Gorilla Permits in Uganda
July 24, 2025
Gorilla permits are Tickets issued by Wildlife authority bodies in the respective countries that’s Uganda, DRC and Rwanda, the permits allow tourists to access the gorilla parks and spend a limited amount of time with gorilla groups or families in Bwindi impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga national park for Uganda, Volcanoes national park Rwanda and Virunga Nationa Park in DRC Congo.
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Uganda Gorilla permits are booked with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), Rwanda gorilla permits are purchased with Rwanda development Board. Only Ugandans and Foreign Residents are allowed to book gorilla permits directly with the Uganda Wildlife Authority. We recommend international travelers to seek assistance with us.
One of the essential things you need is a gorilla pass/ ticket/permit to see the gorillas in Uganda. It is an important requirement that allows you to take part in this life changing adventure in Bwindi Forest and Mgahinga National Park. One gorilla pass permits you to track/trek a gorilla family a day per person.
To see the gorillas in Uganda, you need to secure a gorilla permit well in advance. The current price of a gorilla permit is US$800 for International Visitors/Foreign Non-Residents, US$700 for foreign residents, US$85 for East African citizens and US$500 for holders of other African passports. This same price applies to the gorilla permits of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Uganda has also the option of gorilla Habituation permits which allow you to spend 4 hours with the gorillas. The permit costs USD1500 for Non-Foreign Residents, USD1000 for East African residents, Uganda shillings 750,000 for East African Citizens. You are advised to book your gorilla permit early enough to avoid disappointments as only 4 permits are available for Habituation per day.
Encounter Africa safaris is your reliable and trustworthy company to book and secure the permits for your preferred dates of trek and whole travel. All permits are booked and purchased at Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) Uganda. Email us at info@gorilla-tracking-uganda.com for your trip and permit bookings as well as checking availability
The Process for Booking a Gorilla Permit
Encounter Africa safaris is a member of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO), Licenced by Government and Uganda tourism Board, we have access to permits system and we provide a safe and ethical experience through out your booking process.
Contact the us on email info@gorilla-tracking-uganda.com and inquire about permit availability for your desired dates and gorilla family. We shall check on booking system which displays the dates with availability so that book your trip within the dates that have space for trekking in either Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Once availability is confirmed, we will provide you with an invoice to pay for the permit(s). We will then handle the booking with UWA, ensuring your permit is secured.
If you are not booking the whole trip, we normally charge a small fee for the service, typically ranging from $50 to $100 per permit.
Once payment is confirmed and we secure your permit, we will send you copies on email and deliver the hard copies to you location in Kampala/Entebbe or at the Hotel.
Booking in advance, especially during peak seasons (June to August and December to February), is crucial to secure your permit. Permits sell out very quickly for those months.
Only a limited number of permits are issued daily for each gorilla family, so early booking is essential. Gorilla Habituation has only 4 permits available per day.
In case you have an emergency and you are an able to travel after securing your permits, Uganda wildlife Authority only allows you to reschedule the permit to future dates, if you reschedule more than once, you will incur additional fees.
After purchasing a gorilla permit from Uganda Wildlife Authority, you are given a receipt to confirm purchase, which has a booking ID that is always considered when signing in for your trek at either Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

A Gorilla permit is valid from the time you purchase it to the time of your trekking date. After the gorilla tracking date, the booking ID expires and the permit becomes invalid. This is why it is advisable you plan for your gorilla trek well in advance so that you are able to make it for the booked trekking date
By following these steps and considering the important points, you can successfully book your gorilla permit and enjoy an unforgettable gorilla trekking experience in Uganda.
IMPORTANT;
Tracking Time is between 8:30AM to 7:00PM. Pre-tracking brief is at the park headquarters starting at 7:45AM. Please endeavor to attend the briefing session. Visitor are expected to be out of the forest by 7.00PM latest. Normally the trek takes 30minutes to hours depending on the Location and movement of the gorillas in the forest.
Contact us for more information about Gorilla permits in Uganda.

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