Terms and Conditions: The Luxury Gorilla Habituation Experts
Last Updated: August 2026
Welcome to Gorilla Habituation Trek, your specialist partner for tailor-made gorilla habituation safaris in Uganda. These Terms and Conditions establish the basis on which we arrange, confirm, and operate gorilla habituation treks, accommodation, transportation, permits, and other safari services.
Terms and Conditions for Gorilla Habituation Trek: clear booking, payment, cancellation, permit, safety and safari policies from Uganda’s luxury gorilla experts
By requesting a quotation, making a booking, paying a deposit, or participating in a safari arranged by us, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and accepted these Terms and Conditions.
Terms and Conditions Explained
1. About Our Services
Gorilla Habituation Trek specialises in arranging gorilla habituation experiences in Uganda, particularly within Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Depending on your itinerary, we may arrange gorilla habituation permits, accommodation, airport transfers, 4×4 safari transportation, park activities, guides, meals, and other travel services included in your confirmed itinerary.
Our safari packages are tailor-made according to the travel dates, accommodation category, number of travellers, activities, and services selected by the client.
2. Booking and Confirmation
A safari booking becomes confirmed only after the required deposit or payment has been received and the relevant services have been secured.
A quotation or provisional itinerary does not constitute a confirmed booking. Availability of gorilla habituation permits, accommodation, vehicles, domestic flights, and other services can change until payment and confirmation have been completed.
Because gorilla habituation permits are limited and date-specific, clients are encouraged to book well in advance.
3. Gorilla Habituation Permits
Gorilla habituation permits are issued and controlled by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). Permit availability, prices, rescheduling conditions, cancellation procedures, and refunds are therefore subject to applicable UWA policies.
UWA’s published guidelines state that cancellations and refunds for gorilla tracking or habituation experiences require written requests and authorisation under the applicable procedures. The guidelines also establish specific conditions for rescheduling and refunds in circumstances such as failure to see gorillas or medically confirmed illness.
Once a permit has been purchased on your behalf, the applicable UWA rules will apply. Any refund received from UWA will be passed to the client after deduction of legitimate non-refundable charges, bank charges, taxes, or other costs already incurred, where applicable.
4. Permit Price Changes
Gorilla habituation permit prices are determined by UWA and may be revised by the authority. Published UWA tariffs have previously listed gorilla habituation permits at specific rates for different visitor categories, demonstrating that official conservation tariffs are subject to defined validity periods.
If UWA changes permit prices before a booking is finalised or before the required permit payment has been made, the revised official rate may apply.
5. Payments
The payment schedule will be clearly stated in your safari quotation or booking invoice.
Unless otherwise agreed in writing:
- A deposit is required to confirm the safari.
- Gorilla habituation permits may require payment in full when securing the permit.
- The remaining safari balance must be paid by the deadline indicated on the invoice.
- Bookings are subject to confirmation only after the required payment has been received.
- Bank charges, transfer fees, currency conversion costs, or payment-processing charges may be payable by the client where applicable.
Failure to make payments within the agreed deadlines may result in the cancellation of services or loss of availability.
6. Cancellation by the Client
Cancellation requests must be submitted to us in writing.
Cancellation charges depend on the services booked and how close the cancellation is to the travel date. Gorilla permits, accommodation, domestic flights, transportation, park fees, and third-party services may have different cancellation policies.
Where a supplier retains part or all of a payment, the corresponding amount may be non-refundable to the client.
Where a refund is approved, it will normally be processed after we receive the applicable refund from the relevant supplier.
7. Cancellation or Changes by Us
We reserve the right to modify an itinerary when reasonably necessary because of circumstances including changes in park regulations, wildlife-management decisions, road conditions, weather, accommodation availability, flight schedules, security considerations, or other circumstances beyond our reasonable control.
Where practical, we will provide an alternative arrangement of comparable standard.
If a material change is unavoidable and no reasonable alternative can be provided, we will discuss the available options with the client.
