Rwanda is sometimes referred to as the ‘’Land of a Thousand Hills’’, it neighbors countries like Uganda in the north, Burundi in the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the West and Tanzania in the East. Rwanda is much known for its endangered mountain gorillas as its one of the three countries in the world to host these interesting to see remaining mountain gorillas in the world. The other two countries where mountain gorillas are found; Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Rwanda’s mountain gorillas are hosted in the magnificent Volcanoes national park (PNV) consisting of 125km2 of mountain forest and home to the six Virunga Volcanoes. No one is allowed to trek these giant apes without a gorilla permit.
When planning a gorilla safari to Rwanda in the volcanoes national park, it’s very important first book your gorilla permit before your actual date as they often get finished quickly so the earlier you secure your gorilla viewing permit the better to avoid disappointments. Volcanoes national park hosts 10 mountain gorilla groups and in each group only 8 people are allowed to visit gorillas per day and only one hour is allowed to stay with these giants. Today Rwanda is receiving so many visitors coming to tour gorillas, over 85% of travelers to Rwanda go gorillas tracking.
Rwanda gorilla permits can be obtained at the Rwanda development Board (RDB), thisis a governing body of tourism in Rwanda or Rwanda Tourism Office (ORTPN), you can get in touch with them by telephone (+250252 5765 14) or via email: reservation@rwandatourism.com.
Price of a Rwanda Gorilla Permit
- Non Residents – USD 1500
The above price includes the park entry fees and a ranger guide who will guide you when in the forest during the search of these rare species. It is advisable to book your gorilla safari through a tour company as they have easy access to these gorilla permits over 80% is given to tour operator and they’re very many reliable tour operators in Rwanda and Uganda who can book for you a gorilla viewing permit with a lot of easy without extra charges if you offer other services like transfers and tours through them,Contact us for the latest status of availability. Booking individually is sometimes tiresome and chances of getting a permit are at a very low percentage
The (RDB) has offices in Kigali Rwanda’s capital and its largest city and in Kinigi the park headquarters. Access begins in the lively town of Musanze, situated 12km from Kinigi, the base of the entrance of the park. Musanze is a 90-minute drive from Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali. Volcanoes national park can be accessed in just about 2-3 hours’ drive from Kigali up to the park (Kiningi headquarters.
Every visitor that is expected to track these giant apes is supposed to report at the park headquarters not later than 7:30 am to receive briefings from the park wardens or park rangers about gorilla tracking activity. Gorillas tracking time is limited from 8:30 am to 7:00pm; no one is supposed to exceed that time. Apparently the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has both English and French speaking guides as well as a team of over 80 trained gorilla trackers most of them speak French or English.
Cancellation/Refund Guidelines
In case someone had developed signs of sickness, the (RDB) will refund 50% to that person. No one will be allowed to track gorillas if declared unfit by the park warden in charge. However this applies to visitors who have travelled all the way to the park.Rwanda (ORTPN) charges $100 for each permit date changed
Visitor’s Passport Information
In order to obtain you gorilla permit, after payment of gorilla permit fee, you are required to send, passport details of the trackers to the Rwanda Development Board to enable writing out the gorilla permits. Please ensure the full names, passport number and country of passport issuance is sent. And only a person above 15 years of age is allowed to get a gorilla tracking in the Volcanoes National Park.