Gorilla trekking guide

Gorilla permits

Everything you need to know about gorilla trekking permits in Uganda and Rwanda: prices, availability, how to book and how to choose the right park and sector.

Your ticket to the gorillas

What is a gorilla permit?

A gorilla permit is the official authorisation that allows you to trek to a habituated mountain gorilla family and spend time with it in the wild. Every visitor aged 15 or over needs one, and each permit is valid for one person, on one specific date, for one specific park or sector. Permits are issued by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) for Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla national parks, and by Rwanda Development Board (RDB) for Volcanoes National Park.

Because only a small number of visitors may see each gorilla family per day, permits are limited and often sell out months in advance. Securing the right permit for the right date is the single most important step in planning a gorilla safari. As a local operator based in Kisoro, Kamere Tours books permits for our guests every week and can advise on availability, sectors and timing.

Summary

Uganda permitUS$800 (foreign non-residents)

Rwanda permitUS$1,500

Habituation (Uganda)US$1,500

Book3–6+ months ahead in peak season

Gorilla permit prices

Permit prices are set by the wildlife authorities and can change, sometimes with only a few months’ notice. The figures below reflect the rates published at the time of writing for 2026. We always confirm the current price and availability before you book.

Uganda: standard gorilla trekking permit

Visitor category	Price per person
Foreign non-residents	US$800
Foreign residents of Uganda	US$700
Rest of Africa (non-East African)	US$500
East African citizens	UGX 300,000

For 2026, Uganda has offered discounted low-season permits for foreign non-residents at US$600 during April, May and November. Read more in our article on the US$600 low-season gorilla permits.

Uganda: gorilla habituation experience permit

Visitor category	Price per person
Foreign non-residents	US$1,500
Foreign residents	US$1,000
Rest of Africa	US$1,000
East African citizens	UGX 750,000

The habituation experience allows around four hours with a gorilla family that is still being habituated. See our full guide to the gorilla habituation experience.

Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo

Country	Park	Permit price (foreign visitors)
Rwanda	Volcanoes National Park	US$1,500
DR Congo	Virunga & Kahuzi-Biega	Around US$400–500

Rwanda’s higher price reflects its quick access from Kigali and a strong focus on low-volume, high-value tourism. The Democratic Republic of Congo is cheaper but subject to security considerations, and Kamere Tours focuses on Uganda and Rwanda. For a detailed comparison, see gorilla permit comparison: Rwanda vs Uganda.

What does a gorilla permit include?

A gorilla permit covers your entry to the national park on the day of your trek, the services of the ranger guides, trackers and armed escorts, and one hour with the assigned gorilla family (four hours on the habituation experience). It does not include transport to the park, accommodation, meals, porters, tips or other activities. When you book a gorilla safari with us, these are included in your package, so you know the full cost from the start.

How to book a gorilla permit

Permits can only be issued for a specific date and must be paid in full to be confirmed. The process with Kamere Tours is simple:

Choose your dates and park. Tell us when you plan to travel and whether you prefer Uganda, Rwanda or both. We check live availability for your dates and recommend the best park and sector for your route.
Send passport details. Permits are issued in the name of each trekker, so we need full names, nationality and passport numbers exactly as they appear in your passport.
Make payment. We secure the permit with the wildlife authority as soon as payment is received. Permits are not reserved without payment.
Receive confirmation. We send a copy of your permit and add it to your itinerary. You bring your passport on the day; rangers check it against the permit at the briefing.

In Rwanda, permits are booked through Rwanda Development Board. Read how to book a gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda. In Uganda, see getting a gorilla permit made easy in Uganda.

How far in advance should you book?

Availability depends on the season, the park and the size of your group. As a guide:

June to September and mid-December to early January: book at least three to six months ahead, and longer for larger groups or specific sectors.
February, March and October: book two to four months ahead.
April, May and November: availability is usually better, and Uganda’s low-season discount makes these months good value.
Habituation permits: book as early as possible, as only a few are issued per day.

Last-minute permits are sometimes possible, especially in the low season, so it is always worth asking us even if your trip is soon.

Choosing the right sector in Uganda

In Uganda, a permit is linked not only to a date but also to a sector of Bwindi or to Mgahinga. This matters because the sectors are far apart by road, and you need to stay near the sector where you will trek. Bwindi has four sectors: Buhoma in the north, Ruhija in the east, and Rushaga and Nkuringo in the south. Mgahinga, just outside Kisoro, is a separate park with one habituated family. The southern sectors and Mgahinga are closest to Kigali, while Buhoma is convenient when coming from Queen Elizabeth National Park. We choose the sector according to your route, availability, preferred accommodation and fitness. Learn more on our gorilla families page.

