- Operators compared
- 7
- Priced products
- 10
- Median price (3 days)
- $2,414
- Range
- $530–$11,060
- Prices last verified
- 25 Oct 2026
What drives the price
- 01
A gorilla permit is the single largest cost. Uganda charges foreign non-residents USD 800 per trek (since July 2024); Rwanda charges USD 1,500. Permits are capped at eight visitors per gorilla family per day.
- 02
Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest has around 20 habituated families across four sectors; Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park has about a dozen.
- 03
Treks last from one to six hours depending on where the family is; the hour with the gorillas is fixed.
- 04
Rwanda's park is two to three hours from Kigali; Bwindi is eight to ten hours from Kampala or a short flight plus drive.
Options compared
| Variant | Days | offers | Min | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda | 3–5 | 5 | $530 | $1,400 |
| Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda | 2–4 | 4 | $2,400 | $2,800 |
| Uganda and Rwanda combined safari | 5–8 | 1 | $6,630 | $6,630 |
Best months
Dry seasons
Drier trails and easier hiking; permits in highest demand.
Wet seasons
Muddy and slippery but gorillas often stay lower; permits easier to get.
How to choose
- 1
Decide by budget and logistics. Rwanda is quicker to reach and more expensive; Uganda is cheaper and pairs well with chimpanzees and savannah parks.
- 2
Check that the permit is included and secured for your dates; permits sell out in peak season.
- 3
Compare lodge standard and the number of treks (one or two).
- 4
For the gorilla habituation experience (four hours, Uganda only) permits cost USD 1,500.
Lowest price per day right now
See every operator| Trend | Verified | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Adventure Safaris Licence unverified | Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda | 3 | Private | $530 | $177 | first seen | |
| Trek Africa Expeditions UTB | Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda | 3 | Private | $540 | $180 | first seen | |
| Kabira Uganda Safaris Licence unverified | Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda | 3 | Private | $1,400 | $467 | first seen | |
| Nkuringo Safaris UTB | Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda | 5 | Private | $2,429 | $486 | first seen | |
| Gorilla Trek Africa Licence unverified | Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda | 3 | Private | $1,550 | $517 | +11% | |
| Gorilla Trek Africa Licence unverified | Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda | 4 | Private | $2,850 | $713 | +14% | |
| Intrepid Travel Licence unverified | Uganda and Rwanda combined safari | 9 | Group | $6,630 | $737 | +11% | |
| Gorilla Trek Africa Licence unverified | Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda | 3 | Private | $2,750 | $917 | +20% |
Frequently asked questions
Answers use the live dataset; figures update when prices are re-verified.
How much does gorilla trekking cost?
Across the 7 operators we track, the median price for a 3-day gorilla trip is $2,414 per person, observed on 25 Oct 2026. The permit alone is USD 800 in Uganda and USD 1,500 in Rwanda, so packages are largely permit plus lodge plus transport.
Is gorilla trekking better in Uganda or Rwanda?
Rwanda is faster to reach and more polished, at nearly double the permit price. Uganda is cheaper, has more habituated families, and combines easily with chimpanzees and savannah parks, but involves long drives.
How hard is gorilla trekking?
Treks range from under an hour to six hours through steep, muddy forest at 2,000 to 3,000 m. Porters can be hired and groups are assigned to families by fitness level on the morning.
How far in advance should I book gorilla permits?
Three to six months for June to September and the December holidays. Operators buy permits on your behalf; the permit is non-refundable.
What is the minimum age for gorilla trekking?
15 years in both Uganda and Rwanda.