Low Season Gorilla And Chimpanzee Permits Announced By UWA
March 18, 2026
Uganda Wildlife Authority announced low-season gorilla and chimpanzee permits for foreign non-residents and Foreign residents planning to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga National Park for gorilla trekking, and Kibale National Park for chimpanzee trekking.
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Uganda Wildlife Authority formerly informed Tour Operators through a formal letter on 28th Feb 2026 of the low season reduced rates on gorilla and chimpanzee permits.
Low season gorilla permits for Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are now available in April, May and November 2026 effective 1st April 2026 and will extend to 2027.
The reduced gorilla permit rates are now $600 for all foreign non residents and $500 for Foreign residents in Uganda but with a valid working permit.
This means that Foreign non residents planning to trek gorillas in April, May and November will have a discount of $200 per permit purchased.
Again, Uganda Wildlife Authority has discounted chimpanzee permits for Kibale National Park from $250 to $200 for Foreign nonresidents and $150 for Foreign residents with valid working permits. This means any foreign non resident planning to visit Kibale National Park in April, May and November 2026 will save $50 per permit purchased.
The main purpose of offering low season gorilla and chimpanzee permits by Uganda Wildlife Authority is to encourage more travel during rainy (wet months of April, May and November), allowing for a less crowded, more enjoyable experience.
Low season gorilla and chimpanzee permits must be booked through a licensed tour operator like Encounter Africa Safaris.
The process of booking your gorilla permits in April, May or November is very simple, all you need is to set your preferred dates, send us an email, and we will check availability on your behalf, send you an invoice to make payment and then we will have your permits secured. We will send you scanned copies of these permits as soon as they are secured.
We encourage our clients to inquire and book these gorilla and chimpanzee permits at least 3-4 months in advance so they don’t miss on their specific dates.
You must be 15 years and above for gorilla trekking and 12 years and above. Proof of age must be provided at the time of booking by providing a copy of your valid passport.
What to pack for low season gorilla trekking
The fact that you are visiting Uganda during the rainy season, you must prepare well by having the right gear. A rain jacket, long sleeved shirts, gloves, insect repellants, walking shoes/boots, sunscreen, hut among others are highly recommended.
The idea of low season gorilla permits was initiated in 2014 and partially suspended in 2018. In 2014 low-season gorilla permits were fixed at $450 from $700 for foreign non residents and $400 for foreign residents with working permits from $500. Low season gorilla and chimpanzee permits would then be extended to 2016 and 2017.
From 2018 up to 2024, there has been no low season gorilla and chimpanzee permit offers until 28th Feb 2025, when UWA with pleasure once again announced the current low season gorilla and chimpanzee rates which will run until 2027.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the four parks that is home to mountain gorillas in the whole world. As a matter of fact, almost have of these creatures are resident in this magnificent forest while the rest are shared by the other three parks of Volcanoes NP in Rwanda, Virunga in Congo and Mgahinga in Uganda.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park has for locations, call them sectors each with its habituated gorilla families. More than 20 gorilla habituated gorilla families can be visited when in Bwindi in sectors of Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo or Rushaga.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can be accessed by road and Air transport so depending on your choice and budget, Encounter Africa Safaris will advise you accordingly.
It's approximately 9-11 hours by road transfer from Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park by road and 1-5 hours by flight from Entebbe Airport to Kihihi or Kisoro Airstrip in Bwindi.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park can also be accessed via Rwanda where it is approximately 4-5 hours drive from Kigali to Bwindi with stops at Kyanika or Katuna border.
Are you planning to visit Uganda during the low season? Don’t worry, get in touch with our Safari experts at Encounter Africa safaris and benefit for our expertise in putting together exciting safari packages that are geared at catering for our clients’ budget interests and time.
Our phones, email and WhatsApp contacts are functional 24/7 to attend to your inquiries and needs. Kindly get in touch to benefit from our off-season safari offers.

EARLY BIRD SAFARI DISCOUNTS FOR 2026-27
Take a budget gorilla trip into Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to trek mountain gorillas and stay in low-cost camps and gorilla lodges.
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