Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Permits Availability 

Mountain gorillas in the whole world can be seen only in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. In Rwanda these primates trekking is only done Volcanoes National Park (Parc Nationale Des Volcans) and as of 2016, there were 7 mountain gorilla groups habituated making it 56 gorilla permits available every single day for visitors to Rwanda.  8 people per group can trek these endangered apes and Susa group is the best to track with 41 gorillas!  With a gorilla permit costing US $ 1500 per person per trek, this contribution goes to conserving these great apes.

The Virunga Mountains that straddle the borders of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, are home to around 480 mountain gorillas, more than half of the world’s entire population (the rest live in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda). In Volcanoes National Park, the Rwandan part of the Virungas, twelve gorilla groups are now habituated for gorilla safaris, more than anywhere else.

Note: About Covid 19 in Rwanda: 

Rwanda reopened its tourism activities on the 1st of August 2020 with safety guidelines which include presenting a COVID-19 PCR negative test from a certified laboratory, taken within 72 hours before arriving in Rwanda and for passengers entering Rwanda, a second PCR test is conducted upon arrival, with results delivered within 8-24 hours during which time they will remain in designated hotels bearing own costs.

At the latest count, there are approximately 1,000 mountain gorillas in the wild, with 604 in the Virunga Massif. The population is slowly increasing, thanks to concerted efforts of the governments, NGOs and communities.

There are twelve gorilla families living in the Volcanoes National Park, which are fully habituated, with a few others habituated solely for scientific research. The groups consist of at least one silverback along with several females and youngsters.

The troops are somewhat fluid in composition, but tend to stick to a preferred area. They are constantly monitored and protected by park rangers, with each group coming into contact with tourists for a maximum of one hour.

The cost of a Rwanda Budget Gorilla Trekking Permit.

To visit a gorilla family in Rwanda, one needs to buy a gorilla trekking permit.

Gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda are very expensive at US$ 1500 per permit. But starting on the 31^st of May 2021 African Citizens visiting Rwanda for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park will only be paying US$ 500.00 per permit, a saving of 65% which discounted rate opens the opportunity for budget travelers to trek the gorillas.

Rwanda also offers a 30% discount on the US$ 1500.00 gorilla permits if ones visit includes a minimum stay of three days in other Rwanda parks like Akagera National Park or Nyungwe Forest National Park.  The discounted offers are also available during the low season of November to May.

The cutting of Rwanda gorilla permit prices to African Citizens is to encourage more travels to come to Rwanda in order for the tourism sector to recover from the huge losses encountered during the COVID 19 pandemic in 2020.

The trekking permit allows the trekkers to visit a gorilla family for a maximum of one hour.

What one should know before gorilla trekking?

The trekker should be physically fit before they go trekking because gorillas live in mountain forest which are at a high altitude and pass through varied vegetation and terrain hence one will need a reasonable level of fitness and a willingness to climb up muddy slopes and through thick undergrowth.

Being healthy is firm requisite since it’s very easy for humans to pass their illnesses on to gorillas, harming them since they have low immunity.

What To Wear During The Trek

The areas of the forest are full of horrible stinging nettles.

Hence the trekker has to protect themselves by bringing a pair of gloves (gardening gloves is perfect),

Wearing knee-high hiking gaiters and fairly thick pants plus a t-shirt (we recommend a t-shirt that dries quickly), fleece jacket, as it can be cool to very cold in the mornings.

Since you are trekking gorillas in the rain forest one should pack rain gear (poncho highly recommendable)

Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots are recommended.

One should smear insect repellant or move with insect repellant

The best time to go to Rwanda for gorilla trekking

The gorilla trekking tours in Rwanda are conducted throughout the year.  Mountain gorillas live within tropical rain forests, which can be slippery and muddy hence it is recommend that one trek’s in the dry season which starts from mid-May to September and December to March of the year.