Hi
I am interested in travelling to Uganda in January/February of next year, I would very much like to go gorilla trekking and have tried to contact the Uganda Wildlife Authority via email to book permits, however, the email keeps bouncing back. Does anyone know what is the best way to contact them and is it easy to book permits through them? Also is it easy to travel independently to the national parks?
Look forward to reading your responses
Regards
UWA is notorious for slow responses to e-mail...when it is working. Many on here have stated that it is best to contact them by phone.
http://www.ugandawildlife.org/index.php?option=com_contact&view=contact&id=1&Itemid=104
Last time I went I had to wait three weeks for an e-mail response. If you still can't get them by phone, do a search on this thread to look for travel agents in Uganda that can get you the permit. I think they charge $50 US to do this. Don't go on their gorilla tours though - too expensive!
Going to the National Parks independently is pretty easy. In Kampala, go to the bus/matutu station and tell one of the guys in the white coats where you wnat to go. They will take you to the right bus/matutu. People on the bus are pretty helpful too if you have to get off the bus before it's final destination. When I went to Kibale NP, I took a bus to Fort Portal and then a matutu to the NP. They dropped me off right at the gate. Same with Mgahinga NP....bus to Kisoro and then scooter to the National Park. You'll save a bundle doing it yourself over goign through the travel agencies. The UWA homepage gives info on how to get to each of the national parks.
It is better you call them. Here is the number +256-414-355000
I am very sure gorilla permits for Jan/Feb 2012 are still available.
Calling the UWA from abroad won't help much..cause you have to wire money to them and follow up, quite a complex process! bottom line is a trustworthy travel agency/tour operator will do this for you hassle free! same applies to the tours following, all depends on your bargaining power. Do not stick to a rigid agency in terms of pricing
Good Luck