What Does a Uganda Safari Actually Cost?

One of the most common questions we get is: how much does a Uganda safari actually cost? The honest answer is that it depends enormously on how you travel. You can do a meaningful week in Uganda for under $2,000, or you can spend $12,000 and beyond on a luxury itinerary. Here is where the money goes.

Gorilla Permits

The single biggest cost for most visitors is the gorilla trekking permit. In 2026, a permit from the Uganda Wildlife Authority costs $700 per person for foreign non-residents. East African residents pay $300, and Ugandan nationals pay UGX 300,000 (roughly $80). There is no way around this cost — it is mandatory for anyone entering the forest to see gorillas, and permits sell out months in advance during peak season (June to September and December to February). For more details on booking and availability, see our gorilla permit guide.

Accommodation

Accommodation costs in Uganda range from roughly $25 per night for a basic guesthouse to $600+ per night for a top-end luxury lodge with full board. Here is a rough breakdown by price level:

• Budget ($25-80/night): Community guesthouses, backpacker hostels, and basic bandas. Clean, functional, but minimal amenities. Common around Buhoma, Jinja, and Fort Portal.
• Mid-range ($80-250/night): Comfortable lodges with en-suite bathrooms, good food, and often scenic locations. This is where most travelers land. Properties like Trackers Safari Lodge in Bwindi or safari lodges in Queen Elizabeth fall here.
• Upmarket ($250-400/night): Well-appointed lodges with swimming pools, spa facilities, and excellent service. Full-board rates including meals and some activities.
• Luxury ($400-700+/night): All-inclusive lodges and tented camps with private butlers, bush dinners, premium drinks, and exclusive locations. Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, and Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge are in this bracket.

Browse all options on our lodges directory or use the Lodge Finder to filter by budget.

Transport

Getting around Uganda is not cheap, mainly because the distances are long and the roads are slow. A private vehicle with driver typically costs $120-180 per day, including fuel. Most tour operators include transport in their package prices. Public transport exists (buses and matatus), but it is not practical for reaching national parks. Internal flights between Entebbe and places like Bwindi or Kidepo cost $250-500 one way, and they save significant travel time — Bwindi is an 8-10 hour drive from Entebbe but a 1.5-hour flight.

Park Fees, Food & Other Costs

National park entry fees are $40 per person per day for most parks. Meals outside of lodges cost $5-15 per meal at local restaurants, or $15-30 at tourist-oriented places. Tips for gorilla trackers are customary — $10-20 per trekker is standard. Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is strongly recommended and runs about $50-100 for a week. A Ugandan tourist visa costs $50 for most nationalities and is obtained online.

Example Budgets for 7 Days

How to Save Money

Travel in the low season (March to May, October to November) when lodge rates drop 20-40% and gorilla permits are easier to get. Book directly with lodges or through a Uganda-based operator rather than an international agency — the markup can be significant. Consider combining Bwindi gorilla trekking with Queen Elizabeth National Park, as they are close together and the route is efficient.

The gorilla permit is a fixed cost you cannot avoid, but everything else is flexible. A good local tour operator can help you build an itinerary that fits your budget without cutting the experiences that matter.