Safari guides · Uganda
Uganda Safari Cost 2027: 3, 7 and 10-Day Examples
What a Uganda safari really costs per person in 2027: our published trip prices, the gorilla permit, lodges, transport, and the extras most price lists leave out.
A private Uganda safari in 2027 costs from about $1,348 per person for three days, $2,700 for seven days and $3,713 for ten days, based on our published trip prices, excluding international flights. The biggest single cost is the gorilla permit at $800 per person. After that, the price depends on your lodges, how many people share the vehicle, whether you drive or fly to Bwindi, and how many parks you visit. Below are real examples from our packages and a line-by-line breakdown.
Uganda safari cost at a glance
| Trip length | Example trip | From (per person) | What you see |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 days | Bwindi Gorilla Trekking, Batwa and Lake Bunyonyi | $1,348 | Gorillas, Batwa community, Lake Bunyonyi |
| 3 days | 3-Day Gorilla Trekking Bwindi | $1,431, gorilla permit included | Gorillas by road |
| 3 days | Fly-in Gorilla Tour | $2,250 | Gorillas, flying instead of driving |
| 7 days | Gorillas, Chimpanzee and Wildlife Tour | $2,700 | Bwindi, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth |
| 8 days | Gorillas, Chimps and Big Five | $3,597, gorilla and chimp permits included | The classic western circuit |
| 10 days | Wildlife, Big 5, Chimpanzee and Gorilla Safari | $3,713 | Ziwa rhinos, Murchison, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi |
Whether a gorilla or chimpanzee permit sits inside a from-price is stated on each package page and always in your written quote. If it is not included, add the permit to the figure above.
3-day example: gorillas only
Three days is the shortest sensible gorilla trip. By road, day one is a long drive to Bwindi, day two is the trek, and day three is the drive back. We never combine a long transfer with trek day. From $1,348 per person for the Bwindi, Batwa and Lake Bunyonyi trip, or $1,431 with the gorilla permit included on our 3-Day Gorilla Trekking Bwindi trip.
Flying cuts the road time. UWA lists the scheduled flight to the Kihihi or Kisoro airstrips at about 1 hour 10 minutes. Our 3-Day Fly-in Gorilla Tour starts from $2,250. If you are travelling from far away, three days usually works best as part of a longer trip.
7-day example: gorillas, chimps and savannah
Seven days is where Uganda shows its value. A typical route links Kibale for chimpanzee tracking, Queen Elizabeth National Park for game drives and the Kazinga Channel boat trip, and Bwindi for the gorillas. Our 7-Day Gorillas, Chimpanzee and Wildlife Tour starts from $2,700 per person. See a day-by-day version in our 7-day Uganda itinerary example.
If you can stretch to eight days, the 8-Day Gorillas, Chimps and Big Five trip starts from $3,597 with both gorilla and chimp permits included.
10-day example: the full western circuit
Ten days lets you do Uganda properly: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary on the way north, Murchison Falls and the Nile, Kibale chimpanzees, Queen Elizabeth and the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, then Bwindi. Our 10-Day Wildlife, Big 5, Chimpanzee and Gorilla Safari starts from $3,713 per person. It suits travellers coming a long way who want every headline in one trip. Read Big 5 in Uganda for where each animal lives.
What makes up the price
| Cost | Typical (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gorilla permit | $800 per person | UWA standard rate from 1 January 2027 |
| Chimpanzee permit (Kibale) | Quoted in writing | UWA revises this rate on 1 January 2027 |
| Mid-range lodge | $120 to $220 per night | Depends on park and sector |
| Luxury lodge | $350 to $600+ per night | Named in your quote |
| Private 4x4 with driver-guide | $150 to $220 per day | Shared across your group |
| Fly-in, Entebbe to Kihihi | $350 to $450 per person, one way | Saves a long road day |
| Uganda e-visa | About $50 | Paid online before travel |
| Porter on trek day | $15 to $20 | Paid on the day, strongly recommended |
Mid-range private trips typically work out at around $400 to $550 per person per day, all-inclusive except flights. Luxury lodges add roughly 30 to 50 percent.
What is included, and what is not
Usually included: private 4x4 vehicle with an English-speaking, UTB-licensed guide; park entrance fees; accommodation and meals as listed; drinking water in the vehicle; airport transfers; permits when stated in the quote; and a contribution to the Serah Foundation on every booking.
Not included: international flights, the Uganda visa, travel and medical insurance, tips, drinks, personal spending and optional activities. We state this in writing, so there are no surprises in Uganda.
Five things that change your price
- Group size. The vehicle and guide cost the same whether one or four people ride, so solo travellers pay more per person.
- Lodge level. The jump from mid-range to luxury is the biggest choice after permits.
- Road or air. Flying to Bwindi costs more but saves a day each way.
- Season. In 2026 UWA introduced a lower gorilla permit rate for April, May and November. Ask us whether it applies to your 2027 month. Low-season permits cannot be rescheduled.
- Number of permits. Each gorilla, chimpanzee or habituation permit is per person.
How Uganda compares with Rwanda
The permit alone makes the difference. Uganda's gorilla permit is $800, while Rwanda's was $1,500 when we checked the Rwanda Development Board booking site on 6 October 2026. That is $700 per person, or $1,400 for a couple. Full comparison: Uganda vs Rwanda gorilla trekking.
Getting an exact 2027 price
Send us your dates, group size, the parks you want, and your lodge level. We reply within one business day with a written quote that names every lodge, permit and inclusion. Deposit and cancellation terms are on our payment page.
Planning from abroad? Our country guides cover flights, currency and timing for your trip: from the USA, from the UK, from Canada, from Australia, from the Netherlands, from Germany, from Belgium and from Scandinavia.
Questions before you book? Send us a message on WhatsApp at +256 789 487 378, email info@mwanzotoursuganda.com, or use the Plan your journey form. We reply within one business day.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Uganda safari cost per person in 2027?
Our published private trips start from $1,348 per person for three days, $2,700 for seven days and $3,713 for ten days, excluding international flights. Your final price depends on lodges, group size, season and which permits are included.
How much is the gorilla permit in 2027?
UWA's standard rate for foreign non-residents is $800 per person from 1 January 2027. It is usually the largest single cost in a gorilla safari.
Is a Uganda safari cheaper than Rwanda?
Usually, yes. The Uganda gorilla permit is $800 against $1,500 in Rwanda (Rwanda Development Board, checked 6 October 2026), a saving of $700 per person on the permit alone.
What is not included in a Uganda safari price?
International flights, the Uganda visa, travel and medical insurance, tips, drinks and optional activities are normally excluded. Your written quote lists exactly what is in and out.
How can I lower the cost?
Travel with at least one other person to share the vehicle, choose mid-range lodges, drive rather than fly, and ask us about permit rates for quieter months.
Do you quote in euros or pounds?
Yes. We can quote in USD or EUR, and we confirm the currency in writing before you pay.