Park Fees

All visitors to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park must pay an entry fee in addition to any activity-specific permit or booking costs.

These are separate charges, and understanding the distinction matters when budgeting or quoting client packages.

Entry fees grant access to the park for 24 hours, while activity fees (or permits) cover participation in specific guided experiences.

UWA applies a tiered pricing structure based on residency status. Foreign non-residents pay the highest rates, foreign residents (holders of valid Uganda work or residency permits) receive reduced pricing, and East African citizens benefit from rates denominated in Ugandan shillings.

Note that children under 15 cannot participate in gorilla trekking (the minimum age is 15). Still, families visiting for other activities, such as forest walks or the Batwa Cultural Trail, will be charged the child entry rates.

Activity Fees

Beyond entry, each structured activity in Bwindi carries its own fee.

These fees typically include a UWA ranger guide. Community porters, who assist with carrying daypacks and provide physical support on steep sections, are available for hire separately.

Hiring a porter is optional but strongly encouraged; the income supports local households, and the assistance proves valuable on Bwindi’s demanding trails.

Permits and Reservations

Gorilla permits represent both the largest single expense and the most important logistical element of any Bwindi visit.

Without a valid permit, you cannot participate in gorilla trekking or the habituation experience. UWA strictly controls permit allocation, issuing a fixed number per gorilla group per day.

Gorilla Trekking Permit

The standard gorilla trekking permit grants access to one habituated gorilla family for up to 1 hour.

UWA issues eight permits per gorilla group per day, a limit designed to minimise stress on the animals and reduce the risk of disease transmission.

Bwindi currently hosts over 20 habituated groups across its four sectors, meaning total daily permit availability stands at roughly 160 to 200 permits parkwide.

The permit fee includes park entry for that day, the services of a UWA ranger guide, and the one-hour gorilla viewing session. You do not pay a separate entry fee on your trekking day.

Gorilla Habituation Experience Permit

The Gorilla Habituation Experience (GHE) offers extended time with a gorilla family that is still undergoing the multi-year habituation process.

Participants spend up to four hours with the group, observing researchers and rangers as they work to acclimatise the gorillas to human presence.

How to Book

You can secure a Bwindi gorilla permit through a licensed Ugandan tour operator.

You will need to provide passport details for each trekker, preferred dates, and sector preferences.

UWA confirms availability, issues a booking reference, and provides bank transfer instructions. Payment must clear before UWA releases the confirmed permit.

Booking through a tour operator is the more common approach, particularly for international visitors.

Licensed operators hold allocations or submit permit requests to UWA on your behalf. They handle payment processing, often accepting credit cards where UWA’s direct system requires bank transfers. Operators also manage date changes and logistical coordination. Commission is typically included in the permit price or in the broader safari package.

When to Book

Timing matters considerably, and getting it wrong can mean missing your preferred date entirely.

Peak season runs from June through September and again from December through February. These months coincide with drier weather conditions and major holiday travel periods.

Permits for peak season dates frequently sell out three to six months in advance. If your travel dates fall within these windows, book as early as your itinerary allows.

Shoulder and low season spans March through May and October through November. Rainfall is more frequent during these months, though trekking proceeds regardless.

Permit availability is generally better, and booking one to three months ahead usually suffices. UWA has occasionally offered discounted permit rates during April and May to stimulate low-season visitation; check directly with UWA or your operator to confirm whether any promotions apply to your travel dates.

Cancellation and Rescheduling

UWA’s cancellation policy is strict, and understanding it protects you from unexpected losses.

If you cancel more than 90 days before your trekking date, UWA refunds the permit fee minus an administrative charge (typically around USD 50 to USD 100).

Cancellations made between 60 and 90 days before the trek date incur a 50% penalty. Cancellations within 60 days of the trekking date are non-refundable.

Rescheduling to a different date (subject to availability) is possible and generally incurs a lower penalty than outright cancellation.

Your operator can advise on current rescheduling terms, which UWA adjusts periodically.

If you arrive for your trek but are denied participation due to illness (symptoms of the flu, COVID-19, or other transmissible conditions), UWA will not issue a refund.

You may be offered a rescheduling option depending on circumstances and availability, but this is not guaranteed.

Your permit specifies a sector. You must report to the visitor centre at that sector, not any other Bwindi gate.