What Are Uganda National Park Fees in 2026?

Quick answer: Uganda national park fees vary by park and visitor category. Under the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) conservation tariff published for July 2024–June 2026, foreign non-resident adults pay US$45 and children pay US$25 at Murchison Falls National Park, while Queen Elizabeth National Park charges US$40 and US$20 respectively. The same tariff lists Bwindi gorilla tracking at US$800 and gorilla habituation at US$1,500 for foreign non-residents.

The published tariff period ended in June 2026. Because the supplied research does not establish a replacement tariff, current July 2026 fees, vehicle charges, payment channels and live permit inventory must be confirmed through UWA or an authorised safari operator before payment. UWA states in the tariff that fees may change without prior notice.

Last checked July 2026 — always confirm with official sources before travelling.

Uganda national park fees in 2026: the figures currently supported by UWA

UWA separates visitors into categories including foreign non-residents (FNR), foreign residents (FR), other African visitors and East African Community citizens. This article focuses on the FNR category, which generally applies to international visitors travelling to Uganda without qualifying residence status. The tariff also publishes separate rates in US dollars and Ugandan shillings.

Park or activity	Foreign non-resident adult	Foreign non-resident child	Vehicle fee
Murchison Falls National Park entrance	US$45	US$25	Confirm current UWA vehicle tariff
Queen Elizabeth National Park entrance	US$40	US$20	Confirm current UWA vehicle tariff
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park entrance	Confirm current UWA tariff	Confirm current UWA tariff	Confirm current UWA vehicle tariff
Kibale National Park entrance	Confirm current UWA tariff	Confirm current UWA tariff	Confirm current UWA vehicle tariff
Kidepo Valley National Park entrance	Confirm current UWA tariff	Confirm current UWA tariff	Confirm current UWA vehicle tariff
Lake Mburo National Park entrance	Confirm current UWA tariff	Confirm current UWA tariff	Confirm current UWA vehicle tariff
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park entrance	Confirm current UWA tariff	Confirm current UWA tariff	Confirm current UWA vehicle tariff
Mount Elgon National Park entrance	Confirm current UWA tariff	Confirm current UWA tariff	Confirm current UWA vehicle tariff
Rwenzori Mountains National Park entrance	Confirm current UWA tariff	Confirm current UWA tariff	Confirm current UWA vehicle tariff
Semuliki National Park entrance	Confirm current UWA tariff	Confirm current UWA tariff	Confirm current UWA vehicle tariff

The two confirmed entrance prices above are per person, not a complete safari price. A trip may also include transport, accommodation, guiding, activities, concession charges, meals and operator costs. The UWA tariff lists park entrance and activity charges separately.

Murchison Falls National Park

The UWA tariff lists Murchison Falls entrance at US$45 for a foreign non-resident adult and US$25 for a foreign non-resident child. It also lists a day game drive at US$25 per guide, a night game drive at US$40 per person, a self-game drive at US$10 per person, and a launch trip to the bottom of the falls at US$30 per person for foreign non-residents.

Other listed Murchison activities include hiking to the top of the falls at US$15, viewing the top of the falls at US$10, bird watching and nature walks at US$25, cycling at US$30, and sport fishing at US$50. These are activity charges and should not be confused with the park entrance fee.

Queen Elizabeth National Park

The published UWA tariff lists Queen Elizabeth entrance at US$40 for a foreign non-resident adult and US$20 for a foreign non-resident child. It lists a day game drive at US$25 per guide, a self-game drive at US$10 per person, a launch trip at US$30 per person, and bird watching and nature walks at US$25 per person.

Queen Elizabeth's tariff also lists chimpanzee tracking in Kyambura Gorge at US$100 per foreign non-resident, lion tracking at US$200, and sport fishing at US$20 per day. The lion-tracking price is stated as excluding community and vehicle fees, illustrating why a headline activity price may not be the final cost.

Bwindi and Mgahinga: entrance versus gorilla permits

Gorilla tracking is priced separately from ordinary park-entry activities. The UWA tariff lists a gorilla-tracking permit at US$800 for a foreign non-resident and a gorilla-habituation permit at US$1,500. Treat these as permit prices, not as a full itinerary cost: transport, accommodation, meals, porters and other services may be additional.

