Uganda national park fees are one of the most important parts of your safari budget, yet they are often the most confusing. This guide explains every fee in plain language: park entry, gorilla and chimpanzee permits, other activities, and the new rates that start on 1 January 2027.
All fees are set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), and the money funds rangers, anti-poaching work and local communities around the parks. We last checked these figures against UWA's announcements in October 2026. Always confirm the latest rates on the official UWA rates page before you book.
Tulambule Uganda Safaris is licensed by the Uganda Tourism Board and the Uganda Wildlife Authority, and a member of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO). We book permits every week, so we see fee changes first.
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Uganda National Park Fees at a Glance
These are the Uganda national park fees most visitors pay, for foreign non-residents. Rates for foreign residents, other Africans and East African citizens are lower and appear in the detailed tables below.
| Fee | Until 31 December 2026 | From 1 January 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Park entry (most parks, per day) | US$40 | No change announced |
| Park entry (Murchison Falls, per day) | US$45 | No change announced |
| Gorilla trekking permit | US$800 (US$600 in low season) | US$800 |
| Gorilla habituation experience | US$1,500 | US$1,800 |
| Chimpanzee tracking, Kibale | US$250 (US$200 in low season) | US$300 |
| Chimpanzee habituation, Kibale | US$300 | US$400 |
Low-season discounts apply in April, May and November 2026. See the full details further down.
How Uganda National Park Fees Work
Uganda national park fees come in two parts: park entry and activities, which are paid separately. The entry fee lets you into the park for 24 hours, while activities such as game drives, boat cruises, nature walks and primate tracking are charged on top.
The good news is that gorilla and chimpanzee permits already include park entry for that day. So on a gorilla trekking day in Bwindi, you only pay for the permit.
Uganda national park fees differ for four groups of visitors:
- Foreign non-residents: international tourists, paid in US dollars.
- Foreign residents: foreigners living and working in East Africa with a valid permit.
- Rest of Africa: citizens of African countries outside the East African Community.
- East African citizens: Ugandans and other EAC citizens, paid in Uganda shillings.
Children aged 5 to 15 pay reduced entry fees, and children under 5 enter free. Gorilla trekking is only for visitors aged 15 and above, and chimpanzee tracking in Kibale is for those aged 12 and above.
Uganda National Park Entrance Fees
Park entrance is the most basic of the Uganda national park fees, charged per person for each 24 hours you spend inside a park. UWA has said these fees stay the same in the 2026 to 2027 changes.
| Park | Foreign Non-Resident | Foreign Resident | East African Citizen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murchison Falls | US$45 | US$35 | UGX 25,000 |
| Queen Elizabeth, Kibale, Lake Mburo, Bwindi, Mgahinga, Kidepo | US$40 | US$30 | UGX 20,000 |
| Mount Elgon, Rwenzori Mountains, Semuliki | US$35 | US$25 | UGX 15,000 |
Ugandan school groups and university students pay special low rates when they visit as an organised group. Ask us for a school or group quote.
Vehicles pay a separate entry fee, charged per entry and based on the type of vehicle. When you travel with us, vehicle fees are already included in your safari price.
Gorilla and Chimpanzee Permit Prices
Gorilla and chimpanzee permits are the biggest Uganda national park fees, and they are limited in number every day. Here are the official rates now and from 1 January 2027.
Gorilla Permits
| Activity | Foreign Non-Resident | Foreign Resident | Rest of Africa | East African Citizen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gorilla trekking (now and from 2027) | US$800 | US$700 | US$500 | UGX 300,000 |
| Gorilla trekking, low season 2026 | US$600 | US$500 | UGX 300,000 | |
| Gorilla habituation, until 31 Dec 2026 | US$1,500 | US$1,000 | US$1,000 | UGX 750,000 |
| Gorilla habituation, from 1 Jan 2027 | US$1,800 | US$1,600 | US$1,000 | UGX 750,000 |
Gorilla trekking gives you one hour with a habituated gorilla family. The habituation experience gives you about four hours with a family that is still getting used to people, and it is only offered in Bwindi's Rushaga sector.
Not sure which to choose? Read our guide to the gorilla habituation experience vs gorilla trekking and our full gorilla trekking permits guide.
Chimpanzee Permits
| Activity | Foreign Non-Resident | Foreign Resident | Rest of Africa | East African Citizen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chimp tracking, Kibale, until 31 Dec 2026 | US$250 | US$200 | UGX 180,000 | |
| Chimp tracking, Kibale, low season 2026 | US$200 | US$150 | UGX 180,000 | |
| Chimp tracking, Kibale, from 1 Jan 2027 | US$300 | US$200 | US$100 | UGX 180,000 |
| Chimp habituation, until 31 Dec 2026 | US$300 | US$250 | UGX 250,000 | |
| Chimp habituation, from 1 Jan 2027 | US$400 | US$300 | US$250 | UGX 250,000 |
Kibale is the best place in Uganda for chimpanzees. Read our guide on how to book a chimpanzee trekking permit in Kibale.
Low-Season Gorilla and Chimp Permit Discounts
UWA offers discounted permits in the quieter months of April, May and November 2026. A gorilla permit drops from US$800 to US$600 for foreign non-residents, and Kibale chimpanzee tracking drops from US$250 to US$200.
There is one important condition: low-season permits are issued for fixed dates and cannot be rescheduled. Only book them when your travel dates are certain.
The rains in these months are usually short showers, and the forest is green and quiet. It is a great time for budget travellers. See our guide to the cheapest ways to see gorillas in Uganda.
