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)
Planning your East Africa self-drive circuit? Car Hire 4×4 Drive provides fully-equipped 4×4 vehicles for Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda with COMESA insurance and cross-border documentation included. See how the booking process works or send a circuit enquiry for a quote within 24 hours.
- 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need 4WD for a self-drive safari in East Africa?
4WD is essential for any circuit that includes the Ngorongoro Crater descent (which requires centre differential lock), the Bwindi Impenetrable approach road in wet season, or Kidepo Valley National Park. For circuits that stay on sealed national highways and well-maintained murram roads in dry season, a capable 2WD vehicle can manage — but the Toyota Land Cruiser V8 GX with full 4WD and diff lock is always the safest and most reliable choice for any East Africa circuit.
What documents do I need to drive across East Africa borders?
You need the COMESA Yellow Card insurance certificate (valid for all East Africa Community member states), a cross-border authority letter from the vehicle owner for each transit country, and the vehicle registration document. Car Hire 4×4 Drive prepares all cross-border documentation for the specific countries on your circuit as part of the standard hire process — no separate arrangement needed.
Can I self-drive in East Africa without previous off-road experience?
Yes. Most East Africa self-drive circuits do not require technical off-road skills — the majority of the driving is on sealed national highways or well-maintained murram park roads. The vehicle handover at collection includes a full demonstration of the 4WD system. If your circuit includes genuinely technical sections (Ngorongoro crater descent, Bwindi wet-season approach), consider a car with driver for those sections if you have no prior 4WD experience.
How far in advance should I book my East Africa self-drive vehicle?
Book 4 to 8 weeks in advance for standard circuits. For July–August peak season (wildebeest migration) and December–January, book 3 to 4 months ahead. Rwanda gorilla permits should be booked 3 to 9 months in advance via the RDB portal; Uganda gorilla permits (Bwindi) should be booked 2 to 6 months ahead via UWA. See the full FAQ and the How It Works page for the complete booking process.
Which vehicle is best for a multi-country East Africa circuit?
The Toyota Land Cruiser V8 GX is the standard recommendation for any circuit covering two or more countries, or any circuit that includes Tanzania (Ngorongoro is mandatory 4WD with diff lock) or Uganda’s challenging approach roads (Bwindi, Kidepo). For Kenya-only or Rwanda-only dry-season circuits, the Land Cruiser Prado is a cost-effective alternative. For groups of 6 or more passengers, the Toyota Hiace 9-seater safari van with pop-up roof is the most cost-effective per-person option.
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