Gorilla Safari Permit Price
Gorilla Safari Permit Price
Gorilla Safari Permit Price: Gorilla trekking safari is among the most unique wildlife experiences in the world. Being face-to-face with these endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is a once in a life time adventure and it attracts tourists from all over the world. Therefore, before planning the Uganda safari, one of the important things to know is the cost of the gorilla trekking permit.
A gorilla permit is a must have document issued by the Uganda wildlife authorities which allows tourists to enter into the forest and spend a one hour with the gorilla family. Therefore, without the permit, one cant participate in the gorilla trekking safari in rainforests such as Bwindi impenetrable national park, Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda, volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga national park in democratic republic of Congo.
What is the gorilla trekking permit?
A gorilla trekking permit is the official pass that allows tourists to have access to track the mountain gorillas in protected national parks. The permit includes
- The park entry fee
- Ranger guide
- Conservation fees
- The trekking experience
The money obtained from the gorilla trekking permit has an important role in conservation and community development. The money as well supports the anti-poaching programs, protection of the forest, guides’ salaries, as well as the local communities staying near the rainforests. This makes the trekking safari not just an adventure but a direct contribution to the conservation of wildlife while on an African safari.
COST OF GORILLA TREKKING PERMITS IN 2026
Uganda is popularly known as the best and most affordable gorilla trekking safari destination for the trekking safari. Gorilla trekking in Uganda takes place in two national parks that is
- Bwindi impenetrable national park
- Mgahinga gorilla national park
Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda costs
- USD 800 per person for the non-resident foreigners
- USD 700 per person for foreigners
- USD 500 per person for the rest of Africans
- 300,000 Ugandan shillings for East african citizens
Uganda provides a thrilling value for tourists searching for a genuine Uganda safari because the country blends relatively affordable permits with memorable gorilla experiences.
Besides gorilla trekking, Uganda offers a unique gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The habituation of the mountain gorillas is carried out in the Rushaga sector.
The gorilla habituation experience allows tourists to spend 4 hours with these gentle species alongside the researchers and trackers. The cost for the gorilla habituation experience is
- USD 1,500 per person for the non-resident foreigners
- USD 1000 per person for foreign residents
- USD 1,000 per person for the rest of Africa
- UGX 750,000 per person for east african citizens
The habituation experience is perfect for the wildlife lovers, photographers and tourists searching for a more deep wildlife safari experience.
Besides Uganda, gorilla trekking is carried out in volcanoes national park in Rwanda and the gorilla trekking permit costs
- USD 1,500 per person for foreign nonresidents
- USD 500 per person for foreign residents
- USD 500 per person for rest of Africa
- USD 200 per person for both Rwandan citizens and East African citizens.
What is included in the price of the gorilla permit?
A gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park includes the park entrance fees, services of an experienced park guide, the one-hour gorilla trekking experience and conservation fees.
HOW TO BOOK THE GORILLA TREKKING PERMITS
Gorilla trekking permits can be booked through Corners of Earth Safari, which is a trusted tour company in Entebbe. You can contact our tour consultants through email or telephone with your date, month and year and the gorilla destination that you wish to visit.
After contacting us, we will check for the permit availability and if there are any permits available on the date, you will be asked to make a deposit for the permit. Once the payment is made, we will be able to obtain the gorilla trekking permit on your behalf and send you a scanned copy of the receipts as confirmation.
Other tourists can book directly through the Uganda Wildlife Authority in Uganda and through the Rwanda Development Board in Rwanda.
Mountain Gorilla
However, tourists feel comfortable booking with the tour operators because they tend to handle permit reservations, accommodations, transportations and all other bookings that are required for the whole safari to be complete.
The best time to go for a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda
The gorilla permits are so competitive and should be booked in advance, especially for tourists that are planning to embark on the gorilla trekking safari in the high seasons. The high seasons are the months of June to September and December to February. These are recognized as the best periods for a Uganda safari or Rwanda safari because they are the dry seasons when the forest trails are not muddy and the trekking conditions are easier and more comfortable.
In these months, many of the tourists visit safari destinations such as Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga gorilla national park and Volcanoes National Park for a memorable African safari experience. Since the number of permits is limited and they are issued every day in order to protect the endangered mountain gorillas and maintain sustainable tourism. Therefore, tourists have to book in advance since the permits can sell out so quickly.
For tourists interested in luxury African safaris, group tours, specific gorilla trekking sectors, or gorilla family bookings, booking the gorilla trekking permit early is so important. Therefore, for tourists planning an African safari, securing the gorilla trekking permit is the first and the most important step before securing the flights and accommodation.
Although gorilla trekking safaris are available all year round, the rainy seasons of march to May and October to November can make the gorilla trekking experience more difficult because the trails can be slippery because of heavy rainfall. Despite being the low season, it can offer some advantages such as permit availability, no crowds, low accommodation rates, and a more personalized safari experience.
Therefore, for tourists searching for a quieter wildlife safari, the low season can be attractive besides having the rains. Tourists are then advised to book the gorilla trekking permits at least 3-6 months in advance to avoid last-minute disappointment.
