Rwanda Gorilla Permit Prices 2026.
Rwanda gorilla trekking permits are documents issued to visitors who are 15 years and above, allowing them to visit the habituated gorilla families and have one hour with these creatures. Taking a Rwanda gorilla tour is a great chance to enjoy the excitement of gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, which is found in the northwestern part of Rwanda. and is home to 13 communities of mountain gorillas, including the famous Hirwa, Noheli, Karisimbi, Bwenge, Susa A, Amahoro, Umubano, Kwitonda, and Sabyinyo groups.
Volcanoes National Park is not only the best place to visit for a Rwandan gorilla trekking adventure, but it is also very rich in biodiversity. Other wildlife species that tourists can see include the black-fronted duiker, giant forest hogs, buffalo, and hyenas. The park is also famous for its bird species, with over 500 bird species recorded. Bird enthusiasts can look forward to seeing species such as the black cuckoo-shrike, olive baboons, brown-backed honeyguides, strange weaver birds, Rwenzori turacos, African swamphens, lesser honeyguides, and bat hawks. The Rwanda gorilla trekking permits are important for ensuring that the gorilla tourism in Rwanda is done in a sustainable manner.
Cost of gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda
The price for Rwanda gorilla trekking permits in Volcanoes National Park is $1,500 per person for all nationalities. However, Rwanda has promotional prices for gorilla permits that offer more affordable alternatives. The promotional gorilla permits are charged at $500 per person for African foreign residents, Africans, and foreign residents and $200 per person for East African citizens and nationals.
All gorilla trekking permits must be purchased from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) but must be booked through a trustworthy gorilla safari tour company. Please note that these gorilla trekking permit fees are valid until December 31, 2026.
What does the Rwanda gorilla permit price include?
The cost of a Rwanda gorilla permit also includes several vital elements that will make your gorilla trekking adventure in Rwanda even more enjoyable. When you buy a Rwanda gorilla tour permit, the following are usually included:
Park Entrance Fees: Unlike other Rwanda safaris to other national parks like Nyungwe National Park or Akagera National Park, where you have to pay entrance fees separately, the cost of a Rwanda gorilla permit includes the park entrance fees for Volcanoes National Park. This is what you use to enter the park for your gorilla trekking trip.
Fees for Park Ranger and Tracker: The permit price also covers the ranger and tracker fees. Park rangers will lead you on your hike, while trackers will tell you the location of gorillas in the wild each day. They are essential if you want to succeed in your trek for gorillas.
One Hour with Gorillas: The gorilla permit mandates a one-hour visit with a mountain gorilla group. During the encounter, tourists can get close to the gorillas, take pictures and understand their social behaviour. To the extent possible, keep your distance of at least 10 metres so as not to transmit diseases to these endangered primates.
Contribution to Conservation: Part of the cost of your gorilla permit goes towards supporting conservation in Rwanda. The funds from the permit sales are used to protect the gorillas and their habitats to make conservation efforts successful.
How does one apply for Rwanda gorilla permits?
To book the Rwanda gorilla trekking permits for your tour in Rwanda, either make it yourself through the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) website or, if you do not want to take the risk of them being sold out, buy them through us. This procedure consists of composing a letter to the park headquarters in Kigali by email or phone and requesting your permits for Volcanoes National Park, where the mountain gorilla trekking is done.
Alternatively, it is strongly advised to buy your permits for a Rwanda gorilla tour through a trusted tour provider such as Chopper Tours and Travel. Feel free to email us with your preferred dates, month, and year for your gorilla trekking adventure. We will then check for space with RDB for the dates you want. Travellers are asked to deposit permits if they are available. Upon receipt of the deposit, we will buy the permits for you and mail you a scanned copy of the confirmation receipt.
Booking Rwanda gorilla permits with Chopper Tours and Travel has always been advantageous. We don’t just help you book your gorilla permits; we will also plan your whole Rwanda gorilla tour. This will cover arranging your lodging, transport to Volcanoes National Park and a full-time English-speaking driver guide. We will provide you with advice on what to do after your gorilla trekking experience and other places to see on your safari.
Best time to book Rwanda gorilla trekking permits
It is recommended that you book your Rwanda gorilla trekking permits at Volcanoes National Park three to six months before your scheduled gorilla tour. This is especially the case when you are planning to go during the peak seasons, which are June, July, August, September, December, January, and February. During this time, the gorilla trekking permits are highly sought after and usually sell out in a short time.
Gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda
Gorilla trekking adventure in Rwanda is one of the most exciting activities of a Rwanda gorilla tour. Volcanoes National Park has about 10 habituated gorilla families that can be tracked on a daily basis. The activity starts very early in the morning, at about 8:00 am, with a briefing at the park headquarters that entails guidelines, regulations, and park rules. After the briefing, tourists are grouped into a maximum of eight people and then proceed with a jungle trekking adventure that takes between 2 and 6 hours.
The time is mountain gorilla movement, which generally consists of these animals travelling to various locations in the forest to feed. Along the way, tourists have the opportunity to encounter other forms of wildlife such as birds, mammals, and other primates, depending on their luck. Once these fascinating gorillas are allocated, tourists are given a maximum of one hour to observe and watch the gorillas in their natural habitat. It is an excellent way to learn about the gorilla lifestyle and observe them go about their day, and you can also take photos or videos, making for the best tour experience in a Rwanda gorilla tour.
What should I pack for a gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda?
There are certain things you should bring with you for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park: a long-sleeved shirt and trousers, hiking shoes, a pair of gaiters, garden gloves, insect repellent, a waterproof raincoat, energy bars and water to drink, a warm sweater, a camera and extra batteries, binoculars, long cotton socks, face masks, a walking stick, a backpack and so on.
For more information on the price of Rwanda gorilla trekking permits, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Chopper Tours and Travel. We give you all the necessary information to help you plan your Rwanda gorilla tour.