8. Wildlife and Gorilla Sightings
Gorilla habituation takes place in a natural forest environment. Although our guides and trackers make every reasonable effort to locate the designated gorilla group, wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.
The location and movement of gorillas are naturally unpredictable.
Clients should therefore understand that payment for a habituation permit does not constitute a guarantee of a particular gorilla encounter, photograph, duration of sighting, or specific animal behaviour.
UWA procedures may provide specific remedies in exceptional circumstances where gorillas cannot be accessed. Such remedies remain subject to UWA authorisation and applicable regulations.
9. Health and Fitness
Gorilla habituation involves walking through challenging rainforest terrain and may involve steep, muddy, slippery, or uneven trails. Clients are responsible for informing us before travel about any relevant mobility limitations, allergies, dietary requirements, or other circumstances that may affect the arrangements.
UWA guidelines indicate that visitors showing signs of illness may not be permitted to participate in gorilla or chimpanzee activities and may be referred for medical assessment. Clients should follow the instructions of UWA staff, guides, trackers, and medical professionals at all times.
10. Age Requirements
Participation in gorilla activities is subject to current UWA age and eligibility requirements. Clients must provide accurate dates of birth when requested so that eligibility can be assessed before permits are purchased.
Where a participant does not meet the applicable age requirement, we cannot guarantee a refund of services already purchased on their behalf.
11. Park Rules and Conservation Requirements
All participants must comply with Uganda Wildlife Authority regulations and instructions from park officials, guides, rangers, and trackers. Visitors are expected to respect wildlife, other travellers, local communities, and the protected environment.
The rules governing gorilla activities exist to protect both visitors and the endangered mountain gorillas. UWA’s official guidelines should therefore be treated as part of the conditions of participation.
12. Transportation
Where transportation is included, we will provide the vehicle and driver-guide specified in the confirmed itinerary, subject to availability and operational requirements.
Travel times are estimates and may be affected by road conditions, traffic, weather, border procedures, construction, mechanical issues, or other circumstances beyond our control. Clients are expected to follow reasonable safety instructions from their driver-guide throughout the safari.
13. Accommodation
Accommodation is provided according to the category and property confirmed in the final itinerary. Hotels and lodges may change their rates, availability, meal plans, facilities, or operating policies. Where a confirmed property becomes unavailable, we will seek a suitable alternative of comparable standard. Any significant difference in price or service level will be communicated to the client where reasonably possible.
14. Travel Documents and Entry Requirements
Clients are responsible for ensuring that they possess valid passports, visas, permits, travel insurance, vaccination certificates where legally required, and any other documents necessary for their journey. We may provide general travel information, but responsibility for obtaining and carrying the correct personal travel documentation remains with the traveller.
15. Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended for every safari.
Insurance should ideally cover circumstances such as medical treatment, emergency evacuation, trip interruption, cancellation, lost baggage, delays, and other unexpected travel events. We are not an insurance provider and cannot be held responsible for losses that should reasonably have been covered by the client’s travel insurance.
16. Special Requests
We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate special requests, including dietary requirements, room preferences, celebrations, accessibility requests, and other arrangements. However, special requests are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed unless specifically confirmed in writing.
17. Photography and Personal Equipment
Clients are responsible for their cameras, phones, luggage, and other personal belongings. We recommend carrying suitable waterproof protection for electronic equipment because Bwindi’s rainforest environment can be wet and unpredictable. Photography must always comply with UWA regulations and the instructions of guides and rangers.
18. Personal Belongings
Clients remain responsible for their personal property throughout the safari. We recommend using hotel or lodge safes where available and avoiding leaving valuable items unattended in vehicles or public areas. We cannot accept responsibility for loss, theft, or damage to personal belongings except where liability is established under applicable law.
19. Third-Party Services
Some safari services are provided by independent third parties, including accommodation providers, airlines, transport companies, activity providers, and other suppliers. Their terms and conditions may apply in addition to these Terms and Conditions. Where a disruption is caused by a third-party supplier, we will make reasonable efforts to assist the client in finding an appropriate solution.
