The current gorilla permit fee is one of the variables that decides a nation where one will go gorilla trekking. Mountain gorillas are found in their native habitats in only three nations on our world. These endangered animals call the hilly, wooded regions of these three African nations home. Two East African nations, Rwanda and Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo make up this trio of nations.

It is encouraging news that the recent mountain gorilla census has confirmed a population of more over 1,000 individuals. Four national parks—Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Virunga National Park in the Congo, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, and Mgahinga National Park in Rwanda—have made significant efforts to protect mountain gorillas, who are an endangered species. Anyone planning a trip to any of these three nations should be aware of the gorilla permit prices in advance.

Price discrepancy for current Gorilla permits The Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda

The price of a gorilla permit varies depending on whether country has mountain gorillas. As a result of a number of considerations that must be made before to deciding on a destination, the current gorilla permit pricing in Uganda differs from that in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. For non-resident foreigners, the current price of a gorilla trekking permit in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga for an hour is $800; for foreign residents, it’s $700; and for citizens of East African countries like Southern Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda, it’s 300,000 Shillings.

The cost of a gorilla habituation permit is $1500 for non-resident foreigners and $1,000 for inhabitants of that country who want to spend up to four hours in the company of mountain gorillas. Only in Uganda, namely in the southern region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, are gorillas now habituated. The entry fee to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, where visitors may observe mountain gorillas, is $1500 USD. At the moment, a one-hour Congo gorilla permit costs $400.00 USD. The gorilla permit rates mentioned here are subject to change and are based on the tariffs for 2024 and 2025.

Guaranteed gorilla permits for your gorilla safari

Affordable and adaptable gorilla excursions are offered by Katland Safaris, a top gorilla safari operator in Uganda and Rwanda. Upon your request, we will get the necessary gorilla permits for your gorilla safari. Please have a look at our sample gorilla trips, which include a three-day excursion departing from Entebbe Airport, a five-day excursion to Uganda that combines gorilla trekking with chimpanzee viewing, and a five-day excursion to Queen Elizabeth National Park that combines gorilla trekking with wildlife drives.

Traveling to Kigali Airport and then taking a road connection to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park allows one to hike gorillas in Uganda. We offer a variety of gorilla excursions in Uganda departing from Kigali, including a three-day habituation experience safari, a four-day double trekking excursion, and a three-day gorilla safari.

Why is there a variation in the pricing of gorilla permits right now?

For each country, the price of a gorilla permit is somewhat high since trekking gorillas is considered an expensive tourist activity. Regardless, mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are identical; the only variation is the price of permits to see these primates. This essay will attempt to explain this discrepancy.

Policy is one factor that contributes to the fluctuation in gorilla permit prices. The conservation efforts to rescue these mountain gorillas are almost same throughout Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC, however the price policy for gorilla permits varies. Recently, Rwanda has maintained a high price for gorilla permits in an effort to market the country—popularly known as “A country with a thousand hills”—as a high-end tourist destination.

In Volcanoes National Park, habituated mountain gorillas are under threat, thus Rwanda is trying to recruit a small number of high-paying visitors. Building upscale hotels and lodges, improving infrastructure like roads, and providing reasonable flights from all over the globe via Rwanda Air are just a few of the many things done to entice luxury travelers.

Despite the fact that mountain gorillas in both Uganda and Rwanda are identical, the price of gorillas in Uganda is somewhat cheaper than that in Rwanda. Uganda competes with Rwanda on price, even though the country does not actively promote tourism. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is more affordable than in Rwanda, which attracts budget-conscious travelers.

Presently, there are 17 habituated gorilla families in Uganda, making it the country with the largest number globally; Rwanda has 10 such families. It is worth mentioning that gorilla permits for Uganda sell out fast, even at the present price. Therefore, at least three to four months before to your intended gorilla viewing, make your reservation with Katland Safaris.

Visiting the mountain gorillas in the Congo costs the least amount of money anywhere in the world, as said before. During peak season, gorilla licenses in the Congo cost $400, while low season costs $300. The political instability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been going on for a while, and as of 2024, gorilla trekking has been put on hold due to the murdering of tourists in Virunga National Park, which is why the price of gorilla permits is so cheap. This is why the only two countries where Katland safaris are available are Uganda and Rwanda.

Please contact us via email if you would like more information regarding the cost of gorilla permits, how to arrange for gorilla safaris in Rwanda and Uganda, and when permits are available. We will also provide you with reliable information and advice, as well as competitive prices for gorilla tours in Rwanda and Uganda. When you contact Katland Safaris, we guarantee that you will get the finest service possible, and we have excellent reviews on both TripAdvisor and SafariBookings.