Rwanda Gorilla Permit Cost: Prices, Rates & What It Covers

A Rwanda gorilla permit costs US$1,500 per person for international visitors. The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) issues it.

What you get:

one guided trek in Volcanoes National Park
one hourwith a habituated mountain gorilla family

Discounts:

Rwandan and East African Community (EAC) citizens pay US$200.
African citizens and residents pay US$500.
International visitors can get 30% off (US$1,050)from November to May if they also stay two nights in Nyungwe or Akagera National Park.

Booking: permits are limited to about 96 a day, so book 4–6 months ahead for June to September and December to February. You can book through RDB’s online portal or through a licensed tour operator such as Trek Rwanda Gorillas.

Rwanda Gorilla Permit Prices at a Glance

Visitor category	Permit price	Conditions
International visitors (foreign non-residents)	US$1,500	Standard rate, all year
Low-season discount (international visitors)	US$1,050 (30% off)	November to May only. You must also stay two nights in Akagera and/or Nyungwe National Park, with a paid hotel booking and a paid activity
Rwandan and EAC citizens	US$200	National ID, passport or birth certificate. Promotional rate, valid to 31 December 2026, not available June to October
African citizens and African residents	US$500	Passport, plus a resident ID, diplomatic card or visa showing at least 4 months’ residence. Promotional rate, valid to 31 December 2026, not available June to October

Every trekker aged 15 or over needs their own permit. There are no group or family discounts.

Promotional rates change, so always check them. Rates for Rwandan, EAC and African citizens and residents are promotional and are set by RDB for a fixed period. We confirm the current rate in writing before you pay.

What the Rwanda Gorilla Permit Includes

Included:

entry to Volcanoes National Park on your trek day
the morning briefing at Kinigi park headquarters
a trained park guide, trackers and an armed ranger escort
up to one hourwith the gorilla family
a contribution to conservation and local communities (RDB shares part of tourism revenue with the communities around the parks)

Not included:

transport to and from the park (about 2.5 hours by road from Kigali)
accommodation and meals
porters (optional, paid locally)
tips for guides and porters
trekking gear such as boots, a rain jacket and gloves

Why Is Rwanda’s Gorilla Permit So Expensive?

Rwanda chose a low-volume, high-value tourism model. The high permit price limits visitor numbers, which protects the gorillas from disease and disturbance, and it funds anti-poaching patrols, research and community projects. Mountain gorilla numbers in the Virunga Massif have grown steadily since the 2000s, and Rwanda credits tourism revenue as part of that recovery.

What the extra cost buys you:

Shorter travel.Volcanoes National Park is about 2.5 hours from Kigali, compared with 8–10 hours to Bwindi from Entebbe.
Easier terrain.The volcanic slopes are often more open than Bwindi’s dense forest.
A wider choice of lodges,including high-end lodges near Kinigi.
Easy pairing with short trips:a gorilla trek fits into a 1–3 day trip, or a Kigali stopover.

Rwanda Gorilla Permit Discounts

International visitors can get 30% off (US$1,050) on treks from November to May. To qualify, you must also stay two nights in Akagera and/or Nyungwe National Park, with a paid hotel booking and a paid activity.

Rwandan and EAC citizens pay US$200, and African citizens and residents pay US$500. These are promotional rates, not available June to October.

Full rules, qualifying itineraries and how to avoid fake “cheap permit” offers: Discounted Gorilla Permits in Rwanda →

Rwanda Gorilla Permit Availability

Volcanoes National Park has about 12 habituated gorilla families, each limited to 8 visitors a day. That gives roughly 96 permits a day, sold first come, first served. Peak dates (June to September and December to February) often sell out 4–6 months ahead.

Month-by-month demand, how to check your dates and what to do if they’re full: Rwanda Gorilla Permit Availability →

How to Book a Rwanda Gorilla Permit

You can book directly on RDB’s official portal, or through a licensed tour operator who books the permit together with your transport and lodge. Either way, you’ll need each trekker’s full passport details, and the permit must be paid in full to be secured.

Step-by-step booking, required details, payment and confirmation: Book a Rwanda Gorilla Permit →

Are Rwanda Gorilla Permits Refundable?

Generally no. Rwanda gorilla permits are non-refundable and non-transferable. Rescheduling depends on RDB’s rules and availability, and rangers can stop anyone who is ill from trekking. Travel insurance with cancellation cover is strongly recommended. See our Terms & Conditions.

