Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda are the one document that makes a gorilla safari possible. Without a permit, there is no trek, no hour face to face with a mountain gorilla family, and no story to carry home for the rest of your life.
At Tulambule Uganda Safaris, we have been securing gorilla trekking permits in Uganda for travellers since 2014. This guide covers the 10 things you need to know before you book: the current price, the low season discount, who can buy a permit, what it includes, how to avoid scams, and practical tips from our Kampala-based team.
Quick answer: Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda cost US$800 per person for foreign non-residents, or US$600 in April, May and November. Foreign visitors must book through a licensed Ugandan tour operator.
- Where: Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks
- Time with gorillas: one hour, in a group of up to 8 people
- Minimum age: 15 years on the day of the trek
- Book: 3 to 6 months ahead, longer for June to September and December to February
1. What Are Gorilla Trekking Permits in Uganda?
A gorilla trekking permit is an official pass issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). It allows one person to track a habituated mountain gorilla family on a specific date, in a specific sector of the park.
Once your group finds the gorillas, you spend one full hour with them. Each person needs their own permit for every trek, and the permit is issued in the traveller's name, so it cannot be passed on to someone else.
Two rules apply to everyone. You must be at least 15 years old on the day of your trek, and you must be in good health. Rangers can turn away anyone showing signs of a cold, flu or other illness, because gorillas catch human diseases easily.
2. How Much Do Gorilla Trekking Permits in Uganda Cost?
The price of gorilla trekking permits in Uganda depends on your residency status and the season you travel. These are the standard UWA rates:
| Visitor Category | Standard Permit | Low Season (April, May, November) |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign non-residents | US$800 per person | US$600 per person |
| Foreign residents in Uganda | US$700 per person | US$500 per person |
| Rest of Africa | US$500 per person | Check at booking |
| East African citizens | UGX 300,000 per person | Check at booking |
Foreign residents are expatriates living in Uganda with valid work or residence permits. East African citizens are nationals of the East African Community member states, including Ugandans.
The Low Season Permit Discount
UWA offers discounted gorilla trekking permits in Uganda in the low season months of April, May and November, saving foreign non-residents US$200 per person. There is one important condition: low season permits cannot be rescheduled, so confirm your travel dates and flights before you pay.
These are wetter months, so trails are muddier. In return, the forest is lush and green, trekking groups are often smaller, and many lodges also lower their rates. For travellers with flexible dates, it is the best value gorilla trekking anywhere in Africa. Worried about the weather? Read what happens if there is rain during gorilla trekking.
Price Changes From 1 January 2027
UWA has confirmed revised conservation fees from 1 January 2027. Standard gorilla trekking permits in Uganda stay at US$800 for foreign non-residents.
The Gorilla Habituation Experience rises to US$1,800 for foreign non-residents and US$1,600 for foreign residents. Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park rises to US$300 for foreign non-residents. See every park fee in one place in our guide to Uganda national park fees.
Why Is a Gorilla Permit So Expensive?
Your permit pays for rangers, trackers who follow each family every day, veterinary care, anti-poaching patrols and revenue sharing with communities around the parks. That investment is the reason mountain gorilla numbers keep rising. Read the full story in why gorilla trekking is so expensive and how many mountain gorillas are left.
Check permit availability for your dates
Tell us your travel month and group size. We check live availability with UWA and reply within hours, with the best sector for your trip.
3. Uganda vs Rwanda: Which Permit Is Better Value?
Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda cost US$800, while a Rwanda permit costs US$1,500 per person, almost double the Uganda price. You see the same mountain gorilla species and spend the same one hour with them.
| Uganda | Rwanda | |
|---|---|---|
| Permit price (foreign non-resident) | US$800 | US$1,500 |
| Low season discount | US$600 in April, May and November | None |
| Parks | Bwindi and Mgahinga | Volcanoes National Park |
| Time with the gorillas | 1 hour | 1 hour |
| Cost for two people | US$1,600 | US$3,000 |
In practical terms, two people can trek in Uganda for close to the cost of one person in Rwanda. Travellers flying into Kigali can still trek in Uganda on a short cross-border trip. Read our full comparison of gorilla safaris in Uganda vs Rwanda, or compare gorilla permit prices across Uganda, Rwanda and Congo.
4. Where Gorilla Trekking Permits in Uganda Are Valid
Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda are valid in two national parks in the southwest. Each permit is issued for one park, one sector and one date, and cannot be used anywhere else.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is Uganda's gorilla trekking capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to almost half of the world's estimated 1,063 mountain gorillas, with more than 20 habituated families across four trekking sectors:
- Buhoma: the most accessible sector in the north, ideal for first-time trekkers and those with limited fitness.
- Ruhija: higher altitude, fewer crowds and outstanding birding along the trails.
- Rushaga: the largest sector in the south, with the most gorilla families and home to the Gorilla Habituation Experience.
- Nkuringo: dramatic views towards the Virunga volcanoes, with steep and demanding terrain.
