The gorilla permit cancellation policy is the set of rules the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) uses when a traveller cancels, reschedules or misses a gorilla trek. At US$800 per person, your permit is one of the biggest costs of your safari, so it pays to know these rules before you book.
At Tulambule Uganda Safaris, we have handled gorilla permits for travellers since 2014, including the changes that real life brings: delayed flights, illness, family emergencies and park closures. This guide explains the gorilla permit cancellation policy in plain language, with refund timelines, rescheduling rules and practical ways to protect your money.
Quick answer: Under the UWA gorilla permit cancellation policy, refunds depend on how early you cancel: up to 75% back if you cancel 91 days or more before your trek, and nothing in the final 8 days. Standard permits can usually be rescheduled once, subject to availability. Low season permits cannot be rescheduled, and no permit can be transferred to another person.
The Gorilla Permit Cancellation Policy at a Glance
| Situation | What Usually Happens |
|---|---|
| Cancel 91 days or more before the trek | 75% refund |
| Cancel 46 to 90 days before | 50% refund |
| Cancel 9 to 45 days before | 25% refund |
| Cancel 8 days or less before | No refund |
| Change your trek date (standard permit) | Usually one reschedule, subject to availability |
| Low season permit (April, May, November) | No rescheduling |
| Give your permit to someone else | Not allowed |
| Too ill to trek, confirmed by the warden | Partial refund, commonly 50% |
| Full day of tracking without finding the gorillas | Partial refund, after the warden confirms |
Refunds are calculated on the permit fee only, from the date UWA receives the written request, and bank charges are not refunded. UWA reviews its booking terms with each new tariff, so we confirm the current gorilla permit cancellation policy in writing on every booking.
Are Gorilla Permits Refundable in Uganda?
Partly, depending on how much notice you give under the gorilla permit cancellation policy. A gorilla permit is not a normal ticket. UWA plans ranger teams, trackers and daily visitor numbers around every permit it sells, and each family can only take 8 visitors a day. When a permit is cancelled late, that place is usually lost, along with the conservation income it would have earned.
That is why the gorilla permit cancellation policy rewards early notice and becomes strict close to the trek date. It is the same approach UWA takes with chimpanzee permits, which we explain in our Kibale Forest chimp permit cancellation policy guide.
UWA Gorilla Permit Cancellation Policy: Refund Timeline
Under the gorilla permit cancellation policy, the refund you receive depends on how many days before your trekking date UWA receives the cancellation. Here is what that means for a standard US$800 permit:
| Days Before Your Trek | Refund | On a US$800 Permit |
|---|---|---|
| 91 days or more | 75% | US$600 back |
| 46 to 90 days | 50% | US$400 back |
| 9 to 45 days | 25% | US$200 back |
| 0 to 8 days | 0% | Nothing back |
How the Refund Is Worked Out
- The clock starts with the written request. The cancellation date is the day UWA receives it, not the day you decide. Tell your tour operator in writing as soon as plans change.
- Only the permit fee is refunded. Bank charges and transfer fees are deducted.
- Refunds go back through the booking channel. If you booked through a tour operator, UWA refunds the operator, who passes it on to you. Allow several weeks.
- Some operators publish different day bands. UWA has revised its terms over the years, which is why you will see slightly different figures online. Always ask for the current gorilla permit cancellation policy in writing.
Rescheduling Under the Gorilla Permit Cancellation Policy
For many travellers, rescheduling is a better option than cancelling under the gorilla permit cancellation policy. Instead of losing part of the fee, you move your trek to a new date and keep the full value of the permit.
Standard Permits
- UWA generally allows a standard permit to be rescheduled once.
- The new date depends on availability in the same park and, ideally, the same sector.
- Request the change in writing, through your tour operator, as early as possible. Late requests may attract a fee or be refused.
- If the new date falls in a higher price period, you pay the difference.
Low Season Permits Cannot Be Rescheduled
Low season permits are the strictest part of the gorilla permit cancellation policy. Discounted gorilla permits sold for April, May and November cost US$600 instead of US$800, but they come with a firm condition: no rescheduling. If you buy a low season permit, your date is final. Confirm your flights, leave and visas before you pay. Our guide to the green season safari in Uganda explains why these months are still excellent for trekking.
No More Unpaid Holds
Since March 2026, UWA no longer holds gorilla permits for 7 days while you arrange payment. A permit is only reserved once it is paid in full. This makes it even more important to be sure of your dates before you book.
Can You Transfer a Gorilla Permit to Someone Else?
No. The gorilla permit cancellation policy does not allow a permit to be sold, gifted or transferred. Each permit is issued in the traveller's name and passport number, and rangers check it against your passport at the briefing on the morning of the trek.
If one person in your group cannot travel, the usual options are to reschedule that person's permit or cancel it under the refund timeline. Be cautious of anyone offering to sell you a second-hand permit, and only book with an operator listed on the Uganda Tourism Board register of licensed tour operators. Our gorilla trekking permits guide explains how to spot permit scams.
Not sure which option suits your situation?
Tell us your trek date and what has changed. We will explain your choices under the gorilla permit cancellation policy and handle the request with UWA for you.
Special Cases in the Gorilla Permit Cancellation Policy
If You Are Too Ill to Trek
Mountain gorillas share about 98% of our DNA and catch human illnesses easily. Rangers will not let anyone with a cold, flu, diarrhoea or other infectious illness join the trek.
