Booking Rwanda gorilla permits 2020-21

Gorilla tracking in Rwanda is done only in volcanoes national park, this park is located in northwestern Rwanda in the district of Musanze formally called Ruhengeri. Volcanoes national park is part of the Virunga conservation area that include also Virunga national park in Congo and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda. Volcanoes national park is home to a third of the remaining mountain gorillas in the world thus booking Rwanda gorilla permits 2020-21 is possible. Others live in Virunga in the D-republic of Congo and then Mgahinga and Bwindi impenetrable national parks in Uganda. Bwindi is home to more than half of these endangered creatures.

How do I book a gorilla permit in Rwanda?

There are two options one can book a gorilla permit in Rwanda,

1. Rwanda development board (RDB); Rwanda development board is the body for all tourism activities in Rwanda. RDB can be reached by sending them an email or call direct their reservation office in Kigali. Once they receive your email, they will check if there is space on the desired dates and after confirmation, you will receive a form to fill and make the payment.
2. Another option is to book your gorilla permit through a trusted and reliable tour company. Safari vacations and travel services is a trusted tour company which can help you to secure your gorilla permit. Contact us for details about Rwanda’s gorilla permits. Please note that Volcanoes national park has 10 habituated gorilla families meaning that it has 80 permits available for sale every day and only 8 people are allowed to visit a particular gorilla family per day. gorilla permits are always on high demand so we do advise our clients to book gorilla permits in advance at least 4 months before the tracking date. Kindly note that if you book your tour with us, we do not charge you for securing a gorilla permit but we have a service fee of $ 50 if your Booking Rwanda gorilla permits 2020-21 not with us for the rest of your safari.

How much does a gorilla permit cost in Rwanda?

There are 4 categories of gorilla permit prices in Rwanda

1. $1500; with effect from May 2017, Rwanda development board increased from $750 to $1500 per permit. This price applies for all categories of people including Foreign non-residents, foreign residents, Rwanda citizens, and East Africa citizens
2. $1,050 (30% discount). This applies if you are visiting other national parks like Nyungwe and Akagera.
3. $1,275 (15% discount) This applies to people who have come to Rwanda for official meetings and conferences. you must provide an invitation letter to prove that you had come for a conference or meeting in Rwanda.
4. $15000. this applies to a private gorilla tracking of an entire group with an exclusive tour guide.
5. $30,000. this applies to a minimum of 3 visitors for 3 consecutive days.

When should I book my Rwanda gorilla permit?

Due to the high demand for gorilla permits in Rwanda, it is advisable to book gorilla permits at least 4 months before the tracking date. This is because of the limited number of Gorilla permits available every day. Remember almost 95% of tourists who come for a safari in East Africa would like to do mountain gorilla tracking and its only 8 people who are allowed to visit a particular gorilla family every day. This makes it difficult to get a gorilla permit especially during the high season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, January, and February. However, last-minute gorilla permits can be good but the chances are minimal especially during the peak season.

What is the age limit for tracking mountain gorillas?

The age limit for tracking mountain gorillas is 15 years in all the gorilla national parks in the world.

How long does gorilla tracking take?

Gorilla tracking starts in the morning at 7:am with a briefing at the park headquarters about the dos and don’ts. The briefing takes 30 minutes and then after you start walking into the forest or drive to the starting point depending on the location of the gorilla family you are going to visit. Once you spot the gorillas you will stay for one hour with them taking photos and videos. Gorilla tracking can take 30 minutes to Threequarters of the day meaning that the trek may be long or short so prepare for both. If you feel that you are not fit enough for the walk ask your driver guide to laisse with the park warden about your issue to see if you can be allocated to a family that is near. Remember the short trek is not guaranteed as the gorillas keep moving for food so they just depend on yesterday’s experience.

What do I need to come with to track mountain gorillas?

You will need the following on the day of tracking.

1. Passports
2. Hiking shoes
3. Long pants and socks to tuck in your parts. This will help you to avoid safari ants that can bite you while on the trek
4. Drinking water and packed lunch.
5. Camera for photography
6. A hat and sunglasses in case it’s sunny
7. Insect repellant
8. Back parker where to carry your lunch and water.

Do I get a refund if I don’t make it on the tracking data?

Rwanda development board will make a refund of 50%if the client falls sick on the tracking date. This only happens when you show up at the park headquarters before the tracking starts.

What other activities can be done in the volcanoes national park?

Apart from gorilla tracking, there are other activities that can be done in volcanoes national park including;

Golden monkey tracking

This the second most popular activity done in the park after gorilla tracking. Golden monkeys live in only Volcanoes national park and In Neighboring Mgahinga national park in Uganda. Please note that there is no age limit for this activity and the price is $100 per person.

Birding

For bird lovers, this is one of the best places to do birding about 180 bird species have been recorded here including 16 species of the Albertine rift endemics such as; Rwenzori turaco, Archers robin chart, Rwenzori batis,  Rwenzori double collared sunbird among others.

Mountain climbing

This park has a stretch of five volcanoes namely; Karisimbi, Bisoke, Gahinga, Muhabura, and Sabyinyo. You can climb one of these volcanoes to enjoy the adventure you will be rewarded with excellent views of the countryside as well as other places in Uganda and Congo.

Cultural interactions

A visit to Ibwiwacu cultural village after your gorilla tracking will make your trip complete you will interact with formal poachers, take part in daily life activities, and know their culture, participate in local banana brewing among other activities.

How do I get to Volcanoes national park?

Volcanoes national park is located approximately 110kms northwest of Kigali and about 70 km from Gisenyi, there are public buses which come from Kigali or Gisenyi to Musanze town every day, however, there are no public means of transport from Musanze to Kinigi park headquarters so you have to hire a private car or use a trusted tour operator to provide a 4X4 vehicle to take you to the park.

Safari Vacations and travel services are your number one safari company for all your travel needs. We are just an email away from you just send in your inquiry about your gorilla permit booking for 2020-2021.

Read More about booking Rwanda Gorilla permits here.