Booking a Rwandan Gorilla Trekking Permit
Booking a Rwandan Gorilla Trekking Permit
Booking a Rwandan Gorilla Trekking Permit, Going for Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, you will need to have your gorilla permit secured in advance to confirm that you are booked for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park for a given date. Once you have your planned dates of travel confirmed we will need you to send us an email at Safari Vacations and Travel Services Ltd. so that we check for the availability of gorilla permits online with the Rwanda Development Board once we confirm permits are available for your planned dates, we will let you know so that we can send you an invoice for you to make payment for the permits.
Once the payment is complete and we have received it on our account we will go ahead and purchase your permits immediately and send you a scanned copy of the permits for your records and perusal, this will confirm you are booked for Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes Gorilla National Park.
Booking a gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda involves a few steps.
Let’s take you through the process of a Rwandan Gorilla Trekking Permit.
Choose Your Trekking Dates
High Season:
June to September and December to February. Permits are in high demand, so book well in advance.
Low Season:
March to May and October to November. Permits are easier to obtain.
Book Through a Rwanda Tour Operator
It is highly recommended to book your permit through a licensed tour operator like Safari Vacations and Travel Services Ltd. as this is a convenient option and they can also help arrange other aspects of your trip (transportation, accommodation, etc.).
One of the Rwanda Tour Operators you can contact to book your gorilla permit is Safari Vacations and Travel Services Ltd.
Permit Costs
The cost for a gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda is $1,500 per person for all visitors.
Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park is now at $1050 per person if you book any dates between 1st November to 31st May.
Provide Necessary Details
You will need to provide your full name, passport details, and the dates you wish to trek.
Make Payment
Payments are typically made via bank transfer or credit card. Ensure you get a receipt and confirmation of your booking.
If booking through a tour operator, they will handle the payment process.
Receive Your Permit
Once we confirm the payment, you will receive a permit. If booking through a tour operator, they will provide it to you.
It’s essential to carry this permit with you on the day of the trek.
Plan Your Accommodation and Transport
Many lodges and hotels are located near Volcanoes National Park where the trekking takes place. Book these well in advance.
Arrange transport from your accommodation to the park. Tour operators often provide this service.
What to pack for tracking:
sturdy boots
long trousers
long-sleeved shirts
rain jackets.
Bring water and snacks
and a camera with extra batteries.
Accommodation in Rwanda
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is only at Volcanoes National Park, Volcanoes National Park is in the far northwest of Rwanda, home to the endangered mountain gorillas and rich montane vegetation of bamboo forests and open grasslands. Gorilla tracking at this park is a daily activity with 8 individuals visiting a gorilla group per day. The visitors arrive at the (RDB)Rwanda Development Board offices at 7 am where they are briefed about expectations and the dos and don’ts when tracking gorillas and later distributed among the different gorilla groups.
You will follow your armed ranger guide to start your trek in search of these gentle giants. Your trek can take anything from a few minutes to 6 hours depending on the location of the group that you are tracking. Once you the insight into the group, you will be able to stay in their presence for only one hour. Remember the details shared in the briefing and endeavor to follow them for not only your safety but that of the gorillas.
Best Time to book a Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda
Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda is from June to October and December to March during this time it is a dry season in Rwanda with mild rainfall making it easy for the treks in Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking, as well during this time the vegetation is not fully grown and it is easy for creating trails and viewing the mountain gorillas offering great sights for photographs.
During the other months of April, May, and November which is normally a wet season, this makes the vegetations grow high making the sightings unclear however during this time the treks tend to be shorter given the fact mountain gorillas don’t move further distances looking for food, food is readily available.
Where to stay during your Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda
Accommodation in Volcanoes National Park ranges from Budget, and mid-range to luxury options,
Luxury options include:
Sabinyo Silverback Lodge, Bisate Lodge, Virunga Volcanoes Lodge, Five Volcanoes Hotels, and Mountain Gorillas’ Nest Lodge. The price ranges from USD300 to USD1000 per person per night.
The Midrange lodge options at Volcanoes National Park include:
Mountain Gorilla View Lodge and Lebambou Gorilla Lodge, Davinci Lodge.
For budget accommodation in Volcanoes National Park:
Kinigi Hotel, Hotel Muhabura, Gorilla Solution Lodge, Villa Gorilla, Virunga Hotel, Faraji Hotel, and La Palme Hotel or Home Inn.
Accessing Volcanoes National Park
By road;
the drive from Kigali town is just 2-3 hour drive to Volcanoes National Park. Your driver guide will meet you for a short briefing at the designated hotel then set off to the park through the beautiful sceneries of the 1000 hills of Rwanda giving you an opportunity for a stop for photographs and sightseeing.
Safari Vacations and Travel Services is a Local tour operator based in Uganda with its head offices in Entebbe. Moreover, Safari Vacations and Travel Services is a business for a Ugandan native, we specialize in life-changing experiences and sustainable tours and holidays to all East African countries. We are members of the Association of Uganda Tour Operators and with registration from the Uganda Tourism Board. We have a good and long working relationship with Uganda Wildlife Authority making it easy to book your gorilla permits and gorilla trekking safari. Safari Vacations and Travel Services is also high in Trip Advisor reviews.
Book this safari with us:
