How Much Is a Gorilla Permit in Uganda?

The Uganda gorilla permit price depends on the visitor category and the season of travel while Under Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) rates currently in effect in 2026, a standard gorilla trekking permit costs US$800 for foreign non-residents, US$700 for foreign residents, US$500 for Rest of Africa visitors and UGX 300,000 for East African citizens.

UWA has also introduced a low-season gorilla trekking permit rate of US$600 for foreign non-residents and US$500 for foreign residents during April, May and November. These low-season rates took immediate effect in 2026.

A gorilla permit is one of the main costs of a Uganda gorilla safari but it is important to remember that the permit is not the total safari price. Accommodation, transportation, meals, guiding, airport transfers and other activities are normally separate unless included in your safari package.

Uganda Gorilla Permit Price at a Glance

Visitor category	Standard gorilla permit	Low-season rate*
Foreign non-resident	US$800	US$600
Foreign resident	US$700	US$500
Rest of Africa	US$500	—
East African citizen	UGX 300,000	—

The Low-season rates apply in April, May and November under the 2026 UWA announcement.

UWA has also announced revised rates that take effect from 1 January 2027. The announced standard gorilla tracking rate remains US$800 for foreign non-residents, while the foreign resident rate will be US$700, Rest of Africa US$500 and East African citizens UGX 300,000.

What Is a Gorilla Permit in Uganda?

A gorilla permit is the official authorization required to take part in gorilla trekking in Uganda's protected gorilla habitats.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda takes place in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park,  Bwindi has four main trekking sectors: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo while Mgahinga offers another opportunity to trek mountain gorillas in the Virunga Mountains.

The permit is issued through the Uganda Wildlife Authority's permit system and UWA's guidelines state that foreign non-resident permits must be purchased through a tour operator licensed by the Uganda Tourism Board.

What Does the Uganda Gorilla Permit Include?

The Uganda gorilla permit covers important costs associated with the actual trekking experience.

According to the UWA conservation tariff the gorilla tracking rate includes:

• Gorilla tracking activity
• Guide fees
• Park entrance fees for the day
• Community development contribution

The permit therefore covers much more than simply entering the forest. It contributes toward the management of the protected area, professional guiding and conservation-related activities.

At Bwindi UWA also states that US$10 from each gorilla tracking permit sold is shared with local communities through its revenue-sharing arrangements.

What Is Not Included in the Gorilla Permit?

A gorilla permit does not normally cover the other services required for your Uganda safari.

These may include:

• Accommodation
• Transportation to and from Bwindi or Mgahinga
• Airport transfers
• Meals outside the permit arrangement
• Flights
• Uganda visa
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses
• Porter services
• Additional activities
• Accommodation before or after trekking

This is why the Uganda gorilla permit price should not be confused with the total cost of a Uganda gorilla safari.

For example two travelers may pay the same gorilla permit price but have very different total safari costs because one chooses budget accommodation and another chooses a luxury lodge.

Where Can You Use a Gorilla Permit in Uganda?

Your gorilla trekking permit is used for trekking in one of Uganda's two mountain gorilla destinations.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Bwindi is Uganda's main gorilla trekking destination and is divided into four major sectors:

• Buhoma
• Ruhija
• Rushaga
• Nkuringo

Each sector has different gorilla families and trekking conditions, your permit is normally booked for a specific trekking location so your accommodation and transport arrangements should be planned around that sector.

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga is located in southwestern Uganda within the Virunga Mountains. It offers another gorilla trekking option and can be combined with other activities in the region.

The choice between Bwindi and Mgahinga can depend on gorilla family availability, accommodation preferences, safari route and your overall travel plans.

How Much Is Gorilla Habituation in Uganda?

Gorilla habituation is different from the standard gorilla trekking experience.

Under the UWA tariff the habituation experience is priced higher than ordinary gorilla tracking with the 2024–2026 tariff lists US$1,500 for foreign non-residents, US$1,000 for foreign residents and Uganda shillings 750,000 for East African citizens. UWA has announced a revised foreign non-resident rate of US$1,800 from 1 January 2027.

The habituation experience is therefore a separate option and should not be confused with the standard gorilla trekking permit.

When Is Gorilla Trekking Cheapest in Uganda?

For travelers looking specifically for a lower permit price April, May and November are the low-season months announced by UWA for 2026.

During these months the permit price is:

• US$600 for foreign non-residents
• US$500 for foreign residents

The low-season permits cannot be rescheduled under the UWA announcement so travelers should plan their dates carefully.

