Rwanda Gorilla Permits

To take part in the incredible gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, you need to obtain a gorilla permit. With this permit, you are allowed to track one of the 12 habituated gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park.

Volcanoes National Park is the only gorilla habitat in Rwanda and one of the only 4 gorilla habitats in the world, renowned for offering the most accessible gorilla trekking experience. The park is part is part of the Virunga Volcanoes which are shared between Uganda, Rwanda and DR.Congo.

Mountain gorillas are the prime attraction in Volcanoes National Park, these gentle giants can be trekked year round.

Rwanda Gorilla Permits Availability

Gorilla permits in Rwanda are issued by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and one can obtain one through a local tour operator, or book it directly on the official website of RDB.

Note: Gorilla permits are one high demand yet a limited number is issued on a daily basis. Only 8 gorilla permits are issued per gorilla family totaling to only 80 permits per day. So it is advisable to book your permit about 6 months in advance to your gorilla trekking dates. For convenience, book your permit and Rwanda gorilla trip through a trusted local tour operator.

Rwanda Gorilla Permits Price.

Rwanda gorilla permit costs US$ 1500 to all international tourists irrespective of the season and nationality. Discounts are only offered to foreign residents, Rwanda nationals and East Africa citizens.

The table shows the Rwanda Gorilla Permits Price

Information to Note

• To qualify for Rwandan / East African Foreign Resident status, visitors need to have four consecutive months’ residency status/work permit in their passports or diplomatic card.
• East African Residents must present EAC ID cards or passports
• Diplomats with residency visa can be allowed to use the applicable resident fee for his spouse and legally accepted children even if they (spouse and children) do not have resident visas
• Reporting time to the park headquarters in Kinigi for all gorilla trekking is 0700hrs. R

Rwanda Gorilla Permit Price Inclusions and Exclusions

Prices listed above for gorilla permits include entrance/access to Volcanoes National Park to track gorillas, one of observing the gorillas, services of a park guide and gorilla trekking security by armed rangers.

The Rwanda Gorilla Permit fees excludes the visitor’s transportation to the park, accommodation, transport to the trek starting point away from the park headquarters, hiring porters, trekking gear and meals. Also, park fees are independent of costs for the other park activities like birding, volcano hiking, Dian Fossey Grave Tour among others.

Rwanda Gorilla Permits Discounts

Unfortunately, there are no discounted gorilla permits in Rwanda for international/foreign tourists. The permit price to them remains $ 1500 irrespective of their nationality, age and time of the year you are visiting.

Permit fees discounts are given to Rwandan citizens, East Africa citizens, Foreign Residents in Rwanda and East Africa Community countries.

Rwanda Gorilla Permit Refunds

• Full refund for Rwanda Gorilla Permit fees is granted if visitors fail to track the gorillas the whole day as a result of the gorilla groups’ movement. However, this not seeing gorillas in Volcanoes National Park is rare.
• In the same situation as above, visitors are always given a second chance
• In case of late arrivals or flight delays, absence or cancellation of the trip for one reason or another, no refunds are made.

Booking for a Rwanda Gorilla Permits

Booking gorilla permits in Rwanda should ideally be done through a trusted local tour operator for convenience and expert advice.

Please note that booking can also be done directly with Rwanda Development Board. Visitors are only required to send a copy of the passport biodata page and the $ 1,500 permit fee if processing with a tour operator. Through Rwanda Development Board, the visitor has to fill forms, upload the passport and pay the applicable fee.

To avoid any erroneous applications that might even lead to denial of entry to the park great care has to be exercised.

 Peak Season and When to book

In Rwanda, peak tourism seasons are June to August and around Christmas and New Year. If you plan to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda during the peak season or if you are in a large group, you should book your gorilla permits as well as your Rwanda gorilla safari six months or more in advance. The earlier you book the more choice you have on where you stay and a chance to trek the gorillas.

Last – minute bookings may be possible during low season or with smaller groups. Visiting in the rainy season/low season, there is more choice in permit and accommodation availability, it also allows for a more intimate tracking experience.