What is the cost of a gorilla trekking permit? Uganda vs Rwanda

Our fantastic feature image for this post was shared with us by our lovely clients the Walshes.

So as mentioned, a one-hour gorilla trekking permit costs:

In Uganda, you can also opt for a four-hour gorilla habituation experience, which also involves trekking to find a gorilla troop but is quite different in some important ways. This experience costs US$1,500 at present, and there are far fewer spots available, so it's imperative that you (or your tour operator) book your spot well in advance.

A mother mountain gorilla cleans her infant's foot

Let's now look at why the standard gorilla trekking permit prices differ so much between Uganda and Rwanda, and then at how that money is used.

Rwanda charges basically double what Uganda does for a gorilla trekking permit. That's just their prerogative. In general, Rwanda tends to target a wealthier travel, which is why many budget-minded travellers head to Uganda to see mountain gorillas.

Permits for gorilla trekking in both Rwanda and Uganda sell out well in advance, so it’s a good idea to book early or you might be sitting forlornly on the edge of the forest, watching others head off on a gorilla trek without you. Sad, sad, sad.

Every gorilla trek group is limited to eight people

So yes, gorilla trekking is undeniably expensive, even if you head to Uganda. Primarily this is because lots of money is needed for gorilla conservation.

When you go gorilla trekking in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (which has more permits on offer than anywhere) else, 75% of your permit fee goes to the park's gorilla conservation efforts. The Government of Uganda takes 15%. And the remaining 10% goes to the local communities surrounding the park. This is because their ancestral tribal lands have been given over to gorilla preservation.

You're allowed amazingly close to the mountain gorillas on a trek

The financial needs of the mountain gorilla parks in both Rwanda and Uganda are substantial. They need to: 

A high tariff per gorilla trekker also helps the parks to cover their costs while keeping trekker numbers low.

Our client Woody took this snap of his group about to embark on their gorilla trek!

It’s important that gorillas – even habituated ones – not be overexposed to humans. Gorillas are susceptible to human diseases, for starters. Also, an overrun park would likely mean damaged vegetation, a degree of litter, and other sad marks of human existence.

For anyone interested in ethical animal encounters, it's good to know that both Rwanda and Uganda take the well-being of their mountain gorilla populations very seriously. (And if this topic is important to you, you might enjoy reading Does gorilla trekking help conservation?)

Is it just us, or does this gorilla look like he's just had a fantastic blow wave??

So while a gorilla trekking permit is indeed costly, many take heart that buying one is actually making a contribution to the conservation and (hopefully) prosperity of these special apes.   

You can check out our Uganda gorilla trekking itineraries and Rwanda gorilla trekking itineraries if you'd like to book your trek or just see what else we suggest doing on either side of your gorilla adventure!