The Uganda self-drive safari cost for a 7-day circuit including gorilla trekking in 2027/2028 is significantly influenced by the USD 800 per person gorilla permit — the single most expensive item in any Uganda safari budget regardless of tour type. Beyond the permit, the Uganda self-drive safari cost structure is highly competitive with guided tour alternatives: hire vehicle rates are lower than Tanzania, accommodation at Uganda’s public campsites is inexpensive, and the park entry fees (UWA rates) are lower than Kenya’s KWS charges. This guide provides a complete 2027/2028 Uganda self-drive safari cost breakdown for a 7-day Kampala-Murchison-Bwindi circuit for two adults sharing costs, with the gorilla permits included in the total.
The 7-Day Uganda Self-Drive Circuit: Kampala, Murchison Falls, Bwindi
Day 1: Kampala, vehicle collection. Day 2: Kampala to Murchison Falls (285km). Day 3: Full day Murchison (north bank game drive + boat trip). Day 4: Murchison + transit south toward Fort Portal. Day 5: Fort Portal base + Kibale chimp trek option. Day 6: Drive to Bwindi (from Fort Portal, 190km). Day 7: Gorilla trek, Bwindi. Return to Kampala on Days 8+ (or as flying out from Entebbe connects). The 7-day costing below assumes Days 1 to 7 with vehicle return on Day 7 evening or Day 8 morning.
Uganda Self-Drive Safari Cost Breakdown (2 Adults, 7 Days)
Vehicle and Fuel
- Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 150 (7 days, unlimited km, CDW): USD 145 x 7 = USD 1,015
- Fuel (1,500km circuit, 13L/100km, 195L, USD 1.45/L): USD 283
- Vehicle subtotal: USD 1,298
Permits and Park Fees (2 Adults)
- Gorilla trekking permits (2 adults x USD 800): USD 1,600
- Chimp trekking permits, Kibale (2 adults x USD 200): USD 400
- Murchison Falls entry + boat (2 adults, 2 days x USD 50, + 2 boat USD 35): USD 270
- Vehicle entry fees (Murchison + Bwindi): approximately USD 80
- Permits and fees subtotal: USD 2,350
Accommodation (7 Nights, Camping)
- Kampala campsite (1 night): USD 15/person x 2 = USD 30
- Murchison Falls UWA campsite (2 nights): USD 25/person/night x 2 adults x 2 nights = USD 100
- Fort Portal guesthouse (1 night): USD 35 per double room = USD 35
- Bwindi UWA campsite (2 nights): USD 25/person/night x 2 adults x 2 nights = USD 100
- Transit overnight (1 night): USD 30 per double room = USD 30
- Accommodation subtotal: USD 295
Food (Self-Catering and Restaurants)
- Kampala supermarket provisioning: USD 60
- Restaurant meals (Kampala and Fort Portal): USD 25/person x 2 x 2 = USD 100
- Camp cooking food estimate (5 nights): covered by provisioning
- Food subtotal: USD 160
Total Uganda Self-Drive Safari Cost (2 Adults, 7 Days Including Gorillas)
- Vehicle and fuel: USD 1,298
- Permits and park fees: USD 2,350
- Accommodation: USD 295
- Food: USD 160
- Miscellaneous: USD 100
- Total Uganda self-drive safari cost (2 adults, 7 days): USD 4,203
- Per person: USD 2,102
The gorilla permits (USD 1,600 total, USD 800 per person) represent 38% of the total Uganda self-drive safari cost — the defining variable that makes Uganda more expensive than Kenya or Tanzania for equivalent trip lengths, but also the feature that makes Uganda uniquely memorable.
