Rwanda is considerably second destination in Africa after Uganda with a huge population of mountain gorillas. It also prides herself as home to a total of 13 habituated mountain gorilla groups, all concentrated within the Volcanoes National Park. Trekking to interact with any of these gorilla families requires each traveler to have a valid Rwanda gorilla permit.
The Rwanda gorilla permits slightly cost higher than Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda. Each of the Rwanda gorilla permits is issued out at US $1500 per person and travelers can obtain their permits through Rwanda Development Board and is booked online via Irembo gateway which allows one to book a permit and make payment online.
Alternatively, you can deal with a trusted tour operator on the ground and in this case, it is of no doubt that we can be of great help to have your dream realized.
Obtaining your Rwanda gorilla permit via tour operator can be advantageous. The beauty about it is that a local tour operator goes through the strenuous process to have your permit booked without involving yourself in a to and fro process which is rather hectic. On the other hand, a tour operator can put together all the necessary aspects of your gorilla safari holiday to make it complete.
Like Uganda & the Democratic Republic of the Congo, obtaining the Rwanda gorilla permits is a must because it is the license that lets you participate in a gorilla trekking adventure in Volcanoes National Park, Ruhengeri. To avoid any inconveniences on last minute, we advise you to have your permit booked 3-6 hours before the actual date of trekking mountain gorillas. The fees paid for Rwanda gorilla permit offer you a chance to have 1 hour of face to face encounter with mountain gorillas; including park guide services and entrance fees to the park. However, the fees exclude accommodation, ground travel, meals, insurances, laundry, phone calls, extra activities, tipping and other expenses.
There is also an option of a traveler to enjoy specialized gorilla trekking experience while on Rwanda gorilla safari. For this specific gorilla experience, Rwanda gorilla permits are obtainable at US $15000 and this comes with special guide services or pay US Dollars 30,000 for 3 persons visiting for 3 consecutive days. Alternatively, enjoy the discounted offers available at US Dollars 1050 and $1275 for delegates who are in Rwanda for conference or meetings or spend US Dollars 5000 for 3 consecutive days of mountain gorilla filming and professional photography or US Dollars 12000 applying for filming and photography crew each day for maximum of 8 persons.
Best time to book Rwanda gorilla permits.
The Rwanda gorilla permits are available for booking at anytime of the year but we encourage everyone looking forward to undertaking a gorilla safari to have their permits booked at least 3-6 months before traveling to Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking. Demand for permits tends to hike especially during the dry or peak season beginning June, July, August, September or December, January and February.
Most importantly, whether it is during the dry or wet months of the year, please endeavor to pack well including sturdy hiking boots, gardening gloves, daypack, insect repellent, camera, rain jacket, socks, first aid kit/medical kit, sweater, water, snacks, sunscreen, extra camera batteries, long sleeved shirts and long trousers.
Other than mountain gorillas, the Ruhengeri based Volcanoes National Park also protects 5 of the 8 Virunga Volcanoes. This makes it one of the preferred volcano hiking destinations in East Africa. They are suitably positioned within the Virunga Conservation Area, including Mt. Karisimbi – highest of all the 8 rising up to 4507m, Mt Muhabura, Mt. Bisoke, Mt. Sabyinyo and Mt. Gahinga and others.
