Permits · October 2026
Gorilla Trekking Permits in Rwanda: Price, Booking and What's Included
Your gorilla permit is the one part of a Rwanda trip you can't leave until the last minute. Here's what it costs in 2026, how to book it, and exactly what you get for it.
Every gorilla trek in Rwanda starts with a permit issued by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). Numbers are strictly limited to protect the gorillas, so in busy months it's the permit, not the flight or the hotel, that decides your dates.
How Much Is a Gorilla Permit in Rwanda?
For international visitors, a gorilla trekking permit costs USD 1,500 per person, per trek. The price is the same in every season.
In January 2026, RDB announced promotional rates for African visitors, valid until 31 December 2026 except from June to October:
- Rwandan and East African Community citizens: USD 200
- Visitors from other African countries: USD 500
- International visitors: USD 1,500
Rates and promotions change, so always confirm the current price before you pay.
What Your Permit Includes
- One gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park on a fixed date
- A morning briefing at the park headquarters in Kinigi
- A ranger guide and trackers who lead your group to the gorillas
- One hour with a habituated gorilla family
Not included: transport to the park, a porter (optional and paid separately), tips for guides and porters, and your accommodation.
How Many Permits Are There?
Visit Rwanda lists twelve habituated gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park, each visited by up to eight people a day. That's about 96 gorilla permits a day for the whole country. In peak season (June–September and December–February) they can sell out months ahead.
Who Can Go Gorilla Trekking?
- Trekkers must be at least 15 years old.
- You need a moderate level of fitness. Treks take 2 to 6 hours over steep, muddy ground at altitude.
- If you have a cold, flu or another illness, you may not be allowed to trek, because gorillas can catch human diseases.
Want us to secure your gorilla permit? Tell us your dates and we'll handle the booking.
Click to Plan Your TripHow to Book Your Gorilla Permit
There are two ways to get a permit:
- Directly from RDB through its online booking portal, visitrwandabookings.rdb.rw. You choose your date, enter each trekker's details and pay in full, and your permit is sent by email.
- Through a tour operator such as Ever Retreat. We book the permit with RDB for you and plan everything around it: transport from Kigali, a night near the park, and rest days on Lake Kivu.
Either way, you'll need each trekker's full name exactly as it appears in their passport, plus their nationality and passport details. Bring your passport on the day of the trek.
Why Rwanda's Permit Costs More
Mountain gorillas also live in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where permits are cheaper: about USD 800 for foreign visitors in Uganda and around USD 400 in DRC. Rwanda's higher price is a deliberate high-value, low-volume approach.
In return you get easy access, about 2.5 hours by road from Kigali to the park, a well-organised trekking system, and a permit fee that directly funds conservation. Under Rwanda's revenue-sharing policy, 10% of park revenue goes back to the communities that live around the parks.
Tips for Getting the Date You Want
- Book early: 3–6 months ahead for peak season, and earlier still around Kwita Izina.
- Stay flexible: two or three possible dates make it much easier to find space.
- Pick your season: see our guide to the best time for gorilla trekking.
- Arrive the day before: treks start early from Kinigi. Read our 10 tips for your first gorilla trek.
- Plan your rest: book a night or two at B&P Ever Retreat Villa on Lake Kivu for after the trek.
Secure Your Permit
Tell us your dates. We'll book your gorilla permit.
Permits, transfers from Kigali and rest days at B&P Ever Retreat Villa, planned as one trip.