Lake Mburo park fees at a glance
A day at Lake Mburo is made of three kinds of fee: entry for each person, a charge for each vehicle and a separate price for each activity. Adding them up gives your real cost. The rates on this page follow the UWA tariff for July 2024 to December 2026 and are given in US dollars or Ugandan shillings, as in the tariff. Check the current amount before you book. On a tour, find out whether the permit and park fees are included.
Entry runs for 24 hours from the time you enter. If you stay longer, a further day is charged. You need an ID or proof of your status to get the rate for your category. Activities are not part of entry, so a boat trip or a walk is always extra. If you plan to see the park from a vehicle, read the Lake Mburo safari page too.
Entry fees per person
Per 24 hours. The category depends on where you live and your status, not on your passport alone.
| Visitor | Foreign non-resident | Foreign resident | Rest of Africa | East African citizen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | $40 | $30 | $25 | UGX 20,000 |
| Child 5 to 15 years | $20 | $10 | $5 | UGX 5,000 |
| Under 5 years | Free | Free | Free | Free |
For most overseas visitors, the foreign non-resident column applies: $40 for an adult and $20 for a child.
Our pick: a trip with the park fees included
The Mburo park fees are part of the price of this two-day trip, so you do not pay them on the day.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Lake Mburo tours with park fees explained
Compare what each trip includes, with live prices and availability.
Vehicle fees per 24 hours
The charge depends on the vehicle and its registration.
| Vehicle | Foreign registration | Ugandan registration |
|---|---|---|
| Car or saloon | $40 | UGX 20,000 |
| Minibus or pick-up | $50 | UGX 30,000 |
| Tour vehicle or 4x4 | $150 | UGX 30,000 |
| Overlander | $150 | UGX 100,000 |
| Bus or truck | $200 | UGX 200,000 |
If you drive yourself without a private guide or a UWA ranger, there is an extra self-drive fee of $10 per vehicle (UGX 10,000 for East African citizens). It is a different line from the vehicle charge.
Activity fees
Per person, unless stated. Entry is extra.
| Activity | Foreign non-resident | Foreign resident | East African citizen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nature walk or birding | $25 | $20 | UGX 20,000 |
| Boat trip (about 2 hours) | $30 | $25 | UGX 30,000 |
| Cycling | $30 | $25 | UGX 30,000 |
| Day game drive guide | $20 to $25 | $15 to $20 | UGX 20,000 to 25,000 |
| Night game drive in your own vehicle | $30 | $15 to $20 | UGX 30,000 to 50,000 |
| UWA vehicle by day, if available | $30 | $25 | UGX 30,000 |
| UWA vehicle by night, if available | $40 | $35 | UGX 40,000 |
The guide and night drive fees are shown here as ranges. Check the current amount before you book. The UWA vehicle is charged for at least 3 people, or 5 for East African citizens. A small boat has a minimum charge of $120 (UGX 120,000) for 4 people, so a smaller group pays the minimum, not the per-person rate. Night drives are for guests who sleep in the park, with a UWA guide. For everything on the water, see the boat trip page.
Sport fishing needs a permit: $15 for 1 day or $25 for 4 days, or UGX 20,000 and UGX 60,000 for East African citizens. Entry comes on top.
How to pay
Reserve with the UWA reservations office or pay at the gate.
Where
You can pay at the UWA reservations office or at the park gates. Reservations go through reservations@wildlife.go.ug.
Methods
Payment options are mobile money, card terminals, bank transfer, direct bank deposits and the online payment portal, in US dollars or Ugandan shillings. Do not count on cash or a specific card type at every gate. Ask in advance.
Cancellation
Read the booking terms before you pay. Do not assume a free change or cancellation.
Discounts, annual pass and park rules
Smaller points that can change your costs.
School groups
Ugandan school groups pay UGX 3,000, universities UGX 5,000 and Wildlife Clubs UGX 2,000. This is not a general student or senior discount for visitors from abroad.
Annual pass
Foreign residents pay $350 and East African citizens UGX 350,000. The pass does not cover vehicle fees or special activities. Foreign residents need a work permit with one year of validity.
Park rules
Gates are open from 07:00 to 19:00. The speed limit is 40 km/h. Stay on the tracks, do not disturb animals and leave no litter. Pets and motorbikes are not allowed.
Gorilla permits
Permits for gorilla trekking are a separate system. See the gorilla permits guide if you plan to go on to Bwindi.
Plan the rest of your trip
Pages that go with the fees.
Lake Mburo park fees: frequently asked questions
How much is the entry fee for Lake Mburo?
For foreign non-residents, entry costs $40 for an adult and $20 for a child aged 5 to 15, per 24 hours. Children under 5 enter free. Other categories pay less. Rates are from the UWA tariff for July 2024 to December 2026.
Does the entry fee include a game drive or boat trip?
No. Activities are separate. A boat trip costs $30 per person for foreign non-residents, on top of entry.
Do I pay for my car as well?
Yes. A vehicle is charged per 24 hours, for example $40 for a car with foreign registration and $150 for a tour vehicle.
Can I pay by card at the gate?
Card terminals are among the payment methods, but do not rely on one working at every gate. Ask in advance and carry a second way to pay.
What do children pay?
Foreign non-resident children aged 5 to 15 pay $20 per 24 hours, and children under 5 enter free. Check the current amount before you book.