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How Much is a Gorilla Permit in Uganda

The cost of a permit varies based on your residency status: $800 for foreigners, $700 for foreign residents, $500 for other African citizens, and $80 for East African citizens. Find the details and where to buy the permit in the guide below.

Written by Nkuringo Safari Experts

Primates

Travel Guides

A Breakdown of Gorilla Permit Costs in Uganda

In Uganda, gorilla permits are your official ticket to spend an unforgettable hour observing these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. The cost of a permit varies based on your residency status: $800 for foreigners, $700 for foreign residents, $500 for other African citizens, and $80 for East African citizens.

Foreign Non-Residents: The standard price for a single-day gorilla permit for foreign non-residents is $800 USD. This fee applies to most international travelers visiting Uganda for gorilla trekking.
Foreign Residents: If you’re a foreign national residing in Uganda (with a valid work permit), you’ll benefit from a discounted rate of $700 USD per permit.
East African Citizens: Citizens of East African Community (EAC) countries (such as Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan) enjoy a significantly reduced rate of 300,000 Ugandan Shillings (approximately $80 USD) per permit.
Other African Countries: Citizens of other African countries (outside the EAC) pay $500 USD per permit.

Gorilla Habituation Experience Permit

For those seeking a more immersive experience, Uganda also offers a unique “gorilla habituation experience” permit. This special permit allows you to spend up to four hours with a gorilla family that’s still undergoing the process of becoming accustomed to human presence. The cost for this extended encounter is $1500 USD for foreign non-residents.

Important Considerations:

Age Requirement: Gorilla trekking is an exhilarating but physically demanding activity. To participate, you must be at least 15 years old.
Permit Availability: Gorilla permits are in high demand, especially during peak seasons (June to August and December to February). I highly recommend booking your permits well in advance, ideally several months before your planned trip, to secure your spot.
Booking Options: You can purchase gorilla permits directly through the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) or through reputable tour operators. Many tour operators include the permit cost as part of their gorilla trekking packages, simplifying the booking process for you.

The Value of Your Gorilla Permit:

The cost of a gorilla permit contributes directly to the conservation of these endangered primates and their fragile habitat. It supports anti-poaching efforts, research initiatives, and community development projects in the areas surrounding the national parks. By purchasing a permit, you’re not only investing in an unforgettable primate experience but also in the future of mountain gorillas.

For a comprehensive guide on how much a gorilla trekking safari package would cost,

Read: The Average Cost of Gorilla Trekking in Uganda & Rwanda?

Additional Tips:

Physical Fitness: Gorilla trekking involves hiking through rugged terrain, so it’s important to be in reasonably good physical condition.
Packing Essentials: Be sure to pack appropriate clothing for varying weather conditions, sturdy hiking boots, rain gear, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a reusable water bottle.
Respectful Observation: Always follow your guide’s instructions and maintain a respectful distance from the gorillas. Avoid making sudden movements or loud noises that could disturb them.

I hope this comprehensive guide to gorilla permit pricing in Uganda has been helpful. If you have any further questions or would like assistance with booking your permits and arranging your gorilla trekking adventure, please don’t hesitate to ask our team. Our team of safari experts is here to help you make the most of this extraordinary experience.

Nkuringo Safari Experts

The authors are a team of safari experts who spend most of their free time on African safari, in the natural wild, connected to the people, and the communities. These safari specialists give first hand information to help you plan your adventure holiday in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania. From planning gorilla tours to big game safaris infused with community, sustainability, and conservation adventures. Generally, experiences in East African destinations. Use that big button bellow this text to talk to any one of them and start planning your unforgettable journey to Africa.

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My son and I spent two weeks experiencing African magic with Nkuringo Safaris, and we will never forget our time there. Truly a priceless experience. I could talk about those experiences for pages — the friendly people, the beautiful Nile River where we did whitewater rafting, the tree lions, the chimpanzees, and the majestic mountain gorillas.

Steven Susser

In November 2020, we travelled to Uganda as a couple in a 4×4 Safari Jeep. Considering the difficult time we are all in, we were especially happy about the level of service we experienced. You can travel to Uganda with no problem. During our travel, we felt safer than in Europe – everybody cared about our health and happiness.

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Don’t miss out on this unique experience. Our guide, Richard, was excellent. We had an informative and unique walk down the mountain from Kisoro to Lake Mutanda. We walked through villages and saw families actively working their farms. The walk is easy. The dugout canoe was very comfortable, with padded seats. We highly recommend the adventure.

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My husband and I had a week’s vacation, which is not a lot given everything we wanted to do/see. Nkuringo organized our trip to make the most of this week. The trip was flawlessly organized. Time management was perfect. They were flexible and accommodating, all our needs were met, and we felt listened to; it was a truly customized experience.

Victoria V

The most beautiful scenery I’ve ever seen. The welcome from a gorgeous team was lovely… hot water bottles in the bed and a fire lit in our room each night made it such a special place.

David Q, UK

My son and I spent two weeks experiencing magic in Africa… the friendly people, the Nile where we did white-water rafting, the tree lions, the chimpanzees and the majestic mountain gorillas.

Steven S, USA

Travelling Uganda as a couple… our guide knew so much about animals, plants and the country’s history. He was funny and friendly and looked after us incredibly well.

Tom R, USA

We are a travel company ourselves and this company over-delivered for us… The whole thing ran like clockwork, even while making sure everyone was happy with the amount of time spent in each place.

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