How much does gorilla trekking in Bwindi Forest cost?
Cost of Gorilla Trekking: Bwindi Forest National Park is situated in the southern part of Uganda, bordering the Congo. It is one of only two national parks in Uganda and the world where you are allowed to trek and see the incredible mountain gorillas in the wild. It hosts more than half the world’s remaining mountain gorillas in the wild, making it the most famous and best place for mountain gorilla trekking. Bwindi Forest National Park is divided into 4 trekking sectors, such as Rushaga, Buhoma, Ruhija and the Nkuringo area. Bwindi Forest National Park has several habituated gorilla families available for the gorilla-tracking adventure; each gorilla family is made up of several gorilla individuals, and the dominant male gorilla, the silverback, leads or rules each gorilla family.
The price for gorilla permits differs depending on the activity one wishes to undertake, whether gorilla trekking or the gorilla habituation experience. Gorilla trekking permits in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are charged at $800 per person for non-foreign residents, $700 for East African residents, and 300,000 Ugandan shillings for East African citizens. These permits enable one to spend about one hour with the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
On the other hand, gorilla habituation permits are charged at $1500 for non-foreign residents, $1000 for East African residents, and 750,000 Ugandan shillings for East African citizens. The habituation experience, which enables one to spend up to four hours with the gorillas, occurs in the southern part of Bwindi Forest, between the Rushaga and Nkuringo sectors.
This cost includes entry into the park and fees for park guides and armed ranger guides who will be responsible for the safety of the visitors during the gorilla trekking safari. The visitors will have one hour to spend with the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, an experience that will be remembered for a lifetime. Finally, each visitor will receive a certificate of participation after the completion of the gorilla trekking experience. Please note that this price will be valid until 30th June 2026 – this year.
How to Book a Bwindi Gorilla Permit:
Bwindi gorilla trekking permits are in high demand, and like most activities in Uganda, nobody can guarantee you a suitable permit on the same day as trekking. Travellers can reach our tour consultants via email or WhatsApp with tourism-specific information, such as their preferred date of travel, month, and year.
We will then check on the availability of the permits with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). Should the permits be available on your preferred dates, you will be invited to pay a deposit. Upon the payment of your deposit, we will purchase the permits for you and send you a scanned copy of the receipt for your confirmation. The process of booking gorilla trekking permits is a critical part of having a memorable gorilla trekking tour in Uganda, where you get to enjoy the excitement of seeing mountain gorillas in their natural habitats.
Please keep in mind that buying the gorilla permit ahead of time is necessary in order for you to secure a spot for the gorilla trekking adventure with Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, since gorilla permits are limited and issued on a first-come, first-served basis.
Gorilla tracking tours in Bwindi are done in a small group of not more than eight people per gorilla family, with only eight gorilla permits available per gorilla family daily. In addition, gorilla habituation tours, which provide an opportunity to spend more time with the gorillas, have a limited number of four gorilla permits per day. To ensure that you participate in a gorilla trek, it is important to book your gorilla permit several months or weeks before your visit.
When to book Uganda gorilla trekking permits in 2026
The best time to purchase Bwindi Mountain gorilla trekking permits for your gorilla trekking safari in Uganda is in advance, as the permits are available all year round. It is highly advisable to book your permits 3-7 months before your intended date for the trekking adventure. Gorilla trekking permits usually run out fast during the peak season, which includes December, January, February, July, August, and September, due to the high demand for gorilla trekking safaris.
In addition, booking your permits in advance allows you to choose your preferred sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest for your gorilla trek, as well as your preferred accommodation and even the gorilla family to visit. This will ensure that you have a well-organised trip.
We also provide last-minute booking services for Bwindi gorilla trekking permits for those who wish to visit Uganda on short notice. Planning for your gorilla trekking safari will help ensure a once-in-a-lifetime experience as you track the gentle giants of the forests on a gorilla trekking adventure in the best wildlife sites in Uganda.
Experience Gorilla trekking
Gorilla trekking safaris in Bwindi on a Uganda tour are some of the unforgettable prime wildlife trekking safari adventures in Uganda. The activity starts in the morning from the park headquarters with a briefing where tourists are briefed on the dos and don’ts for the safety of tourists and mountain gorillas. After the briefing, visitors are divided into groups of up to eight, with each group assigned a habituated gorilla group to follow and a trained park ranger.
The mountain gorilla trekking adventure takes a period of 2 to 7 hours, depending on the location of the mountain gorillas, which tend to move from one place to another in search of food. While trekking, tourists get the chance to see other species of wildlife within the forest.
Once these fascinating gorillas are found, tourists are given a maximum of one hour to interact with the gorillas in their natural habitat. This interaction provides a chance to know the behaviour and habits of gorillas and see them as they eat, play, care for young, and even nurse. Photographs and videos are also permitted, so you can show friends and family the incredible experience of the gorilla trekking safari adventure in Uganda. This is one of the top draws for eco-tourists and animal lovers.
For travellers who want to enquire about the price of gorilla trekking permits in Bwindi for 2026, please contact our professional tour consultants at Chopper Tours and Travel. We are the specialists in organising unforgettable gorilla trekking safaris and can make all the arrangements, both pre- and post-safari, to ensure your experience is a smooth and enjoyable one.
