A Uganda gorilla permit, issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, costs $800 per person and is the single biggest line item in the cost of a Uganda gorilla trekking safari. Uganda is home to more than half the world’s mountain gorilla population, trekked across two parks in the country’s southwestern corner: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, together forming the Bwindi-Mgahinga Conservation Area.
Bwindi and Mgahinga: Uganda’s Two Gorilla Parks
Bwindi is the larger of the two parks at about 298 square kilometers, split into four trekking sectors: Buhoma in the north, Ruhija in the east, Rushaga in the southeast, and Nkuringo in the southwest. Each sector has its own set of habituated gorilla families available for daily trekking.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is Uganda’s smallest park and part of the wider Virunga Conservation Area, alongside Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in DR Congo. Due to its size, Mgahinga is home to a single habituated family, Nyakagezi, made up of 10 members.
How Many Uganda Gorilla Permits Are Available Daily
Permit numbers are capped to protect the gorillas from overexposure. Bwindi’s 13 trekkable habituated families (a 14th, Kyaguriro, is reserved for research and closed to tourism) allow for up to 104 permits per day, spread across the park’s four sectors. Mgahinga’s single family adds 8 more permits per day. Altogether, Uganda offers around 112 gorilla trekking permits daily, with each permit granting access to one gorilla family and one hour with them once located, in treks that can run 1 to 8 hours depending on how far the family has moved.
Cost of a Uganda Gorilla Permit
At $800, Uganda’s gorilla permit sits between Rwanda’s $1,500 and DR Congo’s $400, making it a mid-range option that still delivers one of the more reliable and secure trekking experiences of the three countries. Permits are issued directly by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, or can be booked on your behalf by a trusted tour operator.
Booking, Availability and Rescheduling
Uganda gorilla permits are in high demand, especially during the dry season from June to September and December to early February, so booking well in advance is important. If your plans change, permits can be rescheduled to a different date or gorilla region. Rescheduling within 7 days of your trip incurs a surcharge of 30% of the permit cost, so it’s worth confirming your dates as early as possible.
Gorilla Habituation Permits
For a longer encounter, Uganda also offers gorilla habituation permits at $1,500 each, giving visitors up to 4 hours with a gorilla family that is still adjusting to human presence, compared to the standard 1-hour trekking limit. Habituation takes place only in Bwindi’s Rushaga sector, with just 4 permits available per day, alongside a team of researchers, trackers, and rangers. Habituation permits can be purchased at the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s Kampala headquarters or booked through a tour operator.
Booking Your Permit Online
You can book your Uganda gorilla permit online through a trusted tour operator, which also improves your chances of securing your preferred trekking dates.
Book Your Uganda Gorilla Permit Today
With limited daily permits and high demand during peak season, securing your Uganda gorilla permit early is the best way to guarantee your preferred dates and park. Book your Uganda gorilla trekking permit with our team today, and we’ll handle the booking process for you.
