Uganda Gorilla Permits 2026–2027: Prices, Low-Season Rates and How to Book

A Uganda gorilla permit is the single most important booking on any trip to see mountain gorillas, and in 2026 the rules have changed more than in recent years. The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has introduced cheaper low-season permits, scrapped the old seven-day reservation hold, and announced a price rise for the gorilla habituation experience from 1 January 2027. This guide sets out what a permit costs, what it includes, the rules on the day and how to book, with all figures taken from UWA's published tariff and its February 2026 notice to the industry, as of October 2026.

What a gorilla permit costs (as of October 2026)

Uganda sells gorilla trekking permits for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, both in the far south-west. UWA prices them by visitor category.

Foreign non-residents: 800 US dollars per person.

Foreign residents of Uganda: 700 US dollars.

Rest of Africa (ROA) citizens: 500 US dollars.

East African Community citizens: 300,000 Uganda shillings.

According to UWA's tariff, the permit price already includes the ranger guide fee, park entry for the day of tracking and a community development contribution, so you do not pay a separate Bwindi or Mgahinga entrance fee on trekking day.

These standard trekking prices stay the same in 2027. UWA's revised tariff, effective 1 January 2027, keeps gorilla tracking at 800, 700 and 500 dollars and 300,000 shillings for the four categories.

Low-season permits: 600 dollars in April, May and November

In a notice dated 26 February 2026, UWA introduced discounted low-season rates for the months of April, May and November, with immediate effect. During those months a gorilla tracking permit costs 600 US dollars for foreign non-residents and 500 US dollars for foreign residents.

There is one important condition. UWA says low-season permits cannot be rescheduled, so only book one if your dates are fixed. These months fall in Uganda's rainy seasons, so expect wetter, muddier trails; see our guide to the best time to visit Uganda for a month-by-month picture.

The same notice cut chimpanzee tracking in Kibale to 200 US dollars (foreign non-residents) and 150 US dollars (foreign residents) in the same months.

Gorilla habituation: price rise from January 2027

The gorilla habituation experience lets a small group spend longer with a gorilla family that is still being habituated to people. Under the current tariff it costs 1,500 US dollars for foreign non-residents, 1,000 dollars for foreign residents and Rest of Africa citizens, and 750,000 shillings for East African citizens.

From 1 January 2027, UWA will charge 1,800 US dollars for foreign non-residents and 1,600 dollars for foreign residents. The Rest of Africa rate stays at 1,000 dollars and the East African rate at 750,000 shillings. If you are planning a habituation day in early 2027, budget for the higher price.

Other changes in the same notice include chimpanzee tracking in Kibale rising to 300 US dollars for foreign non-residents from January 2027, and new guided walks between Bwindi's sectors, such as Rushaga to Nyabaremura (80 dollars) and Buhoma to Nkuringo (100 dollars) for foreign non-residents.

How to book: pay in full, no seven-day hold

UWA's tariff states that gorilla permits are booked through licensed tour operators, and the Uganda Tourism Board publishes a list of licensed operators on its website. UWA accepts payment by bank transfer, mobile money, card machines and its online payment portal.

The biggest change for 2026 is the end of the reservation window. Until March, operators could hold permits for up to seven days without paying, after which unpaid holds were cancelled automatically. From 1 March 2026, UWA suspended that window: permits can now only be secured with full payment at the moment of booking. UWA says the aim is to improve availability and fairness, but in practice it means you or your operator need to be ready to pay as soon as you choose a date.

Each habituated gorilla family can be visited by a maximum of eight people a day, so permits for popular dates and sectors sell out. Fix your trekking date first and build the rest of your itinerary around it.

The rules on trekking day

UWA's rules are designed to protect the gorillas, which can catch human illnesses.

Minimum age: 15 years.

Group size: no more than eight visitors per gorilla group per day.

Time with the gorillas: one hour, once the group is found.

Distance: keep at least 10 metres from the gorillas.

Illness: do not trek if you have a cold, cough or any other infectious illness. If you need to cough or sneeze, cover your face and turn away.

On the trail: no eating, drinking or smoking near the gorillas, no flash photography, and carry all litter out.

Paperwork: carry your permit, payment receipt and a valid ID.

UWA's tariff also sets fines for changes. Late rescheduling is charged at 25 per cent of the permit fee, and tracking in a different location from the one booked is charged at 50 per cent.

A useful extra: gorilla permit holders get one free day of park entry to Mount Elgon National Park or the Toro-Semliki Wildlife Reserve, used within a month before or after the trek. Activity fees in those parks are still charged.

Choosing where to trek

Bwindi covers 321 square kilometres and is home to about 459 mountain gorillas, according to UWA, close to half the world's population. Trekking is organised from four sectors: Buhoma, where the park headquarters is, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. Your permit is issued for a specific sector, so book accommodation nearby.

For Rushaga and Nkuringo, note that the River Mucha Bridge on the Kisoro road collapsed in October, adding time to the drive; see our report on the Mucha bridge collapse for the diversion.

Getting there

UWA lists scheduled flights from Entebbe to Kisoro airstrip, for Rushaga and Nkuringo, and to Kihihi airstrip, for Buhoma, taking about an hour and ten minutes, followed by a 4x4 transfer. By road, Buhoma is about 390 kilometres of tarmac from Kampala to Rukungiri and then 82 kilometres of winding murram via Kihihi. Many travellers heading to the southern sectors overnight in Kisoro and drive 35 kilometres to Nkuringo or Rushaga the next morning, which takes an hour to an hour and a half. A 4x4 vehicle is strongly recommended.

Planning a visit

Book as early as you can, ideally several months ahead for peak dates, and pay in full to secure your date. If your dates are fixed and you are comfortable with rain, the 600-dollar low-season permit in April, May or November is the best value on offer. Check the latest tariff on the UWA website before paying, as UWA notes that its tariffs can change without notice. For more on the park, see our Bwindi Impenetrable National Park destination page.

Photo: Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).