Best Time to See Gorillas in Uganda in 2027
The best months to trek gorillas in Uganda are June to September and December to February, but you can trek all year. Here is what each season really means.
Read the guide →Written by the Paramount Gorilla Expeditions team, based in Uganda, on how to book gorilla permits for 2027.
Booking Gorilla Permits for 2027
Choose your dates first, then we secure the permit in your name. The dry-season months are the ones that sell out first.
You book a gorilla permit by choosing your dates, then having a licensed operator or the wildlife authority secure it in your name. In Uganda permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA). In Rwanda by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). Permits are limited each day, so the earlier you fix your dates, the more choice you have. The sensible rule is: dates first, permit second, everything else around them.
Why permits sell out
Only a small number of visitors may see each gorilla family every day, a maximum of eight, to protect the animals. That limits the number of permits sold per day, and the dry seasons, June to September and December to February, are the busiest. The result is that popular dates and sectors can be gone months before you travel.
How far ahead should you book?
As a practical guide, we suggest starting six to twelve months ahead for the dry seasons, and a few months ahead for the wetter months. Last-minute permits are sometimes available, but they are never something to rely on. Lodges near the sectors also fill up, so we secure the permit and the accommodation together. Our guide to how far ahead to book a safari covers the wider timing, and the best time to see gorillas in Uganda helps you pick a month.
How to book gorilla permits, step by step
- Choose your month and group size. A rough month is enough to start. Tell us how many people are trekking.
- Choose a sector. We recommend one based on your route and fitness. See choosing the right Bwindi sector.
- Send passport details. A permit is issued to a named person, so we need each traveller's name exactly as it appears on the passport.
- We check availability. We confirm which dates and sectors are open before asking for payment.
- You pay as agreed. We tell you the amount and payment terms in writing, and permits are paid for in advance.
- You receive confirmation. Carry your passport on the trek, as the permit is checked against it.
What does a permit cost?
In Uganda the standard gorilla permit is $800 per person for foreign non-resident visitors, and a lower rate of about $600 has been reported for April, May and November. In Rwanda the standard permit is $1,500. Prices are set by the wildlife authorities and can change, so we always confirm the current rate before you pay. For a full comparison, read Gorilla Trekking Permit Cost: Uganda vs Rwanda, Compared Honestly.
Avoid permit scams
Only pay through official channels or a licensed operator you have checked. Be wary of anyone offering a "guaranteed" permit on the day, a very cheap permit, or payment to a personal account. Ask for the operator's licence details and written confirmation. Permits are personal and cannot simply be passed to another traveller.
Changes and cancellations
Permit changes and refunds are controlled by the wildlife authority and are often limited, so confirm your dates before paying and ask us about the rules for your permit before you commit.
Ready to book?
Tell us your dates, group and fitness level and we will check availability and propose a plan. If you are still deciding, read how fit you need to be and what happens on trek day, or see the full Gorilla & Chimpanzee Trekking in Uganda guide. You can also start from our 6-day Classic Gorilla Trekking Safari.
Planning more than one country?
Many guests trek in more than one country. These pages help you plan that, in the right order.
- where the trek belongs in the route: where the trek belongs in the route.
- two treks in one trip: two treks in one trip.
- the road crossing between the two countries: the road crossing between the two countries.
- every route, visa rule and package in one place: every route, visa rule and package in one place.
Book gorilla permits with us
Gorilla and park permits are issued by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, and the Uganda Tourism Board publishes official visitor information. Gorilla permits and park fees are set by the Rwanda Development Board (Visit Rwanda). We confirm the current fees for your dates in every quote.
You can drive yourself to the trailhead, but the permit comes first; see our self drive safari guide for the driving side.
Before you book a permit for an older traveller, read our safari for seniors guide.
Booking the four-hour visit has its own steps: see our gorilla habituation experience guide.
The Buhoma to Nkuringo walk needs no gorilla permit: see our trek guide.
The habituation permit is booked differently from a standard one: see our gorilla habituation experience guide.
For the lower-priced months, see our Uganda gorilla permit discount guide.
The permit is checked against the passport: see our gorilla trekking age limit guide.