Rwanda vs Uganda Gorilla Permit Cost

	Rwanda (Volcanoes NP)	Uganda (Bwindi & Mgahinga)
Standard permit (foreign non-resident)	US$1,500	US$800
Low-season rate	US$1,050 (Nov–May, with Akagera/Nyungwe nights)	US$600 (April, May & November)
Gorilla habituation (4 hours)	Not offered	Offered in Bwindi (Rushaga)
Time with gorillas	1 hour	1 hour
Travel from airport	About 2.5 hours from Kigali	8–10 hours from Entebbe, or about 4–5 hours from Kigali to southern Bwindi
Daily permits	About 96	More, because there are more habituated families

Uganda permit prices change from 1 January 2027. We always confirm the exact UWA fee in your written quote. Compare the two countries in our guide to gorilla trekking in Rwanda vs Uganda, or see how to get a gorilla permit in Uganda.

What Does a Rwanda Gorilla Safari Cost in Total?

The permit is the biggest single cost, but not the only one. Typical per person totals:

Trip	Typical cost from
1 Day Gorilla Trek from Kigali	US$1,720
3 Days Rwanda Gorilla Safari	US$2,100
4 Days Rwanda Double Gorilla Trekking	US$3,200
5 Days Gorillas & Lake Kivu	US$2,650

Prices include the permit, private 4×4 transport and a driver-guide. They depend on lodge level, group size and season. See the full breakdown in our Rwanda safari cost guide.

Rules and Requirements for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Minimum age 15on the day of the trek.
Bring your passport.Rangers check permits against passports at Kinigi.
Arrive by 7:00amat Kinigi park headquarters for the briefing and allocation to a gorilla family.
Keep 7 metres from the gorillas.Don’t use flash, keep your voice low, and wear a face mask if asked.
Don’t trek if you are ill.Gorillas can catch human colds and flu.
Expect a 1–6 hour hike,depending on where the family is that day, at altitudes of about 2,500–3,000 m and above. Porters are available to carry your bag and help you on steep sections.

FAQs: Rwanda Gorilla Permit Cost

How much is a gorilla permit in Rwanda? US$1,500 per person for international visitors. Rwandan and EAC citizens pay US$200, and African citizens and residents pay US$500 (promotional rates, not available June to October).

Is there a discount on Rwanda gorilla permits? Yes. International visitors get 30% off (US$1,050) on treks from November to May if they also stay two nights in Akagera and/or Nyungwe National Park, with a paid hotel booking and activity.

What does the Rwanda gorilla permit include? Park entry on your trek day, the Kinigi briefing, a park guide, trackers, an armed ranger escort, and up to one hour with a gorilla family. Transport, accommodation, porters and tips are not included.

Do children pay less for gorilla permits in Rwanda? No. The minimum age is 15, and every trekker pays the same rate for their category. There is no child or family discount.

How much does a gorilla trek in Rwanda cost in total? With the permit, transport and a driver-guide, a 1-day trek from Kigali starts from about US$1,720 per person, and a 3-day Rwanda gorilla safari from about US$2,100, depending on lodge level and group size.

Are Rwanda gorilla permits refundable? Generally no. Permits are non-refundable and non-transferable, and rescheduling depends on RDB’s rules and availability. Travel insurance with cancellation cover is strongly recommended.

Does Rwanda offer gorilla habituation? No. Rwanda offers standard gorilla trekking with one hour with the gorillas. The four-hour gorilla habituation experience is offered only in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Is it cheaper to see gorillas in Uganda? Yes. A standard Uganda gorilla permit costs US$800, or US$600 in the low-season months, compared with US$1,500 in Rwanda. However, the journey to Bwindi is longer.

Book Your Rwanda Gorilla Permit With Us

Trek Rwanda Gorillas is the gorilla trekking brand of Maranatha Tours & Travel, licensed by the Rwanda Development Board and the Uganda Tourism Board (UTB/RTT/TT/2024/101151), and running gorilla safaris since 2009.

We will:

check live permit availability for your dates
book the permit at the official RDB price
tell you whether you qualify for a discount
arrange your transfers, lodge and driver-guide

Send us your dates on WhatsApp at +256 701 800 149, email in**@****************as.com, or visit our office at 194 Mobutu Road, Kampala. Contact us here.