What you need to know about Uganda gorilla permits 2025
What you need to know about Uganda gorilla permits 2025 : Uganda gorilla permits for 2025, are the required licenses that allow visitors to trek and observe the mountain gorillas in Uganda in Bwindi Impenetrable National park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, with each permit granting access to a specific gorilla family for a limited time, and must be booked in advance due to limited availability and high demand.
What Is a Gorilla Permit?
If you want to see gorillas in the wild, you’ll need a permit. This makes it possible for the appropriate conservation authorities to regulate the number of visitors to gorillas. Additionally, it makes it possible for national parks to raise the funds required to save these endangered primates. Access to one walk, which includes an hour with the gorillas, is granted with a permission. Depending on the gorillas’ location on any given day, the trek’s duration may change.
Gorilla permits are granted for two parks in Uganda. With around 25 habituated gorilla groups, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the most well-known of these. At comparison, there is only one habituated group at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. However, because gorilla groups frequently split (and, less commonly, combine), these numbers could alter.
How Much Does a Gorilla Permit Cost?
The cost of a gorilla trekking permit varies by nation. A regular gorilla permit in Uganda now costs US$800 for foreign nonresidents as of 2025. Foreign residents (US$700), holders of other African passports (US$500), and East African citizens (around US$80) pay lower costs.
Permits are the most expensive in Rwanda at US$1,500, however they drop to US$200 for East African nationals or US$500 for foreign residents and holders of other African passports. At US$400, the DRC offers the most affordable permits for foreign tourists.
What Is a Habituation Permit and How Much Does It Cost?
You can participate in the habituation process if you have a habituation permission. To do this, wild gorillas must be progressively made to feel at ease among people, which is crucial for tourism. You can spend up to four hours (rather than just one) with the gorillas with a habituation permit, which costs US$1,500 per person and is more expensive than a regular permit.
How Do I Get a Gorilla Permit?
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), a government agency that oversees tourism and wildlife conservation, is responsible for issuing gorilla permits in Uganda. Although UWA offers direct permit booking, using a reputable tour operator is the most practical option like Focus East Africa Tours. A gorilla permit is typically included in the total cost of a gorilla safari with most tour providers. To guarantee availability during the busiest vacation seasons (June to August and December to February), reservations must typically be made at least six months in advance. There is a reasonable possibility of last-minute availability during slower periods of the year.
How Many Gorilla Permits Are Available in Uganda?
For any habituated gorilla group, a maximum of eight permits are granted each day. This indicates that eight permits are available for Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and more than 200 are available for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park each day.
What Does the Gorilla Permit in Uganda Cover?
Keep in mind that a permit only allows for one hour with the gorillas and a guided trek. Other expenses like lodging, transportation, and food are not covered.
