Gorilla Permit Prices in Uganda for 2024 – 2026: A Permit to Trek Gorillas in Uganda costs $800 per person for Foreign Non-Residents, $700 per person for Residents & UGX300,000 per person for East African Citizens and $500 for Africans from the Rest of Africa.
What is a gorilla Permit? A gorilla permit/pass is an official document issued by a government (where gorillas can be found) allowing the bearer (who MUST be at least 15 years of age) to legally trek and see Gorillas henceforth the name ” Gorilla permit/Pass”.
A gorilla permit is a must-have document for anyone intending to go gorilla trekking. The permit is valid for a particular date and is non-transferable. Only 168 gorilla permits are available daily for purchase in Uganda. Gorilla Permits are scarce and do get sold out so quickly especially in the Peak season months of June to August, and December to February – because Gorilla permits can be pre-purchased two (02) years in advance, we, therefore, recommend that you pre-book your Permits at least 06 Months in Advance.
Requirements for booking a Gorilla Permit In Uganda
First and foremost, anyone intending to take part in Gorilla Trekking Must be at least 15 years of age. Assuming you are of age, you’ll need to send your Gorilla tour Operator a set of proposed gorilla trekking dates (We recommend sending them at least two alternative dates). For instance, you may mention that you are interested in tracking gorillas in Uganda on either the 3rd or 4th of December 2025 – they will then contact the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to advise on the availability of gorilla permits for the dates you proposed to us. Your tour Operator will then get back to you with a response from UWA regarding whether the permits are available or not.
Learn More about: Why the Gorilla trekking age limit is set at 15 years.
Gorilla Permit Prices in Uganda for 2024 – 2026
Gorilla Permits In Uganda come in two (02) categories; Permits for persons that would like to engage in the traditional 08 persons spending 01 hour with the gorillas, and those that would like to enjoy the more exclusive 04 persons spending 4 hours with a group of gorilla still undergoing habituation.
Gorilla habituation is the process of “taming” a group of extremely wild gorillas and getting them to be less aggressive to human visits. Upon the discovery of gorillas, human interest to visit and see them (up close) was birthed. However, because wild gorillas can be very aggressive, a plan to slowly get them accustomed to human visits (habituation) was necessary before humans could risk being attacked and killed by the gorillas – its this process that we now call Gorilla Habituation.
Price for the 01-hour with the Gorillas in Uganda: (Maximum of 08 persons in a group)
- $800 per person/permit – for Foreign non-residents.
- $700 per person/Permit- for Foreign Residents (proof of residence is required at booking)
- UGX300,000 per person/Permit – for East African residents.
- $500 per person/permit for Africans from the Rest of Africa.
Price for the Exclusive 04-hour with the Gorillas in Uganda: (Maximum of 04 persons in a group)
- Non-Residents – $1,500 per person.
- Residents – $1,000 per person.
- East Africans – UGX750,000 per person.
***Rates mentioned above include guide fees, park entrance fees for the day, and community development contributions.
How to book your gorilla tracking pass/permit
There are two (02) ways to reserve or book your Uganda gorilla tracking permit; You may opt to do it yourself by contacting either UWA via email or you may opt to work with a reputable local Gorilla tour Operator to assist arrange both the permits and the entire gorilla trekking trip for you. Working with a local tour operator does save you the hassle of trying to figure out things – the choice is yours.
Reputable Local Gorilla Tour Operators In Uganda
- Mamaland Safaris
- Outback Adventures safaris
- Great Adventure Safaris.
- Shoebill Uganda Tours.
- Wild Untouched Adventures.
- Kisoro tours Uganda.
- Adventure Consults Uganda.
- Wild Discoveries Uganda.
- Insight Safari holidays
- Wild Frontiers Uganda Safaris
- Realm Africa Safaris.
