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Read articleUganda gorilla permit fees in 2026/2027
Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) set the current gorilla permit fees for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in its 26 February 2026 circular. High-season tracking stays at USD 800 for foreign non-residents. The new pieces for 2026/2027 are a low-season discount, payment in full at booking, and a habituation increase from 1 January 2027.
Current gorilla tracking permit prices
On 26 February 2026, UWA Executive Director Dr James Musinguzi introduced discounted tracking rates for April, May and November.
| Visitor category | High season | Low season (April, May, November) |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign non-resident | USD 800 | USD 600 |
| Foreign resident | USD 700 | USD 500 |
| Rest of Africa | USD 500 | USD 500 |
| East African citizen | UGX 300,000 | UGX 300,000 |
Low-season permits are date-specific. UWA states they cannot be rescheduled, so only book April, May or November if those dates are firm.
Gorilla habituation from 1 January 2027
The four-hour gorilla habituation experience is currently USD 1,500 for foreign non-residents (USD 1,000 for foreign residents and Rest of Africa; UGX 750,000 for East African citizens).
From 1 January 2027, UWA sets habituation at USD 1,800 (foreign non-resident), USD 1,600 (foreign resident), USD 1,000 (Rest of Africa) and UGX 750,000 (East African citizen). Standard gorilla tracking stays at USD 800 / 700 / 500 / UGX 300,000.
Kibale chimpanzee tracking in that 2027 table is USD 300 for foreign non-residents. The February 2026 circular already offers a low-season chimpanzee rate of USD 200 (foreign non-resident) and USD 150 (foreign resident) in April, May and November.
Booking rule in 2026
UWA suspended the seven-day unpaid reservation hold. Licensed operators now secure a permit only when it is paid in full. Foreign non-resident and Rest of Africa gorilla and chimpanzee permits are booked through licensed tour operators.
What the permit includes
A tracking permit covers one hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family, the park guide, park entrance for the tracking day, and the community development contribution. It does not include transport, lodging, porter fees or a second day’s park activities. The minimum age is 15. Each group is limited to eight visitors.
Why UWA adjusted 2026 prices
The low-season cut is meant to keep treks moving in wetter months. Dr Musinguzi said UWA was “adjusting the low-season gorilla permit price from $800 to $600 to stimulate demand and sustain tourism flows throughout the year.” Permit revenue still funds park operations, ranger work, community projects and gorilla health monitoring.
Mountain gorillas are listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. The last published Bwindi–Sarambwe census counted 459 gorillas. A new census ran in 2025; UWA has not yet released the final figure.
Gorilla tourism still supports villages around Bwindi and Mgahinga through jobs and the community share of permit revenue.
For most international travellers, Uganda remains the lower-permit option next to Rwanda’s standard USD 1,500 Volcanoes National Park permit, especially if you are combining gorillas with a longer Uganda safari.
Official UWA documents
Rates are set by UWA and can change. We confirm the exact permit price and available sector (Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, Nkuringo or Mgahinga) before we invoice you.
