Travel Documents Required for Gorilla Trekking

Travel documents required for gorilla trekking are not so many and can be acquired at any time for as long as they were booked and paid for in advance. Gorilla trekking is an activity that involves hiking densely forested areas of central and eastern Africa in search of the gorillas in their natural habitats. Gorilla trekking of the endangered species can take place in Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and it is one very much sought after activity by so many travelers visiting any of the countries or those on an African safari who choose to have gorilla trekking as the highlight of their African safari. There are not so many gorillas left in the world, and also not so many gorilla families habituated that travelers can visit. To regulate the number of visitors each gorilla family can receive per day, restricting only 8 people per day was put in place and for the fact that about 41 habituated gorilla families are available for tracking every day, very few tourists can see these endangered primate species at a time.

It is very necessary for one to have proper documentation for them to be able to track gorillas. These important travel documents required for gorilla trekking include the following;

Gorilla trekking permit

For any traveler looking at taking a gorilla trekking safari in Africa, a gorilla trekking permit is an essential travel document required for gorilla trekking. Without one, you cannot be allowed to take part in the activity. Gorilla trekking permits are provided by the respective governing bodies that regulate these national parks. In Uganda, the Uganda Wildlife Authority is responsible for issuing gorilla permits and the Rwanda Development Board issues gorilla permits for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park whereas gorilla permits for gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park can be got from the park itself but book and pay in advance. Alternatively, you can have your gorilla permits booked through a reputable tour operator since they are on the ground already.

Gorilla permits come at a cost that is varied per country. Rwanda gorilla trekking permits cost $1,500 for all travelers including the Rwanda nationals. In Uganda, a gorilla permit costs $700 for foreign non-residents, $600 for foreign residents and ugx250,000 for East African citizens. Gorilla trekking permits in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are currently the cheapest at $400 only and can go as low as $200 during the low season, the Congo citizens pay $150 only. Each gorilla trekking permit admits only one person and is a single entry pass.

When you book through a tour operator, you will receive your gorilla trekking permit upon arrival into the country. Before then, a receipt of payment is shared with you upon paying for your gorilla permit. Gorilla trekking permits sell out very fast, booking and paying in advance is encouraged so as to secure yours and in the gorilla sector you wish to trek from. Travelers planning to travel during the peak season are encouraged to book their gorilla permits way in advance so as to also book the right and appropriate accommodation as per one’s preference and budget.

A gorilla trekking permit is one of the important travel documents required for gorilla trekking, with it guaranteed to you, be sure to take part in a thrilling gorilla trekking adventure once you get to the country.

Valid Passport

A valid passport, one that is up to date, not tampered with and bearing your full names is one of the important travel documents required for gorilla trekking if it is that you plan on doing so on ground. You can get a passport from your government in your country of residence. It is the passport that will allow you to travel all around the world. It is also a form of identification that is often used by park officials to ascertain one’s residential status. Without a valid passport, you cannot travel out of your country to any of the three countries to take part in gorilla trekking adventure. Make sure to get one, and have it renewed if it is expiring soon. Make photocopies of it that you can keep showing to the relevant authorities in the country you are trekking gorillas from if and when they need to see it. A valid passport photocopy is also required when paying for your gorilla trekking permit. If you are booking your permits through a tour operator, you will be asked to share copies of it that they will show to the regulatory bodies who need to ascertain your resident status before you pay a gorilla trekking permit.

Valid Visa

For you to be allowed into any country, you need to present a visa for that respective country. With a visa, you will be able to gain entry into the countries of Congo, Uganda and Rwanda to take part in gorilla trekking. If you are doing gorilla trekking in Rwanda only and not traveling to any other East African country, you will need to purchase a travel visa that allows you stay to up to 30 days at a cost of $50. A Ugandan visa is at $50 and allows up to 30 days as well. If visiting both Rwanda and Uganda or any two East African countries, you can opt to purchase an East African visa that costs only $70 and allows you entry into any of the Eat African countries to up to 30 days. The Congo visa costs $105 and is valid for only 14 days. For the Congo visa, you will need to apply for it 2 weeks before arriving into the country and you can only get it when you do arrive. For Rwanda and Uganda, you can apply for it online or even apply for it upon arrival.

Valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Card

Yellow fever is a killer disease that one should be vaccinated against. Most countries ask for a valid yellow fever vaccination card to be granted entry into the country. These three countries that inhabit the endangered gorillas all require one to have a valid yellow fever vaccination card without which one is subjected to getting vaccinated at the airports or borders and come at quite a high cost. Inquire you’re your doctor or physician about the yellow fever shot.

Travel insurance is not necessary a document nor one of the essential travel documents required for gorilla trekking but is advised to be acquired more so for travelers intending to visit the Congo.

With the above guide on the travel documents required for gorilla trekking, you must be in a much better position to get them in time for your gorilla trekking in Africa adventure. Talk with your trusted tour operator in case you have any further information in regards to any of the above-listed travel documents required for gorilla trekking, or get in touch with us.