Uganda’s national park fees are set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and updated periodically to reflect conservation funding requirements and regional benchmarking. For self-drive visitors planning a Uganda circuit in 2027/2028, accurate fee budgeting is essential — the combination of park entry fees, gorilla or chimpanzee tracking permits, and vehicle fees across a 7-day Uganda circuit represents a significant budget line that should be calculated specifically rather than estimated loosely. This guide covers every relevant UWA fee category for non-resident visitors in 2027/2028.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park
- Gorilla trekking permit (non-resident): USD 800 per person per trek
- Park entry fee (in addition to permit): USD 40 per person per day
- Vehicle entry fee: USD 40 per vehicle per day
- Gorilla Habituation Experience (Rushaga sector, full day): USD 1,500 per person
- UWA campsite: USD 30 per person per night
The gorilla trekking permit at USD 800 is the dominant cost at Bwindi and must be booked directly through UWA’s permit booking system (ugandawildlife.org) or through a registered Uganda tour operator. Permits are limited to 8 per gorilla family group per day. Peak season (June to September) availability tightens significantly — book 3 to 6 months ahead. The permit fee is non-refundable if you miss the trek due to late arrival, illness on the day, or any other reason.
Murchison Falls National Park
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.
- Non-resident adult entry: USD 40 per person per 24 hours
- Non-resident child (5-15 years): USD 20 per person per 24 hours
- Vehicle entry: USD 40 per vehicle per 24 hours
- Nile boat trip (to the base of the falls): approximately USD 30 to 40 per adult
- UWA public campsite: USD 30 per person per night
- Paraa Ferry: included in park entry fee, no additional charge
Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Non-resident adult entry: USD 40 per person per 24 hours
- Non-resident child (5-15 years): USD 20 per person per 24 hours
- Vehicle entry: USD 40 per vehicle per 24 hours
- Kazinga Channel boat trip (2 hours): approximately USD 30 to 40 per adult
- Kyambura Gorge chimp tracking: USD 50 per person
- UWA campsite (Mweya): USD 30 per person per night
Kibale Forest National Park
- Non-resident adult entry: USD 40 per person per 24 hours
- Vehicle entry: USD 40 per vehicle per 24 hours
- Chimpanzee tracking permit: USD 200 per person per session
- Primate walk (non-habituated chimp tracking): USD 80 per person
- UWA campsite (Kanyanchu): USD 30 per person per night
Kidepo Valley National Park
- Non-resident adult entry: USD 40 per person per 24 hours
- Vehicle entry: USD 40 per vehicle per 24 hours
- Ranger escort (mandatory): approximately USD 20 to 30 per vehicle per day
- UWA campsite (Apoka): USD 30 per person per night
Lake Mburo National Park
- Non-resident adult entry: USD 40 per person per 24 hours
- Vehicle entry: USD 40 per vehicle per 24 hours
- Boat trip on Lake Mburo: approximately USD 20 to 30 per adult
- Horse riding safari: approximately USD 30 to 40 per person per hour
- UWA campsite (Rwonyo): USD 30 per person per night
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
- Non-resident adult entry: USD 40 per person per 24 hours
- Gorilla trekking permit: USD 800 per person (same rate as Bwindi, same UWA booking system)
- Golden monkey tracking: USD 100 per person per trek
- Vehicle entry: USD 40 per vehicle per 24 hours
Rwenzori Mountains National Park
- Non-resident adult entry: USD 40 per person per 24 hours
- Trekking fee (multi-day mountain circuit): USD 80 to 130 per person per day depending on circuit
- Porter and guide fees: additional, approximately USD 15 to 25 per porter per day
Sample Budget: 7-Day Uganda Circuit for Two Adults
Murchison Falls (2 days) + Kibale Forest (1 day) + Queen Elizabeth (2 days) + Bwindi gorilla trek (1 day):
- Murchison: 2 adults x USD 40 x 2 days + vehicle USD 40 x 2 + boat trip USD 35 x 2 = USD 390
- Kibale: 2 adults x USD 40 x 1 + vehicle USD 40 + chimp tracking USD 200 x 2 = USD 520
- Queen Elizabeth: 2 adults x USD 40 x 2 + vehicle USD 40 x 2 + boat USD 35 x 2 = USD 390
- Bwindi: 2 gorilla permits USD 800 x 2 + 2 adults entry USD 40 + vehicle USD 40 = USD 1,680
- Total UWA fees: USD 2,980 for two adults
This total does not include vehicle hire, fuel, accommodation, or international flights. The gorilla permits at USD 1,600 for two people represent 54% of the total park fee budget — plan accordingly. Book gorilla permits before booking flights to ensure availability aligns with your travel dates.
A 4×4 is essential for circuits that include the Ngorongoro Crater descent (which requires centre differential lock), the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest 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 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 self-drive circuit.
You need a valid driving licence (plus an International Driving Permit if your licence is not in English), the COMESA Yellow Card insurance certificate, 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.
Yes. Most East Africa self-drive circuits do not require technical off-road skills — the majority of 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 such as the Ngorongoro Crater descent or Bwindi wet-season approach, a car with driver can be arranged for those sections if you have no prior 4WD experience.
Book 4 to 8 weeks in advance for standard circuits. For July to August peak season and December to January, book 3 to 4 months ahead. If your circuit includes gorilla trekking, Uganda permits via UWA should be booked 2 to 6 months ahead and Rwanda permits via the RDB 3 to 9 months ahead — the vehicle booking should align with confirmed permit dates. See the How It Works page for the complete booking process and deposit schedule.
The Toyota Land Cruiser V8 GX is the standard recommendation for any circuit covering two or more countries, or any circuit including Tanzania (Ngorongoro requires mandatory 4WD with diff lock) or Uganda’s challenging approach roads. 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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