One of the most common questions from visitors planning a multi-park Uganda circuit is whether UWA offers a combination pass or multi-park deal that reduces the per-day entry cost. The direct answer is: not currently. Uganda Wildlife Authority does not offer a national parks pass covering multiple parks for a single fixed price — each park charges independently per person per day. However, there are a few legitimate ways to minimise your total park entry expenditure on a longer circuit.
Current UWA Policy (2024)
Each national park charges separately: USD $35–$45 per person per day depending on the park, plus USD $30 per vehicle per day. There is no multi-park bundle or annual pass available to international visitors. The gorilla trekking permit (USD $800) includes entry on the trekking day — so you save the separate USD $40 Bwindi entry on the trekking day only.
Legitimate Ways to Reduce Total Entry Costs
- Minimise transit days: If you drive through a park primarily to reach another park (e.g., driving through Queen Elizabeth on the way to Bwindi’s Ishasha), you still pay the full daily entry fee. Structure your route so that transit days involve full game drive activity — you are paying regardless, so get value from each park day.
- Group vehicle fee: The vehicle entry fee (USD $30/day) is per vehicle not per person. A group of four in one vehicle pays USD $7.50 each per day versus USD $30 each in individual vehicles. Sharing one vehicle significantly reduces the per-person vehicle fee.
- East Africa Tourist Visa: While not a park fee discount, the East Africa Tourist Visa (USD $100, multi-entry Uganda/Rwanda/Kenya) saves USD $150 in individual single-entry visa costs for a 3-country trip. It does not discount park entry but reduces the overall trip cost.
- Low season timing: Some lodges discount their rates significantly in low season (March–May, October–November). Park entry fees themselves do not decrease in low season.
Total Park Entry Fee Planning
For budget planning: expect to pay USD $75–$90 per person per park day (entry + proportional vehicle share). A 10-day circuit visiting Queen Elizabeth (2 days), Bwindi (1 day covered by gorilla permit), Kibale (1 day), and Murchison Falls (2 days) costs approximately USD $540–$600 per person in park entry fees alone — before permits, vehicle, accommodation, or meals. Factor this accurately into your total budget from the start.
Car Hire 4×4 Drive helps clients plan efficient itineraries that maximise park days per dollar. Contact us for vehicle rental and route optimisation advice.
