Updated
A Uganda gorilla permit costs US$800 for foreign visitors (US$600 in April, May and November), and it gives you one hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family in Bwindi or Mgahinga on a fixed date. Permits are issued only by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), paid in full when booked, and sold for a specific date and trekking sector. You can buy one directly from UWA or through a licensed tour operator.
The permit is the one part of a gorilla trip that you cannot adjust once it is booked, so it pays to understand how it works before you commit: what it costs for your residency status, what it includes, how booking and payment work, and what happens if your plans change.
Uganda gorilla permit explained: cost, booking, and what is included
How much a gorilla permit costs
| Permit | Foreign non-residents | Foreign residents of East Africa | East African citizens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gorilla trekking (1 hour with the family) | US$800; US$600 in April, May and November | US$700 | UGX 300,000 |
| Gorilla Habituation Experience (up to 4 hours) | US$1,500; US$1,800 from 2027 | Lower resident and citizen rates apply; ask when booking | |
The price is identical whichever sector you choose and whichever company books it for you. An operator should not add a markup to the permit itself; their charges cover transport, accommodation and service. When you compare quotes, ask for the permit to be shown as a separate line so you can see exactly what the rest of the trip costs. For a full trip budget, see the gorilla trekking cost breakdown.
What the permit includes — and what it does not
Your permit covers park entry for the day, the morning briefing at the sector headquarters, a ranger guide who leads your group, the trackers who locate the family before you set off, armed rangers who escort the group, and one hour with the gorillas once you reach them. At the end, you receive a trekking certificate. The money also funds the work that keeps the gorillas alive between visits: anti-poaching patrols, veterinary monitoring and revenue sharing with the communities around the parks.
It does not include transport to the park, accommodation, meals, a porter (around US$15–20) or tips for the ranger team. It also does not let you choose a specific gorilla family — families are allocated at the briefing on the morning of your trek, based on group fitness and where each family is that day. What you do choose is the sector, so it is worth reading about the differences between Bwindi’s sectors before you book.
How to book a gorilla permit
There are two ways to book. You can buy directly from Uganda Wildlife Authority, through its reservations office in Kampala or its online booking system, or you can ask a licensed Ugandan tour operator to book it as part of your trip.
Booking directly avoids any operator involvement in the permit, but you then have to match your lodge, transport and arrival dates to the permit yourself. Most visitors use an operator, because the operator checks live availability across sectors, books a lodge close to the right trailhead and plans an arrival day before the trek.
Whichever route you take, the process is similar:
- Choose your trekking date and sector, ideally with one or two backup dates.
- Send your full name, nationality and passport number exactly as shown in your passport.
- Pay the full permit price — UWA does not hold dates on a deposit.
- Receive the permit, which shows your name, date and sector.
- Bring your passport on trek day; rangers check it against the permit.
Permits are personal and cannot be passed to someone else, which is why the passport details must be correct. If you renew your passport before travelling, tell whoever booked the permit so the details can be updated. Only use Uganda Wildlife Authority or an established, licensed operator; permits offered cheaply through social media or unknown websites are a common scam.
How far ahead to book
For June–September and December–February, the busiest months, book three to six months ahead, and earlier still if you need several permits on the same date or want a particular sector such as Buhoma. Rushaga has the most habituated families and is often the last sector to sell out.
In the low-season months of April, May and November, a few weeks’ notice is often enough, and the permit costs US$600. Group trips, family holidays and anyone trekking on a fixed date tied to international flights should book first and plan the rest of the trip around the permit, not the other way round.
Cancellations, changes and illness
Uganda Wildlife Authority gorilla permits are non-refundable, so be sure of your dates before you pay.
Changing the date is sometimes possible, at UWA’s discretion and subject to availability on the new date — late changes may attract a fee.
If you fall ill shortly before or on trek day, rangers can refuse to let you trek, because a human cold or flu can be fatal to gorillas. The permit is not refunded in that case. Failed treks are rare; if your group cannot reach the gorillas, any second attempt is at UWA’s discretion. Full details are in our guide to gorilla permit cancellation, and travel insurance that covers trip cancellation is strongly recommended.
Who can trek
The minimum age for gorilla trekking in Uganda is 15, and rangers may ask for proof of age. There is no upper age limit; older visitors trek regularly, often with a porter and a family allocated closer to the trailhead. You must be in good health on the day, and anyone with a cough, fever or other infectious symptoms will be asked not to trek. If you are unsure about your fitness, read how far you walk on a gorilla trek before choosing your sector.
Frequently asked questions
Not reliably. Permits are sold in advance and popular dates sell out. In the low season, last-minute permits are sometimes available, but never plan a trip on that basis.
No. The permit is for a sector and date. Your family is assigned at the morning briefing, based on fitness and where each family is that day.
No. Permits are issued in the trekker’s name with passport details, and rangers check passports on trek day. Changes must go through Uganda Wildlife Authority.
No. Each country sells its own permits. A Uganda permit is valid only in Bwindi or Mgahinga, on the date and sector shown.
