In Uganda, mountain gorillas are protected within Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in South western Uganda, is famed for protecting nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population, estimated at around 1,069 individuals. Its dense, misty rainforest is home to a rich variety of wildlife, including over 350 bird species, chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, and rare plants. Bwindi offers one of the most rewarding and unforgettable gorilla trekking experiences in the world and is the only park where visitors can participate in a mountain gorilla habituation experience, spending up to four hours with a gorilla family.
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Located in southwestern Uganda, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park safeguards part of the Virunga Mountains and is home to endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys. Visitors can embark on treks to observe these primates and hike the park’s three volcanic peaks: Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Muhabura, and Mount Gahinga. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of the few places where you can track both Mountain gorillas and golden monkeys in the same park as well as visit the batwa, learning about their ancient traditions, forest survival skills and spiritual beliefs.
Gorilla Trekking Permits
To see gorillas in the wild, a gorilla permit is required. A permit allows you entry into the park and also allows national parks raise money to protect the endangered primates.
Cost of Gorilla Trekking Permits in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park & Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
As of 2025, the cost of a mountain gorilla tracking permit in Uganda costs US$800 for foreign nonresidents (FNR), US$700 for foreign residents (FR), about US$85 for East African community residents (EAC) and US$500 for citizens of other African countries (ROA) This permit allows you one hour with the primates.
- East African Community (EAC) citizens refers to citizens of Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, The Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Somalia and any countries that may join the EAC in future. This also includes refugees officially registered in Uganda.
- Rest of Africa (ROA) citizens: are citizens from African countries that are not part of the East African Community.
- Foreign Residents (FR): are foreign citizens resident in East African Community States with valid work permits or resident visas.
- Foreign Non-Residents (FNR): are visitors from outside of the East African Community
Cost of Gorilla Habituation Permits in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
The Gorilla Habituation Experience where visitors spend up to four hours with a gorilla group undergoing the habituation process is currently offered exclusively in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The cost of the experience is US$1500 for foreign nonresidents, US$1000 for foreign residents, about US$205 for East African residents and US$1000 for citizens of other African countries.
Only 4 gorilla habituation permits are available per day. This experience is only available at the Rushaga Gorilla trailhead.
- Number of Permits available in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
As of 2025, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park offers a total of 148 mountain gorilla trekking permits each day. These are distributed across 19 habituated gorilla families. The daily permit allocation is as follows: Buhoma has 38 permits, Rushaga has 58, while Ruhiija and Nkuringo each have 26 permits available. A maximum of eight permits is issued daily for each habituated gorilla group.
- Number of Permits available in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is home to a single habituated gorilla family called the Nyakagezi group known for its high concentration of silverbacks. The park offers only eight gorilla trekking permits per day thus offering a more intimate encounter with the gorillas. This gorilla trailhead is known as Ntebeko/Muhavura
- How to acquire 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. Ugandans and foreign residents are authorized to book gorilla permits directly with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) at their head offices in Kampala or at the Kampala Tourism Information Center at Sheraton. Foreign Non Residents may purchase up to 5 Permits for any trip but only for their family members resident in EAC states. Family members not Resident in EAC states will be treated as FNR.
Foreign non-residents are required to book through a licensed Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) tour operator. In peak seasons (June to August and December to February, you usually need to book at least 6 months ahead of travel to ensure availability. At other times of the year, there is a possibility of last-minute availability.
Payments can be made using MTN Momo Pay, Airtel Money Pay, Debit card and cash. The cash option is only available at Kampala Tourism Information Center at Sheraton.
Documentation required to book a gorilla Permit in Uganda
The documentation required varies based on the residence status of the visitor.
- EAC citizens: a valid National ID or passport from an EAC member state or refugee ID issued by the Uganda office of the Prime minister
- ROA citizens & FNR: A valid passport
- FR: A valid passort, work permit, certificate of residence, dependent or student pass issued by EAC member states
Permit Discounts offered in Uganda
These take the form of Complimentary permits, Promotional Permits and Commission Permits.
- Complimentary permits are offered at no cost to selected government official/entities, private sector institutions and private individuals for marketing and promotional purposes.
- Promotional Permits are offered under promotional marketing and sales campaigns to increase sales and may include discounted permits and are given to individuals and institutions on a case-by-case basis
- Commission permits are offered as a bonus to tour operators and tourism associations for achieving set sales targets by UWA in a given period
Is it possible to Reschedule a permit in Uganda?
