How much does gorilla trekking cost?
8 min read · updated July 2026 · written by the Olthru team in Kampala
Short answer
A gorilla permit costs $800 in Uganda and $1,500 in Rwanda. A realistic all-in trip - permit, private vehicle, guide, lodge and meals - starts around $1,650 per person for a short Uganda trip and $2,400 per person for the Rwanda equivalent. Flights and visas are extra.
Permit prices, the fixed part of the cost
The permit is set by the government, not the operator, and no one can discount it. It buys you one hour with a habituated gorilla family, ranger guides and trackers, and park entry for the day.
| Permit | Price per person | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Uganda gorilla trekking | $800 | Bwindi or Mgahinga, foreign non-resident |
| Uganda gorilla habituation | $1,500 | Four hours instead of one, Rushaga sector |
| Rwanda gorilla trekking | $1,500 | Volcanoes National Park |
| East African citizen (Uganda) | UGX 300,000 | Proof of citizenship required |
What drives the rest of the total
- Accommodation tier - a forest-edge guesthouse and a luxury lodge can differ by $250 per night
- Number of travelers - a private vehicle and guide split across four people costs far less per head than for two
- Road versus air - a domestic flight to Kihihi saves a day of driving and adds roughly $250 per person each way
- Trip length - the permit is fixed, so every extra day is comparatively cheap
- Season - high-season lodge rates in June to September and December run 15-30% above the wet months
Three realistic budgets
These are the numbers we actually quote, not headline teasers. If a quote you have received is far below this, check whether the permit is genuinely included.
| Trip | Comfort level | Per person, two sharing |
|---|---|---|
| 4-day Uganda gorilla & chimp | Comfort guesthouses | From $1,650 |
| 4-day Uganda gorilla & chimp | Luxury lodges | From $3,400 |
| 7-day Uganda wildlife & gorilla | Mid-range lodges | From $3,250 |
| 3-day Rwanda gorilla trek | Mid-range lodges | From $2,400 |
Costs travelers forget
- Porter on trekking day - $20 to $25, and worth every dollar on a steep trek
- Tips - roughly $10-15 per day for your guide, $10-20 for the ranger team
- Uganda e-visa $50, or the East Africa Tourist Visa at $100 for Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya
- Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover, which we require
- Drinks, laundry and gift shopping at lodges
How to spend less without a worse trip
- Travel in April, May or November - the trekking is muddier but the forest is beautiful and lodges are cheaper
- Travel as a group of four or six and split the vehicle
- Choose Uganda over Rwanda: the permit alone saves $700 per person
- Stay in the Buhoma or Rushaga community lodges rather than luxury camps
- Combine gorillas with chimps rather than adding a second country
Frequently asked
- Why is the Rwanda permit so much more expensive?
- Rwanda deliberately positions gorilla trekking as a premium, low-volume product at $1,500 per permit. The trekking experience itself is similar; the access from Kigali is shorter.
- Are permits ever discounted?
- Uganda occasionally runs low-season promotions on Bwindi permits. These are announced by Uganda Wildlife Authority and we pass them straight through to clients.
- Is the permit refundable?
- Once issued against your passport it is generally non-refundable and non-transferable. That is why we put permit terms in writing before taking a deposit.
Still deciding? Ask us directly.
We will tell you honestly if a cheaper or shorter trip suits you better.