Cancellation of Uganda Gorilla Permits And Refunds

Gorilla trekking is Uganda’s leading and most expensive excursion. To participate in gorilla trekking as a foreigner, you need to pay $800 per person. Gorilla habituation experience costs $1500 per person. With the interruption of the travel schedules due to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, many travelers are wondering what to do next with their gorilla trekking permits and chimpanzee permits.

First and foremost, it is still possible to travel to Uganda and trek mountain gorillas. Unless your country has placed Uganda in the level four travel advisory, you can still travel to Uganda because life is moving on normally. The said outbreak in Kampala is of the patients confined in the hospitals for treatment not the general public going about their daily businesses.

Gorilla Tracking in Uganda #4x4uganda

In case you come from a country such as the United States of America that has placed Uganda on the level four travel advisory, there are currently two options to consider. The first option and most recommended is rescheduling the permit to a future date. This is the most recommended option. You can reschedule the permits to another day in future as long as there is still availability on that date.

The second option is to cancel the permits and ask for a refund. This option hugely depends on how many days are remaining to the trekking date. Uganda wildlife Authority has only revised the reschedule policy not the refund policy. Here is the refund policy for the Uganda gorilla trekking permits upon cancellation.

Uganda Gorilla Permit Cancellation

If you cancel your gorilla trekking permits eight days to the gorilla trekking date, Uganda wildlife Authority will not refund you.

If you cancel your gorilla trekking permits with in the forty five days period, Uganda wildlife Authority will refund 25% of the money you paid for the gorilla trekking permit. However, instead of $200 per permit, you will be given $164 because 18% will be retained in VAT.

If you cancel your gorilla trekking permits between forty six days and ninety days; you will be refunded 50% of the total permit price. Though 50% of the gorilla permit is $400, you will be paid $328 per permit. The extra $72 will be retained because of VAT.

If you cancel you gorilla trekking permits between 91 days and above, you will be refund 75% of the total amount. If it is merely one gorilla trekking permit, you will be refunded $492 per permit. 75% of the total amount should be $600 however due to VAT deductions, you will be refunded $492.

Quick Refund Amounts Based On the Permits You Have

It is worth noting that you will not receive this exact amount of money upon refund because there will be money transfer charges involved. The rates will depend on the money transfer means and the country you are coming from. Money transfer charges range between $10 and above depending on the amount of money transferred and your location.