Rwanda Safari Cost: Prices for 5 to 14-Day Safaris
How much a full Rwanda safari cost: daily budgets, park fees for Akagera, Nyungwe & Volcanoes, sample 5 to 14-day itineraries, & what’s included.
A full Rwanda safari typically costs:
| Safari | Typical cost per person |
| 5–6 days (gorillas plus Lake Kivu or Akagera) | From about US$2,650–US$3,850 |
| 7–10 days (gorillas, chimps in Nyungwe, Akagera’s Big Five, Lake Kivu) | From about US$4,800 |
| 12–14 days (Rwanda plus Uganda) | From about US$5,400 |
What drives the price:
- your lodge level, the biggest factor
- how many permitsyou take: gorillas, golden monkeys, chimps
- the number of parks
- group size
Outside the permits, expect to spend about US$250–US$700+ per person per day for a private vehicle, a guide, accommodation and meals.
Only planning a short gorilla trip? See the cost of gorilla trekking in Rwanda.
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Rwanda Safari Cost by Length
| Safari | Parks and highlights | Typical cost per person |
| 5 Days Gorillas & Lake Kivu | Volcanoes NP gorillas, Lake Kivu | From about US$2,650 |
| 6 Days Rwanda Gorillas & Big Five | Volcanoes NP, Akagera NP | From about US$3,850 |
| 7 Days Rwanda Primates Safari | Gorillas, golden monkeys, Nyungwe chimps | Ask for a quote |
| 10 Days Rwanda Safari Holiday | Gorillas, chimps, Akagera, Lake Kivu, Kigali | From about US$4,800 |
| 12 Days Rwanda & Uganda Safari | Both countries: gorillas, chimps, Queen Elizabeth NP, Lake Kivu | From about US$5,400 |
Prices are per person for two sharing, and exclude international flights, visas, insurance and tips. Exact prices depend on dates, lodges and group size.
Rwanda Safari Cost Per Day
| Style | Daily cost per person (excluding permits) | What you get |
| Budget | About US$250–$350 | Guesthouses and simple hotels, private vehicle and driver-guide, some meals |
| Mid-range | About US$350–$600 | Comfortable lodges with full board, private 4×4 and an experienced driver-guide |
| Luxury | About US$700–$1,500+ | High-end eco-lodges, premium service, sometimes helicopter or charter transfers |
Add the permits and park fees on top (next section), plus flights and tips.
Park Fees and Activity Costs Across Rwanda
| Park or activity | Typical fee (international visitors) | Notes |
| Gorilla trekking, Volcanoes NP | US$1,500 | US$1,050 in low season with Akagera or Nyungwe nights. See the permit guide |
| Golden monkey trekking, Volcanoes NP | About US$100 | Easier, shorter trek |
| Dian Fossey tomb hike | About US$75 | Half-day hike to the Karisoke research site |
| Mount Bisoke hike | Ask us | Crater-lake summit hike |
| Chimpanzee trekking, Nyungwe NP | About US$150 | Check current RDB rates |
| Nyungwe canopy walk | About US$60 | Suspended walkway above the forest |
| Akagera NP entry | About US$100 per person per day | Plus vehicle entry and optional boat trip or night drive |
| Kigali city tour and genocide memorial | Small fees or donations | The Kigali Genocide Memorial is free to enter; donations welcome |
| Lake Kivu boat trips and kayaking | From about US$30–$80 | Depends on the operator and duration |
Fees are set by RDB and park managers and can change. We confirm current fees in your quote.
Where Your Safari Budget Goes
On a typical 7–10 day mid-range Rwanda safari:
- Permits and park fees:35–45%, mostly the gorilla permit
- Accommodation and meals:30–40%
- Private vehicle and driver-guide:15–20%
- Extras:5–10% (tips, drinks, laundry, optional activities)
Rwanda Safari Accommodation Costs by Area
| Area | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
| Kigali | US$60–$120 | US$150–$250 | US$300+ |
| Volcanoes NP (Musanze or Kinigi) | US$80–$150 | US$200–$350 | US$500–$1,500+ |
| Nyungwe NP | US$80–$150 | US$200–$350 | US$600+ |
| Akagera NP | US$80–$150 (camping or tented) | US$200–$400 | US$600+ |
| Lake Kivu (Gisenyi, Kibuye) | US$60–$120 | US$150–$250 | US$300+ |
Prices are per room or per person per night, depending on the lodge, and vary by season.
What’s Included in a Rwanda Safari Price?
Usually included in our safari packages:
- private 4×4 vehicle and English-speaking driver-guide
- accommodation as listed, with meals as stated
- gorilla, chimpanzee and golden monkey permits as listed
- park entry fees and activities in the itinerary
- airport pick-up and drop-off
- drinking water in the vehicle
Usually not included:
- international flights
- visas and travel insurance
- tips for guides, trackers and porters
- drinks, laundry and personal expenses
- optional activities not in the itinerary
How to Reduce the Cost of a Rwanda Safari
- Travel from November to May.You can qualify for the US$1,050 gorilla permit with Akagera or Nyungwe nights, and many lodges offer lower rates.
- Mix lodge levels.Use luxury for one or two nights and mid-range for the rest.
- Travel as a groupto share vehicle costs.
- Choose fewer parksand stay longer in each, which means less driving time and fuel.
- Combine with Ugandafor cheaper gorilla permits on a longer trip.
Rwanda vs Uganda Safari Cost
| Rwanda | Uganda | |
| Gorilla permit | US$1,500 | US$800 (US$600 in low-season months) |
| Distances | Short: most parks are 2–5 hours from Kigali | Longer: 6–10 hours between some parks |
| Typical mid-range daily cost (excluding permits) | Higher | Often lower |
| Big Five | Akagera NP | Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth and Kidepo |
| Best for | Short, comfortable trips | Longer, lower-cost safaris with more wildlife variety |
Combining both countries often gives the best value: gorilla trekking in Uganda, plus Rwanda’s short distances and Lake Kivu.
FAQs: Rwanda Safari Cost
How much does a Rwanda safari cost? A 5–6 day safari typically costs from about US$2,650 per person, a 10-day safari from about US$4,800, and a 12-day Rwanda and Uganda safari from about US$5,400, depending on lodges and group size.
How much does a Rwanda safari cost per day? About US$250–$350 per person per day on a budget, US$350–$600 mid-range and US$700+ luxury, excluding permits.
Does a Rwanda safari price include the gorilla permit? In our packages that include gorilla trekking, yes. Always check that your quote lists every permit and park fee.
Is Rwanda more expensive than Kenya or Tanzania? Rwanda’s gorilla permit makes primate safaris more expensive, but its short distances can make a combined gorilla and wildlife trip quick and efficient.
Can I see the Big Five in Rwanda? Yes, in Akagera National Park, which has lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes and rhinos.
When is the cheapest time for a Rwanda safari? November to May, when discounted gorilla permits and lower lodge rates are often available.
Plan Your Rwanda Safari
Trek Rwanda Gorillas operating under Maranatha Tours & Travel, a licensed by RDB and UTB (UTB/RTT/TT/2024/101151). Tell us how many days you have and your budget, and we’ll design a safari with a fully costed written quote.
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