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Category: Uganda

Uganda & Rwanda Gorilla Trekking: 2026/2027 Guide

Gorilla trekking generally costs between USD 1,500 and USD 8,000 or more per person when the permit, accommodation, private transfers and guiding are combined. The permit is the largest fixed expense. In 2026, a standard gorilla trekking permit costs USD 800 in Uganda and USD 1,500 in Rwanda for most international visitors. However, the permit is not the complete trip price. Your accommodation, transportation, number of nights and whether you combine the trek with a wider East African safari will determine the final cost. Updated August 2026 · 8-minute read Reviewed by the SafariHQ East Africa Team Gorilla Trekking Costs at a Glance Experience Permit cost per person Estimated three-day trip cost Uganda gorilla trekking USD 800 USD 1,500–2,500 mid-range Uganda low-season trekking USD 600 USD 1,300–2,300 mid-range Rwanda gorilla trekking USD 1,500 USD 2,500–3,800 mid-range Luxury Uganda gorilla safari Permit included USD 3,000–6,000+ Luxury Rwanda gorilla safari Permit included USD 4,500–8,000+ These are broad planning estimates per person based on two adults sharing. International flights, travel insurance, visas and personal expenses are normally excluded. How Much Does a Gorilla Trekking Permit Cost? A gorilla permit gives one traveler permission to join a regulated trek on a specified date. It cannot be shared between travellers. Uganda gorilla permit cost A standard Uganda gorilla trekking permit costs USD 800 per foreign non-resident. The trek can take place in: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Mgahinga Gorilla National Park For April, May and November 2026, the Uganda Wildlife Authority introduced a discounted permit price of USD 600 per foreign non-resident. The standard one-hour permit remains USD 800 under Uganda’s published 2027 tariff. Travellers should confirm whether any low-season discount applies to their exact 2027 dates before paying. Rwanda gorilla permit cost A Rwanda gorilla trekking permit costs USD 1,500 per foreign visitor. Trekking takes place in Volcanoes National Park, approximately two to three hours by road from Kigali. Rwanda offers promotional permit rates for certain residents, African citizens and East African Community citizens, but eligibility and travel-date restrictions apply. Most international holidaymakers should plan around the standard USD 1,500 permit. What Does a Gorilla Permit Include? A standard gorilla trekking permit normally includes: Entry for the scheduled gorilla trek Services of park rangers and trackers An organized trek to locate a habituated gorilla family One regulated hour with the gorillas once they are located A contribution towards gorilla and habitat conservation The trek itself may last several hours, depending on the location of the assigned gorilla family, the terrain and the conditions inside the forest. A permit does not normally include: Accommodation Transportation to the national park Meals outside your safari package Porter services Personal hiking equipment Tips Visas or travel authorizations International or regional flights Travel insurance Always check whether the permit is included in your safari quotation. A low package price can be misleading if the gorilla permit has been excluded. How Much Does a Three-Day Uganda Gorilla Trekking Safari Cost? A three-day Uganda gorilla safari generally costs approximately: Mid-range: USD 1,500–2,500 per person Mid-luxury: USD 2,300–3,500 per person Luxury: USD 3,000–6,000 or more per person A typical three-day itinerary includes: Day 1: Travel to the gorilla region Travel from Entebbe, Kampala or Kigali to Bwindi or Mgahinga. Depending on the route, this may be by road or a combination of domestic flight and private transfer. Day 2: Gorilla trekking Attend the morning briefing, meet your ranger team and enter the forest. Once the assigned family is located, you may spend up to one hour observing the gorillas. Day 3: Return journey Travel back to Entebbe or Kigali for your onward flight or continue to another safari destination. Travelling from Entebbe to Bwindi by road involves a long journey. A domestic flight reduces travelling time but increases the trip cost. Some Uganda gorilla itineraries begin in Kigali and cross into Uganda by road. This can be more convenient for certain Bwindi sectors, but the route requires the correct immigration documents and should be planned carefully. How Much Does a Three-Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari Cost? A three-day Rwanda gorilla safari generally costs approximately: Mid-range: USD 2,500–3,800 per person Mid-luxury: USD 3,500–5,000 per person Luxury: USD 4,500–8,000 or more per person The higher permit price makes Rwanda more expensive before accommodation and transport are considered. However, Volcanoes National Park is relatively close to Kigali. Travellers can spend less time transferring between the airport and the gorilla region, making Rwanda attractive for a shorter extension after a Tanzania or Kenya safari. Rwanda also has a strong collection of premium and high-end lodges. The finest properties can increase the total price considerably, particularly during the busiest travel periods. How Much Does Gorilla Habituation Cost in Uganda? The Gorilla Habituation Experience is available in selected areas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Unlike the standard trek, which allows up to one hour with a habituated gorilla family, this experience can allow up to four hours with a family undergoing the habituation process. For foreign non-residents: 2026 habituation permit: USD 1,500 per person From January 2027: USD 1,800 per person The habituation experience is more expensive and physically demanding, but it appeals to wildlife photographers and travellers seeking more time in the forest. Availability is extremely limited and should be checked before the rest of the itinerary is confirmed. What Additional Costs Should You Expect? Accommodation Accommodation near the gorilla parks ranges from simple guesthouses to luxury forest lodges. As a general guide: Mid-range accommodation: USD 150–300 per room, per night Mid-luxury accommodation: USD 300–600 per room, per night Luxury accommodation: USD 600–3,000 or more per room, per night The lodge location is important. Choosing accommodation close to the correct trekking sector avoids an unnecessarily early or difficult transfer on the morning of the trek. Private transportation A private 4×4 vehicle, professional guide, fuel and transfers are normally calculated for the entire itinerary. The price per person decreases when four or more travellers share the vehicle. Solo travellers and couples carry a larger portion of the transport

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