Discounted Gorilla Permits in Rwanda: Who Qualifies & How
Discounted Permits in Rwanda: There are two official ways to pay less than US$1,500 for a Rwanda gorilla permit.
- The low-season discount: 30% off, so US$1,050.It’s for international visitors trekking from November to May who also stay two nights in Akagera and/or Nyungwe National Park, with a paid hotel booking and a paid activity.
- Citizen and resident rates:
- US$200for Rwandan and East African Community (EAC) citizens.
- US$500for African citizens and African residents.
- These are promotional rates, valid until 31 December 2026 and not available from June to October.
No other “cheap” Rwanda gorilla permit exists. The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) sets one official price for each category.
For the full price list and what a permit includes, see our Rwanda gorilla permit cost guide.
Discount 1: The 30% Low-Season Discount (US$1,050)
Who can get it
International visitors (foreign non-residents) trekking in November, December, January, February, March, April or May. These are the months RDB lists for this discount.
Note: December to February is also a busy trekking season, so availability for those dates can still be tight.
The conditions
- The stay:two nights in Akagera and/or Nyungwe National Park. This can be two nights in one park, or one night in each on consecutive nights.
- Proof:a paid hotel confirmation for those nights, plus at least one paid activity in that park, such as a game drive, boat trip, chimpanzee trek or canopy walk.
- The limit:one discounted gorilla permit per person for each qualifying 3-day/2-night stay. A second gorilla trek needs another qualifying stay.
- No-shows:a discounted permit expires if you don’t show up.
- Payment:cash payment at the park isn’t accepted.
How much you save
| Standard | With the low-season discount | |
| 1 gorilla permit | US$1,500 | US$1,050 |
| 2 people | US$3,000 | US$2,100 (save US$900) |
| 4 people | US$6,000 | US$4,200 (save US$1,800) |
The extra Akagera or Nyungwe nights cost money, so the discount works best for travellers who already wanted a longer Rwanda safari. You get two great experiences and save on the permit.
Itineraries that qualify
| Trip | Parks | Why it qualifies |
| 6 Days Rwanda Gorillas & Big Five Safari | Volcanoes + Akagera | Two Akagera nights plus a game drive |
| 3 Days Nyungwe Chimps & Canopy Walk + gorilla trek | Nyungwe + Volcanoes | Two Nyungwe nights plus a chimp trek |
| 10 Days Rwanda Safari | Volcanoes, Nyungwe, Akagera, Lake Kivu | Covers both parks |
When you book with us, we plan the qualifying nights and send the proof to RDB for you.
Discount 2: Rates for Rwandans, East Africans and African Residents
| Category | Permit price | What you need |
| Rwandan citizens and EAC citizens | US$200 | National ID, valid passport or birth certificate |
| African citizens and African residents | US$500 | Valid passport, plus a resident ID, diplomatic card or visa showing at least 4 consecutive months of residence |
- Validity:these promotional rates are valid until 31 December 2026.
- Blackout months:they are not available from June to October, Rwanda’s peak season.
- Proof:you must show your documents at Kinigi on your trek day. If they don’t match, you may be asked to pay the full rate.
Other Options: Conference Delegates and Private Groups
- Conference delegates:RDB has offered conference attendees a 15% reduction (US$1,275) for treks before or after a conference in Rwanda.
- Exclusive family trek:RDB has offered private groups the chance to book all 8 places with one gorilla family.
These depend on RDB’s current terms. Ask us to confirm before you plan around them.
Watch Out for Fake “Cheap Gorilla Permit” Offers
Because Rwanda’s permit is expensive, scammers offer “discounted permits” online.
Red flags:
- An international permit offered for less than US$1,050in low season, or less than US$1,500 from June to October.
- A seller asking you to pay into a personal accountor by cryptocurrency.
- No RDB licence number, or a licence number you can’t verify.
- A “permit” sent as a photo or Word document, without your passport details on it.
How to protect yourself:
- Book through RDB’s official portalor an RDB-licensed operator.
- Pay only into a company account.
- Check that the permit shows your name and passport number
FAQs: Discounted Gorilla Permits in Rwanda
Is there a cheaper gorilla permit in Rwanda? Yes. International visitors pay US$1,050 (30% off) from November to May if they also stay two nights in Akagera and/or Nyungwe with a paid activity. Rwandan and EAC citizens pay US$200, and African citizens and residents pay US$500 (promotional rates, not available June to October).
When is the Rwanda gorilla permit low-season discount available? From November to May.
Can I get the discount for two gorilla treks? Only with two qualifying stays. Each 3-day/2-night stay in Akagera or Nyungwe qualifies one person for one discounted permit.
Do foreign residents of Rwanda get a discount? The current US$500 promotional rate is for African citizens and African residents with at least 4 months’ residence. Other foreign residents should check RDB’s current terms.
Can a tour operator sell Rwanda gorilla permits below RDB prices? No. RDB sets the official prices. Anyone offering lower prices outside these schemes is a red flag.
Get the Discount Built Into Your Safari
Tell us your travel month, and we’ll show you whether you qualify and design a trip that includes the qualifying nights.
Trek Rwanda Gorillas (Maranatha Tours & Travel) is licensed by RDB (RDB/TL/2019/07/TO/10116) and UTB (UTB/RTT/TT/2024/101151). WhatsApp +256 701 800 149, email in**@****************as.com, or contact us.