The sectors are several hours' drive apart, so always choose your sector first and then book accommodation close to it. Compare them in our guide to Bwindi gorilla sectors, or meet each family in our list of gorilla families in Bwindi and Mgahinga.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is smaller and far less visited than Bwindi. It has one habituated family, the Nyakagezi group, at the foot of the Virunga volcanoes on the borders with Rwanda and the DR Congo.
Mgahinga also offers golden monkey tracking, the Batwa Trail and volcano hikes. It suits travellers who want solitude and dramatic scenery alongside their gorilla encounter.
5. Daily Limits: Why Gorilla Trekking Permits in Uganda Sell Out
Each habituated gorilla family can be visited by a maximum of 8 people per day, for one hour. This 8 visitors per day rule protects the gorillas from stress and disease, and UWA does not raise it, whatever the demand.
Because gorilla trekking permits in Uganda are allocated per family and per sector, availability varies a lot. Popular sectors such as Rushaga and Buhoma fill up first, and Mgahinga's single family is especially competitive.
If gorilla trekking is the highlight of your safari, secure your permits first. Accommodation, transport and activities can be adjusted around them, but permits are fixed to one date. Want the whole group to yourselves? Read our guide to private mountain gorilla permits, where your party books all 8 places for one family.
6. The Gorilla Habituation Experience Permit
Alongside standard gorilla trekking permits in Uganda, UWA sells the Gorilla Habituation Experience, a premium permit that gives you up to four hours with a gorilla family that is still being prepared for tourism. That is four times longer than a standard trek.
It takes place in Bwindi's southern sector, mainly Rushaga, with a maximum of 4 visitors per group. You walk alongside UWA researchers and trackers, learning how gorillas are gradually introduced to human presence.
| Gorilla Trekking | Gorilla Habituation | |
|---|---|---|
| Time with the gorillas | 1 hour | Up to 4 hours |
| Group size | Up to 8 | Up to 4 |
| Where | Bwindi and Mgahinga | Bwindi, mainly Rushaga |
| Price until 31 Dec 2026 | US$800 | US$1,500 |
| Price from 1 Jan 2027 | US$800 | US$1,800 |
Not sure which to choose? Compare them in our guide to gorilla habituation vs gorilla trekking.
7. Who Can Book Gorilla Trekking Permits in Uganda, and How?
How you book gorilla trekking permits in Uganda depends on your nationality and residency.
Foreign Visitors: Book Through a Licensed Tour Operator
Under UWA's rules, permits for foreign non-residents and Rest of Africa visitors can only be booked through a licensed tour operator. This protects visitors from fake permits and keeps trekking well organised.
Tulambule Uganda Safaris is licensed by the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) and accredited with UWA. We check live availability, reserve your preferred date and sector, and plan the rest of your trip around your permits.
Ugandans and East African Citizens
Ugandans and other East African citizens can book directly at UWA's headquarters in Kampala, or ask a tour operator to handle it. Our guide to gorilla trekking for Ugandans explains the local process, costs and the best weekend trips.
What You Need to Book
- Each traveller's full name exactly as it appears in their passport
- Nationality and passport number
- Your preferred trekking date and sector
- Proof of residency, if booking at the foreign resident rate
Permits are confirmed once they are paid in full, so it is best to settle payment as soon as you have chosen your date.
How We Book Your Permit, Step by Step
- Send your dates: tell us your travel month, group size and any sector preference.
- We check availability: we confirm which families and sectors are open on your dates.
- Share passport details: UWA issues each permit in the traveller's name.
- Pay securely: we send an invoice and a secure payment link.
- Receive your permit: we confirm your permit with UWA and plan your lodge and transport around it.
How to Avoid Gorilla Permit Scams
Because gorilla trekking permits in Uganda are valuable and sell out, fake offers do appear online. Protect yourself with these simple checks:
- Book through a licensed operator. Every genuine Ugandan tour operator is listed on the Uganda Tourism Board register of licensed tour operators. Tulambule Uganda Safaris is licensed under UTB Licence No. UTB/RTT/TT/2025/101877.
- Be wary of prices below the official rate. UWA sets one price for every seller, so an offer far below US$800 (or US$600 in the low season) is a warning sign.
- Ask for your permit in your name. Rangers check each permit against your passport on the morning of the trek.
- Pay through traceable channels. Use a secure payment link or a company bank account, never cash to an individual.
8. When to Book Gorilla Trekking Permits in Uganda
Book your gorilla trekking permits in Uganda at least 3 to 6 months ahead, and 6 to 12 months ahead for the peak months of June to September and December to February.
| Travel Period | Demand | Book Ahead |
|---|---|---|
| June to September | Very high (dry season) | 6 to 12 months |
| December to February | Very high (dry season and holidays) | 6 to 12 months |
| March and October | Moderate | 3 to 6 months |
| April, May and November | Popular for the US$600 discount | 3 to 6 months |
The low season is no excuse to wait. Discounted permits are popular, and because they cannot be rescheduled, you need enough time to confirm flights before paying. The Christmas holidays also see strong demand from Ugandan and East African travellers. Planning on a tighter budget? Our guide to the cheapest ways to see gorillas in Uganda shows how to save without cutting the experience short.
