Why are Rwanda Gorilla Permits so expensive?

Rwanda gorilla permits are very expensive due to various factors that contribute to the high cost of this unique wildlife experience to various tourists on a Rwanda safari but minus that the experience itself is worth it. Rwanda Development Board in charge of tourism introduced a conservation-based tourism strategy, which helps to maintain the economic benefits of tourism with the need to protect the endangered mountain gorillas and their habitats.

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As a result, the Rwanda Development Board has set a limited number of permits available each day, which helps to minimize the impact of tourism on the gorillas and their environment. Also, the cost of the gorilla permit includes not only tracking the gorillas, but also offers you extra services that, include the experienced trained guides and the trackers, who are responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of both the tourists and the gorillas, as well as the maintenance of the trails within the Volcanoes National Park.

Also, a significant part of the revenue generated from the gorilla permits is invested in many community development projects, such as education, healthcare and infrastructure, which rewards the local communities living around the park, and helps to promote a vital relationship between humans and wildlife.

The cost of a Rwanda gorilla permit reflects the value of this unique and beautiful experience, while also contributing to the conservation of the mountain gorillas and the well-being of the local communities.

Rwanda Gorilla Permit in Volcanoes National Park.

A Rwanda gorilla permit is a highly sought document that gives you access to the Volcanoes National Park, which is a home to the wonderful mountain gorillas, allowing the tourists to participate in a guided trek to observe these incredible creatures in the natural habitat.

The permit is published by the government body in charge of tourism in Rwanda which is Rwanda Development Board, and its cost is diverse with of services, including the service of the trained guides and the trackers, who are responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of both the tourists and the gorillas, as well as the maintenance of the trails and the infrastructure within the park.

The permit also includes a contribution to the conservation efforts of the mountain gorillas as well as community development projects, such as education, healthcare and infrastructure, which benefits the local communities living around the park. The permit is valid for one day, and allows the trekkers to see one of the ten habituated gorilla groups in Volcanoes National Park, with each group consisting of between 10 to 30 gorillas, led by a dominant silverback. The trek can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the location of the gorillas, and the permit holder is allowed to spend one hour with the mountain gorillas, while observing their ways of living their behavior, watching them feed, watching the female gorillas grooming their young one, taking their pictures and recording their videos.

The cost of Rwanda Gorilla Permit.

The cost of a Rwanda gorilla permit is currently at 1500 USD per person per trek, thus making it to be one of the most expensive wildlife safari experiences in the world. However, this cost is not just fee for accessing the Volcanoes National Park only but also the fees covers your entrance fees, guide fees and among others.

The high cost of the permit is also a strategy to reduce the number of tourists and thus reducing overcrowding, which would disrupt the gorillas’’ habitat and behavior, while also generating significant revenue for the Rwandan government to invest in conservation and community development.

Rwanda gorilla trekking permit is a combination of different services that are achieved at once during trekking such as the experienced of the trained guides and the trackers, who are responsible for ensuring the safety of both the tourists and the mountain gorillas during gorilla trekking.

Age limit for gorilla trekking in Rwanda.

The age limit for gorilla trekking in Rwanda is a very important factor to consider when planning a safari to Volcanoes National Park, as it is important to ensure that the children are mature enough to participate in this physically demanding and potentially challenging safari activity.

 Rwanda Development Board, set the age limit for gorilla trekking in Rwanda that is the minimum age limit for gorilla trekking in Rwanda is 15 years old, this is done majorly to protect the safety and well-being of both the children and the gorillas.

The trek can involve hiking for some hours through the dense forest and steep terrain, and children under the age of 15 may not have the physical stamina or emotional resilience to cope with the demands of the trek.

Also the gorillas are wild animals and can be unpredictable, and children under the age of 15 years may not be mature enough to understand and respect the gorillas’ space and behavior. Therefore, the age limit of 15 years ensures that children are mature enough to participate in gorilla trekking safely and responsibly, and to minimize the risk of accidents or disruptions to the gorillas’ habitat.

Volcanoes National Park.

Volcanoes National Park is Rwanda’s intriguing safari destination located in the northwestern part of Rwanda, is a breathtakingly beautiful and ecologically diverse protected area that is a home to a wide range of flora and fauna, including the wonderful mountain gorillas. Volcanoes National park is located near Musanze which is formerly known as Ruhengeri, the park covers an area of approximately 160 square kilometers and is part of the larger Virunga Conservation Area, which spans across the borders of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The park’s unique landscape is dominated by five of the eight volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains including karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo, which create a dramatic and the rugged terrain that is punctuated by the lush rainforests, alpine meadows, and sparkling lakes.

The park is perhaps most famous for its population of the endangered mountain gorillas, which are found in the high elevations of the park, and can be visited on the guided treks, led by the experienced guides and the trackers, who help to ensure the safety and the well-being of both the tourists and the gorillas.

