Gorilla Trekking Permit in Uganda: Cost, Booking & Guide
A Uganda gorilla trekking permit is required to join a guided trek to a habituated mountain gorilla family in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Gorilla tourism also contributes to surrounding communities. UWA states that US$10 from each gorilla tracking permit sold at Bwindi is shared through its community revenue-sharing arrangement.
This guide includes the current cost of the Uganda gorilla trekking permit, what is included, how to buy it and when, the difference between the trekking and habituation permit, and what to expect during trekking while on a Uganda gorilla safari.
Quick Answer
For 2026, Uganda’s standard gorilla trekking permit rates are $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents, $500 for other African citizens and UGX 300,000 for East African citizens. UWA’s 2026 low-season promotion offers discounted rates of $600 for foreign non-residents and $500 for foreign residents for eligible April, May and November 2026 dates. Permits are issued by UWA and are best booked through a licensed tour operator; booking 3–6 months ahead is advisable for peak season. For Christmas, New Year and other high-demand dates, earlier booking can be worthwhile.
Uganda Gorilla Trekking Permit Price
Traveller category
Standard rate
Low-season rate (Apr, May, Nov)
Foreign non-resident (FNR)
$800
$600
Foreign resident (FR)
$700
$500
Other African citizens
$500
—
East African citizens
UGX 300,000
—
In February 2026, UWA introduced these discounted low-season rates to encourage travel outside the peak months. Low-season permits currently cannot be rescheduled and require full payment at the time of booking, so confirm your travel dates before purchasing. UWA has also announced changes to its conservation tariff for 2026–2027. Because tariff rates can change, travellers should confirm the applicable permit price with UWA or their licensed tour operator for their exact trekking date before making payment. See our guide about the gorilla trekking permits for 2027.
Are Uganda Gorilla Permits the Same Price in Bwindi and Mgahinga?
A standard permit generally covers the guided trekking activity itself, ranger and guide services, park entrance for the day, and a contribution toward community development around the park. It allows one hour of observation once you locate a habituated gorilla family, though the trek to reach them can take anywhere from roughly two to seven hours depending on where the gorilla family is on that particular day.
What a Gorilla Permit Does Not Include
The permit is not the full cost of a gorilla safari. It typically does not cover:
International or domestic flights
Accommodation
Airport or lodge transfers
Meals outside your accommodation package
Private vehicle hire
Visa fees
Travel insurance
Porter fees (optional but recommended, and paid separately)
Tips for guides and rangers
If you’re budgeting for a full trip, treat the permit as one line item within a wider gorilla safari cost.
Gorilla Trekking vs Gorilla Habituation Permit
Feature
Gorilla Trekking
Gorilla Habituation
Where
Bwindi and Mgahinga
Bwindi’s Rushaga sector only
Group size
Up to 8 visitors
Up to 4 visitors
Time with gorillas
Up to 1 hour
Up to 4 hours
Gorilla group
Fully habituated family
The group is still being habituated.
Standard price (FNR)
$800
$1,500 (rising to $1,800 from Jan 2027)
Best for
First-time trekkers
Visitors wanting extended observation time and deeper insight into habituation
The gorilla habituation experience puts visitors alongside UWA researchers and trackers working with a gorilla group that isn’t yet fully accustomed to tourism, offering a more research-oriented experience than a standard trek.
Where Can You Use a Uganda Gorilla Permit?
There are numerous gorilla families that are habituated in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and are found in the four trekking sectors in the park, which include Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park offers a smaller-scale experience with a more limited number of available gorilla groups and can be combined with golden monkey tracking or volcano hiking in the surrounding Virunga Mountains.
Your permit is tied to the gorilla trekking arrangements for the relevant park/sector and date, so choosing the right sector on a Uganda safari is important when planning accommodation and transport.
How to Book a Gorilla Trekking Permit in Uganda
Choose your travel dates. Permits are issued daily, with a maximum group size per gorilla family. Peak season (June–September and December–February) sells out fastest.
Choose your park and sector. Decide between Bwindi (and which sector) or Mgahinga based on accommodation, accessibility and your fitness level.
Check availability. Confirm permit availability before locking in non-refundable travel arrangements.
Book through a Uganda Tourism Board–licensed tour operator or through the official UWA reservation channel, subject to the applicable purchase rules for your traveller category.
Make payment. Full payment is required to secure your date. Gorilla permits are generally non-refundable, so confirm your travel plans before purchasing; this applies especially to low-season permits, which currently cannot be rescheduled.
Receive confirmation. Your operator will typically hold your permit until arrival; you present it at the park headquarters on the morning of your trek.
How Far in Advance Should You Book?
For the high season (June – September and December – February), an early booking of 3 – 6 months prior is recommended owing to how fast permits may be sold out. For the low-season months (April, May, and November), permits may be readily available just a few days before your travel date. See our guide on how to book a gorilla trekking permit in advance.
What Happens on Gorilla Trekking Day?
Gorilla tracking generally begins from 8:00 a.m., following the visitor briefing and allocation to a gorilla group. The exact reporting and briefing time can vary by sector and park arrangements, so follow the instructions provided by your operator or UWA. The briefing covers gorilla behaviour, safety guidelines and trekking rules designed to protect both visitors and the gorillas. Groups are capped at a small number of visitors per family, and the length of the trek depends entirely on where that family is located in the forest that day, some are a short walk from the trailhead, while others require several hours through dense terrain.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda
Best Time for Gorilla Trekking
June to September and December to February are generally considered more favourable for trekking, since rainfall tends to be lower and trails are often easier to navigate. However, Bwindi and Mgahinga are rainforest environments, so wet conditions are possible at any time of year. March–May and October–November can bring heavier rain, but these months also tend to mean fewer visitors and, during April, May and November, discounted permit pricing. See our guide on the best time for gorilla trekking.
Gorilla Permit Cancellation and Refund Policy
Gorilla permits are generally non-refundable once purchased, and low-season permits currently cannot be rescheduled. Confirm your travel dates, health requirements and itinerary before paying, and speak to your tour operator about their own cancellation terms, which may differ from UWA’s policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a gorilla permit cost in Uganda?
$800 for foreign non-residents and $700 for foreign residents at standard rates, dropping to $600/$500 during the April, May and November low season.
Is the gorilla trekking permit refundable?
Generally no. Permits are non-refundable, and low-season permits currently cannot be rescheduled.
How long do you spend with the gorillas?
Up to one hour on a standard trek, or up to four hours on a gorilla habituation experience.
Where can I buy a gorilla trekking permit?
Through a Uganda Tourism Board–licensed tour operator, or directly through the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
How far in advance should I book?
Three to six months ahead for peak season (June–September, December–February); closer to travel dates is often fine for low-season months.
What’s the difference between Bwindi and Mgahinga permits?
The number of habituated gorilla groups in Bwindi is higher than in Mgahinga with regard to the number of sectors involved.
How long does gorilla trekking take in Uganda?
Time required for the whole trek, including observation of gorillas, is about 2 to 7 hours, with a maximum of one hour being the time dedicated to viewing of gorillas.
Ready to book your Uganda gorilla trek? Chopper Tour and Travel can help you check permit availability, choose the best Bwindi or Mgahinga sector, arrange accommodation and transport, and build your trek into a complete Uganda safari. Request Your Gorilla Trekking Permit & Safari Quote