Some non-official safari websites report a 2026 low-season gorilla rate of US$600 for foreign non-residents in April, May and November, while another reports a possible US$1,800 habituation price from July 2026. The supplied research does not include a UWA source confirming either change. Because the official tariff supplied here lists US$800 and US$1,500 and covers only through June 2026, confirm any low-season or July 2026 price directly with UWA before booking.

Travellers comparing the total budget can also read SafariFind's guide to Uganda gorilla safari costs in 2026, but the permit price should still be verified with the issuing authority.

What do Uganda's conservation and concession fees cover?

UWA describes the charges in its document as a conservation tariff. Entrance fees, activity fees and related charges are therefore separate line items within the UWA schedule. The research does not provide a general percentage breakdown showing how each dollar is allocated, so travellers should not assume that a particular activity fee has a specific distribution between park management, communities or guides.

Concession or accommodation charges may also appear in a safari quotation when a lodge or camp operates inside or near a protected area. The supplied research does not provide a verified 2026 concession-fee schedule. Ask the operator whether its quoted price includes park entry, activity permits, vehicle entry, guide charges and any concession or accommodation levy.

Vehicle fees are especially important for private safaris because the passenger entrance fee and the vehicle's entry charge may be calculated separately. The official tariff extract supplied for this article does not provide a verified current vehicle-fee table for July 2026. Confirm the vehicle category, registration basis and whether the operator has already included the charge in the package.

How and where to pay Uganda national park fees

The research identifies UWA as the authority publishing the conservation tariff, but it does not verify which cards, mobile-money applications, bank channels or currencies are accepted at each gate in July 2026. Do not rely on an older blog post for payment instructions. Confirm the accepted payment method with UWA, the relevant park office or your licensed operator before arrival.

Ask for an itemised quotation or receipt showing:

• the visitor category used, such as foreign non-resident;
• the park-entry fee for each traveller;
• child rates, where applicable;
• vehicle entry and guide charges;
• activity or launch-trip fees;
• gorilla, habituation or chimpanzee permits; and
• any taxes, accommodation, concession or booking charges.

For a first-time visitor, the simplest approach is often to have a safari operator confirm the fee category and process the relevant reservation. That does not remove the need to check the receipt and the official terms. SafariFind lets travellers compare safari packages, but the included-fee list should be checked before selecting an itinerary.

Availability, permits and advance booking

Gorilla tracking and habituation require activity permits, and UWA lists them as distinct products from ordinary park entrance. A permit is date-sensitive inventory, so travellers should establish availability before paying for flights, accommodation or non-refundable services. The supplied research does not provide a live UWA availability calendar or a guaranteed number of permits remaining for any date.

Chimpanzee experiences also have separate activity charges in the tariff. At Queen Elizabeth's Kyambura Gorge, the published UWA rate for chimpanzee tracking is US$100 for a foreign non-resident. The research does not verify current Kibale chimpanzee permit inventory or a current official Kibale price, so those details should be confirmed directly rather than copied from an operator's older rate sheet.

When requesting a permit, provide the exact park, activity, preferred date, visitor category and passport details requested by the booking channel. Confirm the cancellation, transfer and refund conditions in writing. The supplied official extract confirms that tariff fees can change without prior notice, but it does not state a universal refund policy.

For broader route planning, compare the park combinations in SafariFind's Uganda safari routes for 2026. A route that combines Queen Elizabeth with Bwindi, for example, should show ordinary park entry separately from gorilla-permit costs.

Seasonal considerations for an international safari

Seasonal pricing must be treated cautiously in 2026. The official tariff supplied here runs from July 2024 through June 2026 and says fees may change without prior notice. Reports of discounted gorilla permits in April, May and November are not supported by an official UWA source in the supplied research, so confirm whether a seasonal rate exists for your exact travel date.

Availability can be more important than a small price difference when a trip depends on gorilla, habituation or chimpanzee permits. Request the permit first, then align accommodation and transport around the confirmed date. For ordinary game drives, ask whether the quotation includes a day or night activity, because UWA lists those as different charges at Murchison Falls.

