10-Day Big Five, Chimpanzee & Gorilla Safari
Adds Murchison Falls and the Nile to the gorillas and chimpanzees.
From $3,713 per person
View trip → Canada · Uganda · Serah Foundation
Gorilla trekking in Uganda from Canada
Gorilla trekking in Uganda from Canada means a long flight from Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver with one connection, so most Canadian guests stay 10 days or more. We plan the whole trip from Kampala: the $800 gorilla permit in Bwindi, chimpanzees in Kibale and game drives, with a private vehicle and guide throughout.
Built for longer trips from Canada
Private vehicle and guide
Permits bought in your name
What it costs
Uganda gorilla tour prices from Canada
Uganda prices park fees in US dollars, and so do we. The USD figures below are the ones on each trip page, and your exact total is quoted in writing.
| Trip | From, per person (USD) | What the price includes |
|---|---|---|
| 3-day gorilla trek, Bwindi | From $1,431 | Gorilla permit, vehicle and guide, 2 nights |
| 5-day chimps, Queen Elizabeth & gorillas | From $2,199 | Lodges, vehicle, guide and park activities as listed |
| 8-day gorillas, chimps & Big Five | From $3,597 | Gorilla and chimp permits, 7 nights |
| 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 |
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).
Canadians tend to travel once, and for longer. Choosing Uganda keeps the $700 saving per person in the trip itself: more nights, Murchison Falls, or a second primate experience.
| 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 trip from Canada
Flights (indicative)
Main airports: Toronto Pearson (YYZ), Montréal-Trudeau (YUL) and Vancouver (YVR). Expect one connection in Europe, the Gulf, Istanbul or Addis Ababa before Entebbe (EBB); from Vancouver it can be two.
Check before booking. We can add a first night in Entebbe to recover, with an optional morning boat trip to Mabamba wetland for the shoebill.
Visa
Canadian citizens need a Uganda tourist visa, applied for online on the official Uganda e-visa portal. Read the Government of Canada travel advice for Uganda too. Last checked 6 October 2026.
Health
Since the Uganda immigration (NCIC) notice of 2 October 2026, a yellow fever certificate is no longer needed for entry, though vaccination is still recommended. Ask a travel health clinic about malaria prevention, and carry insurance that covers medical evacuation, and check what your provincial health plan covers abroad.
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. |
Escaping a Canadian winter? December to February is one of Uganda's drier, busier periods, so book permits early. Gorilla trekking runs all year. Best time guide →
Trips
Uganda gorilla tours for travellers from Canada
Long flights make longer trips better value. These are the four most Canadian guests pick, starting with the longest.
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 trip →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 trip →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 trip →Already in East Africa? The 3-day gorilla trek (from $1,431, permit included) works as an add-on. Custom private itineraries on request.
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 Canadian travellers
How long is the trip from Toronto?
It depends on the connection, but plan on a full day of travel each way. We keep the first day in Uganda gentle.
Can a couple share a room on a private trip?
Yes. Lodges offer double or twin rooms, and we list the room type in your quote.
Do I need malaria tablets?
Malaria is present in Uganda. Ask a travel health clinic which prevention suits you; see the Government of Canada travel health advice linked above.
Do you pick us up at Entebbe?
Yes. Airport pickup is part of every trip, whatever time you land.
What is the minimum age for gorilla trekking?
15 years on the day of the trek, set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
What time difference should I expect?
Uganda is UTC+3 all year: 7 hours ahead of Toronto in summer (8 in winter) and 10 hours ahead of Vancouver in summer (11 in winter).
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 from Canada?
Send us your dates and who is travelling. We reply within 1 business day with a clear plan and price.