# Gorilla Trekking Cost 2026: Rwanda vs Uganda *Permit prices, lodges, getting there and which country gives you the better gorilla experience for your budget.* *Published: 2026-10-15* > **Quick answer:** In 2026 a gorilla trekking permit costs US$1,500 per person in Rwanda and US$800 per person in Uganda for foreign non-residents. Add lodges, a driver-guide and transfers, and a short gorilla trip costs from about US$1,950 per person in Uganda and US$3,200 in Rwanda. Rwanda is quicker to reach, with the park under three hours from Kigali. Uganda is cheaper and pairs easily with chimpanzees and a classic savanna safari. Sitting a few metres from a silverback as he strips bamboo, while a youngster tumbles down a vine beside you, is one of the most moving wildlife encounters on Earth. Just over a thousand mountain gorillas survive in the wild, all of them in the forests where Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo meet. The permit is the biggest single cost, and it differs sharply between the two countries most travellers choose. This guide compares Rwanda and Uganda line by line so you can decide where your gorilla budget goes furthest. > **How we quote prices:** All prices are approximate, per person sharing, in US dollars. Permit prices are the official 2026 rates for foreign non-residents. Kasi Africa Safari package prices are our published rates at the time of writing. ## Gorilla Permit Prices in 2026 | Country | Park | Permit per person | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Rwanda | Volcanoes National Park | US$1,500 | One hour with a habituated family | | Uganda | Bwindi Impenetrable Forest | US$800 | Foreign non-residents, from 1 July 2025 | | Uganda | Bwindi or Mgahinga | US$700 | Foreign residents | | Uganda | Bwindi habituation experience | US$1,500 | Up to four hours with a family still being habituated | Permit fees fund ranger patrols, veterinary care and community projects around the parks, and they are a big part of why mountain gorilla numbers are growing. ## Rwanda vs Uganda at a Glance | | Rwanda | Uganda | | --- | --- | --- | | Permit | US$1,500 | US$800 | | Drive from the airport | About 2.5 hours from Kigali | 8 to 10 hours from Entebbe, or a short domestic flight | | Terrain | Volcanic slopes and bamboo, often shorter treks | Dense, steep rainforest | | Lodges | Polished, many boutique and luxury options | Wide range, from simple lodges to luxury | | Best combined with | Kigali, Nyungwe chimps, Akagera Big Five | Chimps in Kibale, tree-climbing lions in Queen Elizabeth | | Ideal trip length | 3 to 4 nights | 6 to 8 nights | ## Gorilla Trekking in Uganda: More Gorilla for Your Money Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is home to almost half of the world's mountain gorillas, spread across four trekking sectors: Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga and Nkuringo. With a permit at about half the price of Rwanda's, Uganda is the clear value choice, especially if you want to trek twice. The trade-off is distance. The drive from Entebbe takes most of a day, so many guests fly to an airstrip near the forest, at around US$300 to US$450 per person each way. ![Mist rising over the forested hills of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Photo: Giles Laurent, CC BY-SA 4.0](/images/journal/bwindi-mist.webp) > **package gorilla-trekking-budget:** Three nights at Bakiga Lodge in the Ruhija sector of Bwindi, with your gorilla permit, guiding and transfers. Our most affordable gorilla trek. Uganda really shines on a longer trip. Add chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest, a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel and the savanna of Queen Elizabeth National Park, and you have a full primate and wildlife safari in a week. > **package gorilla-trekking-uganda:** Seven nights combining gorillas in Bwindi, chimps in Kyambura Gorge and big game in Queen Elizabeth National Park. ## Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda: Fast, Polished and Unforgettable Rwanda's higher permit price buys convenience. Fly into Kigali in the morning and you can be at your lodge below the Virunga volcanoes by lunch. Treks are often shorter than in Bwindi, the roads are excellent and the lodges are some of the finest in Africa. That makes Rwanda ideal for a short add-on to a Kenya, Tanzania or South Africa safari, or for travellers with limited time. > **package gorilla-trekking-rwanda:** Four nights in Musanze with a gorilla trek, the Kigali Genocide Memorial and time to explore the city's markets and cafes. ### The luxury option At the top end, lodges on the slopes of the volcanoes combine dramatic architecture with reforestation and community work. Expect US$2,000 to US$3,500 per person per night, all-inclusive, before the permit. > **package gorilla-trekking-exclusive:** Three nights at Bisate Lodge, with forest-clad villas facing the volcanoes and a gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park. ## Sample Gorilla Budgets Here are three realistic examples for one person sharing, excluding international flights. | Trip | Approx. total | | --- | --- | | Uganda, 3 nights, one gorilla trek, mid-range lodge | US$1,950 to US$2,600 | | Rwanda, 3 to 4 nights, one gorilla trek, boutique hotel | US$3,200 to US$4,000 | | Uganda, 7 nights, gorillas, chimps and savanna | US$4,800 to US$6,000 | | Rwanda, 3 nights, luxury lodge, one gorilla trek | US$9,000 and above | ## Extra Costs to Plan For - **Porters.** Usually around US$15 to US$25 per trek, paid locally, and a real help on steep trails. The income supports families living beside the park. - **Gratuities.** For rangers, trackers, porters, drivers and lodge staff. - **Visas.** The East Africa Tourist Visa covers Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya on one document for many nationalities. - **Yellow fever certificate.** Required for entry to Uganda and recommended for Rwanda. - **Gear.** Waterproof jacket, gardening gloves for nettles, sturdy boots and long trousers. > If you can only afford one trek, either country will give you an hour you will remember for the rest of your life. If you can afford two, Uganda lets you do it for the price of one Rwanda permit. ## Which Should You Choose? **Choose Rwanda if** you have three or four days, want shorter transfers and polished lodges, or are adding gorillas to another safari. **Choose Uganda if** you want the best value, plan to trek more than once, or would like gorillas, chimpanzees and savanna wildlife in one trip. ## Plan Your Gorilla Trek with Us We secure permits as soon as you confirm, which matters in the busy June to September season. Explore more on our [Rwanda](/destinations/rwanda/) and [Uganda](/destinations/uganda/) destination pages, our [gorilla trekking safaris](/safari-experiences/gorilla-trekking/) and our [African safari cost guide](/blogs/african-safari-cost-guide/). ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How much is a gorilla permit in 2026? A gorilla trekking permit costs US$1,500 per person in Rwanda. In Uganda the permit costs US$800 for foreign non-residents and US$700 for foreign residents, following the increase on 1 July 2025. Uganda also offers a gorilla habituation experience for US$1,500. ### Is Rwanda or Uganda better for gorilla trekking? Both offer life-changing encounters with mountain gorillas. Rwanda is better for short trips because Volcanoes National Park is close to Kigali and lodges are polished. Uganda is better value, has more gorilla families to choose from and combines well with chimpanzees and savanna wildlife. ### How long do you spend with the gorillas? Once your group finds the gorilla family, you spend one hour with them. Treks to reach them can take from under an hour to most of the day depending on where the family is feeding. ### How fit do you need to be for gorilla trekking? A reasonable level of fitness helps, as trails can be steep, muddy and at altitude. Porters can be hired at the trailhead to carry your bag and help on difficult sections, and rangers assign families according to fitness where possible. ### How far in advance should I book gorilla permits? Book four to six months ahead, and up to a year ahead for June to September. Permits are limited to eight visitors per gorilla family per day. ### What is the minimum age for gorilla trekking? The minimum age is 15 years in both Rwanda and Uganda.