Seasonality may also affect road conditions, walking difficulty and wildlife-viewing plans, but the research supplied for this article does not provide a verified 2026 weather or accessibility calendar. Ask the operator and park office for current trail and road information rather than treating a seasonal description as a guarantee.

Money-saving tips for Uganda park fees

• Compare like with like. Check whether each quotation includes park entry, vehicle fees, guides, activities and permits. The UWA schedule prices these items separately.
• Choose activities deliberately. A self-game-drive charge and a guided game-drive charge are different products at Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth.
• Confirm your visitor category. Foreign-resident and East African-citizen rates are not the same as foreign non-resident rates.
• Use the official rate, not an outdated search result. The supplied tariff ended in June 2026 and warns that charges can change without notice.
• Secure scarce permits before building the itinerary. Ask for written confirmation of the gorilla, habituation or chimpanzee permit before committing to connected bookings.
• Check child eligibility and ages. The confirmed Murchison and Queen Elizabeth tables distinguish adult and child entrance charges; ask UWA how the current tariff defines the child category.
• Request an itemised invoice. This helps identify whether a quoted "park fee" is entry only or includes a vehicle, guide, launch or conservation-related charge.

Park fees are only one part of Uganda's entry planning. Check the relevant visa guidance, such as Uganda entry requirements in 2026, and review health information before booking. British travellers can consult SafariFind's guide to Uganda vaccinations for British travellers, while US citizens should check the corresponding Uganda health and vaccination guidance for Americans.

In short, use the UWA tariff as the starting point, but do not treat the July 2024–June 2026 schedule as a confirmed July 2026 price list. Confirm every fee and payment instruction with UWA or an authorised operator, obtain written permit confirmation where required, and make sure your safari quotation states exactly what is included.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is Uganda national park entry for foreign visitors in 2026?

The published UWA tariff lists US$45 for a foreign non-resident adult and US$25 for a child at Murchison Falls National Park, and US$40 and US$20 respectively at Queen Elizabeth National Park. The tariff covers July 2024 to June 2026, so confirm the current July 2026 rate with UWA.

How much is a gorilla permit in Uganda in 2026?

The UWA tariff lists a gorilla-tracking permit at US$800 for a foreign non-resident. It lists gorilla habituation at US$1,500; confirm whether any later 2026 seasonal or July rate has replaced those published figures.

Are Uganda park fees per person or per vehicle?

Park entrance fees are listed per visitor, while vehicle and activity charges can be separate. The supplied UWA extract does not provide a verified current July 2026 vehicle-fee schedule, so request an itemised quotation.

Do children pay Uganda national park entrance fees?

Children have separate rates in the published UWA tariff: Murchison Falls lists US$25 for foreign non-resident children and Queen Elizabeth lists US$20. Confirm the current age definition and tariff before travel.

Is a gorilla permit the same as a Uganda park entrance fee?

No. UWA lists gorilla tracking and gorilla habituation as separate activity permits, distinct from ordinary park-entry charges. Ask whether your safari quotation includes both the permit and any applicable park or vehicle fees.

How much is chimpanzee tracking in Queen Elizabeth National Park?

The published UWA tariff lists Kyambura Gorge chimpanzee tracking at US$100 for a foreign non-resident. Confirm current availability and pricing before booking because the supplied tariff period ended in June 2026.

Can I pay Uganda national park fees by card or mobile money?

The supplied research does not verify the card, mobile-money or other payment methods accepted in July 2026. Confirm the payment channel with UWA, the park office or your safari operator before arrival.

Do Uganda national park fees change?

Yes. The UWA tariff states that fees are subject to change without prior notice. The published document supplied here covers July 2024 to June 2026, so confirm all July 2026 charges through official channels.

How far in advance should I book a Uganda gorilla permit?

Book as early as practical because gorilla permits are date-specific and availability is limited, but the supplied research does not provide an official universal advance-booking period. Confirm the date and permit inventory before making linked non-refundable bookings.

Do I need a visa for Uganda?

Visa eligibility depends on nationality and travel circumstances. Check the current official immigration requirements before travelling; SafariFind also provides country-specific guidance, including Uganda visa information for British and US citizens.