Gorilla permit fees increased in Uganda as the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) announced recently. UWA announced an increase in permit fees for gorilla trekking experiences in Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks, effective July 1, 2024. For foreign non-resident visitors, the trekking permit fee will increase from $700 to $800.
UWA has undertaken a comprehensive review of the conservation tariff which has seen changes in the pricing of some park activities.
“The primary objective of this review was to ensure that our pricing structure remains not only fair and competitive but also reflective of the current market dynamics and the diverse perspectives and insights shared during our consultation sessions.”
CHANGES IN GORILLA & CHIMPANZEE FEES EFFECTIVELY JULY 2024 TO JUNE 2026
| GORILLA TRACKING & HABITUATION EXPERIENCE | |||||
| Activity | National Park | Foreign Non – Residents (FNR) | Foreign Residents (FR) | Rest of Africa | East African Community citizen (EAC) |
| Gorilla Tracking | Bwindi &
Mgahinga |
$ 800 | $ 700 | $ 500 | UGX 300,000 |
| Gorilla
Habituation |
Bwindi National Park
|
$ 1500 | $ 1000 | $ 1000 | UGX 750,000 |
| Chimpanzee TRACKING & HABITUATION EXPERIENCE | |||||
| Activity | National Park | Foreign Non – Residents (FNR) | Foreign Residents (FR) | Rest of Africa | East African Community citizen (EAC) |
| Chimpanzee
Tracking |
Kibale National Park | $ 250 | $ 200 | $ 200 | Ugx 180,000 |
| Chimpanzee
Habituation |
Kibale National Park
|
$ 300 | $ 250 | $ 250 | Ugx 250,000 |
The fee increase will allow UWA to continue protecting and conserving mountain gorilla populations in Uganda. Mountain gorillas remain critically endangered, so supporting ongoing conservation efforts in Uganda is crucial to the long-term survival of these incredible animals. The revised fee gorilla permit fees increased in Uganda will provide essential funds for park operations, law enforcement activities, community projects, and health monitoring of gorilla groups habituated for tourism.
Destinations for gorilla trekking where gorilla permits fees have been increased
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the more popular option, with about 20 fully habituated gorilla families but only 19 are open for trekking while one is reserved for gorilla habituation and research purposes. These trekkable gorilla families are found in four different trekking regions/sectors. They include; Habinyanja, Katwe, Mubare, Rushegura, Bitukura, Oruzogo, Mukiza, Nshongi, Kahungye, Muyambi, Busingye, Kutu, Rwigi, Bikingi, Mishaya, Mucunguzi, Bweza, Christmas, Nkuringo and Bushaho.
For Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, only one gorilla family has been habituated for trekking and this is called ‘Nyakagezi’, known for foraging on the lower slopes of Virunga Volcanoes thus making it easier to trek than most travellers actually believe.
Permits for enjoying this outstanding signature experience cost only US $800 for foreign non-resident travellers, $700 for the foreign resident travellers and UGX 300,000 for East African resident travellers. You can contact us to book for your gorilla tracking permits.