Uganda’s national park entry fees are set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and are charged per person per day and per vehicle per day. Fees are in US dollars and paid at the gate using Visa/Mastercard card, mobile money (MTN or Airtel), or occasionally USD cash. This guide has the 2024 fees for every national park in Uganda, with notes on what is included and what is paid separately.
Uganda National Parks Fees 2024
- Bwindi Impenetrable Forest NP: USD $40 per person per day + USD $30 per vehicle per day. Note: gorilla trekking permit (USD $800) includes entry on the trekking day.
- Queen Elizabeth NP: USD $45 per person per day + USD $30 per vehicle per day
- Murchison Falls NP: USD $45 per person per day + USD $30 per vehicle per day
- Kibale Forest NP: USD $40 per person per day + USD $30 per vehicle per day. Note: chimpanzee tracking (USD $200) is separate from entry fee.
- Kidepo Valley NP: USD $40 per person per day + USD $30 per vehicle per day
- Lake Mburo NP: USD $35 per person per day + USD $30 per vehicle per day
- Mgahinga Gorilla NP: USD $40 per person per day + USD $30 per vehicle per day. Note: gorilla permit (USD $800) and golden monkey trek (USD $60) are separate.
- Rwenzori Mountains NP: USD $35 per person per day + USD $30 per vehicle per day. Multi-day trekking packages include ranger fees.
- Semuliki NP: USD $40 per person per day + USD $30 per vehicle per day
- Mount Elgon NP: USD $35 per person per day + USD $30 per vehicle per day
Activity Fees (Paid Separately from Entry)
- Gorilla trekking permit (Bwindi/Mgahinga): USD $800 per person
- Chimpanzee tracking (Kibale): USD $200 per person
- Chimpanzee habituation experience (Kibale): USD $250 per person
- Golden monkey trekking (Mgahinga): USD $60 per person
- Kazinga Channel boat trip (Queen Elizabeth): USD $30 per person
- Murchison Falls boat trip: USD $30 per person
- Guided nature walk (most parks): USD $10–$30 per person depending on park
- Night game drive (most parks): USD $30–$40 per person
- Rhino tracking (Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary — not a UWA park): USD $50 per person
East Africa Conservation Fee
Visitors entering Uganda on the East Africa Tourist Visa (which covers Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya) pay the same UWA park entry fees as other international visitors. The visa does not provide any discount on park fees. There is no East Africa common conservation fee — each country’s parks charge independently.
Payment Methods at UWA Gates
All major UWA park gates accept Visa and Mastercard for entry fee payment. MTN Mobile Money is accepted at most gates. USD cash is accepted at most gates but change availability is not guaranteed — carrying the exact amount in cash is recommended if paying by cash. Park entry fees cannot currently be pre-paid online for same-day entry (gorilla and chimp permits are different — they must be pre-booked).
Budget Calculation: Park Fees for a 7-Day Western Uganda Circuit
For two people doing: 2 days Queen Elizabeth, 1 day Bwindi (gorilla permit covers entry), 1 day Kibale, 2 days Murchison Falls:
- Queen Elizabeth (2 days × USD $45 × 2 people): USD $180
- Queen Elizabeth vehicle fee (2 days × USD $30): USD $60
- Bwindi entry covered by gorilla permit: USD $0
- Kibale (1 day × USD $40 × 2 people): USD $80
- Kibale vehicle (1 day × USD $30): USD $30
- Murchison (2 days × USD $45 × 2 people): USD $180
- Murchison vehicle (2 days × USD $30): USD $60
- Total park entry fees: USD $590
This figure is in addition to the gorilla permit (USD $800 each), chimp tracking (USD $200 each), and vehicle rental. Budget USD $600–$800 for park entry fees per couple on a standard Uganda 7-day western circuit. Contact Car Hire 4×4 Drive for vehicle rental pricing to complete your budget calculation.
