Get the full information below about the cost of gorilla permits in Uganda.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) launched its prices valid from July 2022 to June 2024. 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. Time for a regular trek is 1 hour to spend with gorillas and the cost is $700 per person. The gorilla habituation permit cost is $1,500 per person for 4 hours to follow the semi-habituated gorillas found only in two out of four Bwindi gorilla centers which include Rushaga and Nkuringo. The price mentioned above applies to foreign non-residents. The cost of gorilla permits for foreign residents living in Africa is $600 and 250,000 UGX for East African citizens.
How to get gorilla permits
UWA is the official agency in charge of issuing gorilla permits, so you can contact them by email or tel call directly or visit their head offices along Kira Rd in Kamwokya, Kampala capital city. Permits are also available for booking through a tour operator or guide. 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.
