How Much Does a Gorilla Permit Cost in Uganda in 2026? /blog/rwanda-gorilla-permit-cost/
A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs $800 per person for foreign non-residents. The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) sets this price, and it applies in Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. UWA also offers a low season permit for $600 in April, May and November. Rwanda charges $1,500 for a comparable permit. This guide explains the prices, the low season rules and how booking works.
What Does a Uganda Gorilla Permit Cost in 2026?
A standard gorilla trekking permit costs $800 per person for foreign non-residents. UWA sets the permit price by visitor category, and the same prices apply in both parks. UWA’s revised tariff structure takes effect on 1 January 2027, and it keeps the gorilla trekking permit at $800.
| Visitor category | Standard trekking permit |
| Foreign non-residents | $800 |
| Foreign residents | $700 |
| Rest of Africa | $500 |
| East African citizens | UGX 300,000 |
What Does the Gorilla Permit Include?
The permit gives you a gorilla trek and up to one hour with a habituated gorilla family. It does not cover transport to the park, accommodation, meals or flights. For most international travellers, the permit is one part of the total safari cost.
The full price also includes lodges, transfers, flights and guiding. A planned itinerary shows the total before you commit.
How Does the Low Season Discount Work?
UWA offers a discounted gorilla permit in April, May and November. The price is $600 for foreign non-residents and $500 for foreign residents, which saves $200 per person. UWA introduced these rates on 26 February 2026 with immediate effect.
A low season permit is tied to its date and cannot be rescheduled. Check your travel dates and flights before you book. UWA lists the discount for foreign non-residents and foreign residents only.
How Do You Book a Gorilla Permit in Uganda?
Licensed operators reserve your permit with UWA for a specific date and park, using the full name on your passport. Since 1 March 2026, UWA no longer holds permits for seven days. Operators must pay in full at the time of booking.
This means your operator will ask for payment when it secures your date. Permits are limited each day, so book as soon as your dates are fixed.
How Much Does a Uganda Gorilla Safari Cost Including the Permit?
The permit is one part of the total cost, and the full price depends on your route, lodges and group size. A complete gorilla safari adds accommodation, ground transport, flights and guiding to the permit fee. TheeWild prepares a Classic or Luxury itinerary with all these costs in one quote, based on your season and group size.
Which Park Should You Choose for Your Permit?
Bwindi suits travellers who want more trekking sectors and route choice, while Mgahinga suits travellers building an itinerary around the Virunga volcanoes. Mgahinga is Uganda’s smallest national park. According to UWA, it has one habituated gorilla group and issues about eight permits per day.
Mgahinga borders Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, so it fits cross-border trips that combine Uganda and Rwanda. From Kigali, the road via the Cyanika border takes 3 to 4 hours including the border crossing under normal conditions. A flight from Entebbe to Kisoro takes about 1 hour 10 minutes, followed by a road transfer to the park.
TheeWild has secured land on the slopes of Mount Muhabura near Kisoro, facing the Virunga volcanoes. The team plans Classic and Luxury gorilla safaris in both parks and builds the route, permits and transfers into one itinerary.
FAQ
Is a Uganda gorilla permit cheaper than a Rwanda permit?
Yes. A Uganda permit costs $800 and a Rwanda permit costs $1,500, a difference of $700 per person. The total trip cost also depends on lodges, transport and flights, so compare full itineraries and not permits alone.
How much is a low season gorilla permit in Uganda?
A low season permit costs $600 for foreign non-residents and $500 for foreign residents. It applies in April, May and November. UWA does not allow these permits to be rescheduled.
When do you have to pay for a gorilla permit?
Your operator pays UWA in full when it books your permit. UWA ended its seven day reservation window on 1 March 2026. Ask your operator when it needs your payment.
How long do you spend with the gorillas?
A standard permit gives you up to one hour with the gorilla family once you find them. According to UWA, the whole trek can take several hours, depending on where the gorillas are that day.
Does a permit guarantee a gorilla sighting?
No. A gorilla permit does not guarantee a sighting, although trackers and rangers work to locate habituated gorilla families each day.
Tell TheeWild your travel dates and group size, and the team will check permit availability and build a Classic or Luxury itinerary around it.