Uganda has introduced low-season discounted Gorilla and Chimpanzee permits effective 1st March 2026. These rates will be applicable for April, May, and November, intended to stimulate travel during the low season and keep steady numbers for Uganda’s primate tracking experiences.
Low season gorilla permits now cost $600 for foreign nonresidents and $500 for foreign residents, while chimpanzee permits for the same period cost $200 for foreign nonresidents and $150 for foreign residents, respectively. It is important to note that these permits cannot be rescheduled, and thus, you need to book when you are very certain about the tracking date.
On the other hand, the 7-day reservation window, through which tour operators could reserve permits without making payments, was also suspended/abolished. Going forward, therefore, all permit bookings will be made with full payment, and this is intended to ensure fairness and transparency in the booking process and avoid hoarding of permits by some operators who do not have confirmed clients!
So, three things here;
- Introduction of low-season gorilla and chimpanzee permits
- Suspension of the 7-day tentative booking window
- No rescheduling for the discounted permits
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) executive director, Dr. James Musinguzi, PhD, also announced further adjustments in the price of other activities, including Rhino tracking in Ajai Reserve, and price increases for the gorilla and chimpanzee permits, which will be effective 1st January 2027.
Find the New permits and activity rates for 2027 below;
| SN | Activity | FNR ($) | FR ($) | ROA ($) | EAC (UGX) |
| 1 | Gorilla Tracking/Trekking | 800 | 700 | 500 | 300,000 |
| 2 | Gorilla Habituation Experience | 1,800 | 1,600 | 1,000 | 750,000 |
| 3 | Chimpanzee Tracking (KNP) | 300 | 200 | 100 | 180,000 |
| 4 | Chimpanzee Habituation Experience | 400 | 300 | 250 | 250,000 |
| 5 | Chimpanzee Tracking (Kyambura) | 200 | 150 | 100 | 50,000 |
| 6 | Rhino Tracking, Ajai – Adults Children | 20 5 | 15 5 | 10 3 | 10,000 2,500 |
| 7 | Experiential Lion Tracking | 500 | 300 | 300 | 250,000 |
| 8 | Golden Cat Tracking in Kidepo NP for 5 days | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350,000 |
| 9 | Guided walks: Rushaga to Nyabaremura Buhoma to Nkuringo | 80 100 | 50 50 | 50 50 | 50,000 50,000 |
The introduction of the discounted permits was part of the suggestions that were put forward during the stakeholders’ consultative meeting, which was held in February this year between UWA and the Uganda Tour Operators, and it is a very welcome move.
In the same vein, the price of Gorilla trekking will remain the same through 2027, as you can see from the above table, despite a few increments in the price of Gorilla habituation experience, Chimpanzee habituation experience, and Lion tracking, among others.
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