How to Buy a Uganda Gorilla Permit in Installments: If you are planning a gorilla trekking trip to Uganda but your travel dates are still months away, you will be glad to know that you can buy your gorilla permit in installments. A gorilla permit is an official card that grants you access to spend time with habituated mountain gorillas in Uganda’s national parks. Gorilla trekking is available in three African countries — Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo — but Uganda stands out for its flexibility in payment options.
To trek gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, you need a valid permit. This permit covers one hour with the gorillas, park entrance fees, ranger guide fees, and a trekking certificate. If you want a longer, more in-depth experience, the gorilla habituation experience permit gives you four hours with a semi-habituated gorilla family.
How the Installment Payment Works
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) issues all gorilla permits for both Bwindi and Mgahinga national parks. When you choose to pay in installments, you start by depositing 30% of the total permit cost. You then pay the remaining 70% two months before your trekking date.
Here is how the numbers break down. A standard gorilla trekking permit costs $800 for foreign non-residents, $700 for foreign residents, and $500 for African citizens. If you choose the installment option, your initial 30% deposit comes to $240. The remaining $560 is then due two months before your trek. For the gorilla habituation experience, which costs $1,500 per person, your initial deposit is $450, and the final payment of $1,050 falls due two months before your scheduled date.
Paying in installments makes it much easier for travelers to plan their trips early without putting down the full amount at once. This is especially helpful because gorilla permits must be booked well in advance, and last-minute bookings always require full payment upfront.
Important Terms and Conditions
Before you commit to the installment option, there are a few key rules to keep in mind. First, UWA only accepts a 30% deposit if your trekking date is at least three months away. This option works best for travelers who are planning their trips two to four years in advance.
Second, you must complete the full payment no later than two months before your trek. If you miss this deadline, the UWA will cancel your permit and release it to the public without giving you any notice. You will also lose your deposit. To avoid this outcome, it is best to pay in full as early as possible. If you are confident in your travel dates, paying 100% upfront removes the risk entirely.
Can You Reschedule a Permit Paid by Installment?
Life happens, and sometimes travel plans change. If you need to reschedule your gorilla trek after paying the 30% deposit, you can do so — but only after paying the remaining 70% balance. You must also submit a written request to the UWA Executive Director explaining your reasons for the change. Once approved, your permit moves to the new date. Keep in mind that you can only reschedule a gorilla permit twice.
How to Book Your Gorilla Permit
Whether you pay in full or in installments, the booking process follows the same steps. Start by checking permit availability for your preferred date. Once you confirm availability, make your payment to secure the permit. A permit is only guaranteed after payment clears, so act quickly. Gorilla permits are limited — only eight visitors may spend time with each habituated gorilla family per day, and only four visitors participate in each habituation session.
You can book your permit directly through UWA via email or phone. However, working with a licensed tour operator like Anthill Safaris simplifies the entire process. Your operator will check availability, handle the reservation, process the payment, and manage any changes or cancellations on your behalf.
What to Consider Before Booking
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park divides its gorilla trekking across four regions — Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo, and Rushaga. Each region is home to four to five habituated gorilla families. Your permit is specific to one region, so your overnight accommodation should match your trekking location. For example, if your permit is for Buhoma, book a lodge in the Buhoma area. This saves you from a long early morning drive before your 7:30 AM briefing.
If you choose the gorilla habituation experience, note that it is only available in the southern part of Bwindi. Only two families participate in the program, with a maximum of four visitors per family each day.
For those interested in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, permits apply specifically to the Nyakagezi gorilla group, with eight permits available per day.
Getting to Bwindi and Mgahinga
How to Buy a Uganda Gorilla Permit in Installments. Entebbe International Airport serves as the main entry point for most visitors. From Entebbe, you can drive to Bwindi in about nine to ten hours, or take a two-hour flight to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip. Alternatively, you can fly into Kigali International Airport in Rwanda and drive four to five hours to Bwindi via the Katuna or Chanika border crossings.
Mgahinga National Park is easily reachable from Kigali — just a four-hour drive via the Chanika border crossing. From Entebbe or Kampala, the drive takes about eight to nine hours along the Kampala-Mbarara-Kisoro highway. You can also fly to Kisoro Airstrip in about two hours, with the park headquarters just a 30-minute drive from there.
About Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park sits in southwestern Uganda and spreads across the Kisoro, Kanungu, and Rubanda districts. It is one of only four national parks in the world that shelter mountain gorillas, alongside Mgahinga in Uganda, Volcanoes in Rwanda, and Virunga in the DRC.
Mgahinga National Park is Uganda’s smallest national park and sits within the Virunga volcanic mountain range. It is home to both mountain gorillas and the rare golden monkey, and its landscapes feature three stunning volcanoes — Mount Gahinga, Mount Sabyinyo, and Mount Muhabura.
Both parks offer an extraordinary opportunity to connect with one of the world’s most endangered animals. Booking early, understanding the payment terms, and working with a trusted operator ensure your gorilla safari runs smoothly from start to finish.