Yes. It is possible to reschedule a gorilla permit in Uganda. A client is allowed up to two reschedules for one specific permit subject to availability of space in the location and date requested. The first reschedule happens at no cost while the second reschedule attracts a surcharge of 25% of the total cost of the permit and is also subject to availably. The rescheduled permits shall not exceed twelve months from the initial booked tracking date.
Requests for reschedules must be received no later than 14 days before the tracking date.
Permits purchased through promotional offers and those issued as complimentary permits cannot be rescheduled. However, commission permits are eligible for rescheduling.
Rescheduled of permits are only permitted within the same conservation area and for the same activity.
Is it possible to Cancel and get a Permit Refund for Gorilla Permits in Uganda?
Cancellation of permits is possible. Cancellation is done in writing to the Executive director of UWA. Cancellation or refund of a permit may be done under the following terms.
- If the client, after tracking for the whole day fails to see gorillas, the ED may authorize rescheduling of the permit to the next day
- Where there are no available slots for rescheduling the permit, or where the client’s itinerary may not permit them to stay longer, the ED may authorize permit cancellation and refund of 60% of the permit value after confirmation by the Chief warden in charge.
- A visitor who develops or shows signs of illness before tracking and has not been allowed to see the gorillas will be referred to the nearest health facility of assessment. The illness shall be confirmed by medical report and the cost of diagonis borne by the client. The ED may authorize cancellation of the permit and process a refund of 50% of the permit if the visitor is decleared unfit to track gorillas due to illness and only applies to visitors already in the park.
- The ED may authorize cancellation of a permit and process a refund of 50% of the permit value to a client who fails to track gorillas due to an accident sustained in the park before tracking.
- In the event for a double payment for an activity, the ED may authorize a full refund to a client that present evidence of double payment
Other considerations:
- Request for permit cancellation within 14 days of the tracking date shall not be eligible for refund
- Request for permit cancellation within 15 – 45 days of the tracking date is entitled to a 25% refund
- Request for cancellation of a permit within 46 – 60 days is entitled to 50% refund
- Request for cancellation of a permit 61 or more days to the tracking date is entitled to a 75% refund
- All refund will be less any taxes, bank charges and incidental costs incurred by UWA.
- Advance payments made for park entrances and other park activities are not eligible for rescheduling
- Funds paid for an activity shall not be transferred to or utilized for another activity
What does a Gorilla Permit in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park cover?
A Gorilla Permit includes, a guide fee, park entrance fees for the day and community development contribution. Each gorilla permit holder is entitled to a day’s free entrance into Mount Elgon National Park and Toro Semliki Wildlife Reserve (to be used within one month before and after tracking.
Please note that the cost of the permit does not include accommodation, transport or meals.
Age Limit for Trekking Gorillas
Mountain gorilla trekking is permitted only for individuals aged 15 and above, as agreed upon by the three countries where the activity is offered. While there’s no maximum age limit, the trek can be strenuous, so older travelers or those with mobility challenges should carefully assess their own fitness before deciding to take part.
Gorilla Tracking for the Disabled and Seniors
A sedan chair or locally known as an African Helicopter is a specially designed seat mounted on poles, used to carry visitors who may have mobility challenges or difficulty with the demanding hike through the forest. It is carried by a team of porters and provides a comfortable and safe way for individuals to reach the gorilla tracking location without physically trekking the terrain themselves. The cost for the sedan chair ranges from US$ 300 – US$ 500 per person in Volcanoes National Park which cost may vary based on availability. The fee covers both the chair and the porters carrying it. Its best to inform your operator in advance if you will require one so that it is secured for you. The number of sedan chairs is limited.
What are the Chances of seeing Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park?
The chances of seeing gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are very high, estimated at around 99%. This is due to the fact that the gorillas have been habituated to human presence and are regularly visited by tourists. The park’s rangers also monitor the gorilla’s movements allowing groups of tourists to be guided as to where they are located.
What time does Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park begin?
The pre-trek briefing for gorilla trekking Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park begins at 8:00 AM at Ruhiija, Rushaga, Buhoma, Nkuringo, and Mgahinga trailheads. Its best to arrive before. After trekking, visitors are expected to return to the briefing location for debriefing.
What time does a Gorilla Habituation Experience Begin?
A gorilla habituation experience starts from 6:30am. Visitors are expected to return to the briefing point for debriefing after Habituation.
