Mountain gorilla permits are the single hardest booking to secure in African travel. There are fewer than 1,063 mountain gorillas left in the wild, and only 36 habituated families across Bwindi (Uganda), Mgahinga (Uganda), and Volcanoes NP (Rwanda).
Each permit allows ONE person to spend ONE hour with a gorilla family, in a group of no more than 8 trekkers. The total daily quota across all parks is fewer than 100 permits per day.
**Permit costs (2025)**
- Uganda (Bwindi / Mgahinga): USD $800 per person
- Rwanda (Volcanoes NP): USD $1,500 per person
- DR Congo (Virunga NP): currently closed due to security — do not plan around it
**When to book**
- Uganda: 3-4 months in advance for low season (Apr-May, Nov); 6-8 months for peak (Jun-Sep, Dec-Feb)
- Rwanda: 6-12 months in advance for peak season. The Rwanda Development Board releases permits on a rolling basis.
**How to book**
Permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and Rwanda Development Board (RDB). Most travellers book through a licensed operator (like us) who bundles the permit into a 3-day package including transfers, guide, and lodging.
**Maximising your sighting chance**
- Book two consecutive treks (different families on consecutive days). Doubles your chance and supports the conservation economy.
- Choose a lodge close to your allocated trailhead. Bwindi has 4 trailheads (Buhoma, Ruhija, Rushaga, Nkuringo) — driving between them takes 2-4 hours.
- Be honest about your fitness. Treks range from 2 hours (flat, easy) to 8 hours (steep, muddy, dense undergrowth).
**What you get for the money**
The permit fee funds: anti-poaching patrols, gorilla veterinary care (when needed), community revenue share (20% of permit fees go to local communities), and ranger salaries. Without permit revenue, mountain gorilla conservation collapses.
**Our packages**
We book both Uganda and Rwanda permits. Our 3-day Bwindi package ($1,890 pp) includes the $700 permit, domestic flights from Entebbe, 2 nights full-board luxury lodge, all transfers, and a professional tracker guide.
Permits are non-refundable. Book early. We are happy to advise on which side (Uganda vs Rwanda) suits your trip best — message us via WhatsApp or the contact form.