Guide to Uganda Safari Costs

Guide to Uganda Safari Costs

The average cost of a Uganda Safari is between US$ 150 and US$ 1000 per person per day. To see mountain gorillas in Bwindi or Mgahinga, a gorilla permit costs US$ 800 per person per trek.

The cost of a chimpanzee trekking permit in Uganda is US$ 250 per person per trek; budget or cheap safari accommodation costs around $ 60 per night.

In most cases, Uganda is underrated as an Africa Safari destination, yet it is the most naturally diverse safari country on the continent. Also, it is one of the most affordable safari destinations you can visit in Africa. In Uganda, there is a safari to suit every budget.

Average Cost of a Safari in Uganda (Depending on your Travel Style)

Below is a costing table that gives you an instant overview of the average cost of a safari in Uganda per person per day depending on your travel style.

Use this table to quickly match your daily budget to the kind of Uganda Safari Tour you can afford, if you want to see Uganda’s most iconic wildlife attraction—mountain gorillas—you need to budget US$ 800 for the gorilla trekking permit alone.

Furthermore, traveling during the low season months of October to November and March to April helps reduce the cost of your Uganda Safari.

Comfort Level	Private (Per day)	Group (Per day)
Budget Accommodation	$250	$200
Mid-range Accommodation	$425	$250
Luxury Accommodation	$600	$550
High-End Accommodation	$1000	N/A

Rates in USD exclude additional costs, like international flight tips and personal items.

Uganda National Park Fees

While on a safari in Uganda safari parks, you will have to pay an entry fee for each park that you visit. The fees are charged per 24-hour period and do not include the activities.

The entry fees for the gorilla parks of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are included in the gorilla permit for those interested in gorilla trekking. Below are the park fees for Uganda’s Best National Parks.

Murchison Falls National Park Entry Fees

• Foreign Non-Resident – US$ 45
• Foreign Resident – US$ 35
• East African Citizen: UGX 25000

Queen Elizabeth National, Kibale Forest, Lake Mburo and Kidepo Park Entry Fees

• Foreign Non-Resident – US$ 40
• Foreign Resident – US$ 30
• East African Citizen: UGX 20,000

Rwenzori Mountains, Mount Elgon and Semuliki National Park

• Foreign Non-Resident – US$ 35
• Foreign Resident – US$ 25
• East African Citizen: UGX 15,000

Uganda Safari Parks Activity Cost 2026

Besides the park entry fees listed above, visitors to the park will be charged activity fees. Popular Uganda safari activities include gorilla trekking, gorilla habituation experience, chimpanzee trekking, bird watching and guided nature walks, among others.

Uganda is the best gorilla trekking destination in Africa and its gorilla permits are more affordable. Furthermore, Uganda offers visitors a chance to spend more time with mountain gorillas. Spend 4 hours with these gentle giants on a gorilla habituation experience for the safari cost of a gorilla permit in Rwanda that gives you just 1 hour with the gorillas.

Below is a list of some of the Uganda Parks activities and their costs

1. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Safari Cost

Gorilla Trekking Permit Price

• Foreign Non-Resident: US$ 800
• Foreign Resident: US$ 700
• Rest of Africa: US$ 500
• East African Citizen: UGX 300,000

Gorilla Habituation Experience Permit Price

• Foreign Non-Resident: US$ 1500
• Foreign Resident: US$ 1000
• Rest of Africa: US$ 1000
• East African Citizen: UGX 750,000

Birding and Day Nature Walks Price

• Foreign Non-Resident: US$ 40
• Foreign Resident: US$ 30
• East African Citizen: UGX 30,000

Batwa Forest Exploration Cost

• Foreign Non-Resident: US$ 40
• Foreign Resident: US$ 40
• East African Citizen: UGX 40,000

2. Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Safari Cost

Gorilla Trekking Permit Price

• Foreign Non-Resident: US$ 800
• Foreign Resident: US$ 700
• Rest of Africa: US$ 500
• East African Citizen: UGX 300,000

Golden Monkey Trekking Permit Price

• Foreign Non-Resident: US$ 60
• Foreign Resident: US$ 50
• East African Citizen: UGX 40,000

Batwa Cultural Trail

• Foreign Non-Resident: US$ 80
• Foreign Resident: US$ 70
• East African Citizen: UGX 30,000

Volcano Hiking Cost

• Foreign Non-Resident: US$ 100
• Foreign Resident: US$ 80
• East African Citizen: UGX 50,000

3. Kibale Forest National Park Safari Cost

Chimpanzee Trekking

• Foreign Non-Resident: US$ 250
• Foreign Resident: US$ 200
• East African Citizen: UGX 180,000

