Uganda has registered a 6.8% increase in gorilla permit sales in 2024, marking a new milestone in its drive to cement wildlife tourism as a national economic pillar.
A total of 41,468 permits were sold last year, up from 38,836 in 2023 and surpassing the pre-pandemic peak of 39,627 in 2019—a clear signal of the growing global appeal of Uganda’s mountain gorilla experiences.
To meet rising demand, the Uganda Wildlife Authority expanded permit availability from 56,576 in 2023 to 71,372 in 2024.
However, the expanded supply led to a drop in utilisation rates from 69% to 58.1%.
Officials say the strategy was intended to accommodate more travellers and avoid the bottlenecks seen in earlier years.
Despite the underutilisation, the tourism sector remains a cornerstone of Uganda’s economy, contributing nearly 7% to GDP and supporting over 600,000 jobs across lodging, transport, tour operations, and conservation.
Gorilla trekking alone brings in millions of dollars annually, with each foreign tourist paying up to $700 (about Shs2.6 million) per permit.
The revenue not only bolsters national coffers but also supports conservation and community projects around protected areas like Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks.
Yet while gorilla tourism thrives, the uptake of chimpanzee-related permits remains sluggish.
In 2024, only 44% of chimp tracking permits were utilised, and just 26% of permits for the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience were sold.
Stakeholders have called for targeted marketing and product development to help diversify Uganda’s primate tourism beyond gorillas.
The 2025 Tourism Trends and Statistical Report also offered encouraging news on conservation.
Uganda’s mountain gorilla population has reached 459 individuals, underscoring the success of protection efforts, regulated tourism, and community-based conservation models.
But the report also raised alarms about a sharp decline in the country’s lion population—from 373 in 2023 to just 292 in 2024.
Of these, 240 lions are now concentrated in Murchison Falls National Park, with Queen Elizabeth and Kidepo Valley national parks hosting just 40 and 12 lions respectively.
Conservationists warn that the drop, alongside the skewed distribution, threatens ecological balance and calls for urgent interventions to address habitat loss, poaching, and rising human-wildlife conflict.
As Uganda works to solidify its position as a leading wildlife destination, experts say future growth must be grounded in balanced investments in tourism infrastructure, conservation, and sustainable development.
The rise in gorilla permit sales is a promising sign of recovery and international interest—but the long-term success of Uganda’s tourism industry will depend on how well it protects its rich biodiversity in the face of mounting pressures.