Mountain Gorilla Filming in Rwanda – Permits, Costs & How to Book

Every activity in Rwanda is enjoyable if done legally. That is why we advise you to follow the filming rules carefully to avoid any problems. Rwanda is famous for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, following Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Filming mountain gorillas was introduced to raise awareness about these animals worldwide and to help protect them.

Filming is done in the wild because mountain gorillas cannot live long in zoos. Only eight people are allowed to film at a time. This limit helps avoid disturbing the gorillas or making them scared in their natural home.

These gorillas mainly eat plants, fruits, bamboo, shoots, roots, bark, leaves, and some insects like ants and termites.

Mountain gorillas are close relatives to humans, sharing 95% of the same DNA. They even have unique fingerprints like humans, which help them hold and move objects. They belong to the group called eastern gorillas, which also includes eastern lowland gorillas.

Before your filming trip, you should send your request three to six months in advance. You need to fill out forms carefully to avoid mistakes, so it is best to work with a tour company that can help you.

To film gorillas, you must have a special permit, which costs $5000 per person. In addition, everyone in your group must pay $1500 for the normal gorilla trekking permit.

The whole filming team must also pay a deposit of $2000 to the Rwanda Development Board. This deposit is returned after you submit a copy of your filming that promotes mountain gorillas.

You should bring raincoats because rain can come at any time in the rainforest. Waterproof hiking boots, warm long-sleeved clothes (especially in the rainy season), snacks, bottled water, insect repellent, sunscreen, and garden gloves are also important to pack.

Volcanoes National Park welcomes visitors all year, but for better filming conditions, visit during the dry seasons—from June to September and December to February—when the ground is less muddy and the plants are not too thick.

Mountain gorilla filming is expensive, but it is worth it because it gives you a unique and memorable experience.

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