Updated
If you plan to go gorilla trekking in Uganda in 2027, book your permit as soon as your dates are fixed — ideally six months or more ahead for June–September and December–February. The standard permit stays at US$800 (US$600 in April, May and November), the Gorilla Habituation Experience rises to US$1,800, and the Africa Cup of Nations will bring extra visitors to East Africa from 19 June to 18 July 2027, right in the middle of peak trekking season.
Here is what is changing in 2027, how the seasons affect availability, and a simple plan for securing permits, lodges and flights in the right order.
What is different about 2027
The first change is price. The Gorilla Habituation Experience in Rushaga, which gives up to four hours with a family that is still being habituated, costs US$1,500 now and rises to US$1,800 in 2027. If you were already considering it for a 2027 trip, check with your operator whether booking before the change secures the current price. The standard trekking permit is unchanged at US$800 for foreign visitors, with the US$600 rate continuing in the low-season months of April, May and November.
The second is football. Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are co-hosting the Africa Cup of Nations from 19 June to 18 July 2027, with Ugandan matches at Mandela National Stadium in Namboole, near Kampala, and in Hoima.
Thousands of fans will travel through Entebbe, Nairobi and Dar es Salaam during those weeks. Gorilla permits themselves are limited to eight people per family per day whatever happens, but international flights, Kampala and Entebbe hotels and safari vehicles are all likely to be in higher demand, and prices for flights in particular may rise. If your trip falls in that window, book flights and your first and last nights early.
When to trek in 2027
| Months | Conditions | Permit | How early to book |
|---|---|---|---|
| January–February | Drier, good trails | US$800 | 4–6 months |
| March | Rains begin | US$800 | 2–3 months |
| April–May | Wettest; muddy trails | US$600 | A few weeks |
| June–September | Drier; busiest season (AFCON 19 June–18 July) | US$800 | 6+ months |
| October | Rains return | US$800 | 2–3 months |
| November | Wet; quieter | US$600 | A few weeks |
| December | Drier; holiday peak | US$800 | 6+ months for Christmas–New Year |
There is no bad month to see gorillas — they are found just as reliably in the rain — but the experience changes. The drier months bring firmer trails and are easier for less experienced hikers, while April, May and November reward flexible travellers with a cheaper permit, quieter lodges and a greener forest, at the cost of muddier boots. For a closer look at the seasons, see what happens if it rains on your trekking day.
How to book a 2027 gorilla trip, step by step
The order in which you book things matters, because the permit is the hardest part to change. Build the trip around it:
- Choose your travel window and one or two backup trek dates.
- Choose a sector, or ask your operator which has availability on your dates.
- Book and pay for the permit in full, with passport details exactly as in your passport.
- Book a lodge in the same sector, with an arrival night before the trek.
- Book international flights, leaving a buffer day before the trek.
- Arrange your visa, yellow fever certificate and travel insurance.
Permits are sold for a specific date and sector and are paid in full when booked, because Uganda Wildlife Authority does not hold dates on a deposit. Booking the permit before flights may feel backwards, but it is far easier to find a flight to match a permit than a permit to match a non-refundable flight, especially in July and August. Our guide to how gorilla permits work explains booking, changes and refunds in detail.
Choosing a sector for 2027
Bwindi has four trekking sectors, and the one on your permit decides where you stay and how you travel. Buhoma in the north is the easiest to reach by air via Kihihi and has the widest choice of lodges. Rushaga in the south has the most habituated families, so it is often the last to sell out, and it is the only place to do the Habituation Experience.
Further south-west, Nkuringo has the most dramatic views and the hardest treks, while Ruhija, the highest sector, is popular with birdwatchers. Mgahinga, a separate park near Kisoro, has one family and very limited permits. If you are flying into Kigali, the southern sectors and Mgahinga are the closest. Compare them in our guide to Bwindi’s sectors.
Budgeting for a 2027 trip
For 2027, a 3-day gorilla trip costs roughly US$1,300–1,700 per person on a budget and US$1,900–2,800 at mid-range, with two people sharing and excluding international flights. A 7-day safari adding chimpanzees in Kibale and game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park typically costs US$2,600–5,500 depending on lodges. If you want the Habituation Experience instead of standard trekking, add US$1,000 to the permit line. For full breakdowns, see Uganda gorilla safari costs.
Remember the paperwork too. You need a Uganda e-visa (US$50) or an East Africa Tourist Visa (US$100) if you are also visiting Kenya or Rwanda, a yellow fever vaccination certificate, and travel insurance that covers medical evacuation and trip cancellation. Check entry rules again a few weeks before you travel, as they are updated from time to time.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Uganda Wildlife Authority sells permits well in advance, and operators can book 2027 dates now. Early booking gives the best choice of sectors and dates.
Permit numbers stay the same, but the tournament (19 June–18 July 2027) falls in peak season, so flights and hotels near Kampala will be busier. Book early for those weeks.
US$1,800 per person, up from US$1,500. It gives up to four hours with a family being habituated in Rushaga, with a maximum of four visitors.
Yes. Gorilla numbers in Bwindi and the Virungas have been growing, and Uganda’s parks are well run. Just book early if you plan to travel in July.
