Want to know how to get discounted gorilla trekking permits in Uganda and Rwanda? Gorilla trekking has become one of the most expensive tourist activities in Africa, with permit prices alone running into the hundreds or even thousands of dollars per person.
As you plan to trek mountain gorillas, it helps to know that both Uganda and Rwanda have, at different times, offered discounted permits to make this bucket list experience more affordable. Below is a guide to how these discounts work and how you can use them to reduce the overall cost of your trip.
Discounted Gorilla Permits in Uganda
Uganda was the first country in the region to offer discounted gorilla permits to tourists visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
This discount offer was first introduced during Uganda’s 50th independence celebration. The idea was to attract more visitors during the country’s quieter, low travel season, when tourist numbers naturally drop off.
In 2011, the Uganda Wildlife Authority introduced discounted gorilla permits specifically for the low season months of April, May, and November. These months tend to see less tourist traffic, partly due to heavier rainfall in Uganda and partly because they coincide with winter in Europe, a period when fewer travelers are inclined to make the trip to East Africa.
Uganda later stopped offering these discounted permits in November 2017. However, the Uganda Wildlife Authority has since reinstated low-season discounted permits, effective March 2026. Under this arrangement, foreign non-residents now pay $600 instead of the standard $800 rate when trekking during April, May, and November. On top of the permit savings, many lodges in the area continue to offer their own additional low-season discounts on accommodation, making the overall trip even more affordable during these months.
Discounted Gorilla Permits in Rwanda
Rwanda has also introduced its own version of a discounted gorilla permit. Under this scheme, the standard cost of a permit drops from $1,500 to $1,050 per person, with the discount applying from November through May.
To qualify for this reduced rate, visitors are required to spend additional days or nights in other national parks within Rwanda, effectively encouraging tourists to extend their stay and explore more of the country rather than trekking gorillas alone.
These discounts were introduced in 2017, shortly after Rwanda significantly raised the standard price of its gorilla permits from $750 to $1,500. As a result of that price increase, Rwanda now offers one of the most expensive gorilla trekking experiences anywhere in Africa, even with the seasonal discount factored in.
Planning Your Gorilla Trekking Budget
Before planning your trip to see mountain gorillas, it’s worth taking the time to compare gorilla permit prices between Rwanda and Uganda, since the cost difference between the two countries can be substantial.
Think carefully about your overall budget and weigh up the trekking options available in each country, rather than focusing on permit cost alone. It’s also worth checking lodge prices in each destination, since accommodation costs can vary widely and will affect the total cost of your trip. To see how the discounts play out across different trips, you can compare gorilla safari packages for both countries.
One added benefit of trekking during the low season is that the parks tend to be far less crowded. Gorillas are also often easier to find during this period, since food is plentiful and the gorilla families don’t need to travel far in search of it. Ready to plan your trip? Check out our gorilla trekking tours.
Frequently Asked Questions About Discounted Gorilla Permits
What is a discounted gorilla permit?
A discounted gorilla permit is a reduced-price permit offered by Uganda and Rwanda during their low travel seasons to encourage more visitors during quieter months.
When can I get a discounted gorilla permit in Uganda?
Uganda offers discounted permits during the low season months of April, May, and November, when tourist numbers are naturally lower.
How much is the discounted Uganda gorilla permit?
Foreign non-residents pay $600 instead of the standard $800 rate when trekking during April, May, and November.
When did Uganda first introduce discounted gorilla permits?
Uganda first introduced discounted permits in 2011, initially tied to the country’s 50th independence celebration, to attract visitors during the low season.
Did Uganda stop offering discounted gorilla permits?
Yes. Uganda stopped the discount in November 2017, but the Uganda Wildlife Authority reinstated low-season discounted permits effective March 2026.
Why does Uganda offer permits at a lower price in April, May, and November?
These months see heavier rainfall and coincide with winter in Europe, both of which reduce tourist traffic, so discounted permits help attract visitors during this quieter period.
Do lodges also offer discounts during Uganda’s low season?
Yes. Many lodges near Bwindi and Mgahinga offer their own additional low-season discounts on accommodation, on top of the permit savings.
Is there a discounted gorilla permit in Rwanda?
Yes. Rwanda’s discounted gorilla permit drops the standard $1,500 price to $1,050 per person, with the discount applying from November through May.
What do I need to do to qualify for Rwanda’s discounted gorilla permit?
You must spend additional days or nights in other national parks within Rwanda, which encourages travelers to explore beyond gorilla trekking alone.
When did Rwanda introduce its discounted gorilla permit?
Rwanda introduced the discount in 2017, shortly after raising its standard gorilla permit price from $750 to $1,500.
Is Rwanda’s discounted permit still expensive compared to Uganda’s?
Yes. Even with the discount bringing the price to $1,050, Rwanda remains more expensive than Uganda’s standard $800 permit.
Which country offers the bigger permit discount, Uganda or Rwanda?
Uganda’s discount saves $200 per permit, while Rwanda’s saves $450 per permit, though Rwanda’s discounted price is still higher than Uganda’s full price.
Are gorillas easier to find during the low season?
Yes. Gorillas are often easier to find during this period, since food is plentiful and gorilla families don’t need to travel far in search of it.
Are the parks less crowded during discounted permit months?
Yes. One added benefit of trekking during the low season is that the parks tend to be far less crowded than during peak months.
Can I use a discounted permit in Bwindi and Mgahinga?
Yes. Uganda’s low-season discount applies to permits used in both Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Should I compare permit prices before choosing a country to trek in?
Yes. It’s worth comparing gorilla permit prices between Rwanda and Uganda, since the cost difference between the two countries can be substantial.
Does accommodation cost affect my total gorilla trekking budget?
Yes. Lodge prices vary widely between destinations, so checking accommodation costs alongside permit prices gives a clearer picture of your total trip cost.
Why did Rwanda raise its gorilla permit price so much?
Rwanda raised its standard permit price from $750 to $1,500 in 2017, making it one of the most expensive gorilla trekking experiences in Africa even with discounts factored in.
Who is eligible for Uganda’s discounted gorilla permit?
The $600 discounted rate applies to foreign non-residents trekking during April, May, and November.
Where can I compare gorilla safari packages that include discounted permits?
You can compare gorilla safari packages across both Uganda and Rwanda to see how the seasonal discounts affect the overall cost of different trips.