Here the gorilla permit cancellation policy makes an exception. If you are declared unfit to trek, usually after the warden in charge confirms it, UWA commonly refunds part of the permit, typically 50%. You must be at the park when it happens, so keep any medical note from the local health centre. If you feel unwell a few days before, contact us at once: rescheduling may be possible.
If You Do Not Find the Gorillas
This is very rare. Trackers set out at dawn to locate each family, and they stay in radio contact with your ranger. If your group tracks for a full day and still cannot reach the gorillas, UWA offers a partial refund once the warden confirms what happened.
In Mgahinga, the Nyakagezi family occasionally moves across the border into Rwanda or the DR Congo. If that happens before your trek, UWA may move you to Bwindi or refund the permit. This is one reason most travellers choose one of the Bwindi sectors for a guaranteed family.
If the Park Closes
In rare cases, such as a disease outbreak or a security concern, UWA may suspend trekking. These closures sit outside the normal gorilla permit cancellation policy. When this has happened in the past, UWA has allowed affected permits to be rescheduled. Our Uganda travel advisory shows how these situations are handled and why they rarely last long.
If Your Flight Is Delayed
Flight delays, missed connections and visa problems are not covered by UWA as special cases. They are treated as an ordinary cancellation or reschedule. This is exactly where travel insurance and a buffer day before your trek make the difference.
How to Cancel or Reschedule Your Gorilla Permit
- Contact your tour operator in writing by email or WhatsApp, as soon as you know your plans have changed.
- Give the permit details: names, passport numbers, park, sector and trekking date.
- Say what you need: a new date (with two or three options) or a cancellation.
- Your operator submits the request to UWA. The date UWA receives it sets your refund band.
- Get written confirmation of the new date or the refund amount, and keep it with your booking.
Following these steps means your request is handled correctly under the gorilla permit cancellation policy. If you booked with us, we handle every step and keep you updated until UWA confirms the change.
Your Permit vs the Rest of Your Safari
The gorilla permit cancellation policy covers the UWA permit only. Lodges, vehicles, domestic flights and other activities each have their own terms, so a full safari cancellation involves several suppliers. Our booking terms and conditions set out how we handle cancellations and changes to the whole trip.
Planning a group trip? With private gorilla permits, your party books all 8 places for one family, so the same refund rules apply to every permit in the group. If you are weighing up the four-hour gorilla habituation experience, ask us about its terms too, as it is a higher-value permit.
7 Ways to Protect Your Gorilla Permit
Even with careful planning, a late change can be costly under the gorilla permit cancellation policy. These steps keep the risk low:
- Buy travel insurance that covers trip cancellation, curtailment and medical emergencies, from the day you pay for your permit.
- Choose a standard permit if your dates might change. The US$200 saving on a low season permit is lost if you cannot travel.
- Confirm flights before paying for permits, and book flights you can change.
- Plan a buffer day between your international arrival and your trek, so a delayed flight does not cost you the permit.
- Look after your health in the days before your trek, and prepare with our fitness guide for gorilla trekking.
- Book through a licensed operator who can deal with UWA quickly when plans change.
- Act early. Under the gorilla permit cancellation policy, every week of notice can mean a bigger refund.
Gorilla Safaris With Your Permit Handled by Us
Book a gorilla safari with us and your permit is secured, tracked and managed by our Kampala team. If your plans change, we deal with UWA for you.
Gorilla Permit Cancellation Policy: Frequently Asked Questions
Are gorilla permits refundable in Uganda?
Partly. Under the UWA gorilla permit cancellation policy, you can get 75% back if you cancel 91 days or more before your trek, 50% at 46 to 90 days and 25% at 9 to 45 days. There is no refund in the final 8 days.
Can I reschedule my gorilla permit?
Standard gorilla permits can usually be rescheduled once, subject to availability, if you request the change in writing through your tour operator. Low season permits for April, May and November cannot be rescheduled.
Can I transfer my gorilla permit to another person?
No. Each permit is issued in the traveller's name and passport number and is checked at the briefing on the trek day, so it cannot be transferred or resold.
What happens if I am sick on the day of my gorilla trek?
Rangers will not allow you to trek if you show signs of illness. If the warden confirms you are unfit, UWA commonly refunds part of the permit, typically 50%.
Do I get a refund if we don't see the gorillas?
This is very rare. If your group tracks for a full day without reaching the gorillas, UWA offers a partial refund once the warden confirms what happened.
Does travel insurance cover gorilla permits?
Many policies cover non-refundable prepaid costs such as gorilla permits if you cancel for a covered reason, such as illness or a family emergency. Check the wording before you buy.
How long does a gorilla permit refund take?
Refunds go back through the booking channel. If you booked through a tour operator, UWA refunds the operator, who passes it on to you. Allow several weeks.
Continue Planning Your Gorilla Trek
Understanding the gorilla permit cancellation policy lets you book with confidence. Read our complete guide to gorilla trekking permits in Uganda, explore gorilla trekking in Uganda, or browse our Uganda safari itineraries.
Book your gorilla permit with peace of mind
Send us your dates. We will check permit availability, explain the terms clearly and look after your booking if plans change.
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