Other Uganda National Park Activity Fees
Beyond primates, many other activities carry their own Uganda national park fees. These are some of the most popular, with the changes that start on 1 January 2027:
| Activity | Until 31 Dec 2026 (FNR) | From 1 Jan 2027 (FNR) | East African Citizen from 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden monkey tracking, Mgahinga | US$60 | No change announced | UGX 40,000 |
| Chimp tracking, Kyambura Gorge | US$100 | US$200 | UGX 50,000 |
| Lion tracking, Queen Elizabeth | US$200 | US$500 | UGX 250,000 |
| Buhoma to Nkuringo walk, Bwindi | US$60 | US$100 | UGX 50,000 |
| Rushaga to Nyabaremura walk, Bwindi | US$60 | US$80 | UGX 50,000 |
| Golden cat tracking, Kibale (5 days, new) | Not offered | US$350 | UGX 350,000 |
| Rhino tracking, Ajai Wildlife Reserve (new) | Not offered | US$20 adult, US$5 child | UGX 10,000 |
UWA has said that fees for game drives, birdwatching, sport fishing and campsites stay the same. Boat cruises, nature walks and hikes are priced by park, so ask us for the exact cost on your route.
How to Pay Uganda National Park Fees
You can pay Uganda national park fees for entry at most park gates, usually by card. Carry some cash as a backup in case the payment system is down.
Gorilla and chimpanzee permits must be booked in advance, and the rules changed in 2026:
- Immediate payment: since 1 March 2026, permits must be paid for when they are reserved. The old 7-day hold without payment has ended.
- Licensed operators: gorilla and chimp permits for foreign non-residents and the rest of Africa are booked through licensed Ugandan tour operators.
- Book early: permits for June to September and December to February often sell out months ahead.
Tulambule Uganda Safaris books permits for our clients with every confirmed safari. We charge a small handling fee of US$30 per gorilla permit and US$25 per chimpanzee permit, and we send you a copy of every permit.
Park Fees for Ugandans and East African Residents
Uganda national park fees for East African citizens are a fraction of the international rates. A gorilla permit costs UGX 300,000 and Kibale chimpanzee tracking costs UGX 180,000, and most park entry fees are just UGX 15,000 to 25,000 per day.
That makes a weekend safari far more affordable than many people expect. See our guides to gorilla trekking for Ugandans, gorilla safaris for East Africans and weekend getaway safaris from Kampala.
What Park Fees Add to Your Safari
Uganda national park fees are already built into our safari prices, so you don't have to calculate them yourself. These popular safaris show which Uganda national park fees are included:
| Safari | Main Park Fees Included |
|---|---|
| 3-Day Gorilla Trekking Tour | Gorilla permit |
| 3-Day Kibale Chimp Trekking Tour | Chimp permit, Kibale entry |
| 3-Day Queen Elizabeth Safari | Park entry, boat cruise, game drives |
| 3-Day Murchison Falls Safari | Park entry, boat cruise, game drives |
| 3-Day Lake Mburo Safari | Park entry, boat trip, walking safari |
| 7-Day Uganda Safari | Gorilla and chimp permits, park entry |
| 14-Day Uganda to Rwanda Safari | All Uganda and Rwanda park fees |
Every quote we send lists exactly which fees are included, so there are no surprises. For an overview of every park, see our main guide to the Uganda national parks.
Get an All-Inclusive Safari Quote
Uganda National Parks Rules for Visitors
Uganda national park fees help protect wildlife, and these simple rules do too:
- Stay on marked tracks and never drive off-road.
- Keep to the speed limit of 40 km/h.
- Don't feed animals or hoot your horn near wildlife.
- Camp and light fires only at official sites.
- Pets, firearms and drones are not allowed without permission.
- Take all your litter with you.
- Keep your receipts and permits, as rangers may ask to see them.
See our guide to park opening days and hours in Uganda before you plan your game drives.
Frequently Asked Questions About Uganda National Park Fees
How much is the park entrance fee in Uganda?
For foreign non-residents, park entry is US$40 per day in most parks, US$45 in Murchison Falls and US$35 in Mount Elgon, Rwenzori and Semuliki. East African citizens pay UGX 15,000 to 25,000.
How much is a gorilla permit in Uganda?
A gorilla trekking permit costs US$800 for foreign non-residents, US$700 for foreign residents, US$500 for the rest of Africa and UGX 300,000 for East African citizens. In April, May and November 2026 it drops to US$600 for foreign non-residents.
Do gorilla permits include park entry?
Yes. Gorilla and chimpanzee permits include park entry for the day of your trek, so you don't pay a separate entrance fee that day.
Are Uganda park fees going up in 2027?
Some are. From 1 January 2027, gorilla habituation rises to US$1,800, Kibale chimpanzee tracking to US$300 and lion tracking to US$500. Gorilla trekking stays at US$800, and park entry fees are not changing.
Can I pay park fees with a card?
Most park gates accept card payments, but carry some cash in case the system is down. Gorilla and chimp permits must be paid in advance when you book.
Are park fees included in Tulambule safari prices?
Yes. Our safari quotes include the park fees and permits for your itinerary, and we list them clearly so you know exactly what you are paying for.
Final Thoughts on Uganda National Park Fees
Uganda national park fees are an investment in the gorillas, chimpanzees and wildlife you travel to see. Knowing them in advance helps you choose the right season, the right activities and the right budget.
Let us handle the permits, payments and paperwork for you. Tell us your dates and interests, and we'll send a clear, all-inclusive safari quote.
