How much is a gorilla permit in Uganda? The Uganda Wildlife Authority issues gorilla permits, which are certificates or documents that authorize visitors over 15 to trek mountain gorillas in either of the two natural habitats—Mgahinga National Park or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. An armed ranger, an hour with the gorillas, experienced guides, and protection during the trip are all included in the gorilla permit.
The cost of the gorilla permits in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park 2025 to 2026 cost $800 for foreign non-residents per person, UGX300,000 for EAC citizens, $500 for African citizens (those that don’t belong to the East African community) and $700 for East African foreign residents. The cost of gorilla habituation, which is available in Bwindi, is higher. For foreign non-residents (international visitors), a habituation permit costs $1500; for foreign residents, it costs $1000; for East African citizens, it costs UGX750,000. In an effort to strengthen the national parks where gorilla trekking is conducted and aid in gorilla conservation, the permit fee was recently raised.
Unlike Rwanda, Uganda does not provide any discounts for gorilla trekking permits. For a single year following the Covid era, the government provided permission reductions in an effort to boost the number of visitors to the nation. Permit discounts are currently available during both the dry and low seasons, so don’t be fooled by permits that are less expensive than what is listed above.
Because the gorilla permit includes a number of topics that guarantee the safety of the gorillas, it is somewhat expensive. A portion of the funds are used to treat the gorillas when they become unwell (UWA sends in veterinarians to make sure the gorillas receive the right care), preserve the gorillas’ natural habitat, provide security for the trekkers, and fund projects for the neighboring villages.
Information about gorilla permit booking in Uganda
In Uganda, a lot of gorilla permits must be reserved and bought in advance because they are typically in short supply during the busiest months of June through September and December through February. Booking permits through a reliable tour operator, such as Achieve Global Safaris , is the best option for international non-residents. We will go over the procedures that must be followed while reserving a gorilla permit in Uganda below.
You must first locate a trustworthy and reputable tour company, to assist you in obtaining a gorilla permit. For the booking and purchase of the permit, tour operators charge a variety of costs as a service charge, which can range from $50 to $100 per permit. Keep in mind that this fee covers the services and logistics provided by the tour operators and is separate from the permit fee. Transport, phone calls, and any other costs that may arise when acquiring a permit are covered by the additional fees.
To facilitate the planning process, once you have selected the best tour operator, let them know when you plan to trek gorillas in Uganda and the destination (either Mgahinga National Park or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park).
By doing this, the tour operator is required to verify whether the permits are available on the specified dates and, if so, to make a temporary reservation on your behalf. A copy of your passport, passport number, full name, and the number of permits you are buying must be sent. Since the passport will be needed to verify that you are 12 years of age or older—the legal age to hike gorillas in Uganda—you must include the details of any more people you are booking for.
Since the permits are sold on a first-come, first-served basis, you will then receive bank account information to ensure that you transfer the funds as quickly as possible. The permit will be reserved and bought on your behalf following the money transfer and confirmation of receipt by the tour operator.
When booking permits, the names and passport numbers are crucial since they will be used on the permits to make it easy to identify the permit owner. Although you can buy permits at the last minute, it is advisable to do so three to four months in advance, depending on permit availability.
