The price of a Uganda gorilla trekking permit is $800 per person for foreign non-residents in 2027. Not $700. Not $600. $800. This figure is set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and has not changed recently, though it has increased from lower historical levels as gorilla conservation costs and demand have both grown.
If you have seen $700 quoted anywhere online, that information is out of date. If you have seen prices below $700, those are either for different permit categories (Rwandan or Ugandan citizens pay different rates) or, in some cases, misrepresented offers from operators who are not providing legitimate permits. The $800 price is fixed, non-negotiable, and universal for international tourists classified as foreign non-residents.
Why the Price Was $700 and Is Now $800
The Uganda gorilla permit price increased to $800 from $700 following a Uganda Wildlife Authority review of conservation costs, permit demand, and the benchmarking of Uganda’s pricing against Rwanda’s gorilla permit price, which reached $1,500 per person. The increase reflected both the genuine conservation costs of managing a growing gorilla population across multiple habituated groups and a recognition that Uganda’s permit had been significantly underpriced relative to the experience’s value and to competitor pricing in Rwanda.
The price may increase further in future years. The Uganda Wildlife Authority reviews permit pricing periodically, and ongoing conservation cost increases make future price rises likely. Booking in advance at current prices is therefore advisable for travellers planning a 2027 trek.
The Different Price Categories
The $800 price applies to the category officially designated as foreign non-residents — which in practice means international tourists from outside East Africa who are not Ugandan citizens. Other categories pay different amounts:
- Foreign non-residents (international tourists): $800 per permit
- Foreign residents (expatriates resident in Uganda): $700 per permit
- East African Community citizens (from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, DRC): 300,000 Ugandan shillings per permit
- Ugandan citizens: 150,000 Ugandan shillings per permit
The category that applies to you depends on your nationality and residency status, not your choice. International tourists cannot book at the EAC rate. Operators offering international tourists permits at below-$800 prices are misrepresenting the permit category or the permit’s legitimacy.
What the $800 Permit Covers
The $800 permit grants access to one gorilla trekking session: the trek to the gorilla family, the one-hour observation period with the gorillas, and the return to the trailhead. It does not cover accommodation, meals, transportation to and from the park, park entry fees (a separate charge), or optional extras like porter hire or cultural visits. Your total gorilla trekking cost will be higher than $800 — often significantly so depending on your accommodation choices.
How to Book
Gorilla trekking permits can be booked directly through the Uganda Wildlife Authority or through licensed tour operators. Direct UWA booking requires advance planning and payment by bank transfer. Licensed tour operators handle the booking logistics and often have advance permit allocations, making it easier to secure specific dates. Reputable operators charge the same $800 permit price (it is not negotiable) and add their service fee, transport, and accommodation costs separately.
Contact Uganda Gorilla Trekking to book your permit and arrange a complete itinerary. We operate with full Uganda Wildlife Authority licensing and transparent pricing that shows exactly where your money goes. Permits for popular dates — particularly July, August, December, and January — sell out months in advance. Early booking is strongly recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions
The standard gorilla trekking permit costs $800 per person for foreign non-residents (FNR). EAC foreign residents pay $700. During low season — April, May, and November — the FNR rate drops to $600. The Gorilla Habituation Experience permit (4 hours, Rushaga sector only) costs $1,800 per person.
Permits are issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). Most visitors book through a licensed Uganda tour operator, who handles the UWA reservation, permit transfer, and sector logistics. Direct booking via the UWA eTourism portal is available but operators handle the complexity of sector assignment and date changes.
During peak season (June–September, December–February): book 3–6 months ahead. During low season (April, May, November): 4–8 weeks is usually sufficient. The AFCON 2027 period (June–July 2027) will see unusually high demand — book at least 6 months ahead for any date in that window.
UWA gorilla permits are non-refundable but can be rescheduled to another date subject to availability and sufficient advance notice. Your tour operator handles this process. Travel insurance that covers trip cancellation and curtailment is strongly recommended for all Uganda gorilla bookings.
Yes. The permit price is set by Uganda Wildlife Authority and is fixed regardless of which operator you use. No operator can offer a discount on the $800 permit — only their service fees (accommodation, transport, guiding) vary between companies.
