Booking Rwanda Gorilla Permits

Booking Rwanda Gorilla Permits

Embarking on a gorilla trekking adventure in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, offers a truly unique experience that ranks among Africa’s top travel highlights. To witness the incredible mountain gorillas up close, securing a gorilla permit is essential. Known for their peaceful demeanor, gorillas often interact with visitors, sometimes even approaching guides in a friendly manner as they pass by.

While this unforgettable experience does come with a higher price tag, obtaining a gorilla permit opens the door to an extraordinary hour with these magnificent creatures. However, reaching their preferred habitat in the bamboo forest requires navigating steep slopes, dense vegetation, and potentially slippery conditions, especially after rainfall, all while acclimatizing to the high altitude.

Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park

Located in northeastern Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park (known as Parc des Volcans in French and Pariki Yigihugu y’ibirunga in Kinyarwanda) is a gem of East Africa. As one of Rwanda’s most significant and oldest national parks, it is home to endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, as well as a rich variety of bird species, trees, forest hogs, and bushbucks. The park is part of the Virunga Conservation Area, which includes five extinct volcanoes: Mount Muhabura, Mount Sabyinyo, Mount Gahinga, Mount Karisimbi, and Mount Bisoke. Gorilla tourism has significantly contributed to Rwanda’s economic development, attracting an increasing number of visitors each year. Trekking through this breathtaking landscape to observe the endangered gorillas in their natural habitat is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, especially considering that nearly half of the world’s remaining gorilla population resides in East Africa.

How Many Gorilla Permits Are Available in Volcanoes National Park Each Day?

In Volcanoes National Park, the thrilling activity of gorilla trekking involves visiting habituated mountain gorillas in their natural surroundings, allowing you to observe their feeding habits, movements, and social interactions. The park is home to 10 habituated gorilla families, with each family allowing only eight visitors per day for trekking. This means that a total of 80 permits are available daily, providing a 99% chance of spotting the mountain gorillas, guided by experienced trackers, guides, and park rangers.

Gorilla trekking begins each day in Kinigi at 7:00 AM, starting with a briefing on essential guidelines to follow during the trek. Although gorillas share 99% of their DNA with humans, they remain wild animals, so adhering to the dos and don’ts outlined by your guides is crucial. The duration of the trek can vary, lasting anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the gorillas’ movements and location within the forest.

What Is the Cost of a Rwanda Gorilla Permit?

To embark on a gorilla trekking adventure in Volcanoes National Park, obtaining a Rwanda gorilla permit is essential. This permit, secured through the Rwanda Development Board, costs USD 1,500 for all visitors, regardless of nationality. The permit grants you one hour to observe and photograph these magnificent creatures up close. Booking a gorilla trek is not just a journey; it’s an unforgettable experience that belongs on your bucket list. At Encounter Africa Safaris, we specialize in crafting affordable and memorable gorilla trekking tours tailored to your needs.

How to Book Your Rwanda Gorilla Permit

When you reach out to us at Trek Africa Expeditions about your planned trek and desired dates, we’ll check the availability of permits through the Rwanda Development Board’s online system. If permits are available, we’ll send you an invoice for payment, as securing your permit is our top priority. If your preferred dates are booked, we can help you select alternative dates with availability. We recommend booking several months in advance to secure your ideal date.

Once we receive your payment, we will confirm your booking by securing your permits and sending you a receipt along with a booking ID. The process is straightforward and transparent, ensuring you have a seamless experience during your gorilla trekking adventure.

Please note that gorilla trekking permits can sell out quickly, especially during peak seasons (January, February, July, August, September, and December). Planning ahead is the best way to guarantee your spot.

Last-Minute Booking for Rwanda Gorilla Permits

We also accommodate last-minute bookings for Volcanoes Mountain gorilla permits. Whether you’re in Rwanda for a conference or have a change of plans while in East Africa, we can help you secure a permit for a spontaneous weekend trek. Just contact us, and we’ll do our best to find a permit from the Rwanda Development Board or from resellers to ensure you don’t miss out on this incredible experience.

To book a last-minute permit, you will need to make payment to secure your spot. Once you reach out, we will provide you with a quote based on the number of days you require, and you can select your preferred dates for the trek. We prioritize your permits and accommodation, ensuring everything is in order for your gorilla safari.

Why Choose Trek Africa Expeditions for Your Rwanda Gorilla Permit?

Trek Africa Expeditions is one of the premier local tour operators specializing in booking Rwanda gorilla permits. We also offer exceptional gorilla safari experiences in both Uganda and Rwanda. Contact us for exclusive discounts and tailor-made trips to Rwanda.

Our strength lies in our dedicated team, which blends youthful energy with the expertise of seasoned managers and directors who are passionate about creating authentic experiences. We take pride in our high ratings and positive reviews on TripAdvisor, reflecting the memorable journeys our travelers have enjoyed with us.

Don’t miss the chance to experience the awe-inspiring mountain gorillas in their natural habitat—book your permit today with Trek Africa Expeditions!