Uganda Tourism & Wildlife Statistics

Uganda Tourism & Wildlife Statistics

Uganda tourism and wildlife statistics help planners understand demand, park popularity and sector growth — useful when choosing which parks to visit, when to book permits and how Uganda compares with neighbouring safari destinations.

Figures below draw on Uganda Tourism Board releases and UWA visitation data for 2024–2025. They are presented for planning context, not as investment advice.

International Arrivals and Earnings

2024: 1.37 million international arrivals and US$1.28 billion in tourism earnings (7.7% increase on prior year).

2025: 1.64 million arrivals and roughly US$1.62 billion in earnings. Tourism contributes roughly 5.9% of GDP and supports over 876,000 jobs (7.5% of employment) per government reporting.

Average spend per trip rose to about US$986 with average stay 8.8 nights in 2025 — visitors are staying longer and spending more per day.

National Park Visitation 2025

Total park entries: 467,065 (6.9% increase, record high).

Murchison Falls: 150,831 (32.3%). Queen Elizabeth: 123,521 (26.4%). Together >59%.

Fastest growth: Rwenzori Mountains +117.7%, Pian Upe +105.2%, Mgahinga +23.5%.

Primate Permit Statistics

42,960 gorilla permits sold in 2025 (+3.6% over 2024, +8.4% above 2019). Available permits expanded to 71,522 reflecting new habituated families.

Chimpanzee trekking: 19,989 permits sold in 2025 (+16.1%). Kibale fee about US$250; Budongo about about US$130.

What Statistics Mean for Your Safari

High Murchison visitation confirms infrastructure and variety — but the park is vast; Buligi rarely feels crowded except holiday peaks at Paraa ferry.

Rising gorilla permit sales mean earlier booking — 3–6 months for peak season.

Growing arrivals (1.64 million arrivals and roughly US$1.62 billion in earnings) tighten lodge availability June–September and December–February.

Murchison Falls in Numbers

3,840 km² park area. Entry US$45 per person per 24 hours (foreign non-resident adults). Launch cruise about US$30 upstream to the falls.

Road from Entebbe: roughly 6–7 hours by road via Masindi and Kichumbanyobo gate. Fly-in: Pakuba airstrip ~1 hour from Entebbe.

See Ultimate Murchison Guide for operational detail.

Domestic Tourism

3.27 million domestic participations reported 2025 — Ugandans are visiting their own parks in record numbers. Weekends and public holidays add local traffic at Murchison gates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are statistics updated annually?

Yes — Uganda Tourism Board publishes annual abstracts, usually early in the following year.

Does high visitation mean overcrowded gorilla treks?

Groups remain capped at 8 trekkers per family per day by UWA regulation.

Which park is least visited?

Pian Upe and Semuliki see fewer entries — appealing for solitude seekers.

Additional Planning Notes

Uganda’s tourism growth — 1.64 million arrivals and roughly US$1.62 billion in earnings — reflects rising demand for primate and savannah experiences. Murchison Falls received 150,831 park visitors in 2025 (32.3% of all Uganda national park entries), confirming its position as the country’s most visited national park. Entry costs US$45 per person per 24 hours (foreign non-resident adults) under the current UWA conservation tariff valid through June 2026.

When building any itinerary, sequence matters: arrive Entebbe, recover one night, then drive north (roughly 6–7 hours by road via Masindi and Kichumbanyobo gate) or fly to Pakuba airstrip in about one hour. Schedule Buligi game drives at dawn on the northern bank. Afternoon launch cruises to the falls (about US$30 upstream to the falls) catch warm light on the gorge.

If shoebill is a priority, reserve a delta boat separately from the upstream cruise. The Nile delta near Lake Albert holds one of Africa’s most reliable shoebill populations — grey, prehistoric, standing over a metre tall in the papyrus.

Gorilla permits at US$800 (foreign non-residents, UWA tariff through June 2026) require date-specific booking — 42,960 gorilla permits sold in 2025. Chimpanzee trekking at Kibale (about US$250) or Budongo (about US$130) adds primate depth without the gorilla price tag.

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary (US$50 at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary) on the Kampala–Gulu highway between Nakasongola and Masindi completes the Big Five with Murchison savannah species. Foot tracking with rangers lasts 1–2 hours.

Queen Elizabeth National Park (US$40 per person per 24 hours) bridges north and southwest circuits. Ishasha’s tree-climbing lions and the Kazinga Channel hippo cruise are highlights on 8+ day itineraries.

Additional Planning Notes

When building any itinerary, sequence matters: arrive Entebbe, recover one night, then drive north (roughly 6–7 hours by road via Masindi and Kichumbanyobo gate) or fly to Pakuba airstrip in about one hour. Schedule Buligi game drives at dawn on the northern bank. Afternoon launch cruises to the falls (about US$30 upstream to the falls) catch warm light on the gorge.

If shoebill is a priority, reserve a delta boat separately from the upstream cruise. The Nile delta near Lake Albert holds one of Africa’s most reliable shoebill populations — grey, prehistoric, standing over a metre tall in the papyrus.

Gorilla permits at US$800 (foreign non-residents, UWA tariff through June 2026) require date-specific booking — 42,960 gorilla permits sold in 2025. Chimpanzee trekking at Kibale (about US$250) or Budongo (about US$130) adds primate depth without the gorilla price tag.

Additional Planning Notes

If shoebill is a priority, reserve a delta boat separately from the upstream cruise. The Nile delta near Lake Albert holds one of Africa’s most reliable shoebill populations — grey, prehistoric, standing over a metre tall in the papyrus.

Additional Planning Notes

Gorilla permits at US$800 (foreign non-residents, UWA tariff through June 2026) require date-specific booking — 42,960 gorilla permits sold in 2025. Chimpanzee trekking at Kibale (about US$250) or Budongo (about US$130) adds primate depth without the gorilla price tag.

Plan Your Safari

Browse our Murchison Falls safari packages or request a custom Uganda safari built around your dates, budget and must-see list. We handle permits, lodges and road or fly-in logistics so you arrive at Kichumbanyobo or Pakuba ready to explore.