Updated
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) is the government agency that manages Uganda’s national parks and wildlife reserves, including Bwindi and Mgahinga. Created in 1996 by merging the former national parks agency and the game department, it employs the rangers, trackers and wardens who protect wildlife, sells gorilla and chimpanzee permits, and shares part of its income with communities living next to the parks. Most of its budget comes from tourism.
What UWA does
UWA manages Uganda’s ten national parks, its wildlife reserves and other protected areas. Its work includes law enforcement and anti-poaching patrols, monitoring wildlife populations, running tourism activities such as gorilla trekking, game drives and boat trips, resolving conflicts between wildlife and farmers, and research partnerships. It also licenses activities such as filming and sport fishing. See our guide to Uganda’s national parks.
The people on the ground
Rangers carry out patrols, remove snares and guide visitors; many are armed to deal with poachers and dangerous animals. Trackers follow each habituated gorilla family daily, often from dawn to dusk, and know individual gorillas by sight. Wardens manage park sectors, and community conservation staff work with neighbouring villages. Many trackers and guides come from communities around the parks, and their knowledge is central to both protection and tourism. See our guides to anti-poaching in Uganda and how trackers find gorillas.
Money and communities
Gorilla permits, US$800, or US$600 in April, May and November, are among UWA’s largest sources of income and help fund less-visited parks. Under the revenue-sharing programme, 20% of park entry fees go to communities bordering the parks, and US$10 from every gorilla permit in Bwindi and Mgahinga goes to frontline villages, funding schools, health centres, roads and livelihood projects. See our guide to how permit revenue is spent.
Booking with UWA
Visitors can book permits through UWA’s reservations office or a licensed tour operator. UWA sets the rules on the trek, such as group size, distance and masks, and publishes its tariffs and cancellation terms, which are reviewed periodically. See our guide to booking a gorilla permit.
Frequently asked questions
The government agency managing Uganda’s national parks and wildlife reserves.
In 1996.
20% of entry fees, plus US$10 from every gorilla permit.
Yes, or through a licensed tour operator.
