Welcome to Gorilla Hike Uganda (gorillahikeuganda.com). By booking a safari or gorilla trek with us, you agree to the following Terms & Conditions. These outline how we operate, what we promise, and where our responsibilities begin and end. Please read them carefully — they are here to protect both you and us.
1. Bookings & Payment
a) Full Safari Packages
To confirm a full safari itinerary, we require a 30% deposit of the total trip cost. This secures your accommodation, gorilla permits, guides, transfers, and all other logistics. The remaining 70% is due no later than 30 days before your arrival in Uganda. For bookings made within 30 days of your start date, full payment is required upfront at the time of booking.
b) Permit-Only Services
For permit procurement requests only — including Gorilla Trekking, Gorilla Habituation, or Chimpanzee Trekking permits — 100% of the permit cost plus our service fee is required upfront. We cannot begin the purchasing process with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) until the full amount has cleared.
c) Payment Methods
We accept payment by Bank Transfer (Wire/RTGS) or via secure online payment link (Visa, Mastercard, American Express). Online card payments may incur a small processing fee. A formal invoice and booking confirmation will be issued upon receipt of funds.
2. Cancellations & Refunds
We understand that plans change. For Full Safari Packages, the following refund schedule applies to the land portion of your trip:
- 91+ days before arrival: Full refund, minus non-refundable permit costs and any transaction fees
- 61–90 days before arrival: 50% refund of the land total
- 31–60 days before arrival: 25% refund of the land total
- 30 days or fewer: No refund
Strict Permit Policy
Regardless of booking type, Gorilla Trekking, Gorilla Habituation, and Chimpanzee Trekking permits are 100% non-refundable and non-transferable once purchased. Permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority in the individual traveller’s name and cannot be recovered or applied to future dates, except in limited circumstances at UWA’s sole discretion.
Refunds for eligible land costs (accommodation, transport) will be processed to the original payment method within 14 business days of the cancellation being confirmed.
3. Travel Insurance
Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is strongly recommended and remains entirely your responsibility. Your policy should cover medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost baggage, delays, and emergency evacuation from remote areas.
Gorilla Hike Uganda is not liable for any costs you incur as a result of travelling without adequate insurance. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are remote locations where emergency evacuation without insurance cover is extremely costly.
4. Itinerary Adjustments
Every effort is made to follow your confirmed itinerary. However, we reserve the right to modify routes, accommodation, or activities when necessary due to weather, road conditions, wildlife movement, UWA scheduling, or other unforeseen circumstances.
Where changes are required, we will inform you promptly and arrange an equivalent or better alternative at no additional cost to you. We do not offer refunds for itinerary adjustments that are beyond our reasonable control.
5. Liability
Safari travel involves remote locations, wildlife encounters, and sometimes physically demanding terrain. By booking with us, you acknowledge these inherent risks and agree to travel at your own risk.
Gorilla Hike Uganda is not liable for:
- Injury, illness, death, theft, or loss of property
- Travel delays, strikes, civil unrest, or force majeure events
- Acts or omissions of third-party service providers, including lodges, airlines, or permit authorities
We operate with the highest standards of care and safety, but some elements of safari travel remain outside our control.
6. Age, Fitness & Health
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park involves hiking through dense forest on steep and sometimes slippery terrain. Treks can last between 1 and 8 hours, depending on where the gorilla family is located on the day.
The minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15 years, as set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. It is your responsibility to disclose any medical conditions, mobility concerns, or special requirements at the time of booking. If you are uncertain whether a specific activity is suitable for you, please ask us before booking — we will always advise honestly.
7. Wildlife Viewing Rules
All gorilla and chimpanzee trekking activities operate under strict Uganda Wildlife Authority regulations, including a mandatory 7-metre minimum distance from all primates, a maximum group size of 8 people per habituated family per day, and a maximum viewing time of 1 hour for standard trekking permits (up to 4 hours for habituation permits).
Failure to follow UWA or guide instructions on the trail may result in removal from the trek without refund.
8. Third-Party Services
To deliver your safari, we may share essential booking details — such as your name, nationality, dietary preferences, or passport information — with trusted third-party partners, including lodges, ground transport providers, and the Uganda Wildlife Authority. We only share what is strictly necessary, and only to fulfil your booking.
9. Governing Law
These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of the Republic of Uganda. Any disputes arising from your booking or safari experience will be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of Uganda.
A Final Word
Booking with Gorilla Hike Uganda is the beginning of something genuinely extraordinary. We will do everything in our power to make your time in Uganda memorable — but we ask that you come with flexibility, patience, and respect for the wildlife and communities that make these experiences possible.
If you have any questions before booking, please reach out. We’re here, and we respond fast.
- Email: hi@gorillahikeuganda.com
- WhatsApp: +256 772 931 582
