The Uganda gorilla trekking permit costs $800 per person in 2027. This is the price set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and it does not vary between operators. What exactly does this $800 cover? Many travellers are surprised to learn how much — and how much is not included. Here is the step-by-step breakdown of what your permit fee provides.
What the $800 Permit Includes
Step 1: Permit Allocation and Booking Confirmation
The $800 reserve your allocated permit for a specific date and a specific gorilla family in a specific sector of Bwindi or Mgahinga. Your permit is registered in the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s booking system with your name. On the day of the trek, the permit is verified at the ranger station before you begin walking. The permit is non-transferable to another person.
Step 2: The Morning Briefing
All gorilla trekking groups receive a mandatory briefing at the ranger station before departure. This briefing covers gorilla behaviour, trekking protocols, health and safety rules (minimum eight-metre distance from gorillas, mask wearing requirements, photography guidelines), and the specific conditions of the day including the last known location of your assigned gorilla family. The briefing is led by an experienced ranger and is included in the permit fee.
Step 3: Ranger-Led Trekking
Your trek is led by an armed Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger, whose role is to guide the group to the gorilla family, manage the encounter, and ensure compliance with the rules that protect both visitors and gorillas. The ranger tracks the gorilla family’s morning movements using information from the trackers who located the group the previous day and overnight. Ranger-led guiding is included in the permit fee.
Step 4: One Hour with the Gorillas
The core of what the permit purchases: exactly sixty minutes of contact time with the assigned habituated gorilla family. The Uganda Wildlife Authority enforces this limit strictly — rangers use watches and will call time at sixty minutes regardless of the quality or stage of the encounter. The one-hour limit protects gorilla welfare and is a condition of all permits.
Step 5: Return Trek
The ranger leads the group back to the trailhead after the gorilla encounter. The return journey uses the same trail or a different route at the ranger’s discretion based on terrain and gorilla location. Return guiding is included in the permit fee.
What the $800 Permit Does NOT Include
Understanding what is excluded is equally important for accurate budget planning:
- Park entry fees: Bwindi charges approximately $45 per person per day separately from the gorilla permit. This must be paid on arrival at the park.
- Porter hire: Porters who carry bags and assist on difficult terrain cost $15-$20 and are hired separately at the trailhead. Strongly recommended, not included.
- Accommodation: No accommodation is included. Lodges range from $80 to $1,200 per person per night.
- Meals: No meals are included, unless your accommodation package includes them separately.
- Ground transport: The drive from Kampala or Entebbe to Bwindi costs $150-$400 per person and is arranged separately.
- International flights: Not included.
- Gorilla tracking certification: If you want a physical certificate confirming your trek (a popular souvenir), this is available for purchase at the ranger station for a small additional fee.
Permit Validity and Refund Policy
The permit is valid for the specific date and gorilla family allocated. It cannot be used on a different date without rebooking. In the extremely rare event that a trekking group completes a full search effort without finding their assigned gorilla family (this happens in less than 1% of treks), the Uganda Wildlife Authority issues a refund or permit revalidation. There is no refund for personal non-attendance — if you cannot trek on your allocated date, the permit is forfeited.
Contact us to book your $800 gorilla permit for 2027. We handle the UWA booking process, ensure correct permit documentation, and advise on all additional costs before you confirm your booking so there are no surprises on arrival.
