Rwanda is one of the few countries in East Africa which are known for having mountain gorillas. These animals live in the tropical forests of Uganda in Bwindi impenetrable National park and Mgahinga National park and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is expensive as you are required to pay 1500 US dollars compared to other neighboring countries like Uganda where trekking costs 800 US dollars and 400 US dollars in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Rwanda’s volcanoes national Park is well known for being home to both the mountain gorillas and the golden monkeys which will make your visit to this beautiful land of a thousand hills colourful. There are several habituated gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park and the Rwanda Development Board which is a government body in Rwanda responsible for all tourism activities.

Gorilla trekking is one of the most rewarding activities in the world and when planning to have a gorilla safari in Rwanda, you will need to first book your gorilla permit because there is a limited number of visitors coming to see these animals daily. There are 80 permits every day and all year round waiting for tourists to trek mountain gorillas in volcanoes national Park. Trekking these animals is easy and it can be done by getting a permit from the Rwanda Development Board via email or contacting them directly.

Another way you can attain a gorilla permit is by using travel agencies. Booking with a tour operator is the easiest and most reliable way to get these permits. In addition, it is always advisable to book your permit earlier before the trekking date, at least 90 days before because the permits tend to get booked out early.

Volcanoes National Park has got 13 gorilla groups and each group is trekked by a group of 8 people a day. Today Rwanda is recording high numbers of visitors who go Gorilla trekking and so it is advisable to book early to guarantee your interest in trekking these animals.

How much is a gorilla permit in Rwanda?

Trekking gorillas in volcanoes national Park costs 1500 US dollars for Foreign Non-residents, 500$ for foreign residents in Rwanda, 200$ for East African citizens and Rwandan nationals. Trekkers are given a 30% discount on the price when they have options of visiting other National Parks in Rwanda such as Akagera National Park, and Nyungwe National Park , 15% discount for visitors interested in conducting conferences in the pre and post-MICE events and see gorillas, Us$ 30,000 for a minimum of 3 visitors spending three consecutive days and Us$ 15,000 for Gorilla trekkers in a group with personalized tour guide activities.

Gorilla trekking normally starts early in the morning at around 7:00 am-7:30 am at the park main entrance gate with an opening briefing from one of the park officials at Kinigi headquarters. Immediately after the full confirmation of the booking, passport details are required and you are advised to give full information so as enable easy writing of the permit.

Besides gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes National Park, there are also other things to do in Rwanda which are also interesting and important as far as your safari is concerned. Some of the things are the golden monkey trekking which is also done in the Volcanoes National Park and trekking those starts at the same time as the gorillas currently there are two habituated monkey families in this park.

You can also go hiking and see the tomb of Dian Fossey at Karisimbi and Bisoke at Karisoke research centre for 2 hours, visit the Rwandan cultural centre where you will have a look at the country’s culture and background, and not forget the Kigali genocide memorial centre where you will have a look of the remains of the 1994 genocide victims that claimed lives of over 800,000 people in only 100 days but it currently ranked as one of the first growing countries in East Africa. Plan your safari today with us and get the best services.