Uganda Gorilla Trekking Permit For Bwindi

When gorilla trekking was introduced to Uganda in 1993, it was limited to a single habituated group at Buhoma.

Today, by contrast, 19 fully habituated groups can be tracked from four different sites in Bwindi (4 from Buhoma, 4 from Ruhija, 8 from Rushaga, and 3 from Ruhija).

Eight (8) permits gorilla trekking permits are issued per gorilla group daily, (currently 6 during this COVID-19 period).

This means that 152 gorilla trekking permits are available daily (and only 114 during this coronavirus period).

How Much Are Gorilla Permits In Uganda?

Uganda gorilla trekking permit fees are as follows;

Rates include, guide fee, park entrance fees for the day and community development contribution. It doesn’t include accommodation, ground transport or meals.

How do I Get A Gorilla Permit In Uganda?

Gorilla permits in Uganda are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), a government body that manages tourism and wildlife conservation.

If you are in Uganda, the most straightforward option is to visit The UWA headquarters (Kira Road, Kampala) in person and book a permit there.

If booking from abroad, you could contact UWA through email or do an online booking. However, this can be a hit-and-miss process.

The more efficient approach is to get a reliable locally based tour operator to book permit on your behalf. Most tour operators include a gorilla permit as part of the overall cost of a gorilla safari.

If you are booking the permit yourself, don’t leave Kampala or Entebbe unless you have paid the permit in full and seen a confirmation of booking.

When Should I Book A Uganda Gorilla Permit?

Book at least six months ahead of travel to ensure availability. If you are in Uganda and you want to track gorillas, it may be possible to obtain unsold permits for trailheads other than Buhoma in the shoulder season (March, June, October) and often quite easy in  the low season (April, May, November).