- Pricing style
- Quoted per group, itemised in writing
- Biggest cost
- Gorilla permits, USD 1,500 per person as of this writing
- Other main costs
- Vehicle and driver-guide, lodging, park fees and meals
- Best value
- Small groups sharing one vehicle and guide
- Price
- On request, quoted per group
Why we do not publish a price list
Most Rwanda trips are built from parts that move independently: gorilla permits, park entry, a vehicle, a driver-guide, lodges and meals. A fixed brochure price hides those parts, and it goes out of date whenever a park fee changes. So instead of a table of numbers that may be wrong next month, this page explains how the cost is made up and how to read a quote. Every Inka Tours quote is itemised, so you can see exactly what you are paying for.
This is our honest approach to Rwanda safari cost. It also means we can tailor a trip to your budget, because you can see which line to raise or lower.
The parts of a Rwanda trip price
Gorilla permits
The permit is the largest single cost of a gorilla trip. It is set by the Rwanda Development Board at USD 1,500 per person as of this writing, and it is charged whether you book through us or elsewhere.
See our page on the gorilla permit and our breakdown of gorilla trekking cost.
Park entry fees
Other parks charge their own fees, usually per person per day plus a vehicle fee. Rates depend on your residency. Our guide to Akagera National Park fees explains how they work for that park, and Nyungwe and other parks follow a similar pattern.
Vehicle and driver-guide
A private 4x4 with a driver-guide is usually the second largest cost. It is shared across the whole group, so it costs less per person as the group grows. Distance matters, so a trip that includes Nyungwe or Lake Kivu costs more than one around Kigali. See our page on car hire with driver.
Accommodation
Lodging spans a wide range. A guesthouse and a luxury lodge can differ by many times per night. Your choice here changes the total more than any other decision, apart from the number of gorilla permits.
Meals, activities and extras
Some lodges include meals and activities, others do not. Optional extras such as a boat trip, a canopy walk or a cultural visit are priced separately.
What a typical quote includes
We list each of these lines in writing:
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Private vehicle, fuel and driver-guide
- Accommodation for each night, with the room type
- Meals as stated
- Permits and park fees
- Activities named in the itinerary
- Bottled water in the vehicle
We also list what is not included, usually international flights, visas, travel insurance, drinks, tips and personal spending.
How the main packages compare
We do not print prices for these trips, but this table shows how they differ in length and what drives the cost.
| Package | Days | Main cost drivers |
|---|---|---|
| 3-day gorilla trekking | 3 | Permits, Musanze lodge, private transfers |
| 2-day Akagera safari | 2 | Park fees, safari vehicle, lodge |
| 3-day Rwanda tour | 3 | Vehicle, city and cultural visits |
| 5-day Rwanda tour | 5 | Permits or park fees, two regions, lodges |
| 7-day Rwanda tour | 7 | Several parks, longer driving, more nights |
| 10-day Rwanda tour | 10 | Gorillas, chimpanzees, savanna and lake |
All are quoted per group on request. Compare them on our Rwanda tours page.
What changes the price most
- Number of gorilla permits. Each traveller who treks adds a full permit cost.
- Group size. A larger group shares the vehicle and guide.
- Season. Lodges charge more from June to September and around Christmas and New Year.
- Lodge standard. This is the largest choice you control.
- Trip length and distance. More days and more driving mean more cost.
- Private versus shared. Private trips cost more per person than a place in a group. See our note on private vs group tours.
Budget, mid-range and luxury
Rwanda can be visited at several levels. Budget trips use simple guesthouses and shared vehicles, and the permit still takes a big share. Mid-range trips add comfortable lodges and a private guide. Luxury trips add high-end lodges, private flights or helicopter transfers and fully inclusive service. See our pages on budget tours and luxury tours, and read our article on luxury vs budget gorilla safaris.
How to compare quotes from different operators
The lowest headline price is often the least complete. Ask each operator whether the permit is shown as a separate line, whether park fees and the vehicle fee are included, and whether lodges are named. Ask about the cancellation policy. Our article on how to choose a Rwanda tour operator lists more questions worth asking.
Ways to lower the cost
- Travel in a small group so that fixed costs are shared
- Choose the wetter months, when lodge rates are lower
- Skip one activity rather than downgrade every night
- Combine trekking with a shorter extension rather than a long tour
- Ask us for a mid-range lodge rather than a top-end one
Read our guide to budget travel in Rwanda for further ideas.
Costs beyond the tour price
Plan for flights, visas, travel insurance and vaccinations. Our articles on Rwanda travel insurance and flights to Rwanda help you plan. Tips are extra, and our note on tipping etiquette gives sensible guidance.
How to get your price
Send us your travel dates, the number of people, the experiences you want and a rough budget. We reply with a written, itemised quote and suggest ways to adjust it. There is no charge for a quote, and you can ask us to price several versions side by side.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Rwanda safari cost?
It depends on the trip. The gorilla permit is a fixed fee set by the Rwanda Development Board, and the rest depends on your lodge, group size and length of stay. We quote each trip in writing.
Why are your prices not listed online?
Fees and lodge rates change, so a printed price would soon be wrong. An itemised quote for your dates is more reliable.
Is the gorilla permit included in the tour price?
When you book a gorilla trip with us, the permit is a separate, visible line in the quote. We confirm the current price before you pay.
Are flights included?
No. International flights are not part of a tour price unless we say so in writing.
Do children pay less?
Some lodges and parks offer lower child rates, though the gorilla trek has a minimum age of 15. We state child rates in your quote.
Can I pay in instalments?
Payment terms are agreed when you book. Ask us for the schedule when you receive your quote.