10-Day Big Five, Chimpanzee & Gorilla Safari
Adds Murchison Falls and the Nile to the gorillas and chimpanzees.
From $3,713 per person
View tour → Australia · Uganda · Serah Foundation
Uganda gorilla tours from Australia
A Uganda gorilla tour from Australia is a big trip, so most Australian guests give it 10 to 14 days. You fly from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Perth via the Gulf or Africa into Entebbe, and we take it from there: the $800 gorilla permit in Bwindi, chimpanzees, savannah and time to recover from the flight.
Paced for long-haul travellers
Recovery night in Entebbe on request
Gorilla permit bought in your name
What it costs
Gorilla trekking Uganda cost from Australia
Uganda prices park fees in US dollars, and our trip pages do too. International flights are a big share of the total from Australia and are not included.
| Trip | From, per person (USD) | What the price includes |
|---|---|---|
| 10-day Big Five, chimps & gorillas | From $3,713 | Full circuit including Murchison Falls |
| 12-day best of Uganda with primates | From $4,556 | Extra nights for a slower pace |
| 8-day gorillas, chimps & Big Five | From $3,597 | Gorilla and chimp permits, 7 nights |
| 5-day chimps, Queen Elizabeth & gorillas | From $2,199 | Lodges, vehicle, guide and park activities as listed |
Per person, excluding international flights. USD from-prices are the ones shown on each trip page today; your final quote depends on lodge level, season and group size. Gorilla permit: $800 per person (UWA, 2027). Chimpanzee permits for 2027 are quoted in writing with your trip.
Why Uganda
Why choose Uganda over Rwanda for gorillas
Both countries protect the same mountain gorillas. The difference is cost and what else fits into the trip. Uganda's gorilla permit is $800 for 2027 (Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) tariff from 1 January 2027). Rwanda charges $1,500 for foreign visitors (Rwanda Development Board (RDB) booking portal).
When the flights alone are a large part of the budget, the $700 saving per person on each permit helps pay for the extra days that make the journey worthwhile.
| Gorilla permit, foreign visitor | Fee (USD) | Source | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uganda, Bwindi or Mgahinga | $800 (2027) | UWA tariff notice TDO 93/04 | 6 October 2026 |
| Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park | $1,500 | RDB booking portal | 6 October 2026 |
Fees change. We confirm the exact UWA rate for your dates in writing before you pay. Gorilla permit cost 2027 guide → · Uganda vs Rwanda comparison →
Practical info
Planning your Uganda tour from Australia
Flights (indicative)
Main airports: Sydney (SYD), Melbourne (MEL), Brisbane (BNE) and Perth (PER). Common routings connect through Dubai, Doha, Johannesburg, Nairobi or Addis Ababa into Entebbe (EBB).
Check before booking. We recommend a first night in Entebbe; if you land early you can add a morning boat trip to Mabamba wetland to look for the shoebill.
Visa
Australian passport holders need a Uganda tourist visa; apply on the official Uganda e-visa portal. Check Smartraveller's Uganda page before you go. Last checked 6 October 2026.
Health
Since the Uganda immigration (NCIC) notice of 2 October 2026, a yellow fever certificate is no longer required to enter Uganda. Vaccination is still recommended, and if you connect through other African countries, check their rules too. Ask your GP or a travel clinic about malaria, and take insurance with medical evacuation.
Best time to travel
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Drier months | June to September, December to February | Firmer forest trails and the busiest permit dates. Book early. |
| Wetter months | March to May, October and November | Greener, quieter parks and muddier trails. Gorilla treks still run. |
| Low-season permit | April, May, November | UWA's $600 low-season rate applies in 2026. We confirm the 2027 rate when you book. |
July to September is Uganda's drier peak and fills fast. Book permits many months ahead. Gorilla trekking runs all year. Best time guide →
Tours
Uganda gorilla tours for travellers from Australia
From Australia, longer trips make more sense. These four start with the full circuit.
12-Day Best of Uganda Wildlife with Primates
The same highlights with extra nights, for travellers coming a long way.
From $4,556 per person
View tour →8-Day Gorillas, Chimps & Big Five
Kazinga Channel boat cruise, Ishasha's tree-climbing lions, a Bwindi gorilla trek, Kibale chimps and a rest day at Lake Bunyonyi.
From $3,597 per person
View tour →5-Day Wildlife, Chimpanzee & Gorilla Trekking
Chimpanzees, a Queen Elizabeth game drive and a gorilla trek in under a week.
From $2,199 per person
View tour →Only have a few days in the region? The 3-day gorilla trek works for travellers already in East Africa, but from Australia we suggest at least 8 days.
Every trip starts from the same building blocks: 3-day gorilla trek → · 8-day gorillas, chimps & Big Five → · Gorilla permit cost 2027 → · Send an enquiry →
FAQ
Questions from Australian travellers
Is a 3-day gorilla trip realistic from Australia?
Usually not. After two long flight days, three days is a rush. The 8-day or 10-day trips give you gorillas, chimps and savannah at a sensible pace.
Should we add chimpanzees and Queen Elizabeth?
Most Australian guests do. Kibale's chimpanzees and Queen Elizabeth's game drives sit on the same route as Bwindi.
What travel insurance do we need?
Cover that includes medical evacuation and cancellation. Gorilla permits are non-refundable once bought.
Can we visit the Serah Foundation?
Yes, a visit can be added to most itineraries. About the Serah Foundation.
How big is the time difference?
Uganda is on UTC+3. It is 7 hours behind Sydney and Melbourne (8 during daylight saving) and 5 hours behind Perth.
What is the minimum age for gorilla trekking?
15 years on the day of the trek, set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Book with confidence
Who you are booking with
- Licensed by the Uganda Tourism Board, licence UTB/RTT/TT/2023/100873 (Mwanzo Tours Uganda SMC Limited)
- Locally owned and run from Ntinda, Kampala, with Uganda-born guides who know these parks
- Clear written quote naming lodges, meals and permits before you pay. How deposits and cancellations work
- Read what past guests say on TripAdvisor, SafariBookings and Google, all linked below
Ready to plan your Uganda tour?
Tell us your dates and how long you can travel. We reply within 1 business day.