Rwanda gorilla permits contribute the biggest part of gorilla trekking Rwanda prices. Each Rwanda Development Board gorilla permit costs USD 1500. In this article, we not only explain the cost of gorilla trekking in Rwanda, but also guide you on how to check for Rwanda gorilla permit availability online, how to get low season discounts, and more.
For a long time, gorillas have been the most tracked primates and are a rare species. Mountain gorillas are endangered animals that have lived for millions of years in the Virunga region.
Like other endangered animals, they have faced many challenges such as poaching and the loss of their habitats. The government of Rwanda decided to establish a national conservation body along with some sister agencies.
The genocide that took place in Rwanda in 1994 also greatly affected these species.
However, through continued government efforts for wildlife conservation and local and international marketing of Rwanda, tourism is now a growing sector and many people come here to trek these animals.
To start a trek or habituation tour in one or all of the gorilla destinations, a tourist needs to have a valid trekking permit.
Anyone interested in trekking or habituation can get these permits from the Rwanda Development Board located in Kigali.
Tourists can also personally or through their tour operators acquire these permits at Musanze. Rwanda’s permit price is the highest in the East Africa region, at USD 1,500 each.
This cost was raised by RDB’s tourism department to align with the government’s goal of attracting high-end tourists.
The government’s strong public relations campaigns and marketing are visible through partnerships with some of the world’s biggest football clubs like Arsenal Football Club of England and Paris Saint Germain Football Club of France under the slogan “Visit Rwanda.”
Overall, the country has been fairly successful in achieving this goal. Gorillas can be found in Volcanoes National Park where most of these mountain gorillas live and are habituated.
This national park has many gorilla families, including Agashya, Hirwa, Karisimbi, Titus, Amahoro, and Susa among others.
The Rwanda gorilla trekking permit cost includes the entry fee for Volcanoes National Park.
The easiest and most recommended way to get this permit is through a local tour operator.
This comes at a fee, but the tourist does not have to worry about the challenges that may arise during permit acquisition.
Mountain gorilla trekking is best done during the summer season. This period in Africa is commonly called the dry season. It has plenty of sunshine and very little rain.
This is the best time for anyone who wants to do gorilla trekking in Rwanda. However, it is recommended for tourists to book their permits early because this is the time when many tourists visit, and permits can sell out quickly. Early booking helps travelers join this lifetime experience.
