What Is the Price of Gorilla Trekking in Uganda? A number of factors must be considered in order to determine the cost of Uganda Gorilla Trekking, which entails calculating the total cost of the package rather than just the cost of the individual activity. This is because Gorilla Trekking creates lifelong memories, making its price worthwhile. But in mountain gorilla families, the dominant silverback sets the rules for what the group must accomplish.
Uganda Gorilla Permit Cost: To participate in gorilla trekking, a traveler needs to get a gorilla permit; without one, they cannot enter the forest trail heads of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Therefore, you must have a gorilla permission, which is a major factor in the price of a Ugandan gorilla permit.
It costs USD 800 per person every day for non-foreigners, USD 700 for foreigners living in East African nations (Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania), and USD 300,000 for UGX East African members. Please be aware that there are no longer any low-season discounts; do not be duped. We recommend that you always reserve your gorilla trekking permit through a reputable, fully-registered tour operator who is aware of the reservation process.
Congolese gorilla permits cost USD 450 each trek, and Rwandan gorilla trekking is conducted in Virunga National Park. In Rwanda, a single permit costs USD 1,500 per person per day, which is the same price as Uganda’s gorilla habituation for a full day.
Foreign nonresidents must pay USD 1,500 for the Uganda Gorilla Habituation Experience permit, East African citizens must pay SD 1,000, and East African citizens must pay UGX 750,000.
If you intend to travel during the drier/peak seasons of June to September and December to March, it is crucial to reserve your gorilla trekking permit or trip at least six months in advance to prevent disappointments.
Through your tour providers, you can directly reserve Uganda gorilla permits from the UWA Uganda Wild Authority headquarters.
The Car
Gorilla trekking requires a car in order to enter one of these two national parks. Due to its uneven terrain, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park require four-wheel drive vehicles. It takes about nine to ten hours to convey by road.
As an alternative, you can use scheduled or chartered flights of Aero Link Uganda to fly from Entebbe Airport to Kihihi Airstrip or Kisoro Airstrip. Since their offices are located there, you can book your flight from Entebbe International Airport, which can also be done with the assistance of a reliable tour agent. The flight takes 1:30 hours.
It is more costly to travel alone because the cost of transportation, lodging, and petrol will triple. Traveling with family or friends is preferable.
The southwest region of Uganda is home to the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, which is well-known worldwide for its high population of endangered mountain gorillas. More than twenty-one habituated mountain gorillas are already available for trekking, but two groups are set aside for gorilla habituation, which is a full-day experience accompanied by researchers, park rangers, and guides.
It takes one to two years for the gorillas to become accustomed to humans. There are four distinct gorilla groups in these areas: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushanga, and Nkuringo. To trek in any of these areas, you must be physically fit. We advise using 4×4 wheel drivers, but you may also rent modest cars for reasonable prices. There is only one gorilla family or group in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, the Nyakagezi, which has nine individuals.
Accommodations
Gorilla trekking is not just a one-day activity; although it requires a lengthy drive to get to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, you can at least spend the night there. The cost of gorilla trekking also depends on the kind of lodging you select. The lodging options in Bwindi range from luxurious to reasonably priced.
Porters are available at the park’s promises and can be hired for a nominal price of USD 20 each trek, depending on the weight of the luggage to be carried. Porters assist with gorilla trekking. There is no need to hire a guide because it is included in the permit fee.
Finally, since the number of days is crucial, we can conclude that the price of gorilla trekking is determined by the number of days you reserve for the activity.
Gorilla Trekking in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is home to two gorilla species found nowhere else together: mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park and eastern lowland gorillas (Grauer’s gorillas, Gorilla beringei graueri) in Kahuzi-Biega National Park. Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Virunga National Park – Africa’s oldest national park, established in 1925 – covers 7,900 km² of remarkable ecological diversity, from the volcanic peaks of the Virunga Massif to the glaciers of the Rwenzori Mountains and the tropical lowland forests of the Congo Basin. The park is also home to hippos, elephants, okapis, and the entire cast of Congo rainforest wildlife.
Eastern Lowland Gorillas – A Unique Encounter
The eastern lowland gorilla (Grauer’s gorilla) is the world’s largest subspecies of gorilla, with silverbacks weighing up to 220kg. Found only in the DRC, Grauer’s gorillas are considerably rarer than mountain gorillas – their population has declined by more than 70% since the 1990s due to conflict, habitat loss, and poaching. Kahuzi-Biega National Park in South Kivu offers the only reliable trekking experience with habituated Grauer’s gorilla families.
A gorilla permit in the DRC costs USD 400 per person – significantly cheaper than Rwanda (USD 1,500) or Uganda (USD 800). The experience is raw, off-the-beaten-track, and unforgettable for travellers seeking something genuinely uncommon.
Practical Information for DRC Gorilla Trekking
Getting to Virunga and Kahuzi-Biega
The most common entry point to eastern DRC is via Kigali, Rwanda. Goma – the gateway to Virunga National Park – is just 80km from Kigali. Direct flights from Nairobi and Kampala also serve Goma. Bukavu (gateway to Kahuzi-Biega) is accessible from Goma by road (3-4 hours) or by light aircraft.
Is it safe to trek gorillas in the DRC?
Security in eastern DRC is complex and fluctuates. Virunga National Park and Kahuzi-Biega have experienced periods of closure due to armed group activity. Always check current security conditions with your tour operator and your government’s travel advisory before planning a DRC gorilla trek. Reputable operators with established local security networks are essential.
Recommended Tours: 8 Days Congo Gorillas & Nyiragongo Safari | 5 Days Lowland Gorilla Safari Congo