Chimpanzee Habituation Experience Permit Price

• Foreign Non-Resident: US$ 300
• Foreign Resident: US$ 250
• East African Citizen: UGX 250,000

4. Murchison Falls National Park Safari Cost

Guided day game drive

• Foreign Non-Resident: US$ 25
• Foreign Resident: US$ 20
• East African Citizen: UGX 25,000

Guided Night Game Drive

• Foreign Non-Resident: US$ 40
• Foreign Resident: US$ 35
• East African Citizen: UGX 40,000

Boat Cruise to Murchison Falls

• Foreign Non-Resident: US$ 30
• Foreign Resident: US$ 25
• East African Citizen: UGX 30,000

Top of the Falls Visit

• Foreign Non-Resident: US$ 15
• Foreign Resident: US$ 10
• East African Citizen: UGX 10,000

5. Queen Elizabeth National Park Safari Cost

Guided Day Game Drive

• Foreign Non-Resident: US$ 25
• Foreign Resident: US$ 20
• East African Citizen: UGX 25,000

Guided Night Game Drive

• Foreign Non-Resident: US$ 40
• Foreign Resident: US$ 35
• East African Citizen: UGX 40,000

Boat Cruise on Kazinga Channel

• Foreign Non-Resident: US$ 30
• Foreign Resident: US$ 25
• East African Citizen: UGX 30,000

Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge

• Foreign Non-Resident: US$ 100
• Foreign Resident: US$ 80
• East African Citizen: UGX 50,000

Lion Tracking Price

• Foreign Non-Resident: US$ 100
• Foreign Resident: US$ 150
• East African Citizen: UGX 200,000

6. Lake Mburo National Park Safari Cost

Guided Day Game Drive

• Foreign Non-Resident: US$ 20
• Foreign Resident: US$ 15
• East African Citizen: UGX 20,000

Guided Night Game Drive

• Foreign Non-Resident: US$ 30
• Foreign Resident: US$ 15
• East African Citizen: UGX 50,000

Nature Walk

• Foreign Non-Resident: US$ 25
• Foreign Resident: US$ 20
• East African Citizen: UGX 10,000

Boat Cruise on Lake Mburo

• Foreign Non-Resident: US$ 30
• Foreign Resident: US$ 25
• East African Citizen: UGX 20,000

Cycling Tour in the Park

• Foreign Non-Resident: US$ 30
• Foreign Resident: US$ 25
• East African Citizen: UGX 30,000

Additional Uganda Safari Costs Explained

The following list covers some additional Uganda safari costs that you might need to add to your overall Uganda Safari budget.

• International Flights

To get to Uganda for a safari, you need international flights; however, direct international flights to Uganda aren’t common. It is often cheaper to fly to Nairobi and then switch to a Kenyan budget airline.

• Visa Cost

A Uganda Safari is required by most nationalities, including those of the EU, the United Sates and Australia. The single-entry visa or Uganda tourist Visa Cost $ 50. If you will also be traveling to Kenya or Rwanda, get an East African tourist visa for $100.

• Accommodation

Check your flight schedule and if you arrive in the afternoon, your Uganda tour may start the next day and so you might need accommodation before your safari begins. This may also apply at the end of your safari if you have an early morning flight. Ugandan safari accommodation is generally a little cheaper than in neighboring Tanzania, Rwanda, and Kenya. A couple of hundred US dollars will often get you a very pleasant place to stay; around the gorilla national park, like Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, prices are higher.

• Vaccinations

Health-wise you will probably need several vaccinations before arriving in Uganda; a yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for entry into Uganda.

Uganda is situated on the Equator and the equatorial climate means that mosquitoes are common in Uganda; it is recommended that you take anti-malarial medication (seek advice from your local doctor).

• Tips

Tipping is expected in better-quality Uganda safari lodges, hotels and camps. Drivers and guides also expect to be tipped. You can bring a couple of hundred dollars in smaller bills to cover tips—approximately US$10 to US$ 15 per person per day.

• Travel Insurance

Standard travel insurance is fine for most Uganda Safari activities including gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking, if you are heading up to the remote, little-visited far northeastern corner (The Karamoja Region) of Uganda, where there have been security issues in the past. It is important to check if your insurance is valid for that region.

• Souvenirs and Curios

It is always nice to take something home with you or get gifts for someone back home. There will be plenty of opportunities to shop around for something special as a keepsake from your Uganda Safari.

• Alcoholic Drinks

These are very seldom included in the cost of a Uganda safari if you are partial to scotch or beer. The best budget for some recreational drinking.

• Laundry

Your packing space is limited due to weight restrictions on flights; laundry services are available but these come at an extra fee from your own pocket.

