Understanding the New Low Season Gorilla & Chimpanzee Permit Rates
Uganda has officially unveiled the Low Season Gorilla & Chimpanzee Permit Rates, opening a fresh opportunity for travelers who want to experience primate adventures at a friendlier cost. These new discounted permits apply in April, May and November, months when the forests are quieter, greener and more intimate for primate encounters. With this change, Uganda Wildlife Authority has created a window that makes gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking more accessible without reducing the quality of the experience.
The introduction of the Low Season Gorilla & Chimpanzee Permit Rates marks a major milestone in Uganda’s tourism strategy. Gorilla permits now drop to 600 USD for foreign non-residents and 500 USD for foreign residents during this period, while chimpanzee permits fall to 200 USD and 150 USD. These low-season months tend to have fewer visitors, which means more breathing room on the trails, cooler forest conditions and a deeper connection with the landscape.
The permits carry the same level of access as high-season ones, and the tracking experience remains fully guided by expert UWA rangers. The only difference is that low-season permits cannot be rescheduled, so travelers are encouraged to book confidently and plan ahead to secure their preferred date.
Where Gorilla Trekking and Chimpanzee Tracking Take Place in Uganda
With the Low Season Gorilla & Chimpanzee Permit Rates, travelers can explore Uganda’s most iconic primate destinations at a reduced cost. Gorilla trekking remains centered in the mist-covered forests of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to almost half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Each trekking sector in Bwindi, from Buhoma to Nkuringo, offers its own distinct terrain, community culture and habituated gorilla families.
The experience extends to the volcanic slopes of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, where travelers can enjoy breathtaking views across the Virunga range as they follow the Nyakagezi gorilla family. For chimpanzees, the top destination remains Kibale National Park, often called the primate capital of East Africa due to its impressive density of chimps and other species. Travelers can also track chimps in Kyambura Gorge inside Queen Elizabeth National Park, a dramatic sunken tropical forest known for its beauty and unique wildlife behavior.
How the New Low Season Gorilla & Chimpanzee Permit Rates Fit Into UWA’s Future Plans
The introduction of the Low Season Gorilla & Chimpanzee Permit Rates comes alongside long-term updates to Uganda’s conservation and tourism framework. UWA has announced a revised tariff structure that will take effect on 1 January 2027, adjusting prices for gorilla trekking, habituation experiences, chimpanzee trekking and other wildlife activities.
Gorilla trekking permits will shift to 800 USD for foreign non-residents and 700 USD for foreign residents from 2027, while gorilla habituation will stand at 1,800 USD. Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale will be priced at 300 USD, and the habituation experience at 400 USD. Kyambura Gorge will offer a more affordable entry point for chimp tracking, maintaining its place as a favored destination for visitors seeking variety during their safari.
Revised Tariff Structure Summary
| SN | ACTIVITY | Foreign Non-residents (USD) | Foreign Residents (USD) | Other Africans (USD) | East Africans (UGX) |
| 1 | Gorilla Tracking | 800 | 700 | 500 | 300,000 |
| 2 | Gorilla Habituation | 1,800 | 1,600 | 1,000 | 750,000 |
| 3 | Chimpanzee Tracking (KNP) | 300 | 200 | 100 | 180,000 |
| 4 | Chimpanzee Habituation | 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 KNP 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 |
These adjustments help sustain Uganda’s conservation work, maintain high-quality ranger services and support the protection of endangered mountain gorillas and chimpanzees for future generations.
What the Suspension of the Seven-Day Reservation Window Means
To complement the new Low Season Gorilla & Chimpanzee Permit Rates, UWA has also suspended the long-standing seven-day permit reservation window. This change takes effect from 1 March 2026, meaning permits will no longer be held without payment. Instead, booking becomes instantaneous upon full payment, improving transparency and making the availability of permits more predictable for both travelers and tour operators.
This update ensures that permits go to travelers who are fully ready to confirm their trip, minimizing last-minute cancellations and allowing for smoother safari planning.
Book Low Season Gorilla & Chimpanzee Permit Rates with Engabi Tours and Travel
The introduction of Low Season Gorilla & Chimpanzee Permit Rates makes this the perfect time to plan your primate safari in Uganda. Engabi Tours and Travel is ready to help you secure your gorilla and chimpanzee permits, design a personalized itinerary and ensure your journey flows seamlessly from arrival to departure.
If you want a memorable, affordable and expertly guided gorilla or chimpanzee adventure, CONTACT US today. Engabi Tours and Travel will handle your permits, accommodation and transport arrangements with the professionalism your safari deserves.
