Bwindi forest park fees 2022 -2024
Bwindi impenetrable national park also referred to as Bwindi impenetrable forest is one of the most popular safari destination in Uganda and a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for hosting the endangered Mountain gorillas and the largest gorilla population in the world.
Bwindi impenetrable national park is located in the southwestern part of Uganda on the rim of the Rift Valley, the park is dominated by hillsides which are mist – covered and sheltered by one of the ancient and very biologically varied rainforests in Uganda dating back to more than 25,000 years.
Bwindi impenetrable national park is habitat to more than 600 mountain gorillas which is half of the world’s population of mountain gorillas and is the second gorilla population in the world and second one is found in the Virunga conservation Area.
Mountain gorilla trekking is the major safari activity done in Bwindi impenetrable national park, below are the new Bwindi Forest Park fees 2022 – 2024. These fees are drafted by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Mountain gorilla trekking
| STATUS | FEES (US$) |
| Foreign Non-Residents (FNR) | 700 |
| Foreign residents (FR) | 600 |
| East Africa Community residents (EAC) | 250,000 UgX |
Mountain gorilla habitation experience
| STATUS | Fees (US$) | |
| Foreign Non-Residents (FNR) | 1,500 | |
| Foreign residents (FR) | 1000 | |
| East Africa Community residents (EAC) | 750,000 |
Nature walk
| Status | Fees (UGX) |
| Foreign Non-Residents (FNR) | 30 |
| Foreign residents (FR) | 15 |
| East Africa Community residents (EAC) | 10,000 |
Batwa Forest Experience
| Status | Fees (US$) |
| Foreign Non-Residents (FNR) | 40 |
| Foreign residents (FR) | 40 |
| East Africa Community residents (EAC) | 40,000 UgX |
Birding
| Status | Fees (US$) |
| Foreign Non-Residents (FNR) | 30 |
| Foreign residents (FR) | 25 |
| East Africa Community residents (EAC) | 20,000 UgX |
Commercial filming and photography
| All filming and photography | 40% of the activity fee
(inclusive of the monitoring fees of 10%per day) |
| Filming with a drone | 50% of the activity |
Aircrafts landing fees
Each and every aircraft landing in Bwindi impenetrable forests is charged a designated fees, these fees were allocated according to the type of the air craft and the carrying capacity (number of seats in the aircraft).
| Type of the aircraft and no of seats | Foreign | Ugandan registered | |
| US $ | UGx | ||
| Gliders, Microlights | 10 | 10 | 20,000 |
| Up to 3 Seater | 20 | 20 | 40,000 |
| 4-6 Seater | 30 | 30 | 60,000 |
| 7-14 Seater | 40 | 40 | 80,000 |
| 15-20 Seater | 50 | 50 | 100,000 |
| 21 Seats and above | 60 | 60 | 120,000 |
| Helicopters (Per landing) | 100 | 125 | 250,000 |
| Parking fees per day | 10,000 | ||
Note:
- Aircraft fees are exclusive of passenger fees
- en-route pilots do not pay entry fees if they are to spend less than 2 hours in Bwindi impenetrable national park
Vehicle fees
Vehicle operating in Bwindi impenetrable national park are charged a fee designated basing on the type of the vehicle.
