Uganda gorilla permits
In Uganda, a permit is tied to a date and trekking location. That location should lead the route.
Check availabilityRates and conditions can change. Confirm the actual date and category before payment.
Permit first. Route second.
This order protects you from a beautiful lodge in the wrong place, or a rate quoted for the wrong visitor category.
Step 1
Check the date, visitor category and permit availability.
Step 2
Secure the permit before committing to non-refundable lodge nights.
Step 3
For Bwindi, choose your lodge near the permit sector.
A Uganda gorilla permit is required to join a standard gorilla tracking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The permit is issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority and is tied to a specific date and trekking location.
Do not book a lodge on the opposite side of Bwindi and assume the permit can simply be moved. The sector and date shape the rest of the itinerary.
Uganda gorilla permit prices
Uganda Wildlife Authority’s conservation tariff covering July 2024 to June 2026 lists the standard gorilla tracking permit at:
| Visitor category | Standard permit |
|---|---|
| Foreign non-resident | USD 800 |
| Rest of Africa | USD 500 |
| Foreign resident | USD 700 |
| East African Community citizen | UGX 300,000 |
UWA has also introduced low-season gorilla permit rates for April, May and November. The notice provided for the 2026 to 2027 changes lists:
| Visitor category | Low-season gorilla tracking |
|---|---|
| Foreign non-resident | USD 600 |
| Foreign resident | USD 500 |
The same notice states that low-season permits cannot be rescheduled.
From 1 January 2027, UWA’s revised tariff lists standard gorilla tracking at USD 800 for foreign non-residents, USD 700 for foreign residents, USD 500 for Rest of Africa visitors and UGX 300,000 for East African Community citizens.
The supplied 2026 to 2027 notice does not spell out a separate standard tariff for July to December 2026. UWA still links the earlier tariff card and the revised 2027 foreign non-resident tracking rate remains USD 800, but the applicable standard rate for a 2026 travel date should still be confirmed directly with UWA before payment. Rates and category rules are high-change information.
What does the standard Uganda gorilla permit include?
UWA’s published tariff states that the gorilla tracking rate includes the guide fee, park entrance for the tracking day and a community development contribution. The permit is for the regulated trekking experience, not transport, accommodation, porter fees, personal equipment or other activities around the park.
Minimum age
UWA’s gorilla and chimpanzee permit guidelines state that the minimum age for gorilla tracking and viewing is 15 years.
Age rules should be treated as firm planning constraints. Do not build a family itinerary around a gorilla trek for a child who does not meet the minimum age.
Visitor categories matter
UWA uses visitor categories including Foreign Non-Resident, Foreign Resident, Rest of Africa and East African Community citizen. Documentation is checked against the category used to buy the permit. A lower category rate is not something a traveller can claim simply by being physically present in Uganda.
If your eligibility is not obvious, confirm the required documentation before payment.
How far ahead should you book?
There is no universal number of months because demand changes by date, season and sector. The practical rule is simpler: check permits before you lock non-refundable parts of the trip.
Peak travel periods, small groups travelling together and travellers who need a specific Bwindi sector have less flexibility. If you are happy to move dates by a day or two, planning is easier.
Can Empathy Tours guarantee a permit?
No. We can check the official availability and arrange purchase as part of a safari, but Uganda Wildlife Authority controls the inventory. A quotation is not proof of permit availability unless the permit has actually been secured.
Permit first, lodge second
For Bwindi, the trekking sector matters. Once the permit sector is known, choose accommodation that reduces the morning transfer. Read Bwindi trekking sectors before choosing a lodge.
If you are comparing countries, see Uganda vs Rwanda gorilla trekking.
