Rwanda gorilla permits are documents issued to grant clients to the gorillas. Customers present this document at the park headquarters and they are assigned random gorilla groups for their Rwanda gorilla trekking experience. So what is the price of gorilla permits in Rwanda?  You will have to part away with $1500 to buy a permit. Rwanda is situated in Central Eastern Africa. It’s popularly known as the land of a thousand hills and mountains. Volcanoes national park Rwanda is home to the last surviving endangered mountain gorillas together with Bwindi and Mgahinga national park of Uganda and Virunga national park of DR Congo.

Volcanoes national park is not only home to the last few endangered mountain gorillas but also five of the 8 Virunga volcanoes. These Virunga volcanoes sit on the Virunga conservation area with mountain Karisimbi being the highest at an elevation of 4,507 meters above sea level. Other mountains found in this park include mountain Sabyinyo, mountain Gahinga, mountain Muhabura, and mountain Bisoke.

Mountain gorillas wander within the foothills of these Virunga mountains. When you book a hike to one of these mountains you may end up meeting face to face with mountain gorillas without buying permits for gorilla trekking in Rwanda. You are most likely to encounter them on your way up just that you will not be permitted to spend any time around them.

Cost of gorilla permits in Rwanda

Rwanda gorilla trekking permit is the most expensive at $1500 each. This has made Rwanda a luxury gorilla trekking destination as a single permit goes for $1500 compared to Uganda where it goes for $700 and DR Congo where it is $400. The cost o gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda was doubled in 2017; from $750 to $1500 per each. Gorilla permits in Rwanda should be bought in advance, like 3 months before the actual day of trekking because of their high demand on a first come first serve basis.

Rwanda gorilla permits can be obtained through a trusted tour operator or from the Rwanda development board a body in charge of Rwanda national parks. Half the money of gorilla trekking permits is repaid to the tourists in case they show any sign of illness before their trekking day. Sick people with flu or diarrhea are not allowed to trek mountain gorillas because gorillas can easily get infected by human infectious diseases which are a big threat to them as they lack the necessary immunities to compete diseases.

Online availability of permits

The online system displays correct availability and will assist you plan your gorilla trip better. Please note that gorilla permits are sold on a first come first serve basis hence if you find only a few permits left for your date then you ought to buy them online or immediately demand a tour operator to do it for you.

For the case of gorilla trekking, all the people planning to trek on a specific day are required to report to Kinigi park headquarters by 7:00 am in morning for a short briefing about the rules and regulations before making their way into the forest to trek mountain gorillas only persons of 15 years of age and above will be allowed to trek gorillas. After getting a Rwanda gorilla permit, you will be allocated to a random mountain gorilla family basing on age or fitness. This assignment process is random and you cannot influence it in any way. You can now carry the necessary gorilla trekking equipment with you and follow the rules and regulations given to you as you make your way to the gorillas.

Discounts for gorilla trekking permits

If you are visiting all the three Rwanda national parks namely volcanoes national park, Nyungwe forest national park, and Akagera national park, you will pay $1100 instead of $1500. However, you have to present proof that you are visiting the other two national parks in Rwanda apart from volcanoes national park. For Akagera national park, you can show proof of accommodation on booking or park entrance fee and for Nyungwe forest national park you can show a chimpanzee trekking permit.

The best time to trek mountain gorillas in Rwanda is during the dry of June to September and again from December to February. If your trekking in the rain season, you should not forget to move with hiking boots, warm clothing, raincoats, energy snacks, garden gloves and so much more. In case of heavy luggage, the tourists can hire porters to help them carry backpacks at a very cheap price.

How to book gorilla permits of Rwanda

Unlike other gorilla trekking countries, you can buy gorilla trekking permits for Rwanda using the online method through Irembo Portal. The system allows you to pay by credit card and not pass through any tour operator. After purchase, you are sent an email as a reference that you will have to present at the park offices the morning you track gorillas. After presenting your reference, the park wardens will verify its validity before your gorilla permit is printed on paper.

The other alternative is going through a tour and travel operator and have them organize everything for you including transportation, accommodation, meals, and more. This is the best option and we do offer this kind of service. You can check some of our Rwanda safari packages for a comprehend travel plan.