Rwanda Gorilla Permits, Costs and Details – A Rwanda gorilla permit costs $1500 throughout the year. You must check for availability online or through a travel agency before confirming your safari. Unlike other destinations, Rwanda offers a low-season discount if you visit three of its national parks.
Rwanda, also known as the “land of a thousand hills,” prides itself on hosting over a quarter of the world’s total population of mountain gorillas—an endangered primate found only in Uganda, Rwanda, and the D.R. Congo.
In addition, Rwanda is home to a various range of wildlife across its three national parks, including chimpanzees in Nyungwe Forest National Park, Savannah game, and the world’s largest natural park for hippos in Akagera National Park, among others.
Rwanda is an extremely small nation located in the heart of Africa, where Central Africa’s tropical forests meet East Africa’s Savannah. Rwanda’s dedicated efforts to conservation and wildlife protection, dating back to the times of Dian Fossey, have made it one of the most visited countries in Africa and have spurred significant economic growth.
In Rwanda, endangered mountain gorillas can only be found in Volcanoes National Park. This park is home to up to 12 habituated families of mountain gorillas, available for trekking year-round. Only eight individuals are allowed to trek each gorilla family daily, resulting in a maximum of 96 gorilla permits issued per day in Volcanoes National Park.
A gorilla permit is a document that authorizes a tourist to track and meet a designated family of mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. It is mandatory for visiting the mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park or any other destination housing these apes. Gorilla permits in Rwanda are issued solely by the Rwanda Development Board, or a trusted travel agent can assist in checking availability and booking on your behalf upon full payment.
Rwanda’s gorilla permit remains the most expensive among all gorilla trekking destinations, priced at $1500 per person per trek. This increase occurred in May 2017 when Rwanda doubled its gorilla permit costs from $750 to $1500 to attract luxury tourism and enhance conservation efforts. However, visitors staying three or more days, including visits to the gorillas and two other national parks, receive a 30% discount. Additionally, attendees of conferences, meetings, and events who also opt for gorilla trekking are eligible for a 15% discount on each permit purchased.
Only individuals aged 15 years and above can purchase a gorilla permit in Rwanda, and trekking time is strictly limited to one hour. This encounter offers trekkers a close meeting with these gentle giants in their natural habitat. In case of cancellation before the tracking date, the Rwanda Development Board refunds up to 50% of the permit cost.
On the day of gorilla trekking, visitors gather at Volcanoes Park headquarters for a pre-trek briefing, where the park’s head ranger outlines trekking dos and don’ts, as well as guidelines for interacting with mountain gorillas.
Due to the mountain gorillas’ endangered status and their restricted habitat in only three countries worldwide, gorilla trekking in Rwanda has become increasingly popular, resulting in high demand for gorilla permits. Therefore, it is advisable to book gorilla permits well in advance, especially during peak seasons from December to late February and June to October.
At $1500, Rwanda has set its gorilla permit cost high, catering primarily to up-market travelers. For budget-conscious travelers, Uganda offers a more affordable option at $800, and the D.R. Congo charges $400 for gorilla permits.
With the growing demand for Rwanda gorilla permits, the “green season” months of April, May, and November may be ideal, as they are less competitive than peak seasons. Volcanoes National Park is located in northwestern Rwanda, in Musanze district, just a two-hour drive from Kigali International Airport, the capital’s main airport.
