A gorilla trekking permit for Volcanoes National Park costs US $1,500 per person per day, according to Visit Rwanda. Visit Rwanda also says to book in advance, online or through a reputable tour operator.
What the Permit Covers
Eight tracking permits are issued per gorilla troop per day, so visitors go out in small groups with guides.
The minimum age to track gorillas is 15 years old.
Visitors gather at the Volcanoes National Park headquarters in Kinigi at 7am.
Visit Rwanda does not give a drive time from Kigali to Kinigi, so ask your operator how long to allow and when to leave. Whatever the answer, plan to arrive before the 7am gathering.
How to Book
Visit Rwanda links to two places to buy a permit: the Irembo platform and the Rwanda Development Board booking portal at visitrwandabookings.rdb.rw. It also advises using licensed operators and tour guides. Book well before your dates, because each troop has only eight permits a day.
Other Things to Do Near the Park
Volcanoes National Park sits in the far northwest of Rwanda and protects the slopes of the Virunga volcanoes. Karisimbi, at 4,507 m, is the highest volcano in the chain. Visit Rwanda lists hiking, canoeing, mountain biking, village visits, the Musanze Caves and Buhanga Eco-Park as other activities.
Golden monkeys can be tracked as a separate excursion that leaves once a day from the Kinigi headquarters. Two groups can be visited, one on the slopes of Karisimbi and one in the bamboo forest on Sabyinyo.
Count the Cost for a Group
Permits are priced per person, so the sum is simple. Four people trekking on the same day need four permits, which is 4 x US $1,500 = US $6,000 at the price Visit Rwanda lists. Because a troop takes only eight permits a day, a group of nine or more cannot all join the same troop.
Combine It With Lake Kivu
Rubavu, on the northern edge of Lake Kivu, is about an hour's drive from Volcanoes National Park, according to Visit Rwanda. The lake covers 2,700 km², and its Congo Nile Trail runs 227 km from Rubavu to Rusizi in 6 stages. Kayaking tours, hiking and mountain biking are all listed.
Packing Notes
Plastic bags have been banned in Rwanda by law since 2008, and Visit Rwanda says any found in your luggage are confiscated at the airport or other point of entry. Leave them at home.
Spend a Night in Kigali First
If your flight lands the day before, a night in the capital lets you start the trip rested. Step Town Hotel is a small hotel in Kigali, about 15 minutes from Kigali International Airport. Reception is open 24 hours, and the hotel says it can serve an early breakfast on request and help with private transport for excursions. See the rooms page: a single room is listed from $50 a night, with breakfast included.
Before you go north, see what else to do in Kigali and Rwanda's main attractions.
Ask Us About Your Dates
Tell us when you land and when your permit starts, and we will plan around it. Write to us on the contact page.