9. What Do Gorilla Trekking Permits in Uganda Include?
| Included in the Permit | Not Included |
|---|---|
| Park entry to Bwindi or Mgahinga for the day of your trek | Transport to and from the park |
| A pre-trek briefing at the park headquarters | Accommodation and meals |
| UWA ranger guides, trackers and an armed escort | Porter fees (about US$20) |
| One hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family | Tips for guides, trackers and porters |
| A contribution to conservation and park communities | Travel insurance |
This is why most travellers book their gorilla trekking permits in Uganda as part of a safari. A 3-day gorilla trekking tour adds the vehicle, driver-guide, lodge and meals, so everything around your trek is taken care of.
10. Can You Reschedule or Get a Refund?
Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda are generally non-refundable once paid. UWA may allow standard permits to be rescheduled, subject to its conditions and fees, if you request the change in writing before your trekking date. Low season discounted permits cannot be rescheduled at all.
If your group fails to see the gorillas, which is very rare given how closely rangers and trackers monitor each family, UWA's policy provides a partial refund of the permit fee.
Because gorilla trekking permits in Uganda are a large, fixed cost, we always recommend travel insurance that covers cancellations and medical emergencies. Our booking terms and conditions explain how we handle changes to your safari.
Practical Tips for Your Gorilla Trek
Our guides have led hundreds of treks across Bwindi and Mgahinga. These are their top tips for making the most of your permit:
- Prepare your fitness: treks can last 2 to 8 hours on steep, muddy and densely forested slopes. Our fitness guide for gorilla trekking shows how to get ready.
- Dress for the forest: wear long sleeves, long trousers, waterproof hiking boots and garden gloves for gripping vegetation.
- Follow your ranger: keep at least 7 metres from the gorillas and follow every instruction.
- Stay healthy: mountain gorillas share about 98% of our DNA. If you are sick, you will not be allowed to trek.
- Hire a porter: community porters charge around US$20, carry your bag on steep sections and earn an income that supports conservation.
- No flash photography: set your camera for low forest light before you set off.
- Pack water and snacks: you never know how far the gorillas have moved overnight.
For a full checklist, see our ultimate gorilla trekking packing list, and for everything else about the trek, read our guide to gorilla trekking in Uganda.
Let us secure your gorilla permit
Licensed by UTB and accredited with UWA since 2014. Send us your dates and we will hold the best sector for you.
Gorilla Safaris With Your Permit Included
Every safari below includes gorilla trekking permits in Uganda, secured by our team, plus your vehicle, driver-guide, lodges and meals. We tailor each one to your dates, budget and travel style.
Book Gorilla Trekking Permits in Uganda With Tulambule Uganda Safaris
Tulambule Uganda Safaris is a 100% Ugandan-owned tour operator, founded in 2014 and based in Kampala. We are licensed by the Uganda Tourism Board, accredited with the Uganda Wildlife Authority, a member of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO) and rated 4.9 stars on TripAdvisor.
- Live availability: when you book gorilla trekking permits in Uganda with us, we check open sectors and families with UWA before you pay
- The right sector: we match your permit to your lodge, fitness and route
- Everything around your trek: lodges, 4x4 transfers from Kampala, Entebbe or Kigali, and flights
- Local support: our Kampala team is a WhatsApp message away before and during your trip
Frequently Asked Questions About Gorilla Trekking Permits in Uganda
How much are gorilla trekking permits in Uganda?
Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda cost 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. Low season permits in April, May and November cost US$600 for foreign non-residents.
Can I book a gorilla trekking permit directly with UWA?
Foreign non-residents must book through a licensed Ugandan tour operator. Ugandans and East African citizens can book directly at UWA's headquarters in Kampala.
What is the minimum age for gorilla trekking in Uganda?
The minimum age is 15 years on the day of the trek. UWA applies this rule strictly in both Bwindi and Mgahinga.
When is the cheapest time to buy gorilla trekking permits in Uganda?
April, May and November are the cheapest months, with permits at US$600 for foreign non-residents. These discounted permits cannot be rescheduled.
Are gorilla trekking permits cheaper in Uganda than in Rwanda?
Yes. A Uganda gorilla trekking permit costs US$800, while a Rwanda permit costs US$1,500. You see the same mountain gorilla species and spend the same one hour with them.
How far in advance should I book my gorilla permit?
Book 3 to 6 months ahead, and 6 to 12 months ahead for June to September and December to February, when permits sell out first.
Can someone else use my gorilla permit?
No. Each permit is issued in the traveller's name and checked against their passport on the morning of the trek.
How long does a gorilla trek take?
A gorilla trek takes between 2 and 8 hours, depending on where the gorillas are that day. Once you find them, you spend one hour with the family.
Continue Planning Your Trip
Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda are your ticket to one of the world's great wildlife encounters. Secure yours early, then build the rest of your safari around it. Browse our Uganda safari itineraries, design your own trip with Build My Safari, or explore all our Uganda safaris.
Ready to meet the mountain gorillas?
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100% Ugandan owned since 2014 • Licensed by UTB • Accredited with UWA • Member of AUTO • Rated 4.9 on TripAdvisor
