Gorilla permit prices are the single biggest cost on any mountain gorilla safari, and they differ sharply between the three countries where the gorillas live. A permit in Rwanda costs almost double the price of one in Uganda, and Congo's parks are currently closed to visitors.
This guide compares gorilla permit prices country by country, explains what each permit includes and shows where the hidden costs sit. It also helps you decide which country gives you the best value for your budget and travel style.
We are a Ugandan-owned tour operator based in Kampala, and we book gorilla permits every week. The figures below are the rates we work with, not estimates copied from elsewhere.
Gorilla Permit Prices at a Glance
Here is a quick comparison of gorilla permit prices for foreign non-resident visitors.
| Country | Park | Standard permit | Habituation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uganda | Bwindi and Mgahinga | US$800 (US$600 in April, May and November) | US$1,500 until 31 December 2026, then US$1,800 | Open |
| Rwanda | Volcanoes National Park | US$1,500 | Not offered | Open |
| Congo (DRC) | Virunga and Kahuzi-Biega | Previously around US$400 | Previously offered | Closed to tourism |
The headline is simple. Uganda is the best-value open destination, Rwanda is the premium option, and Congo is not currently an option for gorilla trekking.
Uganda Gorilla Permit Prices: The Best Value
A standard Uganda gorilla permit costs US$800 per person. It gives you up to one hour with a habituated gorilla family in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
The permit covers park entry for the day, the ranger guide, the armed escort and the briefing before your trek. Porters, tips and your transport to the trailhead are extra.
Uganda has more habituated gorilla families than any other country, which helps keep gorilla permit prices lower. It also means better availability, a wider choice of trekking sectors and more flexibility on dates.
The Uganda Low Season Permit
In April, May and November, Uganda's gorilla permit drops to US$600 per person. These are the rainy months, when trails are muddier and lodges are quieter.
There is one important condition. Low-season permits cannot be rescheduled, so your dates must be firm before you buy. If your plans might change, the standard US$800 permit is the safer choice.
For travellers who don't mind some rain, low-season gorilla permit prices are the cheapest way to see mountain gorillas anywhere in Africa.
Gorilla Habituation Experience Prices
Uganda is the only country offering the Gorilla Habituation Experience. You join researchers and rangers with a gorilla family that is still getting used to people, and you spend up to four hours with them instead of one.
Among all gorilla permit prices, the habituation permit is the highest in Uganda, at US$1,500 per person until 31 December 2026. From 1 January 2027 it rises to US$1,800.
Groups are limited to four visitors, and the experience runs in Bwindi's Rushaga sector. If you are weighing the two options, our guide to the gorilla habituation experience vs gorilla trekking explains the differences in detail.
Where You Trek in Uganda
Bwindi has four trekking sectors: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. Each has its own gorilla families, lodges and access roads, and the sector printed on your permit decides where you sleep.
Mgahinga sits on the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes and has one habituated family. It offers volcano views and a quieter experience. See Bwindi gorilla sectors compared to choose the right one for you.
For the full picture on rules, booking and availability, read our main guide to gorilla trekking permits in Uganda.
Rwanda Gorilla Permit Prices: The Premium Experience
A Rwanda gorilla permit costs US$1,500 per person for one hour with a gorilla family in Volcanoes National Park. That makes Rwanda's gorilla permit prices almost double those in Uganda.
Rwanda adopted this high-price, low-volume model to protect the gorillas and fund conservation. Part of the permit fee goes to communities living around the park.
There is no low-season discount on the standard Rwanda permit, and Rwanda does not offer a habituation experience.
Why Travellers Still Choose Rwanda
Rwanda's biggest advantage over lower gorilla permit prices elsewhere is time. Volcanoes National Park is about two and a half hours by road from Kigali International Airport, on good tarmac all the way.
That makes a gorilla trek possible on a very short trip, even as a single overnight from Kigali. The trails on the lower slopes of the volcanoes are also often less steep than Bwindi's deep valleys.
Rwanda has a strong luxury lodge scene, so it suits honeymooners and travellers who want comfort and short drives. Learn more about Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Rwanda gorilla permits.
Congo Gorilla Permit Prices: Current Status
Congo once had the lowest gorilla permit prices in Africa. Virunga National Park charged around US$400 for a mountain gorilla permit, and Kahuzi-Biega National Park offered eastern lowland gorilla treks at a similar price.
Neither park is currently open for gorilla tourism. Virunga has been closed to visitors because of insecurity in North Kivu, and Kahuzi-Biega has received no tourists since the armed group M23 took Bukavu in February 2025.
We do not sell Congo gorilla permits at present, and we advise all travellers to choose Uganda or Rwanda instead. If the situation changes and the parks reopen safely, we will update this page. Our DR Congo safaris page carries the latest status.
Why Gorilla Permit Prices Are Only Part of the Cost
A cheaper permit does not always mean a cheaper trip. Transport, accommodation, visas and the number of days you need all change the final price.
Here are the costs that matter most when you compare gorilla permit prices between countries.
Travel Time and Transport
From Entebbe, the drive to Bwindi takes eight to ten hours, so most Uganda trips include a travel day each way. Many travellers break the journey at Lake Mburo or Queen Elizabeth National Park and turn the drive into part of the safari.
A domestic flight from Entebbe to the airstrips near Bwindi takes about one and a half hours and saves two long road days. Our 3-day fly-in gorilla safari shows how this works.
There is also a clever shortcut. Southern Bwindi is only four to five hours by road from Kigali. Many travellers fly into Kigali and trek in Uganda, which gives them Rwanda's short airport transfer at Uganda's permit price. See our 2 day gorilla tour Uganda via Kigali.
