Cost of Gorilla Permits in Uganda

Get the full information below about the cost of gorilla permits in Uganda.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has announced that the cost of gorilla and chimp trekking permit will be increased starting from 1 July 2024 to June 2026. Permits for normal gorilla trekking to spend with gorillas are increased from $700 to $800 for foreign non-residents (FNR). From $600 to $700 for foreign residents (FR). Read or download the rate card at the end of this post and ensure to pay a fair price for your gorilla safari. The idea to visit gorillas in the wild leads you to decide to do either trekking or habituation.

The gorilla habituation permit cost is increased from $1,000 to $1,500 per person for FNR. Habituation experience offers an opportunity to spend 4 hours with the semi-habituated gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable national park. The experience is available at Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors.

How to get gorilla permits

UWA is the official agency in charge of issuing gorilla permits, so you can contact them or visit their head offices along Kira Rd in Kamwokya, Kampala capital city. Gorilla permits must be booked through a tour operator or guide as per the new rule to secure the local operators. He will arrange all the details for a vacation including transportation from the airport and accommodation. All bookings should be done 3-6 months ahead of schedule. The biggest factor for doing so is to find availability of permits, especially in the high season. The number of visitors peaks around June to September and December to February. There are four different Bwindi gorilla sectors, you must verify that the sector in which you purchased your permit is also where your lodge is located.

The number of permits available per day

Bwindi has 21 groups of which 2 are meant for habituation experience and the 19 for trekking. Each group for trekking is visited by 8 people totaling 168 gorilla trekking permits available per day. Then, 16 habituation permits are made available each day based on 4 people per group. And in Mgahinga gorilla national park, there’s 1 gorilla family and 8 permits. It is in this park that permits are likely available even in peak season since most visitors go to Bwindi.

What is included in the cost of a gorilla permit?

The cost of gorilla permits in Uganda offers 1 hour to spend with gorillas in Bwindi or Mgahinga. The fees also caters for ranger, guide, and entry into the parks. However, the cost to hire a porter, accommodation, transportation, and meals aren’t included. You can only reserve a permit, not a specific gorilla family. However, on the day of gorilla trekking, you can request to visit a gorilla group depending on the situation. For instance, visiting gorillas that are not far away from the briefing point.

Here you may download the pdf (2.5MB) with the overview of Cost of Gorilla Permits in Uganda along with the park entry fees and other worthful information by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.