Factors Influencing The Uganda Safari Cost

After considering the additional Uganda safari costs, you can start to look at all those other variables that can influence the overall cost of a safari in Uganda.

The general cost of a Uganda safari tour varies hugely depending on several factors, the most important being the time of year you will be visiting the country. The National Parks and wildlife reserves you wish to visit and how exclusive you are prepared to go.

• Your Length of Stay

The length of time you spend on a safari in Uganda has a direct impact on how much it is going to cost you and if you are buying a fully packaged Uganda Safari trip using the same local company for everything. Then the per-day price does tend to drop slightly the longer you spend on safari.

If you are putting together your own Uganda Safari itinerary, the per-day costs do not change much whether you spend a weekend or a month in the country; hiring a safari vehicle and driver is always cheaper per day if you hire the vehicle for a longer period.

• Level of Accommodation You Want

Just like any holiday, accommodation is going to eat up the most part of your Uganda safari budget and the more comfort you require, the more a Uganda safari will cost.

When compared to, for example Tanzania, Rwanda or Kenya. Uganda Safari accommodation is surprisingly good value and you can get a double room at a decent mid-range safari lodge or camp for around $200.

There is a wide variety of accommodations with various amenities available throughout Uganda and prices vary as much as the styles.

• Location of Your Preferred Accommodation

Uganda safari accommodation is generally split between those found within the safari national parks and protected areas and those that are a little further away.

The latter is usually cheaper; the areas surrounding Uganda Safaris’ national parks tend to be more developed than in much of Tanzania and Kenya. There are often villages and towns not far from the main entrances to the country’s wildlife safari parks; several of these have fairly cheap accommodation.

Accommodations close to the Uganda Gorilla Safari Parks is almost always more expensive than similar places elsewhere.

• Your Group Size

Traveling on an organized Uganda group tour (organized through a local Uganda Operator) can be cheaper than going on the safari alone. For example, traveling alone means you will shoulder the full transport cost of a safari vehicle over the number of days it is hired. Any expense that can be shared can be reduced by adding more people to your safari.

One thing that never changes, whether you are traveling solo or in a big group, is the park entry fees and the gorilla trekking permit, which are always per person. As an add-on to your organized Uganda Safari and for a different experience for the more adventurous, you could try and create your own small group, hire a vehicle and drive, and explore the country at your leisure. This will give you a sense of independence and flexibility.

• When You Want to Visit Uganda

The season is another thing to consider when planning your safari in Uganda; the country follows the classic East African weather pattern with two rainy seasons between March and May and October and November.

However, unlike Tanzania and Kenya, some of the most famous national parks in Uganda, such as Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Kibale Forest National Park are rainforest parks and rain of varying quantities can be expected year-round.

But if you can deal with some mud, lots of leeches and some slippery roads, then the start and end of the rainy season can be reasonable times to go on a Uganda safari with overall lower costs.

July to early September and the Christmas high season are naturally the busiest and priciest times to visit Uganda.

• How Do you Want To Get Around

The easiest way of getting around Uganda is by Air, there are several local flight operators, such as Bar Aviation and Aerolink offer domestic and charter flights to connect to major Uganda National Parks.

However, Uganda fly-in safaris are very expensive. Even the shortest hop is unlikely to cost less than $200 per person; the small size of the country and close proximity of many of the parks mean that rather than flying, many people hire a 4×4 safari land cruiser and driver at around $125 per day or a minivan for US$ 50 per day.

Using the road is the best way to get around, as it allows greater flexibility and the chance to see more of this stunning country than just the parks and reserves.

• Where You Want to Go

Trekking through Uganda’s forest jungle to see mountain gorillas is simply the most intense wildlife experience the planet can offer. Mountain gorilla permits cost $800 per person for one hour with the gorillas; chimpanzee trekking costs $250 in Kibale Forest National Park (the best place for chimpanzee trekking) and as little as $50 in Kalinzu Forest.

In all aspects of a gorilla safari being expensive, the best way of keeping the cost of your safari in Uganda down is not seeing mountain gorillas at all.

Uganda has many other protected areas full of interesting wildlife that can be visited for much less.

• Add-Ons

A white-water rafting adventure on the Nile River in Jinja or a trek in the Rwenzori Mountains National Park is gaining in popularity, but each will add a chunk of money. Much cheaper is a few days chilling on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi—a beautiful island-studded lake with lots of good-value accommodation.

• Extensions

Popular add-ons to a Uganda Safari Adventure are a safari in Tanzania or a safari in Kenya, which are easy to organize if you fly via Nairobi; this will add quite considerably to overall tour costs, though.