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Uganda Gorilla Trekking Price Changes 2026.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has announced major updates affecting gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, and other wildlife experiences in Uganda. Released on 26 February 2026, the new policy introduces low-season discounts, revised permit tariffs, and an immediate-payment booking requirement that will reshape how travelers secure permits. These changes directly affect the Uganda Gorilla Trekking Price, making it essential for anyone planning a safari to understand the new structure before booking.
Uganda remains one of the world’s leading destinations for mountain gorilla encounters, especially in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a vast ancient rainforest that shelters nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. What sets Bwindi apart from other gorilla destinations is its dense, mist-covered terrain and exceptional biodiversity, offering a truly immersive trekking experience through one of Africa’s oldest and most biologically rich forests. With multiple trekking sectors and habituated gorilla families, the park provides varied encounters that keep Uganda highly competitive while maintaining a favorable Uganda Gorilla Trekking Permit Price for travelers seeking an authentic wilderness experience.
As demand for gorilla trekking continues to grow worldwide, the Uganda Wildlife Authority is carefully balancing conservation funding, visitor access, and sustainable tourism. This ensures that Bwindi’s fragile ecosystem is protected while travelers still have a realistic chance to secure permits compared to more limited destinations. The result is a carefully managed system that preserves the uniqueness of the experience while keeping the Uganda Gorilla Trekking Price attractive within the region.
Low-Season Discounted Uganda Gorilla Trekking Price
To encourage travel during quieter months, UWA has introduced discounted Uganda Gorilla Trekking Price permits for April, May, and November. During this low season, foreign non-residents can obtain a gorilla trekking permit for $600, reduced from the standard $800, while foreign residents pay $500. Chimpanzee tracking permits have also been discounted to $200 for foreign non-residents and $150 for foreign residents. These reduced rates apply to major primate destinations including Bwindi and Kibale National Park.
This adjustment provides a valuable opportunity for travelers seeking a more affordable Uganda Gorilla Trekking Price while enjoying advantages such as fewer tourists, easier permit availability, and lush photographic conditions. However, UWA has clarified that low-season permits cannot be rescheduled, meaning travelers must finalize travel dates before confirming bookings.
Gorilla Habituation Price Increase
Gorilla habituation is a unique conservation process through which wild mountain gorillas are gradually accustomed to the presence of humans without altering their natural behavior. Conducted by researchers, trackers, and conservationists in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, this process can take several years before a gorilla family is considered fully habituated for tourism. Visitors who participate in the experience join the habituation team in the forest and are allowed to spend up to four hours observing and learning about the gorillas as they undergo this careful transition. Unlike standard trekking, which involves already habituated families, this experience offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at gorilla conservation in action and a more intimate understanding of their behavior.
Effective 1 July 2026, the Uganda Wildlife Authority has increased the gorilla habituation permit fee from $1,500 to $1,800 for foreign non-residents. The Uganda Gorilla Trekking Price adjustment reflects the exclusivity of the activity, the very limited number of permits available each day, and the significant resources required to protect and monitor mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Because only a few visitors are allowed to participate at a time, the experience remains one of the most immersive wildlife encounters available anywhere in the world.
Uganda Gorilla Trekking Price Maintain $800!
Despite the increase, many travelers consider the habituation experience well worth the cost because of the extended viewing time, smaller group size, and deeper educational value compared to standard trekking. Meanwhile, regular Uganda Gorilla Trekking Price remain priced at $800 for foreign non-residents, maintaining a competitive Uganda Gorilla Trekking Permit Price and ensuring that the classic one-hour encounter remains accessible to a wider range of visitors. Choosing between the two ultimately depends on budget, interest in conservation, and how much time one wishes to spend with these remarkable primates, but either option offers an unforgettable encounter with one of Earth’s most endangered species.
Chimpanzee Trekking Price Increase
Chimpanzee trekking prices have been revised in Uganda’s two major tracking destinations, reflecting the growing demand for primate experiences alongside gorilla trekking. In Kibale National Park, which hosts the highest concentration of chimpanzees in East Africa, the standard chimpanzee trekking permit is now set at $300 for foreign non-residents, while the chimpanzee habituation experience costs $400. Kibale is widely regarded as the best place in Uganda to reliably encounter chimpanzees in their natural forest habitat, and the updated pricing aligns with its status as the country’s premier chimp tracking location.
In contrast, chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge, located within Queen Elizabeth National Park, is priced at $200 for foreign non-residents. Often called the “Valley of Apes,” Kyambura offers a different experience, with trekking taking place in a dramatic forested gorge surrounded by savannah plains. The price difference reflects variations in tracking conditions and sighting predictability, while still providing travelers with an opportunity to include chimpanzee encounters as part of a broader safari itinerary in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Experiential lion tracking Price Increase
The experiential lion tracking program in Queen Elizabeth National Park is a specialized conservation activity that allows visitors to accompany wildlife researchers and park rangers as they track radio-collared lions in the wild. Unlike a standard game drive, this experience involves using telemetry equipment to locate specific prides, observing their behavior, and learning how data is collected to support research and protection efforts. It offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how scientists monitor lion movements, health, and interactions within the ecosystem.
Priced at $500 for foreign non-residents, the activity is designed for travelers who want more than sightseeing — it is for those interested in understanding conservation firsthand and contributing directly to wildlife protection through tourism. By participating, visitors help fund research initiatives while gaining a deeper appreciation of the challenges involved in preserving one of Africa’s most iconic predators, making it one of the most meaningful and educational safari experiences available in Uganda.
Suspension of the 7 Day Permit Reservation Window
Effective 1 March 2026, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has officially suspended the previous 7-day permit reservation window for gorilla trekking permits. Previously, tour operators could temporarily reserve permits for up to seven days without immediate payment, giving them time to confirm itineraries with clients. Under the new system, however, permits must be fully paid for at the time of booking to be secured. This change is designed to enhance fairness and transparency, ensuring that permits are not held speculatively by operators, which sometimes limited availability for other travelers. By requiring immediate payment, UWA aims to make the permit allocation process more equitable, giving all travelers a clearer chance of securing their preferred trekking dates.
For travelers planning a gorilla trekking adventure in Uganda, this policy shift underscores the importance of making timely decisions and working with reputable tour operators. Since permits are now only confirmed after full payment, visitors must plan their trips well in advance and budget accordingly to avoid disappointment. Reliable tour operators can help navigate the booking process efficiently, ensuring that travelers obtain genuine permits that align with their schedules and financial plans. Ultimately, this change encourages more responsible booking practices while helping tourists secure the best possible experience on their Uganda gorilla trekking journey.
What Uganda Gorilla Trekking Price Changes Mean?
The new pricing and booking policies present both opportunities and considerations for visitors. Discounted low-season permits make gorilla trekking more accessible, while the revised reservation system ensures that confirmed travelers have a better chance of obtaining permits. At the same time, the increased cost of the habituation experience highlights the premium nature of extended gorilla encounters.
Uganda continues to offer one of the most extraordinary wildlife experiences on Earth, and demand for permits remains high throughout the year. Planning ahead, choosing travel months strategically, and understanding the updated Uganda Gorilla Trekking Price will be essential for anyone hoping to witness mountain gorillas in their natural habitat in 2026 and beyond.