| Registration | Foreign (US$) | Ugandan registered | |
| US$ | UGx | ||
| Motor-cycles | 30 | 5 | 10,000 |
| Saloon Cars | 40 | 10 | 20,000 |
| Minibuses, Omni-buses | 50 | 15 | 30,000 |
| Pick-ups | 50 | 15 | 30,000 |
| Over Landers | 150 | 50 | 100,000 |
| Tour Company vehicles and 4 wheel drive | 150 | 15 | 30,000 |
| Buses and Lorries | 150 | 75 | 150,000 |
| School Buses | 25 50,000 | ||
| Delivery Vehicle per entry | 10 | 20,000 | |
Fines and penalties
| Offence | Penalty |
| Off-tracking driving fine | US$ 150 (per Person in the Vehicle, to
be incurred by the driver |
| Over Speeding | UGX 100,000 per incident |
| Smart Card loss | US$ 20 |
| Animal Accident fee (Road kill | US$ 500 |
| Fine for Late Reschedule
(Gorilla trekking permit) |
25% of the Permit Fee) |
| Fine for Tracking in a different
location(Gorilla) |
50% of the Permit Fee |
| Littering in the Park | UGX 100,000 per incident |
| Hooting in the Park | UGX 100,000 per incident |
| Sitting on Top of the Vehicle | US $100 per incident |
| Default on Tariffs | US$150 |
Research fees
| Category | LTR
(US$) |
FNSR
(US$) |
FSR
(US$) |
FRA/A
(US$) |
UNSR
(UGX) |
UPHDS
(UGX) |
UMSCS(US$) |
| Application | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 50,000 | 20,000 | 20,000 |
| Monthly research | 250 | 250 | 150 | 150 | 100,000 | 50,000 | |
| Report/security/security deposit | 300 | 300 | 300 | – | 200,000 | 100,000 |
Note:
- LTR– Long Term Researchers (beyond 3 years)
- NFSR– Non Foreign Student Research
- FSR– Foreign Student Research
- FRA/V– Foreign Research Assistant/Volunteer
- UNSR– Ugandan Non Student Researcher
- UPhDS – Ugandan PhD Student
- UMSCS– Uganda MSC Students
Other categories for researchers
| Category | Fees |
| Uganda research Assistants | Free |
| Foreign research assistants/volunteers | 50% of park’s entrance fees for 10 days |
| Foreign students on field short courses | 50% OF Park entrance fee for 10 days |
Note: Foreign students on short field courses have to be in possession of valid identity cards.
Bwindi impenetrable national park rules and regulations
Mountain gorilla trekking is the major Uganda safari activity in Bwindi impenetrable national park offering an encounter with the critically endangered mountain gorillas, for the protection of both mountain gorillas and the visitors, there is a set of rules and regulations governing the experience and these include
Before you set out
- Do not participate in visiting the mountain gorillas if you have a cold or other infectious illnesses
- The minimum age for mountain gorilla trekking is 15 years
- Human wastes should be buried 30 cm deep
- A maximum number of 8 persons per group are allowed to visit each gorilla group once a day
When you are with the gorillas
- Maintain a distance of 7 m (21 ft) distance from the gorilla
- Smoking, eating and drinking is prohibited while on mountain gorilla trekking experience
- If you must sneeze or cough, cover your face and turn away from the gorillas as they can catch coughs and colds from humans
- Being in the presence of mountain gorillas is limited to only one hour
- When taking pictures, do not use a flash as they irritate the gorillas
Are you planning a mountain gorilla safari inquiry from us?
Recommended Tours: 4 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Safari | 3 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trekking
Complete Guide to Gorilla Trekking in Uganda
Uganda is home to more than half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, making it the undisputed gorilla trekking capital of East Africa. Two parks offer gorilla trekking: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park — with four separate trekking sectors — and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in the far southwest.
A gorilla trekking permit in Uganda costs USD 800 per person and covers one hour with a habituated gorilla family. Each family is visited by a maximum of 8 tourists per day, ensuring a low-impact, intimate encounter. The permit fee directly supports Uganda Wildlife Authority conservation programs and community development initiatives.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest — The Four Sectors
Bwindi’s four trekking sectors each offer a different experience:
- Buhoma (North): The original and most established sector. Closest to Kampala (8–9 hours by road). Home to four habituated gorilla families.
- Ruhija (East): The highest sector at 2,300m, offering a more challenging but rewarding trek. Home to four gorilla families including the famous Bitukura family.
- Rushaga (South): The sector with the most gorilla families (six habituated families, including gorilla habituation experience groups). Popular for combining with Rwanda border crossings.
- Nkuringo (Southwest): The most remote sector with dramatic ridge views. Home to three families including the famous Nkuringo family.