Rules that come with your permit

The minimum age for gorilla trekking is 15 years. Rangers may check passports.
Your permit is valid only for the date, park and sector stated.
Visitors who are clearly unwell, for example with a cold or flu, may not be allowed to trek, to protect the gorillas.
A maximum of eight visitors may visit each gorilla family per day on standard trekking.
Follow all ranger instructions, keep the advised distance and do not use flash photography.

Cancellations and changes

Gorilla permits are generally non-refundable, and changing dates is subject to the policies of Uganda Wildlife Authority or Rwanda Development Board and to availability. Policies are updated from time to time, so we explain the current terms clearly before you pay. For this reason, we strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance that covers cancellation. If your plans change, contact us as early as possible, and we will do everything we can to help.

Is a gorilla permit worth the price?

Many travellers are surprised by the cost of a permit, but most say afterwards that the experience was worth every cent. Permit fees fund the protection of the parks, ranger patrols, veterinary care and research, and a share supports communities living around the parks, giving them a stake in conservation. This model has helped mountain gorilla numbers increase over recent decades, a rare conservation success. When you buy a permit, you are directly supporting the survival of the species.

Uganda or Rwanda: which permit should you choose?

The right choice depends on your budget, time and route:

Choose Uganda if you want better value, more gorilla families and sectors, the option of the habituation experience, and the chance to combine gorillas with chimpanzees and savannah parks.
Choose Rwanda if you have limited time and want a short trip from Kigali with very smooth logistics.
Fly into Kigali, trek in Uganda: many of our guests land in Kigali and trek in Mgahinga or southern Bwindi, which are closer to Kigali than to Entebbe, combining Rwanda’s convenient airport with Uganda’s permit prices. See our 2-day gorilla trekking safari from Kigali.

Tips for a smooth permit booking

Check that names and passport numbers match your passport exactly.
If you are renewing your passport before travel, tell us so we can update the details.
Plan at least one buffer day before your trek, especially if you are arriving on an international flight.
Book accommodation near your sector as soon as your permit is confirmed.
Consider two treks on different days or in different sectors for two different gorilla families.

Ready to secure your permits? Send us your dates and we will check availability straight away. For more background, read our guides to the best time for gorilla trekking and gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda.

Budgeting for a gorilla safari

The permit is usually the largest single cost, but it is only part of the total. A realistic budget also includes transport to and from the park, accommodation, meals, guiding, porters and tips. As a rough guide for Uganda, a short budget gorilla safari of around three days might cost in the region of US$1,200–1,800 per person including the permit, while mid-range and luxury trips cost more depending on lodges and the length of the journey. Rwanda trips are generally more expensive because of the higher permit price. Every quote we send is itemised, so you can see exactly where your money goes. Read our comparison of luxury, mid-range and budget gorilla trekking for more detail.

Permits for groups and families

Each habituated gorilla family can receive only eight visitors per day, so larger groups may need to be split between families or sectors on the same day, or trek on different days. If you are travelling as a family, remember that everyone who treks must be at least 15. Younger children can enjoy alternative activities such as a community walk, canoeing on Lake Mutanda or a visit to a local school with a guide while older family members trek. Let us know the size and ages of your group early, so we can secure permits that keep you together wherever possible.

Do you always see the gorillas?

Sightings on standard gorilla trekking are very reliable, because trackers set out early each morning to locate the families and stay in contact with your ranger guide. In the rare event that a family cannot be reached, rangers do everything possible to find them, and park policies set out what happens next. We will explain the current policy when you book.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a gorilla permit in Uganda?

At the time of writing, a standard gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs US$800 for foreign non-residents, with discounted low-season permits of US$600 offered in April, May and November 2026. Prices are set by Uganda Wildlife Authority and can change.

How much is a gorilla permit in Rwanda?

A gorilla trekking permit in Volcanoes National Park costs US$1,500 per person for foreign visitors.

Can I buy a gorilla permit on arrival?

It is not recommended. Permits are limited and often sold out weeks or months in advance, so they should be booked before you travel.

Are gorilla permits refundable?

Permits are generally non-refundable, and changes depend on the wildlife authority’s policy and availability. Travel insurance with cancellation cover is strongly recommended.

What is the minimum age for a gorilla permit?

Trekkers must be at least 15 years old in both Uganda and Rwanda.

Can Kamere Tours book permits without a full safari?

Contact us with your plans. We usually include permits as part of a safari package with transport and accommodation, which makes logistics on trekking day much easier.

Gorilla permits

What is a gorilla permit?