How much does a Rwanda gorilla permit cost?

A gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda costs $1,500 per person per trek (2026 rates). While this is higher than Uganda's $800 permit, Rwanda offers a highly curated, luxury experience with fewer trekkers, well-maintained trails and excellent lodge infrastructure around Volcanoes National Park.

Rwanda or Uganda — which is better for gorilla trekking?

Both are excellent. Rwanda offers a smoother, more luxury-oriented experience with premium lodges, shorter treks and easier access from Kigali. Uganda offers more gorilla families, lower permit prices and a wider wildlife circuit. Many travellers combine both on a cross-border itinerary.

How far in advance should I book Rwanda gorilla permits?

Six to twelve months ahead for peak season (June–September, December–January). Rwanda's daily visitor quotas are strictly enforced — each of the 12 habituated families receives only 8 visitors per day. We secure permits for all our clients.

What else can I do in Rwanda besides gorilla trekking?

Rwanda combines beautifully with chimp tracking and the forest canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest National Park, and a Big Five safari in Akagera National Park on the Tanzania border. A 7–10 day Rwanda itinerary can include all three.

Is Rwanda safe for safari travel?

Rwanda is widely regarded as one of Africa's safest and best-governed destinations. Kigali is clean and well-organised, roads are good and tourist infrastructure is first-class. We have been running Rwanda safaris for years without incident.

What is Nyungwe Forest and why should I visit?

Nyungwe is one of Africa's oldest and most biodiverse montane rainforests — home to 13 primate species including habituated chimpanzees, Angolan colobus monkeys and L'Hoest's monkeys. The 70-metre-high canopy walkway is a highlight not found anywhere else in the region.

What is the best time to visit Rwanda?

The dry seasons — June to September and December to February — offer the best trekking conditions. Trails are firmer, visibility is good and there is less chance of rain on the volcanic slopes. Gorilla trekking runs year-round however.

Can I combine Rwanda with Uganda or Tanzania?

Absolutely. Kigali is served by direct flights to Entebbe (Uganda) and Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), and the border crossing into Uganda near Cyanika or Gatuna is straightforward. A Rwanda–Uganda gorilla circuit is one of our most popular multi-country itineraries.

Rwanda Safari Packages 2026/2027 — Gorilla Trekking, Nyungwe Chimps & Akagera Big Five

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Rwanda itineraries.

Gorilla trekking, chimp tracking, Akagera Big Five, Lake Kivu beach — every itinerary fully customised around your dates and group size.

Rwanda · gorilla

Rwanda Gorilla & Chimpanzee Trek

Encounter mountain gorillas and wild chimpanzees in Rwanda's emerald forest highlands

Volcanoes National ParkNorthern Province

FROM$4,800

5 Days→

Silverback gorilla in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Wildlife in Akagera National Park, Rwanda

Why Rwanda is unmissable

The land of a thousand hills.

Rwanda punches far above its size. In three distinct ecosystems — misty volcanoes, ancient rainforest and open savannah — you can tick off mountain gorillas, chimpanzees and the Big Five within a single week.

i
12 habituated gorilla families · in the Virunga Massif — part of a cross-border ecosystem with Uganda and DRC
ii
Compact country, easy logistics · — all three main parks are within 2–5 hours of Kigali International Airport
iii
World-class luxury lodges · — Rwanda has the finest gorilla trekking accommodation on the continent
iv
Nyungwe canopy walkway · — 70 metres above the forest floor, unique in East Africa

Best Rwanda safari destinations we cover

Start from what
you want to see.

Tell us the wildlife or experience you're chasing and we'll combine the right parks into a seamless Rwanda itinerary.

For gorilla trekking

Volcanoes NP

For chimpanzees

Nyungwe Forest

For the Big Five

Akagera NP

For the canopy walk

Nyungwe

For golden monkeys

Volcanoes

For lake & beach

Lake Kivu

For history & culture

Rwanda's national parks

Three parks, three worlds.

Rwanda's three main safari parks are strikingly different from each other — volcanic highlands, ancient rainforest and open savannah all within a few hours of Kigali.

Mountain gorilla in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

01 · Volcanoes

12 habituated families · Virunga Massif

Volcanoes National Park

The jewel of Rwanda — five dormant volcanoes rising above 2,400 metres, home to twelve habituated mountain gorilla families. This is where Dian Fossey conducted her famous research, and where some of the most moving wildlife encounters on Earth take place daily. Golden monkey trekking is an excellent add-on.

Gorilla highlights

12 habituated families — daily treks available
Part of the Virunga ecosystem (Uganda, DRC)

Also in the park

Golden monkey trekking
Dian Fossey tomb hike · Karisimbi volcano

What happens on a trek

A morning in the Virungas.

Every Rwanda gorilla trek begins before sunrise at Kinigi — the village at the foot of the volcanoes — and ends with one of the most moving encounters in all of wildlife travel.

Step 01

6:30 AM

Briefing at HQ

Rangers at Kinigi headquarters assign you to a gorilla family and brief your group on etiquette and safety rules.

Step 02

7:00 AM

Start trek

You hike into the Virunga volcanoes with expert guides and trackers who have already located the family's morning position.

Step 03

1–4 hrs

Through the forest

Trails wind through bamboo, hagenia forest and stinging nettles — the scenery is extraordinary even before you find the gorillas.

Step 04

One hour

With the gorillas

One strictly protected hour with the family — silverbacks, mothers, playful juveniles — just seven metres away.

Gorilla trekking permits

The permit,
explained.

Rwanda permits are strictly limited — each of the twelve habituated families receives a maximum of eight visitors per day. Book six to twelve months ahead in peak season. We source permits for every Rwanda client.

Foreign non-residents
Standard permit
$1,500
Foreign residents
Valid Rwanda residency
$1,000
East African citizens
EAC nationals
RWF 200k

✓ Gorilla tracking✓ Ranger guides✓ Park entry✓ Conservation fees✓ Security escort

Fitness, difficulty & packing

What to expect
& pack.

Rwanda's volcanic terrain makes trekking moderately strenuous — altitude and steep slopes are the main challenge. Good boots and reasonable fitness are essential; porters are available and strongly recommended.

DifficultyModerate–Strenuous

TerrainVolcanic slopes & bamboo

Altitude2,400–3,000 m

Trekking time1–5 hours

Viewing distance7 metres

Time with gorillasOne full hour

What to carry

Hiking bootsLong trousers

Where to stay

Lodges for every style.

Rwanda has some of the finest lodge accommodation in Africa — from welcoming mid-range properties at the forest edge to world-class ultra-luxury retreats in the Virunga foothills.

Mid-range

$400–$650

per person · per day

›Mountain Gorilla View Lodge
›Gorilla's Nest Lodge
›Comfortable rooms with Virunga views

Luxury

$750–$1,800

per person · per day

›Bisate Lodge · Singita
›One&Only Gorilla's Nest
›Private decks, forest immersion, fine dining

Ultra-luxury

FAQs · Rwanda safaris

Before you go.

Call us for more information at +254 722-595-916 — fast replies, day or night.