How much are gorilla tracking permits in Uganda and Rwanda?
A gorilla tracking permit includes entry into the National Park, experienced ranger guides who will escort you while sharing unlimited gorilla facts, one hour with the gorillas themselves and – most importantly – bragging rights in the form of a gorilla tracking certificate (in Uganda) and endless selfies (wherever you track!) Woo hoo!
How much are Uganda gorilla tracking permits?
UPDATE NOVEMBER 28th 2020.
| Uganda gorilla tracking fees – (Bwindi & Mgahinga) until end June 2024 | Gorilla tracking permit | Gorilla habituation experience |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign non-resident (international tourists) | USD 700 | USD 1,500 |
| Foreign resident (expats) in Uganda | USD 600 | USD 1,000 |
| Ugandans & EAC citizens | UGX 250,000 | UGX 750,000 |
How much are Rwanda gorilla tracking permits?
| Rwanda gorilla tracking fees (2023 fees) | Gorilla tracking permit | Fee for Student/Child |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign non-resident (international tourists) | USD 1,500 | n/a |
| Foreign resident (expats) in Rwanda | USD 500 | USD 500 |
| Rwandans & EAC citizens | USD 200* | USD 200 |
| African citizen / Foreign resident in Africa | USD 500* | USD 500 |
*UPDATE 2023: Until the end of 2023, Rwandans, expats and all Africans can track gorillas in Rwanda at the discounted prices listed above. This is unlikely to be extended, according to official sources.
- After repositioning itself as an upmarket tourist destination, in May 2017 Rwanda increased gorilla tracking permits to $1500 each, regardless of whether you were an international tourist, expat or East African residents. That sounds like a bum deal for local people (but RDB argue that only a tiny percentage of permits were sold to locals).
- Rwanda has an exclusive package for tourists who would like to book a whole family of gorillas. Priced at US$ 15,000, the group get access to exclusive personalised tour guiding.
- Visitors to Rwanda who track the gorillas and visit Nyungwe Forest and Akagera National Parks for a minimum of three days will qualify for a 30% discount on their gorilla permit.
- International visitors attending conferences in Rwanda are eligible for a 15% discount on gorilla permit fees if tracking the gorillas before or after their conference.
How much are DRC gorilla tracking permits?
Gorilla tracking permits in the DRC are very cheap by comparison. Congolese citizens have preferential pricing but other East Africans don’t.
What is a gorilla safari and how much does it cost?
For the best value for money, most visitors to East Africa will combine gorilla trekking with a Safari before or after their trip.
Booking your gorilla permits yourself and travelling by public transport is possible but there are pitfalls to be aware of. The downside of making your own arrangements is that you can sometimes end up incurring more costs. If, for example, you miss your bus or it breaks down (not uncommon) you might miss your gorilla trek. Permits are non-refundable, meaning if you arrive a day late, then you will have missed your slot. Most visitors therefore travel on a scheduled group tour or book their own driver and vehicle, usually through a tour company, such as one of the registered companies featured in my Travel Directory.
The other pitfall to avoid when arranging gorilla tracking yourself in Uganda is booking accommodation that is a long way from the gorilla family you are tracking. You will have to be up very early on the morning of your tracking so you want to stay as close as possible to the park headquarters. (Uganda’s gorilla families are spread several hours apart).
The average mid-range three day gorilla safari costs approximately $1200, depending on the number of people in your group. The cheapest way to see the gorillas is to travel on a scheduled overland trip during low season. If a tour is advertised to include gorilla tracking then the cost of the permit should be included in the price you are quoted, but do read the small print carefully!
A top of the range luxury gorilla Safari may cost $3 – $5,000 per person and may include fly-in options and five-star accommodation.
For gorilla tracking stories and Uganda and Rwanda travel advice, click on the hyperlinks in the Ultimate Guide to Mountain Gorilla Tracking. Looking for more info? Check out my Travel Directory or Contact the Muzungu.
