Uganda park fees: UWA admission, permits and extra charges

What the published entry table can establish

The table below is useful for understanding the relative charges in the last full published schedule. Its original validity period is visible. We have not silently extended that period or described the table as a fresh 2026-2027 park-entry tariff.

Start with the visitor category

Foreign non-resident, foreign resident, rest-of-Africa and East African citizen are not interchangeable labels. The documents needed to prove a category matter as much as the headline price. Ask UWA which rate applies if your citizenship and place of residence differ.

A resident discount requires the relevant evidence; staying in Uganda on a holiday is not enough by itself. Check children’s categories and any student conditions separately instead of dividing the adult price by two.

Sources: UWA: conservation tariff July 2024-June 2026

Separate admission from the activity

Gorilla tracking includes the tracking-day entry under the published UWA conditions. The older schedule also includes park entry in Kibale chimpanzee tracking but not in Kyambura tracking. These differences can change the total more than a small variation in the listed admission fee.

Boat trips, specialist guided activities, vehicles and camping may have their own charges. Request an itemised itinerary stating the number of paid admissions, activity permits, vehicle category and any overnight arrangements. A park “day” and a lodge night need not be priced in the same way.

Sources: UWA: conservation tariff July 2024-June 2026

Changes already announced

UWA’s February 2026 notice introduces discounted gorilla and chimpanzee tracking permits in April, May and November, effective immediately. It separately announces revised regular activity tariffs from 1 January 2027. The fact that both appear in one document does not make their start dates the same.

For travel around the year boundary, ask for each activity to be dated in the quote. A December arrival with January trekking can fall under the new activity rate even if the first hotel night was booked at an older price.

Sources: UWA: tariff changes 2026-2027, dated 26 February 2026

A payment checklist

Before paying, record the exact park, activity, date, visitor category and what the charge includes. Keep the official receipt or booking confirmation accessible offline. If using an operator, distinguish the authority’s permit or admission fee from the operator’s guiding, transport and handling services.

Carry a payment backup for incidental expenses, but do not assume that a gate will accept a preferred foreign currency or a particular card. Confirm the payment process with UWA or the operator serving your entrance before leaving a town.

Sources: Uganda Wildlife Authority: published tariffs

Make a disputed invoice easy to check

Ask the provider to name the park, visitor category, activity and chargeable date beside each fee. Keep official admission separate from its transport or guiding charge. If a figure differs from the older published schedule, request the current authority or written confirmation supporting it rather than assuming either number must be correct.

Retain the final itemised confirmation with your travel documents and payment receipts.