Booking the highly demanded gorilla permits in Rwanda offers visitors an exciting encounter with the endangered mountain gorillas in the luxurious Volcanoes National Park (160 Km2). A gorilla permit is a document that should be presented at the Volcanoes National Park headquarters to allow the opportunity of witnessing a habituated gorilla family in its natural habitat. In Rwanda, gorilla permits are issued by the Rwanda Development Board and cost US$1,500 per person per trek. However, the Rwanda Development Board offers 30% discounts on gorilla permits during the low season. If you combine a gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park with two nights in a tour of either Akagera National Park or Nyungwe National Park or both you will get the discount. Also, if you will spend two nights consecutively in Akagera and Nyungwe National Parks, you will get the discount on your gorilla permit. You can also get the discount if you would love to combine a gorilla trek with a pre- and post-MICE conference.
Process of booking gorilla permits in Rwanda
The most convenient and hassle-free booking process of gorilla permits in Rwanda is through a reputable tour operator like Monteero Safaris. We guarantee that you will receive your permits in the shortest possible time. The first thing you must do is contact us with your desired date of trekking gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. We at Monteero Safaris will proceed to check with the Rwanda Development Board for the availability of the gorilla permit for your chosen date of trekking. If you are fortunate enough and the permit is indeed available for that particular date, we shall send you a softcopy of a quotation, that indicates the amount of money you must pay. When we receive your money, we will purchase the permit and immediately send a soft copy of the permit to you as confirmation. You will present the permit on trekking day before you are allowed to engage in the gorilla trekking adventure.
When to go for a gorilla trek in Rwanda
The dry season. This is the most convenient time to trek mountain gorillas because of the minimal rainfall and warm weather conditions experienced. These create favorable hiking conditions where visitors traverse dry or less muddy gorilla trails uninterrupted by showers. The dry season is experienced twice in Volcanoes National Park, from December to February and also from June to September. However, gorilla treks in Volcanoes National Park are not limited to the dry season, they can also be done throughout the year. You can also go for gorilla treks during the rainy season that runs from March to May and November to early December. This season is marked by heavy rains that cause muddy and slippery trails and dense vegetation cover in the forest. Such factors are ideal for daring visitors who love their treks to be full of mystery or intrigue.
What to pack for gorilla trekking in Rwanda
When you acquire your gorilla permit, travel with the following essential items to enjoy your gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda,
- Lightweight and dull-colored shirt and long trousers
- Strong hiking shoes or boots
- Camera and a pair of binoculars
- Insect repellent
- Energy snacks
- Refillable drinking water
- UV protection gear (suncream and sunglasses)
- Backpack
- Wide-brimmed hat
- Trekking pole
- Gorilla permit
- Travel documents
- Cash for tipping or hiring local porters
Tips for visitors booking gorilla permits in Rwanda
- You can only be allowed to trek gorillas if you are at least 15 years old. You should also ensure that you are physically fit to have a great trekking adventure. Also ensure that you are not feeling ill, to ensure that spread of diseases to the mountain gorillas is minimized.
- Gorilla permits are issued immediately you have paid the money
- A visitor will receive a full refund of their money if they fail to track the habituated mountain gorilla group because the primates have moved to places where they could not be located for a whole day. Alternatively, the visitor could get another chance of trekking. A 75% refund is given if the visitor tracks a gorilla group for a whole day but fails to locate them.
- The Rwanda Development Board will offer no refund in case the visitor cancels their tour or even arrives late for the activity.
- During gorilla trekking tours, only an hour is allowed to observe and shoot photos of the mountain gorilla family.
- Do not litter in the forest while trekking gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, but wait until you are at the park offices to dispose of in dust bins.
- A group of 8 visitors or less is allowed to track and spend time with a particular habituated gorilla family per day
- Ensure to book or acquire a gorilla permit in advance to ensure that you plan your accommodation and transport well.
- At the time of payment for a gorilla permit, you must provide details of yourself, including your full name, passport, phone number and email address.
- Volcanoes National Park spans an approximate land size of 160 square kilometers in northwestern Rwanda, and contains at least 12 habituated gorilla groups.