Rwanda Gorilla Permits Availability

Rwanda Gorilla Permits: Availability, Booking and Expert Tips

Rwanda Gorilla Permits Availability — Planning to visit Rwanda for a gorilla trekking adventure in Volcanoes National Park? Before booking your trip, it’s essential to know the availability of Rwanda gorilla permits. These permits are required to trek the endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and securing them in advance is crucial to ensure your trek goes smoothly.

At Trek Africa Gorillas, we are authorized to check gorilla permit availability for both individual travelers and international tour companies. With 12 gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park available for trekking each day, there are 96 permits available for sale, so securing your permit early is key.

Why Book Your Rwanda Gorilla Permit Through a Local Tour Company

Booking your Rwanda gorilla permit through a trusted local tour company, like Trek Africa Gorillas, offers numerous advantages that make your trip smoother and more enjoyable. Here’s why you should consider booking with us:

1. Fast and Reliable Permit Availability

Trek Africa Gorillas is one of the few authorized tour companies with direct access to the Rwanda Gorilla Permit system. This means we can check permit availability for you at any time, ensuring a quick response when you’re planning your trip. You won’t have to wait for days for a reply and we’ll provide you with accurate information about permit availability for your preferred dates, helping you plan your trek with confidence.

2. Reserve Your Permits for Seven Days

Unlike other companies, we can reserve your gorilla permits for up to seven days, giving you plenty of time to arrange payment. This flexibility is a huge advantage, especially when you’re planning a special trip and need time to finalize details. Once we confirm availability, we’ll send you an invoice. After payment is made, you’ll need to send us proof of payment, as it usually takes 3-4 working days for the money to reflect in our bank account.

We often use our credit to secure your permits in advance, ensuring you don’t miss out on your preferred date. We accept electronic transfers as well as credit/debit card payments, although the latter comes with a 5% surcharge.

3. Prompt Processing and Delivery

After your payment is processed, we’ll send you scanned copies of your receipts from the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) via email. Two weeks before your trek, we’ll visit the RDB again to collect your gorilla trekking permit card, which you’ll need to present on the day of your trek.

4. Only Selected Tour Operators Can Access Permit Availability

Since Rwanda introduced an online booking system for gorilla permits, only a few trusted tour operators, like Trek Africa Gorillas, have access to this system. This exclusive privilege allows us to provide you with real-time availability, helping you avoid the frustration of waiting for delayed responses from the Rwanda Development Board.

5. Booking Directly with Rwanda Development Board

It’s possible to book your gorilla permit directly with the Rwanda Development Board but it involves contacting them via phone or email. You will need to provide your travel dates and their reservations staff will get back to you with availability and send an invoice for payment. After you make the payment, you’ll need to collect your permit in person, providing proof of identity like a passport or driver’s license.

While this option may seem straightforward, many travelers experience delayed responses and sometimes long waiting periods, which can be stressful. We often hear from clients who found this process frustrating and time-consuming. To avoid this hassle, we recommend booking through a local tour company like Trek Africa Gorillas to streamline the process and give you peace of mind.

How to Secure Your Rwanda Gorilla Permit

When you contact Trek Africa Gorillas, we’ll immediately reach out to the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the body responsible for selling and issuing gorilla permits on behalf of the Rwandan government. We’ll then provide you with the current availability for the dates you plan to trek in Rwanda.

The Rwanda Development Board has a reservation system where you can either call or email them to check availability. If you prefer contacting them directly, we recommend reaching out in the morning, as they don’t typically respond to calls in the afternoon or evening.

To avoid the hassle, simply contact us with your preferred trekking dates (year, month and specific day) and we’ll handle checking the availability of permits and advising you on which families are open for trekking.

How the Booking Process Works

Once we confirm the availability of your desired permits, we’ll send you an invoice. After receiving your payment, we’ll ask you to provide your passport details, which are necessary for the Rwanda Development Board to issue your permit. We will then send you a scanned copy of your gorilla trekking permit for your records.

If you’ve booked a fully inclusive tour with us, the permit will be part of the package and we’ll have everything ready for you when you arrive in Rwanda. Our office is always open and you can reach us via phone or email at any time.

Why Book Your Permit Early?

Gorilla permit availability can change frequently and permits are often sold out quickly during peak travel seasons. We recommend booking your permits 4 to 5 months in advance to ensure you get the dates and trekking families you want.

If you’re unsure about the availability for a specific date, don’t hesitate to contact us and we’ll assist you every step of the way. Our expert team ensures that all the details of your trip are taken care of, making the process easy and hassle-free.

Explore Uganda and Rwanda via Kigali: Our Top Safari Tours

We also offer various safaris that start in Kigali, Rwanda and include visits to both Uganda and Rwanda. Some of our most popular tours include:

• 2-Day Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Through Kigali
• 3-Day Gorilla Habituation Safari Through Kigali
• 3-Day Uganda Gorilla Safari from Kigali
• 4-Day Gorilla and Golden Monkey Safari from Kigali
• 4-Day Double Gorilla Trekking from Kigali

Whether you’re focusing on Rwanda or exploring the best of both countries, Trek Africa Gorillas provides personalized and memorable experiences for all travelers.

Why Choose Trek Africa Gorillas?

At Trek Africa Gorillas, we’re dedicated to providing personalized service that prioritizes your safety, enjoyment and comfort. We are committed to supporting the local communities and wildlife through responsible tourism practices. Our company embraces the environmental ethos of “Take Nothing but Photographs, Leave Only Footprints”, ensuring that your trip has a positive impact on the environment.

In addition to our dedication to conservation, we take your health and safety seriously. Post-COVID, we ensure that all our staff, service providers and operations follow strict health guidelines and safety protocols to protect our clients during their travels.

Contact Us for Your Rwanda Gorilla Permit

When you choose Trek Africa Gorillas for your Rwanda Gorilla Permits, you’re choosing a hassle-free, expert-guided experience. Get in touch with us today for the latest availability and to book your permit securely and efficiently. Let us handle the details while you look forward to an unforgettable gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda!