In 2026 a gorilla trekking permit costs US$800 in Uganda (US$600 in April, May and November) and US$1,500 in Rwanda (30% off from November to May when you also stay two nights in Nyungwe or Akagera). Uganda’s gorilla habituation experience costs US$1,500. A complete short gorilla safari in Uganda starts from about US$2,600 per person for a solo traveller on our published 4-day trip.
Key takeaways
- Uganda permit: US$800 (US$600 in April, May and November).
- Rwanda permit: US$1,500 (30% off Nov–May with conditions).
- Uganda habituation experience: US$1,500.
- The hour with the gorillas is the same in both countries.
- Uganda from Kigali can combine Rwanda’s easy access with Uganda’s lower permit.
The question we hear most often after “Uganda or Rwanda?” is “how much does gorilla trekking cost?”. The permit is the largest single item, so it is the place to start.
Permit prices in 2026
| Experience | Uganda | Rwanda |
|---|---|---|
| Gorilla trekking permit | US$800 | US$1,500 |
| Low-season price | US$600 in April, May and November | 30% off Nov–May with two nights in Nyungwe or Akagera |
| Gorilla habituation experience | US$1,500 (about four hours) | Not offered |
Permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Rwanda Development Board. They are limited each day, so popular dates sell out months ahead. Read Uganda’s 2026 low-season gorilla permits explained and Rwanda gorilla permit discounts explained.
What a gorilla safari really costs
The permit is only part of the price. A complete trip also includes your private vehicle and driver-guide, fuel, accommodation and meals, park transfers and sometimes flights.
Our published 4-day Mabamba shoebill and Bwindi gorilla safari starts from US$2,633 per person for a solo traveller on budget lodges, including the US$800 permit, the shoebill canoe trip, a private vehicle, guide and meals. Two travellers sharing pay less each. See how much a Uganda safari costs for a full breakdown.
In Rwanda, a three-day gorilla trip from Kigali usually costs more overall because of the higher permit, but you spend less time on the road. Read how much a Rwanda safari costs.
The same encounter, different journeys
Whichever country you choose, you spend one hour with a habituated gorilla family, accompanied by rangers and trackers. The differences are in access, terrain and what else you can do:
- Rwanda: Volcanoes National Park is 2–2.5 hours from Kigali airport; treks start in open bamboo and are often shorter.
- Uganda: Bwindi has more habituated families, the habituation experience, and combines with chimps, savannah parks and the shoebill.
Read Uganda or Rwanda: where should you trek gorillas?.
How to save on gorilla trekking
- Trek in Uganda’s low season (April, May and November) for US$600 permits.
- Fly into Kigali and trek in Uganda: Bwindi’s southern sectors are three to four hours from Kigali. See our 3-day Bwindi gorilla safari from Kigali.
- Share the vehicle with travelling companions.
- Choose budget or mid-range lodges close to your trekking sector.
Your permit is tied to a sector and date, so we secure it first and then book a lodge nearby. Read book gorilla permits first.
Is the habituation experience worth it?
For keen photographers and anyone fascinated by gorilla behaviour, yes. You spend up to four hours with a family that is still being habituated in Bwindi’s Rushaga sector, with a researcher-led group, instead of the standard one hour. It costs US$1,500 in Uganda, the same as a standard permit in Rwanda. Read the gorilla habituation experience.
Other costs to budget for
- Porters, about US$20 per trek, strongly recommended.
- Tips for guides, trackers and lodge staff.
- Visas, travel insurance and international flights.
Get an exact price
Tell us your dates and how many people are travelling, and we will price the best gorilla option for you. Read the gorilla permits guide, then get safari pricing.
Frequently asked questions
Which country is cheaper for gorilla trekking?
Uganda. Its permit is US$800, or US$600 in April, May and November, compared with US$1,500 in Rwanda.
Is the experience different?
The encounter is the same: one hour with a habituated family. Rwanda is faster to reach from its airport; Uganda’s Bwindi has more families and the habituation experience.
How much does a full gorilla safari cost?
Our published 4-day Uganda gorilla safari starts from US$2,633 per person for a solo traveller on budget lodges, including the permit, vehicle, guide and meals.
Are permits refundable?
Permits follow the issuing authority’s own refund and rescheduling rules, so book carefully and take travel insurance.
How far ahead should I book?
Several months ahead for June to September and December; permits are limited each day.
Written by our Kampala-based planners and guides, who arrange these trips every season. Prices and rules are checked before every quote.
