visitor once the permit is cancelled. Requests for cancellation of a gorilla permit between 46 to 60 days before the gorilla trek will get a 50% refund. Requests for cancellation of a gorilla permit from 61 days onwards are eligible for a 75% refund on the original payment.
How much is a gorilla permit in Uganda?
Gorilla permits in Uganda cost differently depending on the category of visitor. All foreign non-residents are charged only USD 800 per person. All foreign residents are charged only USD 700, and East African Community citizens are charged only UGX 300,000 per person. People from the rest of Africa are charged only USD 500 per person. You can make payments through a tour operator registered by the Uganda Tourism Board, like Marvel Gorilla Adventures Limited
We can do so in an efficient way to ensure that you purchase the gorilla permit in time. We do recommend that you book the ticket in advance to beat the competition. This is often the case due to the intense demand for gorilla trekking tours from people worldwide.