Lower permit prices can make these months attractive for travelers who want to manage their Uganda gorilla safari budget however your overall trip cost will also depend on accommodation, transport and the length of your safari.

Does the Gorilla Permit Price Change Between Bwindi and Mgahinga?

The standard UWA gorilla tracking tariff applies to gorilla tracking in both Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Therefore the permit price itself is not normally determined by choosing Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, Nkuringo or Mgahinga. The difference in your total safari cost can instead come from accommodation, road transfers, safari duration and other services.

How Far in Advance Should You Book a Gorilla Permit?

It is best to arrange your gorilla permit before traveling to Uganda particularly if you have specific travel dates or want to trek in a particular sector.

Permit availability can affect the rest of your itinerary because accommodation and transportation need to be planned around the confirmed trekking date.

UWA operates a permit reservation system and its guidelines provide for reservations through its official channels and licensed tour operators.

At Pearl Nature Holidays  we can help travelers arrange their gorilla permit together with accommodation, transportation and the rest of their Uganda safari itinerary.

Can You Book a Gorilla Permit Without a Full Safari?

The permit itself is a separate cost from accommodation and other safari services but foreign non-resident permits must be purchased through a tour operator licensed by the Uganda Tourism Board under UWA's current purchase guidelines.

For most international travelers combining the permit with a complete safari package is more practical because transportation to Bwindi or Mgahinga, accommodation and trekking logistics all need to be arranged.

What Is the Total Cost of a Uganda Gorilla Safari?

The gorilla permit is only one part of the total safari price but your overall Uganda gorilla safari cost may include:

1. Gorilla trekking permit
2. Accommodation
3. Private 4x4 safari vehicle
4. Professional driver-guide
5. Fuel and transportation
6. Meals
7. Airport transfers
8. Park fees for additional activities
9. Game drives or boat cruises if included
10. Chimpanzee or golden monkey trekking if included
11. Cultural experiences or nature walks

The final price depends largely on the number of days, accommodation category, number of travelers and activities included this means travelers can plan affordable, mid-range or luxury Uganda gorilla safaris without changing the official permit price.

How Can You Reduce the Cost of a Uganda Gorilla Safari?

The permit is a fixed UWA charge for your visitor category so the biggest opportunities for reducing your overall safari budget usually come from the other parts of the trip.

You can consider:

• Traveling during a UWA low-season period when eligible
• Choosing comfortable mid-range or budget accommodation
• Traveling with a small group
• Combining gorilla trekking with nearby attractions
• Choosing a shorter safari
• Booking transportation and accommodation as part of a well-planned package
• Avoiding unnecessary extra activities

For travelers who want more comfort Pearl Nature Holidays can also arrange mid-range and luxury private gorilla safaris with upgraded accommodation and customized itineraries.

Uganda Gorilla Permit Price vs Full Safari Price

It is useful to separate these two costs:

Gorilla permit price:
The official fee paid for the gorilla trekking experience.

Full Uganda gorilla safari price:
The permit plus accommodation, transport, meals, guiding, transfers and any additional activities included in your itinerary.

For this reason asking only for the gorilla permit price does not give you the full amount you will spend on a Uganda gorilla holiday,If you want to understand the complete cost, see our guide on What Is the Price of Gorilla Trekking in Uganda?

Why Book Your Uganda Gorilla Safari With Pearl Nature Holidays?

Pearl Nature Holidays organizes Uganda gorilla trekking experiences for different budgets and travel styles depending on your preferences, we can arrange:

• Affordable Uganda gorilla safaris
• Mid-range gorilla trekking trips
• Luxury private gorilla safaris
• Gorilla permits
• Private 4x4 safari vehicles
• Professional driver-guides
• Accommodation
• Airport transfers
• Meals
• Gorilla trekking in Bwindi or Mgahinga
• Chimpanzee trekking
• Wildlife safaris
• Cultural experiences

We can also combine gorilla trekking with destinations such as Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kibale National Park, Lake Mburo National Park or Murchison Falls National Park depending on the length of your trip.

Plan Your Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari

The Uganda gorilla permit price is an important part of planning your trip but it is only one component of the overall safari budget. Understanding what the permit includes and what you need to budget separately makes it easier to choose the right itinerary and accommodation level.

Whether you are looking for an affordable, mid-range or luxury Uganda gorilla safari, Pearl Nature Holidays can help you plan the permit, accommodation, transport and activities around your budget and travel dates,contact us today on: info@pearlnatureholidays.com

Related articles:

A 3-Day uganda gorilla trekking safari