Uganda is home to some of the most diverse and spectacular national parks in Africa, from the misty forests of Bwindi to the savannah plains of Queen Elizabeth and the dramatic waterfalls of Murchison Falls. Before you can trek gorillas, track chimpanzees, or watch tree climbing lions, you must pay the Uganda Wildlife Authority park fees. These fees are a significant part of your safari budget, and understanding them helps you plan accurately. For 2026, the Uganda Wildlife Authority park fees have been updated, reflecting continued investment in conservation, anti poaching, and community development. This full cost guide breaks down the entry fees for all major parks, including Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Kibale National Park, and Lake Mburo National Park. You will learn about foreign non resident rates, East African resident rates, citizen rates, vehicle fees, and how these fees fit into your overall safari budget. Whether you are booking a luxury lodge safari or a budget camping adventure, understanding Uganda Wildlife Authority park fees for 2026 is essential for planning your Uganda safari.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority manages all national parks in Uganda. For 2026, the park entry fees have been structured by residency status and park category. Foreign non residents pay the highest rates. Foreign residents living in East Africa pay reduced rates. Ugandan citizens and East African citizens pay the lowest rates. The fees are per person per 24 hour period. If you enter a park at 10:00 AM on Monday, your fee covers you until 10:00 AM on Tuesday. Overnight stays count as one full day. The Uganda Wildlife Authority park fees do not include accommodation, guide services, or vehicle hire. They are separate from gorilla permit fees, which cost USD 800 for Bwindi and Mgahinga.
The fees also vary by park. Bwindi and Mgahinga, as gorilla trekking parks, have higher entry fees than savannah parks. Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls have mid range fees. Lake Mburo has the lowest entry fees. The Uganda Wildlife Authority park fees for 2026 are non refundable. If you leave the park and re enter on the same day, you do not pay again. If you leave and return on a different day, you pay a new fee. Understanding these fees helps you plan the length of your stay and your budget.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is Uganda’s premier gorilla trekking destination. The Uganda Wildlife Authority park fees for Bwindi for 2026 are as follows. Foreign non residents pay approximately USD 80 per person per day. Foreign residents of East Africa pay approximately USD 50 per day. Ugandan citizens and East African citizens pay approximately UGX 20,000 to UGX 30,000 per day. These fees are in addition to the gorilla permit cost of USD 800. If you are trekking gorillas, you will pay both the permit and the daily park entry fee. The entry fee covers your access to the park for game drives, nature walks, and other activities on non trekking days.
For a typical 4 night Bwindi safari with 2 trekking days, a foreign non resident would pay approximately USD 320 in park entry fees (4 days) plus USD 1,600 for two gorilla permits, totalling USD 1,920 in park fees and permits alone. The Uganda Wildlife Authority park fees for Bwindi are higher than for savannah parks because of the high conservation value of the gorillas and the intensive management required. The fees fund anti poaching patrols, trackers, and community development around the park.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is Uganda’s most popular savannah park, known for its tree climbing lions, Kazinga Channel boat safari, and diverse wildlife. The Uganda Wildlife Authority park fees for Queen Elizabeth for 2026 are as follows. Foreign non residents pay approximately USD 40 to USD 50 per person per day. Foreign residents of East Africa pay approximately USD 25 to USD 35 per day. Ugandan citizens and East African citizens pay approximately UGX 10,000 to UGX 15,000 per day. These fees are lower than Bwindi because savannah parks have lower conservation costs per visitor.
For a typical 3 night stay in Queen Elizabeth, a foreign non resident would pay approximately USD 120 to USD 150 in park entry fees. The Uganda Wildlife Authority park fees for Queen Elizabeth do not include the boat safari on the Kazinga Channel, which is an additional USD 30 to USD 40 per person. They also do not include the chimpanzee tracking permit for Kyambura Gorge, which costs approximately USD 250. When planning your budget, factor in these additional activity fees alongside the park entry fees.
Murchison Falls National Park is Uganda’s largest protected area, famous for the powerful waterfall where the Nile explodes through a narrow gorge. The Uganda Wildlife Authority park fees for Murchison Falls for 2026 are as follows. Foreign non residents pay approximately USD 40 to USD 50 per person per day. Foreign residents of East Africa pay approximately USD 25 to USD 35 per day. Ugandan citizens and East African citizens pay approximately UGX 10,000 to UGX 15,000 per day. These rates are the same as Queen Elizabeth National Park.
For a typical 3 night stay in Murchison Falls, a foreign non resident would pay approximately USD 120 to USD 150 in park entry fees. The boat safari to the base of the falls is an additional USD 30 to USD 40 per person. The hike to the top of the falls is included in the park entry fee. The Uganda Wildlife Authority park fees for Murchison Falls also cover access to the Delta area, where the Nile enters Lake Albert, known for its high concentration of wildlife.
Kibale National Park is the best destination for chimpanzee tracking in East Africa. The Uganda Wildlife Authority park fees for Kibale for 2026 are as follows. Foreign non residents pay approximately USD 40 to USD 50 per person per day. Foreign residents of East Africa pay approximately USD 25 to USD 35 per day. Ugandan citizens and East African citizens pay approximately UGX 10,000 to UGX 15,000 per day. These rates are the same as Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls.
