“How much does a gorilla trekking safari cost?” is one of the first questions we are asked, and the honest answer is that it comes down to a handful of clear factors. Here is exactly what makes up the price, so you can plan with real numbers rather than guesswork.
The short answer: a private gorilla trekking safari usually costs between USD 3,000 and USD 8,000 per person for a five to eight day trip. The single largest fixed cost is the permit: USD 800 in Uganda and USD 1,500 in Rwanda. Everything else is shaped by the lodges you choose, your group size, and how you travel.
| What you pay for | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Uganda gorilla permit | USD 800 per person, per trek |
| Rwanda gorilla permit | USD 1,500 per person, per trek |
| Chimpanzee permit (Kibale) | around USD 250 per person |
| Comfort lodging and guiding | from USD 400 per person, per day |
| Classic lodging and guiding | from USD 600 per person, per day |
| Luxury lodging and guiding | from USD 800 per person, per day |
Day rates above exclude permits and park fees, which are added separately.
The permit: the one fixed cost
The gorilla permit is set by the national authorities, the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Rwanda Development Board, and confirmed at the time of booking. It buys one hour with a habituated gorilla family, with only eight permits issued per family per day. The fee does not change by season, and the money goes directly to conservation and the communities around the parks. Uganda also offers a four-hour Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi for USD 1,500. We procure every permit on your behalf, well ahead of travel.
Daily rates: where most of the variation lives
Beyond the permit, your day rate is led almost entirely by the standard of lodge you choose. As a guide, per person per day, excluding permits and park fees:
- Comfort, from USD 400: welcoming lodges in good locations, with a private or shared safari vehicle and a licensed guide.
- Classic, from USD 600: our signature level, with characterful mid-range lodges or tented camps and a private vehicle throughout.
- Luxury, from USD 800: premium camps and lodges, fly-in transfers where available, and a fully inclusive, bespoke experience.
Our safari pricing guide sets out what each level includes.
What moves the price
- Group size: solo travellers pay more per person, because the vehicle and guide are shared across fewer people. Couples and small groups bring the per-person cost down.
- Season: lodge rates often soften in the green seasons, while permits stay the same year-round.
- Road or fly-in: light-aircraft transfers add cost but save hours and are often worth it on a shorter trip.
- How much you do: a second gorilla trek, chimpanzee tracking in Kibale (around USD 250), or extra days all add to the total.
- Private, not shared: we run private safaris only, with no fixed group departures, which we believe is worth it.
A realistic example
A six to seven day private Uganda gorilla safari with one gorilla trek and comfortable to classic lodges typically lands between USD 3,500 and USD 6,000 per person. Add a Rwanda crossing, fly-in transfers, or luxury lodges, and it rises from there. Trim the nights or share a vehicle, and it comes down.
Uganda or Rwanda on cost
Uganda is the better value: the same hour with the same gorillas for USD 800 against USD 1,500, which leaves more of your budget for exceptional lodges or extra days in the field. For the full picture, read Uganda vs Rwanda for gorilla trekking.
What is usually included
Most of our private safaris include the permits as itemised, all accommodation and meals, a private 4x4 with an experienced guide-driver, park and activity fees, and airport transfers. International flights, visas, travel insurance, tips and personal extras sit outside the package.
Every Orika safari is built from scratch, so the final figure reflects your trip and no one else’s. Speak to an Expert for a precise, no-obligation quote, or browse our Uganda safaris to see what is possible.