Apart from the popular and top attraction in Volcanoes National Park, the park has other various wildlife including the golden monkeys, elephnats, buffaloes, and numerous species of the various bid species, making it a paradise for nature lovers and the wildlife enthusiasts.

Gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park.

Gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park is located in the northwestern part of Rwanda, is a truly exhilarating and unforgettable safari experience that allows the tourists to come face-to-face with the beautiful mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Gorilla trekking starts early in the morning at the park headquarters where the visitors are briefed on the rules and regulations of gorilla trekking by the park guides and park trackers.

After the briefing the gorilla trekkers the trekkers leave the starting point of the trek, you will start gorilla trekking which takes anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours away, depending on the location of the gorillas.

When you are in the forest, the trekkers are led by the well experienced guided and trackers, who use their knowledge of the forest and the gorillas’ behavior to track the mountain gorillas, often following narrow trails and pushing through the dense undergrowth.

Along the way looking for the mountain gorillas, the trekkers are rewarded with the beautiful sightings of the diverse biodiversity in the park, and once the trekkers find the gorillas , they will be given a period of one hour to be in the presence of gorillas, this is where the tourists are going to watch the gorillas feed, breastfeed, watching the gorillas making the nests of their nights, taking the gorillas pictures, recording their videos, though using the cameras with the less flash because flash disrupts the gorillas. After the experience of one hour you will be transfer back to the starting point where you will be rewarded with the gorilla trekking certificates for taking part in gorilla trekking.

Rules and Regulations to follow during gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park.

Gorilla trekking safari experience in Volcanoes National Park, tourists are requested to follow several rules and regulations that should be followed such that to ensure the safety and well-being of both the tourists and the gorillas during gorilla trekking. 

Trekkers are reminded to arrive at the park’s headquarters in Kinigi early, which is located about 12 kilometers from the town of Musanze, by 7:00 am, where they will receive a briefing on the rules and regulations of gorilla trekking, as well as the behavior and habitat of the gorillas.  Another important rule to do during gorilla trekking is to maintain a safe distance from the gorillas, at least 7 meters (23 feet) away, to prevent the risk of disease transmission and to avoid stressing the mountain gorillas.

Also, trekkers are not allowed to feed the gorillas, as this can disrupt their natural behavior. It is also important to keep silent such as to avoid making sudden movements.  Trekkers are required to stay in group and to follow the instructions of the guides and trackers at all times, as they have more knowledge of the forest and the gorillas’ behavior.

It is important to know that gorilla trekking is a physically demanding safari activity, so the trekkers should be in a good health and physically fit for gorilla trekking, as the trek can be demanding with the hiking for several hours through forest. During gorilla trekking, the trekkers are advised to respect the gorillas in their presence and are not allowed to feed the gorillas.

Where to stay in Volcanoes National Park during gorilla trekking.

During the gorilla trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park, has several options for accommodation, ranging from budget-friendly guesthouse to luxury lodges that cater to different tastes and preferences, and offer a comfortable and relaxing accommodation to stay before and after the trek.

For those looking for a luxury experience at Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, located in the foothills of the Virunga Mountains, near the park’s headquarters in Kinigi, offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape and luxurious rooms with en-suite bathrooms and private verandas.

 Another accommodation is the Virunga Lodge is located on a hill overlooking the park, which offers comfortable rooms with the private balconies and perfect views of the surrounding landscape. For those on a budget, then Kinigi Guesthouse is a better option that is, located near the park’s headquarters, offers simple but clean and comfortable rooms with the shared bathrooms, and is a great option for those who want to be close. Musanze town which is located not far from Volcanoes National Park that is about 12 kilometers from the park’s headquarters, also offers a range of accommodation options like Hotel Muhabura that offers comfortable rooms with en-suite bathrooms and a restaurant serving local and international cuisine.

Not only the above mentioned accommodation faculties where to stay in Volcanoes National Park during gorilla trekking there are other various accommodation facilities that includes Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel, Mountain Gorillas’ Nest lodge, Best view Hotel, Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge, Garden Place Hotel, Mountain Gorilla View Lodge, Gorilla Solution Lodge, Hotel Muhabura, Gorillas Volcanoes Hotel, Virunga Lodge, Le Bambou Gorilla Village, Garr Hotel, La Palme Hotel, Kinigi Guesthouse, Wilderness Bisate Lodge, One and Only Gorilla’s Nest, Singita Kwitonda Lodge, Volcanoes Virunga Lodge, The Bishop’s House, Amakoro Songa Lodge, Davinci Gorilla Lodge, Lebambou Gorilla Lodge, Tiloreza Eco Lodge and among many others.

For more information about the intriguing gorilla trekking safari experience in Volcanoes National Park, do not hesitate to contact us at Encounter Africa Safaris, we shall plan and organize for you the wonderful safari experience starting from booking for you the gorilla trekking permit, booking for you the accommodation, and arranging for your transport you will have the unforgettable experience with the everlasting safari memories in your entire life.