How to secure a gorilla permit in Uganda

Gorilla Permit Booking Information

A gorilla permit is like a movie ticket that allows the viewer into the auditorium. The show is set in the prehistoric rainforest jungles of east-central Africa, where mountain gorillas have flourished for thousands of years. You need the gorilla permit for permission for secure and guided entry into their territory.

Although more than 1070 wild mountain gorillas roam the slopes of Virunga Mountains and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest—the only two mountain gorilla habitats in the world—there are countable groups habituated for tourism in Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo. The low number of mountain gorillas available for tourism and the high number of tourist wanting to see these magnificent creatures means a limited number of gorilla permits.

Mountain gorilla permits are scarce during peak travel months of June, July, August, September, December and February. Therefore, planning a gorilla trekking safari requires that you book a permit months before your journey’s date. The government wildlife authority issues the gorilla permit at face value. Any traveller can purchase the permit directly from the authority’s office or use a licensed tour operator to process the permit on their behalf.

How much is a gorilla permit in Uganda?

A gorilla permit in Uganda costs USD 700 (£495/€575) per person per day. The minimum age for a permit is 15 years old. A permit for foreign residents (with work permits) costs $600, and EAC nationals cost UGX 250,000 per person.

The Uganda gorilla permit is issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and sells it at face value (which means it doesn’t matter where you buy it, the price is the same). However, special permit offers are occasionally available, as shown below.

Gorilla trekking permit discounted offers in Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga National Park;

National, EAC—UGX 150,000 ending June 31, 2021
Foreign residents—$300 ending June 31, 2021
Foreign non-residents—$400 ending June 31, 2021
See discounted permit prices.