

Learn about the new UWA travel updates on Uganda’s high season and low season discounted permit prices to help you plan better and smarter safaris to Uganda, the Pearl of Africa.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority has officially announced UWA New Tariffs, plus Uganda high season and low season discounted chimpanzee and gorilla permit prices, reshaping how travelers plan chimpanzee and gorilla trekking safaris in 2026 and beyond.
If you’re planning to trek gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park or track chimpanzees in Kibale National Park, these changes directly affect your budget and booking strategy.
Low-Season Chimpanzee and Gorilla Permit Discounts (April, May & November 2026)
Uganda now rewards travelers who visit the country during quieter months with low-season chimpanzee and gorilla permit discounts during the low-season months of April, May, and November.
The low-season discounted costs are as follows.
| SAFARI ACTIVITY | Foreign Non-Residents (USD) | Foreign Residents (USD) |
| Gorilla Trekking | 600 | 500 |
| Chimpanzee Tracking | 200 | 150 |
What You Save On:
- Gorilla trekking permits
- Chimpanzee tracking
These discounted gorilla permit prices open doors for:
- Budget travelers
- Student groups
- Conservation-focused visitors
- Repeat safari clients
NB: Low-season permits are final sale (no rescheduling).
High Season Permit Pricing
Peak months, which run from December to February to June to September, are considered to be high season, which means that they have maintained their rates for the year 2026 as shown in the table below.
| SAFARI ACTIVITY | Foreign Non-Residents (USD) | Foreign Residents (USD) | Rest of Africa (USD) | East African Citizens (UGX) |
| Gorilla Trekking | 800 | 700 | 500 | 300,000 |
| Gorilla Habituation Experiences | 1,500 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 750,000 |
| Chimpanzee Tracking | 250 | 200 | – | 180,000 |
| Chimpanzee Habituation Experiences | 300 | 250 | – | 250,000 |
| Kyambura Gorge Chimpanzee Tracking | 100 | 80 | – | 50,000 |
| Lion Tracking in Queen Elizabeth Park | 200 | 150 | – | 200,000 |
| Guided Buhoma to Nkuringo Walk | 60 | 50 | – | 50,000 |
| Guided Rushaga to Nyabaremura | 60 | 50 | – | 50,000 |
It is worth noting that the demand remains strong due to dry weather and easier trekking conditions.
Revised UWA Tariffs (Effective January 1, 2027)
Effective January 2027, the Uganda Wildlife Authority is adjusting conservation rates for some activities that have been in existence, as well as newly introduced ones.
This has been done to sustain gorilla protection programs, ranger patrol operations, and community tourism projects, as well as promote new wildlife products, including:
- Rhino Tracking (Ajai Wildlife Reserve)
- Golden Cat Tracking in Kibale National Park
The revised rates are as seen in the table below
| SAFARI ACTIVITY | Foreign Non-Residents (USD) | Foreign Residents (USD) | Rest of Africa (USD) | East African Citizens (UGX) |
| Gorilla Trekking | 800 | 700 | 500 | 300,000 |
| Gorilla Habituation Experiences | 1,800 | 1,600 | 1,000 | 750,000 |
| Chimpanzee Tracking | 300 | 200 | 100 | 180,000 |
| Chimpanzee Habituation Experiences | 400 | 300 | 250 | 250,000 |
| Kyambura Gorge Chimpanzee Tracking | 200 | 150 | 100 | 50,000 |
| Golden Cat Tracking in Kibale National Park (5 DAYS) | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350,000 |
| Lion Tracking in Queen Elizabeth Park | 500 | 300 | 300 | 250,000 |
| Guided Buhoma to Nkuringo Walk | 100 | 50 | 50 | 50,000 |
| Guided Rushaga to Nyabaremura | 80 | 50 | 50 | 50,000 |
| Rhino Tracking in Ajai Reserve (Adults) | 20 | 15 | 10 | 10,000 |
| Rhino Tracking in Ajai Reserve (Children) | 5 | 5 | 3 | 2,500 |
Immediate Payment Booking Policy
From March 1, 2026, the Uganda Wildlife Authority announced changes to the reservation procedures with new directives, including
- No more 7-day permit holds
- Immediate payment secures your gorilla permit
- Fair access for all tour operators
This was intended to prevent artificial scarcity in the UWA booking system.
Why Uganda Remains Competitive?
Compared to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, Uganda continues to offer:
- More affordable gorilla permits
- Greater gorilla family availability
- Diverse safari extensions to add on to Uganda gorilla trekking experiences
These aspects and key factors are projected to contribute to more sales revenue in gorilla tourism as well as Uganda safaris.
Who Should Book Now?
- Travelers targeting discounted chimpanzee and gorilla permits can easily book permits now in the low season.
- Uganda Safari companies packaging 2026–2027 tours can now plan better for the different journeys and offer discounts as well.
- Conservation tourists looking forward to contributing to conservation efforts without breaking the bank
With all these advantages, Uganda is sure to boost its tourism revenue.
Save on Uganda gorilla permits and chimpanzee permits in April, May & November with the newly released UWA pricing and create lasting memories during safari holidays.
Call or email us now and let us plan the best Uganda tours for you to enjoy activities, like gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, lion tracking, etc., firsthand!
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