A Uganda gorilla trekking permit costs $800 per person in peak season and $600 during the low-season months of April, May, and November. It buys one hour with a habituated mountain gorilla family, a ranger guide, advance trackers, and park entrance. Permits are issued exclusively by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), and since March 2026 must be paid in full at the time of booking — the previous 7-day unpaid reservation hold no longer exists.
Quick facts
- Standard permit (peak): $800 foreign non-resident / $700 foreign resident
- Standard permit (low season — April, May, November): $600 foreign non-resident / $500 foreign resident
- Gorilla Habituation Experience: $1,500 through December 31, 2026; rising to $1,800 from January 1, 2027
- Daily permits issued: ~160 across Bwindi's four sectors, plus 8 at Mgahinga
- Booking hold: None — full payment required at time of booking as of March 1, 2026
- Payment at the gate: Cash is no longer accepted; all payment clears through your operator before arrival
- Issuing authority: Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), directly or via licensed operator
2026–2027 permit pricing at a glance
| Permit type | Current rate (through Dec 31, 2026) | Rate from Jan 1, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard trek — peak season | $800 (FNR) / $700 (FR) | $800 (FNR) / $700 (FR) — unchanged |
| Standard trek — low season (Apr, May, Nov) | $600 (FNR) / $500 (FR) | Confirmed ongoing |
| Gorilla Habituation Experience (Rushaga) | $1,500 (FNR) | $1,800 (FNR) |
| East African Community citizens | UGX-denominated, reviewed periodically | Confirm current UGX rate with your operator |
FNR = foreign non-resident. FR = foreign resident. Rates set and revised by UWA; always confirm the current published tariff before finalising payment.
The practical upshot: 2026 is the last full calendar year to book the habituation experience at $1,500. Anyone considering it should aim to travel before December 31, 2026, or budget for the $1,800 rate from January onward.
Understanding the sectors
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park issues permits across four sectors, each with its own habituated families and access point. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, in Uganda's far southwest, issues a smaller, separate allocation.
- Buhoma — the original and most-developed sector, gentler terrain, widest range of nearby lodges
- Ruhija — higher altitude, quieter trails, strong birdwatching alongside gorilla trekking
- Rushaga — the largest concentration of habituated families in Bwindi, and the only sector offering the Gorilla Habituation Experience
- Nkuringo — steep, physically demanding terrain with some of Bwindi's most dramatic scenery
- Mgahinga — Uganda's smallest gorilla trekking site, with just 8 permits issued daily
Your permit is tied to a specific sector and, typically, a specific gorilla family. Choose the sector based on your fitness level and which lodges you want to stay in — not the other way around; see our guide to gorilla trekking fitness by sector for a breakdown of relative difficulty.
How to book a gorilla permit — step by step
- Decide your travel window. Peak season (June–September, December–February) sees permits sell out fastest. Low season (April, May, November) offers the $600 rate and better availability.
- Contact a licensed operator with direct UWA allocations. Because the reservation hold was removed, permits are secured on a first-paid, first-confirmed basis — operators with standing UWA relationships move faster than a DIY application.
- Confirm sector and family availability for your exact dates. Availability is sector-specific, not park-wide.
- Pay in full at time of booking. There is no partial-hold option under the current system; your operator will issue a proforma invoice and require full payment to lock the permit.
- Receive your permit confirmation. Keep a digital and printed copy — this, alongside your passport, is what's checked at the sector office on trek day.
- Arrive at the sector briefing point the morning of your trek, typically by 7:30–8:00 AM, for the ranger briefing and family assignment.
Booking lead times
Because permits are now confirmed only on full payment rather than a soft hold, popular peak-season dates move faster than in previous years. As a working guide:
- Peak season (Jun–Sep, Dec–Feb): book 6–10 months ahead
- Shoulder season (Mar, Oct): book 4–6 months ahead
- Low season (Apr, May, Nov): 3–4 months is usually sufficient, though the $600 rate has increased demand for these months since its 2026 confirmation
- Gorilla Habituation Experience: book with extra margin beyond standard lead times — only 4 spaces are issued daily, all in Rushaga
What's included and what isn't
Included: park entrance for the day, your ranger guide and armed escort, advance trackers who locate the family before your group sets out, and the hour with the gorillas itself.
Not included: the optional $20 porter fee, tips for guides and trackers, transport to and from the sector, and accommodation. Budget separately for these — see our full Uganda safari cost breakdown for typical per-day figures.
Low-season permits: read the fine print
The $600 low-season rate, confirmed by UWA for April, May, and November, cannot be rescheduled. If your travel dates shift, the standard cancellation terms apply rather than a date change — confirm your dates before paying rather than after. For the fuller case on why low season is worth considering beyond the permit discount, see our low season value guide.
Can you book directly with UWA?
Yes — UWA does accept direct bookings. In practice, premium operators frequently hold their own permit allocations that aren't available to individual travellers applying independently, and can offer more reliable confirmation for specific dates, particularly in peak season when sector-level availability changes quickly. For most travellers planning a luxury itinerary around a specific lodge and sector, booking through an operator with direct allocations remains the more dependable route.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Uganda gorilla permit cost in 2026? A standard permit costs $800 per person in peak season or $600 during the low-season months of April, May, and November. The Gorilla Habituation Experience costs $1,500 through December 31, 2026, rising to $1,800 from January 1, 2027.
How far in advance do I need to book a gorilla trekking permit? Book 6–10 months ahead for peak season (June–September, December–February), 4–6 months for shoulder months, and at least 3–4 months for low season. The Gorilla Habituation Experience, limited to 4 daily spaces, needs extra lead time on top of that.
Can I still put a hold on a permit while I decide? No. As of March 1, 2026, UWA eliminated the 7-day unpaid reservation window. Permits are now confirmed only on full payment at the time of booking, so availability can change quickly once you begin the process.
Is the gorilla habituation permit price changing? Yes. UWA confirmed in February 2026 that the Gorilla Habituation Experience rises from $1,500 to $1,800 per person (foreign non-resident) effective January 1, 2027. The standard one-hour trekking permit is not affected by this increase.
How many gorilla permits are issued per day in Bwindi? Approximately 160 standard permits are issued daily across Bwindi's four sectors — Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, and Nkuringo — plus 8 daily at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and 4 daily for the Rushaga-only Habituation Experience.
Can I pay for my permit in cash at the park gate? No. UWA moved to a fully cashless system in 2026. All permit payments must clear through your operator before you arrive; park gates no longer accept cash for permit fees.
Ready to lock in your gorilla trekking dates? See our luxury Uganda safari packages built around confirmed permit availability, or compare Uganda's $800 permit against Rwanda's $1,500 equivalent to decide which fits your itinerary.