Uganda Gorilla Trekking Permit 2026 : Everything You Need to Know.
Uganda is famous for being one of the top gorilla trekking safari destinations in the world. Getting a gorilla permit is the first step to embarking on this experience of a lifetime. The good thing for now, is that in 2026, the cost of a permit set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) is locked as these permits are part of a tariff that ends on June 30th, 2026. This provides travelers peace of mind regarding price, and permits for travelers to prepare for and plan their trip to Uganda in advance. The number of permits issued is limited each day to protect the gorillas, thus it’s important to understand.
Cost and Types of Gorilla Permits in 2026
For visitors from outside of the country, there are two main types of permits available in 2026, each offering a different experience. The first and most common option, the Standard Gorilla Trekking Permit, is priced at USD $800 per person per trek for foreign non-residents. It provides an hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family after finding them in the forest. The Standard Trekking Permit is offered in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
The second, more exclusive option to the standard permit is the Gorilla Habituation Permit. The cost of this permit is USD $1,500 per person; however, it is only offered in Bwindi Impenetrable a National Park. While the Standard Trekking Permit allows for a full, one hour with the gorilla family, the Habituation Permit’s value comes from spending an impressive four hours with researchers observing, tracking, and documenting the behaviors of a semi-habituated gorilla family.
The Habituation Permit is in high demand and provides a unique opportunity to observe and learn about gorillas in a more intimate way. The price difference reflects not only the increase in time spent with gorillas, but the increased operational cost of the length of the itineraries for the habituation of gorillas.
What is Included in the Price of a Permit
Your gorilla permit is more than an entry park fees; it is critically important for the conservation of these endangered primates as well as for the local communities. The standard gorilla trekking permit is provided with a few things built into the cost.
Firstly, the price of the permit includes the Park Entry Fees for the national park you are visiting on the day of your trek, and there are no daily fees that you have to pay extra. Secondly, the permit pays for the Experienced Park Rangers, Trackers, and Security Personnel who escort you in the jungle. Their presence among the dense forest is mandatory to locate the gorilla family and, of course, can offer an extra layer of safety while traveling through the jungle.
Finally, a good portion of the permit cost is allocated for a Conservation Contribution and Community Levy cost. Those funds go toward anti-poaching patrols, veterinary care for the gorilla families, habitat protection, and local community projects including infrastructural development. This would ensure that your visit complimented the long-term survival of the mountain gorillas.
Permit Price Inclusions
Price of a gorilla permit is a lot more than just entrance fees to enter the park, it is also a significant contribution to the conservation of the critically endangered primates and their surrounding communities. The standard gorilla trekking permit includes several key things. First, the permit covers the Park Entry Fees for the national park on the day you trek – you will not have to pay an additional daily fee. Second, the permit covers the fees for the Experienced Park Rangers, Trackers and Security Officers that accompany you through the dense forest. They play a vital role for both locating the gorilla family, as well as ensuring your safety.
Where to Go and How to Book Your Permit
Gorilla trekking is found in Uganda in two national parks in the southwestern region – Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Bwindi is the more popular destination and is broken down into four main sectors (Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo), with each sector allowing access to a different gorilla family.
Permits are incredibly scarce and limited, and each habituated family has a maximum number of daily permits in order to reduce stress on the animals. Therefore, advanced booking is essential, particularly if you are travelling during peak season (June – September/December – February). It is advisable to book your permit for 4 to 6 in advance before the day of gorilla trekking.
The easiest and safest method for international travelers to book a permit, is through a Ugandan Tour Operator like Nyumbu Beyond Journeys that is licensed and trusted. They have direct access to the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) permit system and can check live availability and secure your permit the second you make payment.
You can access permits through the UWA email system in the hopes to secure permits; however, it is much quicker to book through a tour operator, who will take care of the logistics and paperwork for you. When permits are purchased, they are given for a specific date and are generally non-transferable or non-refundable- so your confirmed date is a hard commitment.
Essential Rules and Regulations for Trekking.
To help protect the mountain gorillas, as they are susceptible to human diseases, rigorous and essential rules are enforced during the trekking experience and environment. First, you must be 15 years or older before you can be part of the trial. You will be assigned to a group of no more than eight individuals to one gorilla family. When you find the gorillas, the most essential rule is to keep at least seven meters (21 feet) from the gorillas at all times, and you are not permitted to eat nor drink or smoke while being near the gorillas.