20. Force Majeure
We will not be liable for failure or delay in providing services where this results from circumstances beyond our reasonable control.
Such circumstances may include severe weather; natural disasters; epidemics or public-health restrictions, government actions, changes in wildlife regulations, civil unrest, road closures, strikes, border restrictions; transport disruptions, or other extraordinary events. Where such circumstances occur, we will work with the client and relevant suppliers to identify reasonable alternatives.
21. Pricing and Itinerary Changes
Safari prices are based on the services and rates available when the quotation is prepared.
Prices may change before confirmation because of changes in accommodation rates, park fees, permits, fuel prices, taxes, transportation costs, exchange rates, or other supplier charges. The final confirmed quotation and invoice will determine the agreed price for the booking, subject to any subsequently imposed government or supplier charges that legally or contractually must be passed on to the client.
22. Client Responsibilities
Clients agree to:
- Provide accurate passport and booking information.
- Make payments by the agreed deadlines.
- Follow instructions provided by guides, drivers, park authorities, and accommodation providers.
- Respect wildlife and conservation regulations.
- Respect local communities and cultural practices.
- Inform us promptly about changes affecting the booking.
- Maintain appropriate travel insurance.
- Behave responsibly throughout the safari.
Serious misconduct, unsafe behaviour, harassment, or refusal to comply with park regulations may result in removal from an activity without entitlement to a refund where permitted by applicable rules.
23. Complaints
We encourage clients to raise concerns with their safari guide or our team as soon as an issue occurs so that we have a reasonable opportunity to resolve it during the trip. Formal complaints should be submitted in writing as soon as reasonably possible after the relevant incident. We will review complaints fairly and work with the client and relevant suppliers to seek a reasonable resolution.
24. Responsible Tourism
Gorilla habituation is a conservation-focused activity. Our clients are expected to support responsible tourism practices by respecting wildlife, minimising environmental impact, supporting local communities, and following all protected-area regulations. Uganda Wildlife Authority’s official publications provide the applicable conservation and visitor-management framework for gorilla activities.
25. Data and Client Information
Information supplied by clients may be used for purposes directly related to arranging and operating the safari, including permit applications, accommodation bookings, transportation, insurance-related requirements, and communication with relevant service providers. We will handle client information responsibly and in accordance with applicable privacy and data-protection requirements.
26. Liability
We will exercise reasonable care in arranging the services included in your confirmed safari.
However, we cannot accept responsibility for circumstances that are outside our reasonable control or losses arising from a client’s failure to follow instructions, provide accurate information, obtain required travel documents, or maintain appropriate insurance.
Nothing in these Terms and Conditions is intended to exclude or limit liability where doing so would be unlawful.
27. Governing Law
These Terms and Conditions shall be interpreted in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations of Uganda. Any dispute should first be addressed through good-faith communication between the client and Gorilla Habituation Trek. Where an amicable resolution cannot be reached, the matter may be referred to the appropriate legal or regulatory authority in accordance with Ugandan law.
28. Changes to These Terms
We may update these Terms and Conditions from time to time to reflect changes in legislation, UWA regulations, supplier policies, operational procedures, or our services.
The version applicable to your booking will be the version communicated or made available at the time of confirmation, subject to mandatory changes imposed by government authorities or suppliers.
29. Acceptance of Terms
By making a booking or payment for a Gorilla Habituation Trek safari, you confirm that you have read and accepted these Terms and Conditions. Our goal is to make your gorilla habituation journey safe, professionally organized, transparent, and memorable while ensuring that the welfare of Uganda’s mountain gorillas remains central to every safari we arrange.
Important Regulatory Note
Gorilla habituation permits and protected-area activities are governed by Uganda Wildlife Authority rules, which may change independently of our company. UWA currently publishes official guidelines and conservation tariffs for gorilla and chimpanzee activities, and those official requirements take precedence where they conflict with information published by a tour operator.
