Gorilla Permits Uganda, Rwanda Booking, 2025 Cost & Tips
Don’t hesitate to send us an enquire because our team of experts is waiting to reply to you swiftly so that your trip is prepared as fast as possible…
Overview
Uganda, Rwanda and Congo is home to the world’s largest population of mountain gorillas, making these countries popular destinations for ecotourists hoping to catch a glimpse of these endangered animals. Every year, thousands of visitors come to Uganda and Rwanda to take part in gorilla trekking trips. These trips not only provide an up-close encounter with these magnificent creatures, but they also help to fund the conservation of mountain gorillas. In order to visit the mountain gorillas, every guest must have a permit.
Permits can be obtained through a tour operator or safari company which purchased them from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in Uganda and RDB in Rwanda. The cost of a gorilla permit is $800 in Uganda and $1500 in Rwanda.
This 5 Days Gorillas and Game Safari will take you to Queen Elizabeth National Park for game drives and a boat cruise on the Kazinga channel, that connect Lake George and lake Edward in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda. This Channel has the highest concentration of Hippos in the whole world, with over 700 species of birds. On a ‘good’ day, a cruise along the Kazinga Channel can expose you to more wildlife than you can find on any given game drive. You will then visit the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park where you will have a chance to trek one of the habituated families of mountain gorillas. This 5 Days Gorillas and Game Safari starts and ends in Entebbe
Gorilla Permits Uganda, Rwanda Booking , 2025 Costs
How Much Does A gorilla Permit Cost in Uganda ?
A gorilla permit costs $ 800 per person per trek (1 hour with the gorillas)
Gorilla Habituation permit costs $ 1500 per trek ( 4 hours with the gorillas)
A 3 day trek to see the gorillas costs from $1300 per person including transport, accommodation and meals though various tour operators have their own rates. You can choose to visit Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park or Mount Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
So What Exactly Is a Gorilla Permit?
A gorilla permit is an authorization card that allows you to visit the mountain gorillas, be it in Uganda and Rwanda. With this permit per person, you pay to spend one hour in company of one family of mountain gorillas.
The fees for a gorilla permit are important because they limit the number of tourist access to the parks and also contribute to the conservation efforts of the gorillas. It doesn’t matter how long you take to see the gorillas, its still the same price and for one hour.
.
How To Purchase A Gorilla Permit
A government agency in Uganda, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), issues gorilla permits. The UWA oversees tourism and wildlife conservation in the country. UWA permits can be purchased directly, however the most convenient method is to work with a reputable tour company. In most cases, the price of a Uganda gorilla safari includes the purchase of a permit to see the endangered mountain gorillas. To guarantee availability, book at least six months in advance. In Rwanda, you can purchase a permit through Rwanda Development Board or any Rwanda safari company.
How Do I Cancel A Gorilla Permit? Any Refunds
Please note that the gorilla permit fees are paid to the respective governments and if there is a cancellation, its the government to refund and not the tour operator or safari company.
A travel agent can only refund if the government reimburses the tour company. Its therefore important to check your travel dates, flights etc before you can book your date for the trek.
Refund policy is as below.
1. In the event that you cancel and merely paid a deposit, you will not be entitled to any reimbursement.
2. If you cancel 3 months before your trekking date, you will receive up to 75% refund.
3. If you cancel 1 and 1/2 months before your trek, a 50% refund will be effected.
4. A month before will attract only 25% refund.
5. If you cancel within or just a week before, expect no refund.
What Does a gorilla Permit Cover
A permit covers the complete trek with armed guides from the time you enter into the forest, see the gorillas and back to the trekking point. Other costs like accommodation, transport, porter, water, meals, etc are not included.
Its important to discuss with your tour operator if you will require a porter, trekking pole, rain jacket and other things to carry when coming for a gorilla safari in Uganda and Rwanda.
How to trek the mountains gorillas on budget, companies offering cheap and affordable gorilla safari tours in Uganda and Rwanda, how to cut costs for your Uganda safari and where to find cheaper accommodation close to the apes. See all budget safaris in Uganda.
Please note that there are no discounted gorilla permits in Uganda and Rwanda as of 2025. Uganda gorilla permit goes for $ 800 and Rwanda gorilla permit goes for $1500.
Currently the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) the government body responsible for tourism in Uganda sells 152 gorilla permits per day visiting 19 habituated gorilla families spread over 4 sectors of Bwindi National Park .