The Cost of Gorilla Trekking in Uganda at $700

Uganda through Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) an organ that is in charge of conservation of wildlife in and outside protected areas in Uganda is set to increase gorilla trekking tariffs starting from 1st July 2020 to 2022. Following the recent communication from UWA officials, the rates will hike from $600 to $700 for foreign non-residents. However, between now and 1st July, 2020, you can reserve your gorilla trekking permit with reservation team at Maranatha Tours and Travel at as low as $600 if you are a foreign non-resident and $500 for foreign residents.

Obtaining Uganda gorilla trekking permit lets you visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park to trek mountain gorillas still at $600 while in their natural habitat a magical wildlife experience you shouldn’t miss out on Uganda safari. The recent increment only affects rates for foreign non-residents and foreign residents. Beginning 1st July 2020 gorilla trekking permits for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park will be obtainable at $700 for foreign non-residents, $600 for foreign residents and East African citizens will still pay shs 250000. However, Uganda remains a relatively affordable gorilla safari destination despite the current increase in its gorilla trekking tariffs. The move to hike prices for gorilla permits comes about a year after Rwanda Development Board (RDB) increased rates of gorilla permits for Volcanoes National Park from $750 to currently $1500 per person.

How can you trek mountain gorillas in Uganda while permits are still at $700?

Tourists on Uganda gorilla safari can trek mountain gorillas while still at $600 only by ensure you reserve your gorilla permit between March and 30th June, 2020. Due to high demand, we encourage our clients to ensure you secure your gorilla permit early before you take a flight to Uganda to trek gorillas the next day. From 1st July 2020 you will need $700 if you are a foreign non-resident to book your gorilla permit in Uganda, $600 for foreign residents and shs.250000 for East African citizens. You can secure your Uganda gorilla permit through our reservation team or directly through the reservation team at Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Booking Uganda gorilla permits in advance is essential in that it helps get you out of the stressful moment on last-minute given the high demand for gorilla permits. It also allows you to plan for other things that will make your gorilla safari complete and memorable. Note, each gorilla permit in Uganda allows you to track only one habituated gorilla family and Uganda has about 21 habituated gorilla groups set for visitors to track.
For visitors who would like to spend a little more time with mountain gorillas, you can add mountain gorilla habituation experience on your bucket list adventures. This primate experience is only offered in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and not anywhere else in Africa. Gorilla habituation permits cost $1500 for foreign non-residents, $1000 for foreign residents and shs. 750000 for East African citizens.

Habituated gorilla families in Uganda

Uganda is home to about half of all the 1063 mountain gorillas which still thrive on planet earth today. It also has the highest number of habituated gorilla groups set for gorilla trekking and in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, about 20 groups are available for tourists to trek and only one in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. They include Habinyanja, Bweza, Busingye, Kahungye, Mishaya, Rushegura, Bitukura, Nkuringo, Kyaguriro, Nshongi, Kutu, Rwigi, Mubare, Oruzongo, Katwe, Christmas, Bikingi, Mucunguzi, Bushaho and Mukiza. Trekking mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park begins from anyone of its 4 tracking regions that is Buhoma, Nkuringo, Ruhija and Rushaga sectors. In Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Nyakagezi is the only habituated family set for trekking and currently the Hirwa group from Volcanoes National Park that moved to this park.

What to pack to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda

To trek mountain gorillas in Uganda still at $600 requires visitors to pack appropriately starting with essential items first which include among others waterproof hiking boots, bottled drinking water, rain jack jacket, long-sleeved shirt, insect repellents, sunglasses, hat, energy-giving snacks, sweater, gardening gloves, non-flashlight camera, and many others.

Where to stay

Luxury: Buhoma Lodge, Chameleon Hill Lodge, Mount Gahinga Lodge
Mid-range: Gorilla Mist Camp, Travelers’ Rest Hotel Kisoro, Nkuringo Gorilla Camp
Budget: Kisoro Tourist Hotel, Amajambere Iwacu Community Camp, Nshongi Camp.

Best time to track mountain gorillas in Uganda

The dry season is considered the best time to track mountain gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The dry season begins in June, July, August, September and December, January, February. However, it is possible to track mountain gorillas in Uganda during the wet or rainy season too and the rainy months starting in March, April, May, and October, November.

How to get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are all situated in Southwestern Uganda. The two parks are reachable by road or by air. By road, you can reach Bwindi and Mgahinga National Park starting from Entebbe or Kampala through Masaka-Mbarara-Kabale or Kisoro route. This is an 8-10 hour’ drive journey and from Kigali through Katuna and Chanika border, you will spend about 3-4 hours driving.
By air, you can take a flight from Entebbe airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kisoro or Kihihi airstrip where you can drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.