However, the chimpanzee tracking permit for Kibale costs approximately USD 250 per person, separate from the park entry fee. The Uganda Wildlife Authority park fees for Kibale cover your access to the park for game drives, nature walks, and the chimpanzee habituation experience. The habituation experience, where you spend a full day with a chimpanzee group, costs approximately USD 300. For a typical 2 night stay in Kibale with one chimpanzee trek, a foreign non resident would pay approximately USD 80 to USD 100 in park entry fees plus USD 250 for the permit, totalling USD 330 to USD 350.
Lake Mburo National Park is the smallest of Uganda’s savannah parks but offers excellent wildlife viewing, including zebras, eland, and impalas. The Uganda Wildlife Authority park fees for Lake Mburo for 2026 are as follows. Foreign non residents pay approximately USD 30 to USD 40 per person per day. Foreign residents of East Africa pay approximately USD 20 to USD 25 per day. Ugandan citizens and East African citizens pay approximately UGX 8,000 to UGX 10,000 per day. These rates are the lowest among the major parks, reflecting the park’s lower profile and smaller size.
The boat safari on Lake Mburo costs approximately USD 30 per person. Walking safaris are also available for approximately USD 30 per person. For a typical 2 night stay in Lake Mburo, a foreign non resident would pay approximately USD 60 to USD 80 in park entry fees. The Uganda Wildlife Authority park fees for Lake Mburo are the most affordable, making this park an excellent addition to any Uganda safari on a mid range or budget itinerary.
In addition to per person Uganda Wildlife Authority park fees, there are vehicle entry fees for most parks. For 2026, the vehicle entry fee is approximately USD 10 to USD 20 per vehicle per day for foreign registered vehicles. For locally registered tour operator vehicles, the fee is often included in the operator’s park fees. The vehicle fee is charged regardless of the number of passengers. For a private safari Landcruiser with 2 to 6 passengers, the vehicle fee adds approximately USD 2 to USD 10 per person per day when divided among the group.
Boat safari fees are separate from the Uganda Wildlife Authority park fees. The Kazinga Channel boat safari in Queen Elizabeth costs approximately USD 30 to USD 40 per person. The Murchison Falls boat safari costs approximately USD 30 to USD 40 per person. The Lake Mburo boat safari costs approximately USD 30 per person. These boat safaris are highly recommended and should be included in your safari budget. The Uganda Wildlife Authority park fees do not cover these activities.
| Park | Foreign Non Resident (per day) | Vehicle Fee (per day) | Key Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bwindi Impenetrable Forest | 80 USD | 10 to 20 USD | Gorilla trekking, nature walks |
| Queen Elizabeth NP | 40 to 50 USD | 10 to 20 USD | Game drives, boat safari, chimpanzees |
| Murchison Falls NP | 40 to 50 USD | 10 to 20 USD | Game drives, boat safari, falls hike |
| Kibale NP | 40 to 50 USD | 10 to 20 USD | Chimpanzee tracking, habituation |
| Lake Mburo NP | 30 to 40 USD | 10 to 20 USD | Game drives, boat safari, walking safari |
This table summarises the Uganda Wildlife Authority park fees for 2026 for foreign non residents. Remember that these are estimates. Fees may change, and your tour operator will confirm the exact rates at the time of booking.
For 2026, Uganda Wildlife Authority park fees for foreign non residents range from USD 30 to USD 80 per day depending on the park. Bwindi is USD 80 per day. Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, and Kibale are USD 40 to USD 50 per day. Lake Mburo is USD 30 to USD 40 per day. There is also a vehicle entry fee of USD 10 to USD 20 per day. Gorilla permits (USD 800) and chimpanzee permits (USD 250) are separate from park entry fees. Nomara Safaris includes all Uganda Wildlife Authority park fees in our quotations.
Most reputable tour operators include Uganda Wildlife Authority park fees in their safari packages. However, some budget operators exclude them to quote a lower price. Always ask for an itemised quotation. Nomara Safaris includes all park fees, vehicle fees, and activity fees in our packages. There are no hidden charges. When comparing quotes, check whether the Uganda Wildlife Authority park fees are included or added as an extra.
Yes, you pay both the gorilla permit (USD 800) and the daily Uganda Wildlife Authority park entry fee (approximately USD 80 per day) for Bwindi. The park entry fee covers your access to the park for the day of your trek and for any additional days you spend in the area. If you stay for multiple days, you pay the entry fee for each day you are in the park. The gorilla permit covers only the trekking experience itself, not the daily park entry.
Uganda Wildlife Authority park entry fees cover your access to the park for game drives, nature walks, and general wildlife viewing. Activity fees cover specific experiences such as boat safaris, chimpanzee tracking, and gorilla trekking. For example, the Queen Elizabeth park entry fee gives you access to the park. The boat safari on the Kazinga Channel requires an additional activity fee of USD 30 to USD 40. The Uganda Wildlife Authority park fees are per day. Activity fees are per activity.
Yes, the Uganda Wildlife Authority has an online payment system for park fees and permits. However, the system can be complex for international visitors. Most travelers pay through their tour operator. Nomara Safaris handles all Uganda Wildlife Authority park fees payments on behalf of our clients. We pay the fees electronically or at the park gates, depending on the booking. You do not need to carry large amounts of cash for park fees when you book with us.
Understanding Uganda Wildlife Authority park fees for 2026 is essential for planning your Uganda safari budget. At Nomara Safaris, we include all park fees, vehicle fees, and activity fees in our quotations. There are no hidden charges. Contact Nomara Safaris to begin planning your Uganda safari. Tell us your preferred travel dates, group size, and accommodation preferences. We will provide a transparent, itemised quotation with all Uganda Wildlife Authority park fees included.