How much does a gorilla trekking permit cost in Uganda?

A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs $800 per person per trek (as of 2026). This includes one hour with a habituated gorilla family. The gorilla habituation experience costs $1,500 per person for 4+ hours.

How far in advance should I book gorilla permits?

For peak months (June–August, December–January), book 6–12 months ahead. Bwindi permits are genuinely limited — each family receives a maximum of 8 visitors per day. We handle permit sourcing for all clients.

Can I combine gorilla trekking with other Uganda parks?

Yes — a classic Uganda circuit combines Bwindi (gorillas) with Queen Elizabeth NP (tree lions, boat safari) and Kibale Forest (chimpanzees). A 7–10 day itinerary comfortably covers all three.

What is the best time to visit Uganda?

Uganda is a year-round destination — gorilla trekking is possible every month. The drier months (June–August, December–January) are generally preferred as trails are less muddy. The green season (March–May, October–November) is cheaper and the forests are lush.

Is Uganda safe for safari travel?

Uganda is generally safe for safari travellers. The national parks are well-managed and professionally staffed. We always brief clients on current conditions and arrange experienced local guides for all activities.

What should I pack for gorilla trekking?

Waterproof hiking boots with ankle support, long trousers, long-sleeved shirt, garden gloves, rain jacket, 1.5L water, snacks, and a camera with a fast lens. Walking sticks are provided at the trailhead — always accept one.

Uganda's wild
parks & primates.

Half the world's mountain gorillas, wild chimpanzees, tree-climbing lions and the mighty Murchison Falls — the Pearl of Africa lives up to every name it has ever been given.

~460

Mountain gorillas

National parks

1,000+

Bird species

Why Uganda is unmissable

The Pearl
of Africa.

Winston Churchill called Uganda the Pearl of Africa — and a safari here will show you exactly why. No other country on Earth combines mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, tree-climbing lions and the Victoria Nile in a single circuit.

iMountain gorillas — half the world's remaining population lives in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
iiBest chimpanzee trekking in Africa — Kibale Forest has over 1,500 chimps and the highest habituation success rates.
iiiTree-climbing lions — the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth NP is one of only two places on Earth to see this behaviour.
ivOver 1,000 bird species — Uganda is a birding paradise, including the shoebill stork.
vCompact circuit — the main parks are within 6–8 hours of Kampala; a 7-day trip covers the gorillas, chimps and savannah.

Uganda's headline parks

What makes
each one special.

Uganda's headline parks each offer a completely different safari experience — from dense jungle gorilla tracking to open savannah, river boat safaris and misty mountain forests.

01 · Bwindi Impenetrable

Mountain gorillas · UNESCO

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

The world's most important habitat for mountain gorillas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bwindi holds almost half of all remaining mountain gorillas — trekking to spend one hour with a habituated family is widely considered the most profound wildlife encounter on Earth.

Home to ~460 mountain gorillas — half the global population
Four trekking sectors: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, Nkuringo
Gorilla habituation experience (4+ hours with a group)
Over 350 bird species including 23 Albertine Rift endemics
UNESCO World Heritage Site

Best forGorilla trekking

02 · Queen Elizabeth

Tree lions · Boat safari

Queen Elizabeth National Park

Uganda's most visited park, straddling the Equator between the Rwenzori Mountains and the shores of Lake Edward. Famous for the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha and the Kazinga Channel boat safari — one of Africa's great waterway experiences.

Tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector
Kazinga Channel boat safari (hippos, elephants, buffalo)
Chimpanzees in the Kyambura Gorge
Over 600 bird species — second only to Murchison for Uganda birding
Savannah, forest, wetlands and crater lakes

Best forTree lions & boat safari

03 · Kibale Forest

Chimpanzees · Forest

Kibale Forest National Park

Africa's best destination for chimpanzee trekking — Kibale has the highest density of primates of any African forest, with habituated chimpanzee communities that are easily encountered on morning treks. Over 1,500 chimps call this forest home.

Africa's best chimpanzee trekking — year-round
13 primate species including red colobus and L'Hoest's monkey
Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary — excellent birding
Night forest walks for nocturnal species
Ideal combination with Queen Elizabeth NP

Best forChimpanzee tracking

04 · Murchison Falls

Nile · Savannah · Shoebill

Murchison Falls National Park

Uganda's largest national park, where the Nile forces itself through a 7-metre gorge with tremendous power — creating the most impressive waterfall in Africa. Murchison combines classic savannah game drives with boat safaris on the Nile and exceptional shoebill stork sightings.

