Gorilla Trekking Permits in Rwanda
Gorilla Trekking Permits in Rwanda; Rwanda a country of a many hills is a home for mountain gorillas in volcano national park which falls under Virunga conservation region neighboring. To gain access for gorilla trekking you need to purchase a gorilla trekking permit which is only purchased from Rwanda Development Board offices (ORTPN) in Kigali and Ruhengeri.
Gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda cost USD 1500 for non-residents and east African residents as well. It also costs USD 15000 for private gorilla trekking of an entire group and comes with a personal tour guide services. For conference tourists interested in gorilla trekking, they receive a 15 % discount (USD 1,275 For the gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda) and for tourists who intend to go for 3 day or more safaris in Rwanda (visiting other attractions like Akagera and Nyungwe national parks) receive a 30% discount (they pay USD 1,050 on permits). For documentary and filming a permits costs US $ 5000 but you have to carefully abide with the regulations pertaining filming in the park and you are eligible for a refund of US $2000.
A gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda allows you one hour with mountain gorillas and it is only offered to tourists of age 15 years and above. Gorilla trekking is very competitive and most especially in the dry months of December to march, June to September compared to rainy months of April to May and November. Gorilla trekking groups consist of a limited number of 8 participants and 80 permits are given out daily so it advisable to purchase your ticket months earlier. Virunga massif region consists of 20 gorilla families, 10 habituated and 10 still under habituation.
With support of Rwanda’s high end tourism strategy, gorilla trekking permits costs were increased from USD 750 to USD 1500 in May 2017 with the intention of using the surplus revenue in implementing conservation efforts in Rwanda and also contribute to the infrastructure development among the locals living around the parks. Because the increase in permits costs there was also an increase in revenue offered to the community to 10%. Gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda are a bit expensive compared to Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda and Congo.
Process of purchasing gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda
The permits can be purchased by contacting Rwanda Development Board offices, through a recognized tour operator which is the easier way since they offer other services like planning your visa, providing transportation, hotel reservations.
- Decide when you’re intending to go for mountain gorilla trekking in Rwanda and contact your trusted tour operation (explorer Rwanda tours is your best alternative) to purchase your permit on your behalf.
- After being informed of your trekking dates, your tour operator will inform you if the date of your choice is available if not available you can decide to choose another date.
- Scanned copies of your documents (passport) sent through email will be of help to the our operator during purchase of your permit as they indicate your citizenship, age as tickets are not offered to tourists below the age of 15.
- Make your payments to the tour operator or send an email with bank payment confirmation attachment to Rwanda Development Board. After a scanned soft copy will emailed to you after a few days and upon your arrival your ticket will be handed over to you.
NOTE: During gorilla trekking expedition many guidelines are expected to be followed
