Uganda's National Parks: fees & permits
Planning to visit Uganda’s National Parks? Exploring Uganda’s wilderness is surprisingly affordable, and entrance costs are lower than in neighbouring Tanzania and Kenya. We've written down everything you need to know about entrance fees and how to arrange your permits.
*Sidenote: This article focuses mainly on Uganda's parks' fees and permits. If you're looking for more activity-based information, we recommend that you read our Uganda travel blog instead.
How to obtain your permits for Uganda's National Parks
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You can simply buy your entrance permits on arrival at the park entrance gate. Payments are by credit card only, but do bring some cash money (US Dollars or Ugandan shillings) in case the reservation system of the Uganda Wildlife Authority is down.
When you go gorilla or chimp trekking in Bwindi or Kibale Forest National Park, the park entrance fee is included in your trekking permit.
How much are park fees in Uganda?
The average tariffs charged by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) are listed below. Park entrance fees are valid for 24 hours.
Murchison Falls National Park
- USD 45 for non-residents
- USD 35 for foreign residents
- UGX 25,000 for East African Citizens (in case you go with a driver, that is the rate you'll pay for him)
- Children aged 0-5 can enter free of charge. 5-15 years is USD 25 for non-residents.
Kidepo Valley, Queen Elizabeth, Kibale Forest, Lake Mburo
- USD 40 for non-residents
- USD 30 for foreign residents
- UGX 20,000 for East African Citizens
- Children aged 0-5 can enter free of charge. 5-15 years is USD 20 for non-residents.
Mount Rwenzori, Mount Elgon, Semuliki
- USD 35 for non-residents
- USD 25 for foreign residents
- UGX 15,000 for East African Citizens
- Children aged 0-5 can enter free of charge. 5-15 years is USD 5 for non-residents.
Vehicle entrance fee: UGX 40,000 (per entry, not per 24 hours). Our cars are Ugandan-registered.
Self game drive: USD 10 per day, per vehicle.
UWA ranger for your game drive: USD 25 per half day.
Camping fees: The Ugandan Wildlife Authority manages the public campgrounds inside the park. Staying overnight at a UWA public campsite with a pit latrine, water, firewood, and a night warden costs only UGX 40,000/person, per night. Wilderness camping in Murchison Falls costs USD 40/per person per night and includes a night warden and firewood.
Costs of gorilla trekking and other park activities
Uganda is perhaps the best destination in the world to go primate trekking. You can go on a gorilla and chimpanzee trek, or join a team of experts researching habituated gorillas, chimps and golden monkeys.
Getting your permits
The Uganda Wildlife Authority issues the permits, but only to Tour Operators. As a tourist, there is no possibility of visiting their headquarters in Kampala and arranging it yourself. Roadtrip Africa can arrange your gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits or habituation experience for you when you confirm your tour or car rental booking with us in Uganda. For this service, we charge a handling fee of USD 15 per chimp permit and USD 25 per gorilla permit. You can read more about how to obtain your trekking permits here.
Nature walks
Another exciting experience is going on a guided nature walk. Chances are slim that you will spot big predators (and perhaps that's even a relief...), but it's a nice variation to the car-based safari experience, and you can learn a lot from the UWA rangers.
For a complete overview of all experiences available in Uganda's National Parks, refer to the UWA tariff sheet.
Uganda National Park activities and average fees
- UWA guided nature walks: USD 15 per person
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Park entrance fees are included in the activity price.
- USD 800 gorilla trekking
- USD 1500 gorilla habituation experience
- USD 40 batwa forest experience, non-residents
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Park entrance fees are included in the activity price.
- USD 800 gorilla trekking
- USD 60 golden monkey trekking
- USD 100 golden monkey habituation experience
- USD 80 volcano climbing
Kibale National Park
Park entrance fees are included in the activity price.
- USD 250 chimpanzee trekking
- USD 300 chimpanzee habituation experience
