- Duration
- One trek day, usually 2 to 7 hours in total, plus the drive from Kigali
- Starting point
- Kinigi park headquarters, Volcanoes National Park (about 2 to 2.5 hours from Kigali)
- Best season
- June to September and December to February for drier trails; permits are sold all year
- Difficulty
- Moderate. Steep, muddy and high altitude, but the pace is set by the slowest walker
- What is included
- The permit itself, one hour with a gorilla family, park rangers and trackers
- Price
- USD 1,500 per person as of this writing, set by the Rwanda Development Board
What a gorilla permit is
A gorilla permit is the only way to trek to a mountain gorilla family in Rwanda. It is a single-day, single-person licence to spend one hour with a habituated group in Volcanoes National Park. It is issued by the Rwanda Development Board, the government body that manages the parks, and it is checked by rangers at the start of the trek. No permit means no trek, so this is the first thing to secure when you plan a Rwanda trip.
Each permit is tied to a specific date and to one person. It cannot be swapped for another day at the gate, and it cannot be used by someone else. When you book with us, we hold the permit under your name as it appears on your passport, so the details must match your travel document exactly.
If you want a broader overview of the experience itself, our gorilla trekking in Rwanda page explains the day from start to finish. This page focuses on the permit: the price, how booking works and what to decide before you commit.
The price of a permit
The current gorilla permit price is USD 1,500 per person, as of this writing. The Rwanda Development Board sets this figure and can change it, so treat it as a guide and confirm it before you pay.
The permit fee is charged separately from everything else. It does not include your transfer from Kigali, your lodge, your meals or any tips. Some travellers are surprised to find that the permit is only one part of the cost, so it helps to read our breakdown of gorilla trekking cost in Rwanda before you set a budget.
Rwanda has at times offered reduced rates for certain groups, such as residents or visitors who combine several parks. These rules change, so we do not print them here. Ask us and we will confirm what applies to your dates. Our article on low-season permit rates covers how those offers have worked in the past.
Permit fees are set by the Rwanda Development Board, not by tour operators. A licensed operator cannot lower the permit price, so be cautious of anyone who claims to.
How booking works
We arrange the permit on your behalf, which is how most visitors book. The steps are simple.
- You tell us your preferred dates, the number of people and whether anyone in the group has trekking limits.
- We check availability for those dates with the Rwanda Development Board.
- We confirm the options to you in writing, including the total cost of the permits and the trip around them.
- When you agree, we ask for a deposit and passport details for each traveller.
- We secure the permits and send you confirmation, then plan your transfers, lodge and guide.
If your dates are fixed, for example around a flight or a holiday, tell us at the start. Permits for popular weeks sell out, and a date that is available today may be gone next month. Our note on permit daily availability explains how the limited daily numbers work.
How far ahead to book
Book as early as you can. As a rule, the busiest months are June to September and December to February, and permits for those periods tend to go first. If you are travelling in one of those seasons, plan several months ahead. In the wetter months of March to May and October to November there is usually more room, so a shorter lead time can work.
Group trips need more notice than solo bookings. A family of six wanting to trek together on the same day needs six permits, and the number of permits per family group is limited. If you are travelling as a large party, we may suggest splitting across two gorilla families on the same morning.
Book the permit first, then your flights. A flexible flight can be moved, but a permit date generally cannot.
What the permit includes
The permit covers your park entry for the trek, one hour with a gorilla family, a briefing at the park headquarters and the services of rangers and trackers on the mountain. It does not cover several things you will still need to plan:
- Your transfer to and from Kinigi park headquarters
- Your accommodation before and after the trek
- Meals, drinks and any snacks or packed lunch
- A porter to carry your bag, which is optional and inexpensive
- Tips for the guide, rangers and porters
- Travel insurance and visas
Our page on the gorilla trekking permit covers the finer details of what is and is not covered. Read it if you are comparing us with another operator, because inclusions vary more than the permit price does.
Planning the trek day
The trek begins early. You meet at the Kinigi headquarters near Musanze at around 7 am for the briefing, where a ranger assigns you to a gorilla family based on your fitness and preferences. From there you drive to the trailhead, walk with trackers through farmland and forest, and spend one hour with the gorillas.
The walk can be short or long depending on where the family has moved overnight. Some treks last two hours in total and others last six or seven. You can express a preference for an easier or a more demanding family, and rangers do their best to match it, though the final assignment depends on where the gorillas are. Our step-by-step article on the gorilla trekking day walks you through every stage, and the gorilla families of Volcanoes National Park describes the groups you might meet.
Ways to fit a permit into a trip
Many travellers ask how many days they need. The answer depends on how much you want to see beyond the gorillas.
| Option | Days | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| 1-day gorilla trek from Kigali | 1 | Visitors with very little time who accept a long day in the car |
| 3-day gorilla trekking | 3 | Most travellers, with a night in Musanze and time to rest |
| 5-day Rwanda tour | 5 | Visitors who want gorillas plus Kigali and another region |
The one-day option is possible because Kinigi is about two to two and a half hours from Kigali, but you start before dawn and return late. Most people find the three-day version far more relaxed, and it leaves room for a second activity such as the golden monkey trek or a visit to the Dian Fossey tomb.
What to bring on trek day
The forest is steep, wet and cool at altitude, even on a sunny day. Pack for changing weather.
- Sturdy waterproof hiking boots with good grip
- Long trousers and a long-sleeved shirt to protect against nettles
- Light gardening gloves, useful on muddy, thorny slopes
- A rain jacket, even in the dry season
- A hat, sunscreen and insect repellent
- A day pack with water and a packed lunch
- A camera without flash, and spare batteries
Our detailed gorilla trekking packing list covers each item and explains how to keep your camera dry.
Who a permit trip suits
A gorilla trek is for anyone in reasonable health who is at least 15 years old, which is the minimum age set by the park. It does not need mountaineering skill, but it does need the ability to walk uphill on uneven ground for several hours. If you are unsure, read our guide to gorilla trekking fitness. Older travellers regularly complete the trek with a porter's help, and our article on gorilla trekking for seniors describes how to prepare.
If you are travelling with younger children, we can build a different itinerary around Kigali, Akagera and Lake Kivu. See Rwanda family tours for ideas.
Questions before you commit
Before you pay for anything, ask any operator these questions. Is the permit price shown separately from the service fee? Whose name is the permit issued in? What happens if the date is unavailable? What is the refund policy if you fall ill? We answer each in writing before you pay a deposit, and you can compare the answers with our Rwanda tours options.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a gorilla permit in Rwanda?
The permit costs USD 1,500 per person as of this writing, set by the Rwanda Development Board. The figure can change, so we confirm the current price in writing before you pay.
Can I book a gorilla permit myself?
Yes, permits can be reserved directly with the Rwanda Development Board. Many visitors prefer to book through an operator so the permit, transfers and lodge are matched to the same dates.
How far ahead should I book?
For June to September and December to February, book several months ahead. In the wetter months there is usually more availability, but early booking is still safer.
Can I change the date of my permit?
Permits are issued for a fixed date and are normally not changed at the gate. Any change depends on availability and the rules at the time, so ask before you book.
What is the minimum age for gorilla trekking?
The minimum age is 15 years. Passport details are checked at the briefing, so carry your original passport on the day.
Is the permit price the total cost of the trip?
No. The permit covers your access to the gorillas, but transfers, accommodation, meals and tips are extra. We give you a full quote so nothing is a surprise.
What happens if I cannot trek because of illness?
Rangers may refuse a trekker with a cold or another infectious illness, to protect the gorillas. Refund terms depend on the rules at the time, so ask about them before you pay.