Murchison Falls — the world's most powerful waterfall per unit volume
Boat safari on the Victoria Nile to the base of the falls
Shoebill stork — Africa's most sought-after bird
Large populations of hippo, Nile crocodile and elephant
Rothschild giraffe and lion on the savannah

Best forNile boat safari & birding

More of Uganda

Remote valleys &
hidden gems.

Uganda's lesser-visited parks offer extraordinary exclusivity and unique wildlife — perfect add-ons for travellers who want to go beyond the main circuit.

Wilderness · Remote

Kidepo Valley National Park

Uganda's most remote park — and arguably its most spectacular. Kidepo's semi-arid landscape borders South Sudan and Ethiopia, with wildlife found nowhere else in Uganda.

Cheetah — found only here in Uganda
Striped hyena & bat-eared fox
Remote fly-in access — virtually no crowds

Best for · Total exclusivity

Zebra · Antelope

Lake Mburo National Park

Uganda's only park with zebra — a compact, accessible reserve that makes a perfect stopover between Kampala and Bwindi. Walking and cycling safaris are permitted.

Uganda's only zebra population
Impala, topi & eland
Boat safaris on Lake Mburo

Best for · Stopover & walking safari

Trekking · UNESCO

Rwenzori Mountains National Park

The legendary Mountains of the Moon — glaciated peaks, unique Afro-alpine vegetation and multi-day trekking through some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in Africa.

Glaciated peaks above 5,100m
Unique Afro-alpine vegetation zones
UNESCO World Heritage Site

Best for · Mountain trekking

How to choose

Tell us what
you're after.

Uganda's parks each deliver a unique experience. Start from your priority wildlife encounter — then we design the perfect circuit around it.

For gorilla trekking

Bwindi Impenetrable

For chimpanzees

Kibale Forest

For tree lions

Queen Elizabeth (Ishasha)

For boat safari

Murchison Falls / QE

For shoebill stork

Murchison Falls

For exclusivity

Kidepo Valley

For first-timers

Bwindi + QE + Kibale

For walking safari

Lake Mburo

Best time to visit

A year-round
destination.

Gorilla trekking is possible every month of the year — but some months are more comfortable than others. Here's how the seasons affect your Uganda trip.

Dry season · Jun–Aug & Dec–Jan

Drier trails, easier trekking.

Trails are drier and less slippery for gorilla trekking
Best for game viewing in savannah parks
Peak season — permits sell out fastest in June–August
Clear skies for mountain views (Rwenzori)

Green season · Mar–May & Sep–Nov

Lush forest & lower prices.

Lower permit availability (easier to book last-minute)
Lush, green forests ideal for photography
Fewer tourists — more solitary gorilla experiences
Excellent birdwatching as migrant birds arrive

Uganda safari packages

Uganda safari
packages.

From a dedicated gorilla permit trip to the full Uganda primate circuit — every itinerary is fully customisable for your dates, group and budget.

Uganda · Gorilla

4-Day Gorilla Trekking Safari

Fly to Bwindi, trek to the gorillas, enjoy lodge accommodation in the forest.

8-Day Uganda Primate Circuit

Gorillas in Bwindi, chimps in Kibale, tree lions in Queen Elizabeth.

BwindiKibaleQueen Elizabeth

From $3,200

8D · 7N

Uganda · Full circuit

12-Day Complete Uganda Safari

The ultimate Uganda experience — gorillas, chimps, savannah and Murchison Falls.

BwindiQueen ElizabethKibaleMurchison

From $5,400

12D · 11N

Browse all Uganda safari packages →

FAQs · Uganda

Your Uganda questions.

Call us at +254 722-595-916 — we pick up.

Plan your
Uganda adventure.

Gorilla permits, chimp tracking, park circuits — our Uganda specialists handle every detail. Tell us when you want to go and we'll secure your permits and design the itinerary at no charge.

Request a free quote →

The Pearl
of Africa.

iMountain gorillas — half the world's remaining population lives in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

iiBest chimpanzee trekking in Africa — Kibale Forest has over 1,500 chimps and the highest habituation success rates.

iiiTree-climbing lions — the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth NP is one of only two places on Earth to see this behaviour.

ivOver 1,000 bird species — Uganda is a birding paradise, including the shoebill stork.

vCompact circuit — the main parks are within 6–8 hours of Kampala; a 7-day trip covers the gorillas, chimps and savannah.

Uganda's wildparks & primates.

The Pearlof Africa.