Gorilla trekking permit in Uganda: prices and what is included
The gorilla trekking permit is the largest single cost of a Bwindi trip. The base rate for foreign non-residents is $800, in the UWA tariff for July 2024 to December 2026. The permit covers the guide, park entry on the day of the activity and a community contribution, so you do not add the regular park entry on top. The same rate applies to Bwindi and Mgahinga.
Many tours include the permit, some only for a surcharge and some not at all. Always check what the price covers. Check the current amount before you book. The tariff runs to December 2026, and lower rates for some months are announced.
Our picks: treks with the permit included
Our take: these three trips have the gorilla permit in the price, so you pay once instead of booking the permit separately. The day trip is the shortest, the two-day trip starts in Kigali, and the Mburo trip adds a second park.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
3-day Lake Mburo and Bwindi gorilla trek
- Gorilla permit included
- Lake Mburo boat trip and game drive
- Private transfers
Puts Lake Mburo, Lake Bunyonyi sightseeing and the Bwindi trek into one private itinerary of three days.
Check availability →
2-day Bwindi gorilla trek from Kigali
- Gorilla permit and park entry
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Guide and tourist vehicle
Two days from Kigali across the border, with the Bwindi trek in the itinerary. Accommodation and meals are not included, so plan those separately.
Check availability →
1-day gorilla trek from Lake Bunyonyi
- Gorilla permit included
- Park entry fees
- 4x4 safari van transfers
A single day from Lake Bunyonyi in a small group of up to eight. The Bwindi sector is not fixed in advance, so do not plan around a particular trailhead.
Check availability →Gorilla trekking tours with permits
Gorilla treks and safaris to Bwindi, with live prices and availability. The description of each tour says whether the permit and park fees are included.
Gorilla permit prices by category
UWA tariff for July 2024 to December 2026. FNR means foreign non-residents, FR foreign residents, ROA the rest of Africa and EAC citizens of the East African Community. You need proof of status, and your category does not follow from your address alone.
| Activity | FNR | FR | ROA | EAC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gorilla trekking, Bwindi or Mgahinga | $800 | $700 | $500 | UGX 300,000 |
| Gorilla Habituation Experience | $1,500 | $1,000 | $1,000 | UGX 750,000 |
For most visitors from abroad, the FNR column is the one that applies, and the trekking permit is the $800 line. The park entry fee of $40 for an adult is part of the permit on the day of the activity and is not charged a second time.
Seasonal rates and changes in 2026 and 2027
Lower rates for some months, and a rise for habituation.
| Change | FNR | FR | ROA | EAC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trekking in April, May and November (announced) | $600 | $500 | Ask operator | Ask operator |
| Habituation from 1 January 2027 | $1,800 | $1,600 | $1,000 | UGX 750,000 |
Permits bought at the lower rate cannot be rebooked. Since 1 March 2026, full payment is due at booking, and the unpaid hold of 7 days no longer exists. Ask your operator which rates apply to your date, because these changes are recent. The base tariff stays the reference for all other months.
How to book a gorilla permit
The route depends on who you are.
Foreign non-residents and the rest of Africa
UWA names licensed tour operators as the route for gorilla and chimpanzee permits in these two categories. Plan on booking through an operator, not directly online.
Other activities
Other services are booked through the UWA reservations office or at the park gates. The e-mail for the reservations office is reservations@wildlife.go.ug.
Payment
UWA accepts POS card payment, bank transaction, mobile money and an online payment portal. The portal is for payment, and it is not a self-service shop for permit quotas.
Choose a date and sector together
Pick the sector first, then your lodging and transport. The sectors page shows the differences between the four starting points.
Refunds, rebooking and illness
Rules that depend on UWA policy and can change, so confirm them at booking.
The refund scale depends on when your written request reaches UWA. Costs already incurred, taxes and bank charges are deducted, and a refund is not paid out automatically.
| Request received before the trek date | Share refunded |
|---|---|
| Within 14 days | 0 percent |
| 15 to 45 days | 25 percent |
| 46 to 60 days | 50 percent |
| 61 days or more | 75 percent |
A permit can be changed up to 2 times, depending on availability. The first change has no rebooking fee, the second adds 25 percent, and requests should reach UWA at least 14 days before. A changed permit cannot be refunded. Special conditions for seasonal permits can differ.
If you show symptoms of illness before tracking, you are excluded and medically assessed. A report is needed, and diagnosis and treatment are at your expense. Ask your operator about refunds in such a case. If a full day of tracking brings no sighting, a rebooking for the next day may be possible, and otherwise 60 percent is refunded once the park management confirms the result.
Uganda or Rwanda?
Same age limit and group size, a different price.
| Uganda | Rwanda | |
|---|---|---|
| Permit for foreign visitors | $800 (FNR) | $1,500 |
| Minimum age | 15 | 15 |
| Visitors per group | 8 | 8 |
| Time with the gorillas | 1 hour | 1 hour |
For most travellers who compare price first, Uganda is the lower option, while Rwanda suits anyone who already plans a trip there. A shorter or easier walk does not follow from the price in either country. See gorilla trekking in Rwanda, and read the trek page for the rules in Uganda.
Gorilla permits: frequently asked questions
How much is a gorilla permit in Uganda?
$800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents, $500 for visitors from the rest of Africa and UGX 300,000 for East African citizens, in the UWA tariff for July 2024 to December 2026. Check the current amount before you book.
Can I book a gorilla permit myself online?
For foreign non-residents and the rest of Africa, UWA names licensed tour operators. The payment portal does not replace that route.
Is the park entry fee extra?
No. The permit includes park entry on the day of the activity, the guide and a community contribution.
Do tours include the permit?
Some do, some charge for it as an extra and some leave it out. The tour description should say whether the permit and the park fees are included. If it does not, ask before you pay.
Can I get a refund if I do not see gorillas?
After a full day of tracking without a sighting, a rebooking for the following day may be possible. If it is not, 60 percent is refunded once the park management confirms. That is not a sighting guarantee.
What is the age limit for a gorilla permit?
The minimum age is 15. The tariff has reduced entry fees for children aged 5 to 15, but there is no child price for a gorilla permit.
Is this the official permit website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and it sells no permits. Permits for foreign visitors are booked through a licensed tour operator.