Safari guides · Uganda
Gorilla Permit Availability in Uganda 2027: How to Check and Book
How availability is checked with UWA, the 2027 permit prices, and how Mwanzo confirms permits once your deposit is paid.
To check gorilla permit availability in Uganda, you ask UWA's reservations team for the sector and date you want, and international visitors do this through a licensed tour operator. Availability for your exact dates is checked with UWA, not read from a public calendar, and Mwanzo does not publish a live availability list. Send us your dates and we check.
2027 permit prices
| Permit | 2027 price per person | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gorilla trekking | $800 | One hour with a gorilla family, maximum eight visitors per family per day, minimum age 15 |
| Chimpanzee tracking | $300 | Kibale and other chimpanzee sites, see the Kibale guide |
| Gorilla habituation experience | $1,800 | Rushaga only, maximum 4 people per gorilla family per day, minimum age 15 |
These are UWA rates from 1 January 2027, covered in full in our gorilla permit cost 2027 guide. Rwanda charges $1,500. We quote the exact rate for your travel month before you pay a deposit.
How availability is checked
- Decide your dates and sector. Bwindi has several sectors and Mgahinga is separate. Our Bwindi sectors guide helps you choose.
- The request goes to UWA reservations. UWA's published guidance says booking begins by asking UWA whether tracking slots are free at the place and date you want. If there are none, UWA offers alternative dates and locations.
- Licensed operators for international visitors. UWA's advisory says gorilla and chimpanzee permits for foreign non-resident visitors are sold only through tour operators licensed by the Uganda Tourism Board. Foreign residents and East African citizens may buy directly from UWA. Payment at the park is not accepted.
- Official payment only. UWA says to pay only through its official channels, and warns that it does not use agents who ask for payment to personal numbers.
- Advance booking. UWA's published guidelines allow a permit to be reserved and paid in full for tracking dates up to one year after the date of reservation.
How Mwanzo confirms your permits
- You send dates, the number of guests and the experience you want.
- We check with UWA and send a written quote in US dollars with the permit rate for your month. We never buy a sector without your written approval.
- Your booking is confirmed on receipt of the 30% deposit. Permits are bought in your name once payment is received, and are held only once paid.
- We send you the UWA confirmation reference.
- The balance is due 60 days before departure. Within 60 days of departure: deposit and balance are non-refundable (100%).
Travel insurance is not included; guests arrange their own. Permits cannot be treated as fixed until they are paid, so if your dates are inflexible, enquire early. Message us on WhatsApp at +256 789 487 378, email info@mwanzotoursuganda.com, or use the Plan your journey form. We reply within one business day.
If your dates are full
If UWA has no slots for your date or sector, ask us for an alternative sector, a nearby date or a different experience. Compare options in Uganda vs Rwanda gorilla trekking, or read how to book a gorilla permit in 2027. Habituation permits are separate and limited, see the habituation guide.
Plan your trip around the permit
Look at the 3-day Bwindi gorilla trekking package or the other Uganda safari packages. Travelling from the USA, UK or Europe? See our guides for the USA, UK and Germany.
Sources read on 18 October 2026: UWA advisory on purchase guidelines, UWA guidelines for the management of gorilla and chimpanzee tracking (July 2024), UWA conservation tariff and the Ministry of Tourism page on UWA permit booking.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check gorilla permit availability in Uganda?
Ask UWA reservations about the sector and date you want. International visitors do this through a licensed tour operator, who checks with UWA and tells you whether slots are free or offers alternatives. Send us your dates and we check.
How much is a gorilla permit in 2027?
$800 per person for gorilla trekking, $300 for chimpanzee tracking and $1,800 for gorilla habituation, which is Rushaga only with a maximum of 4 people per family per day and a minimum age of 15.
Can I buy a gorilla permit directly from UWA?
UWA says permits for foreign non-resident visitors are sold only through tour operators licensed by the Uganda Tourism Board. Foreign residents and East African citizens may buy directly from UWA.
When are permits held for me?
Permits are bought in your name once your payment is received, and are held only once paid. We then send you the UWA confirmation reference.
How far ahead can I book a permit?
UWA's published guidelines allow reservation and payment for tracking dates up to one year after the reservation date. We recommend enquiring as early as you can.
What deposit and balance do you take?
A 30% deposit, with the balance due 60 days before departure. Within 60 days of departure: deposit and balance are non-refundable (100%).
Is travel insurance included?
Travel insurance is not included; guests arrange their own.