Updated on 30th December 2025: Cost of Uganda Rwanda gorilla permits for 2026/2027
If you are planning a post-coronavirus pandemic safari to see mountain gorillas in East Africa, here is all the information you need to know before booking your gorilla tracking permit in Uganda or in Rwanda.
In Uganda, gorilla permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) a government conservation body that is responsible for all national parks and reserves, the current Uganda gorilla permit price is $700 per person while in Rwanda gorilla permits are issued by Rwanda Development Board (RDB) current Rwanda gorilla permits cost $1500 making Rwanda most expensive gorilla tracking destination in Africa.
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Why book your gorilla permit through a local tour operator?
Tourist and other visitors can book their gorilla permits through local tour operators or book directly through the government authority as listed above but in most cases, if you choose to book through the government authorities you may not get a reply to your emails in time for easy planning so it is recommended to book through a tour operator to simplify the procedures of getting gorilla permit for either Uganda or Rwanda for your East African safari.
If you choose to book through a local tour operator, they charge a fee of $50 to $100 per permit for their service (this is to say if only want a permit), if you are booking the whole trip with that particular tour operator the cost of a gorilla permit is usually included in the total cost of the whole safari/trip, you can always contact us Kisoro tours Uganda our gorilla and wildlife safaris are affordable, call or email us for the best offer of gorilla tracking safari in Uganda and Rwanda.
Where to see mountain gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda, and the gorilla permit prices?
In Uganda mountain gorillas are seen and trekked in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, to trek gorillas in either of the parks the permit price ($800) is the same so one can choose to trek in the Bwindi forest or in Mgahinga which depends on the permits at the time of booking because gorilla permits are purchased and sold on first come first serve bases.
In Rwanda, gorilla tracking is only done in Volcanoes National Park and the permit price is $1500 per person, for budget travellers we recommend that you book your gorilla safari in Uganda because the gorilla permit is cheaper and the tracking experience and mountain gorillas are the same in both countries.
Gorilla permits tourist categories in Uganda for 2026/2027
- Foreign Non-residents $800
- Foreign Residents $700
- Ugandans/East Africans citizens – UGX 250000
Is there a gorilla tracking limit on the number of people?
Yes, there is a limit on the number of people allowed to trek/visit each gorilla family in either Uganda or Rwanda, the limit on the number of people to visit each gorilla group is done to ensure the least behavioral disturbance and also reduce the risk of them catching human illnesses to the mountain gorillas.
What is the maximum number of people allowed to trek each gorilla family each day?
Talking of the cost of Uganda Rwanda gorilla permits for 2026/2027, it’s also important to note that only 8 people are allowed to visit/trek each gorilla family in Uganda which means only 8 permits are available daily, it is recommended to book your gorilla permits as early as possible to avoid missing on you planned date and day, it is advised to book at least between 6 months and a year in the advance to ensure that you can trek on your preferred date.
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Uganda has a total of 20 habituated gorilla families/groups open for tourism living in both Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, now this means that Uganda has only a total of 160 gorilla permits available in Uganda daily meaning only 160 tourists are allowed to visit mountain gorillas every day while Rwanda has only 10 habituated gorilla families/groups open for tourism that are to say only 80 gorilla permits are available in Rwanda giving only 80 tourists a chance see mountain gorillas in its natural habitat of Volcanoes national park of Rwanda.
You can reach us at info@kisorotoursuganda.com or call us at +256785790925 and also on WhatsApp for free information or a free quote