Accommodation
Uganda has the widest range of lodges near the gorilla parks, from simple guesthouses to luxury forest lodges. That range, combined with lower gorilla permit prices, lets you control your budget.
Rwanda's lodges near Volcanoes National Park lean towards the upper end, and the top luxury properties are among the most expensive in Africa. Midrange options exist but are fewer. Browse our guide to lodges in Rwanda for the full range.
Visas
The East Africa Tourist Visa costs US$100 and covers Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya on a single entry for 90 days. It is the best choice if you plan to trek in one country and visit another.
If you only visit one country, check that country's single-entry visa instead. Always confirm visa rules before you travel, because they can change.
Porters, Tips and Extras
Hiring a porter costs around US$15 to US$20 and is money well spent. Porters carry your bag, help you on steep and muddy sections, and earn a valuable income for their families.
Budget for tips for your ranger guide and driver guide, plus drinks at your lodge. These small costs are similar in Uganda and Rwanda.
Indicative Trip Budgets: Uganda vs Rwanda
To make the comparison real, here are indicative per-person prices for midrange gorilla trips, based on two people sharing. They include the permit, accommodation, meals, transport and a driver guide.
| Trip | Uganda | Rwanda |
|---|---|---|
| Short trek from Kigali (2 days) | From about US$1,400 | From about US$2,200 |
| 3 to 4 days by road from Entebbe | From about US$1,800 | Not applicable |
| 4 days with a domestic flight | From about US$2,600 | Not applicable |
These figures are a guide only, based on current gorilla permit prices. Lodge choice, the season and group size all change the final price, so ask us for an exact quote for your dates.
The pattern is clear. Even after adding transport, Uganda usually comes out cheaper overall, mainly because the permit saving is US$700 per person, or US$900 in the low season.
Factors That Affect Gorilla Permit Value
Price matters, but value is about what you get for your money. Here are the factors to weigh alongside gorilla permit prices.
Availability
Gorilla permits are limited to eight visitors per family per day in both Uganda and Rwanda. In peak months, from June to September and December to February, permits sell out months ahead.
Gorilla permit prices don't rise in peak season, but availability falls. Uganda's larger number of gorilla families gives you more chance of getting your preferred dates, and we recommend booking three to six months ahead.
Trekking Difficulty
Bwindi lives up to its name. Treks can involve steep, slippery slopes and thick vegetation, and they can last from one to six hours depending on where the gorillas are.
Rwanda's treks on the volcano slopes are often shorter, though they still involve altitude and mud. In both countries you are asked for your fitness level, and the rangers try to match you with a suitable family.
Experience on the Day
Your hour with the gorillas is the same in both countries. You watch the family feed, play and rest from about seven metres away, with a ranger guiding you throughout.
The extra value in Uganda is choice: four Bwindi sectors, Mgahinga, double trekking on consecutive days, and the four-hour habituation experience. Read about mountain gorilla double trekking in Uganda if you want two encounters.
Conservation Impact
Every gorilla permit funds ranger patrols, veterinary care and anti-poaching work. In Uganda, 20% of park entry fees go to communities living around the parks.
Both Uganda and Rwanda have seen mountain gorilla numbers grow because tourism makes the gorillas worth more alive than dead. Whichever country you choose, your permit directly supports their survival.
Which Gorilla Permit Should You Choose?
Choose Uganda if you want the best value, more choice of dates and sectors, or the habituation experience. It suits most travellers, especially those combining gorillas with chimpanzees, tree-climbing lions and other wildlife.
Choose Rwanda if your time is very short, you want the shortest airport transfer, or you prefer a luxury lodge experience and are happy to pay for it.
Choose the Kigali route into Uganda if you want both: fly into Kigali, cross the border, and trek in Bwindi at the Uganda permit price.
Still comparing gorilla permit prices? Our comparison of gorilla safaris in Uganda vs Rwanda covers the whole trip, not just the permits.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gorilla Permit Prices
How much is a gorilla permit in Uganda?
A standard Uganda gorilla permit costs US$800 per person. In April, May and November it costs US$600, but low-season permits cannot be rescheduled.
How much is a gorilla permit in Rwanda?
A Rwanda gorilla permit costs US$1,500 per person for one hour with a gorilla family in Volcanoes National Park.
Can I trek gorillas in Congo right now?
No. Virunga and Kahuzi-Biega national parks are currently closed to gorilla tourism because of insecurity in eastern Congo. Uganda and Rwanda are both open and safe for gorilla trekking.
Are there discounts for children or students?
No. Gorilla permits are priced per person, and the minimum trekking age is 15 years in both Uganda and Rwanda.
When will the habituation permit price change?
The Uganda Gorilla Habituation Experience costs US$1,500 until 31 December 2026. From 1 January 2027 the price rises to US$1,800 per person.
Is it cheaper to trek gorillas in Uganda from Kigali?
Often, yes. Flying into Kigali and trekking in southern Bwindi gives you a short four to five hour transfer and the Uganda permit price. You save about US$700 per person compared with a Rwanda permit.
How far ahead should I book my gorilla permit?
Book three to six months ahead for the peak months of June to September and December to February. For the low season, a few weeks can be enough, but confirm availability early.
Ready to Book Your Gorilla Permit?
We secure gorilla permits directly with the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Rwanda Development Board, and we build the rest of your trip around them. Tell us your dates and budget, and we will compare gorilla permit prices for you and tell you exactly which permit gives you the best value.
Continue Planning Your Trip
- Browse our ready-made gorilla and wildlife itineraries
- Design your own trip with Build My Safari
- Ask about permit availability for your dates on our contact page
