Purchasing Your Gorilla Permit in Rwanda
Purchasing your gorilla permit in advance is so important to guarantee your encounter with these special primates. Are you planning to trek the mountain gorillas in Rwanda and wondering about how to purchase your gorilla permit? If yes, worry no more as we bring you information on gorilla permit prices, when, how, and where to purchase them. Like you need a boarding pass for a plane, you will need a gorilla permit to see the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat (in this case, Volcanoes National Park). Before you even think of confirming your final safari, it is always important to first confirm the availability of gorilla permits because they will affect the dates of the gorilla safari. Book Now
How many gorilla permits are sold in Rwanda?
Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park has a total of 12 habituated gorilla families and given the principle of 8 visitors per family per day, only 96 gorilla permits are sold each day.
When to purchase your gorilla permit in Rwanda?
Gorilla trekking is undeniably the main tourist motivator for Rwanda and issuing only 96 gorilla permits each day means that the demand is high. For this reason, last-minute bookings are usually not encouraged to avoid last-minute disappointment. We usually recommend bookings for gorilla permits be done at least 6 months to one year in advance for better assurance as well as proper planning.
Cost of a gorilla permit in Rwanda.
A Rwanda Gorilla Permit costs only $1500 per person per trek and allows access to a habituated gorilla family for one hour. The permit also includes park entry fees, armed Rangers during tracking to provide security from stray animals, and an expert Ranger guide. Only eight permits are issued for each gorilla family. Gorilla permit costs don’t include porter fees, tips, transportation to and from the starting point, meals, accommodation, and any kind of logistical support needed during the trek.
These Gorilla permits are a one-off-use and aren’t transferable hence for a single person and single trek. However, purchasing numerous gorilla permits for different trekking dates is allowed and common. Remember that the gorilla permit is valid from the date of issue to the actual trekking date, and once this date passes, it is as good as used toilet paper.
Where to purchase your gorilla permit in Rwanda.
Rwanda Gorilla permits can be booked directly via Rwanda Development Board and indirectly via a licensed Tour Operator. While the former is an option, it is slowly phasing out and travelers are always recommended to purchase via the latter. While the Tour operators will charge a commission (to cover administration costs) for those only buying permits and not booking other aspects of the trip (transport, and accommodation), it is usually minimal. The majority of the tour operators are experienced and can help in organizing other logistics (such as transport from your place of stay to the Park Headquarters and gorilla trekking starting point) and also book the most accessible accommodation facilities. Contact our reservations team now to book your Gorilla safari holiday or simply purchase your gorilla permit in Rwanda.
How to purchase your Gorilla Permit in Rwanda.
The process of purchasing your Gorilla Permit in Rwanda is not as difficult as most travelers perceive it. First, pick your preferred date, communicate to us the specific dates and we will find availability. You will be required to provide us with your passport information, this is required while booking your permit. If permits are available for the listed date/s, we will let you know and will proceed to the next step (making payment.
Note: The same passport will be required at the Park Headquarters during the briefing process. Your e-permit will be sent to you to confirm your purchase made.
