Updated 19 October 2026

There is no student discount on gorilla permits for international visitors in Uganda. A student on holiday pays the same as any foreign non-resident: US$800, or US$600 in April, May and November. Lower rates apply only by residency: students living in Uganda or East Africa with valid residence documents may qualify for the reduced foreign-resident or East African rates, and Ugandan students pay the citizen rate. If you are a student on a tight budget, the real savings come from travelling in the cheaper months, sharing transport and choosing simple accommodation.

Who pays which rate

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) sets permit prices by category, not by age or occupation. Foreign non-residents, which includes students visiting on a tourist visa, pay the full rate. Foreign residents of Uganda, such as people holding work or residence permits, pay a reduced dollar rate. Citizens of East African Community countries pay a rate in Ugandan shillings, and Ugandan citizens pay the lowest rate. International students studying at a Ugandan university should ask UWA whether their student pass qualifies them for the foreign-resident rate, and bring the document when booking and on trek day.

UWA does offer reduced rates for organised educational groups visiting parks, mostly for park entry rather than gorilla permits, and these are arranged by schools and universities in advance. Check the current UWA tariff for the latest rates; see our guide to the Uganda gorilla permit.

Watch out for fake student deals

Because many travellers search for a student discount, some websites advertise half-price “student permits”. These do not exist for international visitors. Permits are issued in the visitor’s name and checked against passports at the briefing, so a cheap permit offered by a third party is usually a scam or a permit in the wrong category, which rangers can refuse. Book directly with UWA or through a licensed operator; our guide to booking a gorilla permit explains how.

How students can cut the cost

The simplest saving is the season. In April, May and November, the permit costs US$600 instead of US$800, lodges are quieter and many offer lower rates. These are rainy months, but treks run in all weathers and permits are easier to find. Student holidays rarely line up with them, but many university calendars include a break in April or early May.

Transport is the next big cost. A group of friends sharing a vehicle and driver-guide pays much less each than a couple; see our guide to splitting the cost in a group. Travelling by public bus to Kabale, Kisoro or Butogota and arranging a local transfer from there is cheaper still, though slower and less predictable. For accommodation, community campsites and budget guesthouses near each sector cost a fraction of lodge prices.

Keep the trip short and focused: one gorilla trek, a night either side and travel days. If chimpanzees matter to you too, chimp tracking in Kibale costs US$250 (US$300 from 1 January 2027). Our guide to gorilla trekking on a budget gives more ideas.

Students under 18

The minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15, and school groups and younger students must trek with a responsible adult. Rangers may ask for proof of age, so bring passports. For families and school trips, our guide to taking teenagers gorilla trekking covers preparation.

Research rather than tourism

Students who want to study gorillas, rather than visit them, need a research permit through UWA and Uganda’s national research council, usually as part of a university project with a local partner such as the Institute of Tropical Forest Conservation. This takes months and is not a route to a cheap visit. See our guide to volunteering and research in gorilla conservation.

Frequently asked questions