Seeing the gorillas in their natural sanctuary requires a visitor to have a gorilla trekking permit. A gorilla trekking permit is a physical document that is issued by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), allowing tourists to see mountain gorillas in their natural sanctuary. Are you planning a gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda? You are highly advised to book your gorilla trekking permit in advance to have a good gorilla trekking experience. In this blog, we highlight how to book a gorilla trekking permit, a gorilla trekking safari, and other related information for a gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda.

Understanding the Importance of a Gorilla Trekking Permit

A gorilla trekking permit is a mandatory requirement for tourists on a gorilla trekking safari. This is for the safety and conservation purposes of Mountain gorillas and other wildlife species in the park. A limited number of gorilla trekking are available every day depending on the number of habituated mountain gorillas that are ready for trekking. A gorilla trekking permit allows tourists to track a habituated gorilla family that is safe for visitor’s experience, and by doing this, you are helping to conserve the generations of mountain gorillas and their natural environment.

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is done in Volcanoes National Park, which is located in the northwestern part of Rwanda, spanning an area of about 160sqkm and one of the four regions where you can track mountain gorillas in their natural sanctuary. Volcanoes National Park is home to about 50 mammal species, including elephants, buffaloes, leopards, mountain gorillas, monkeys, baboons, and other animals, as well as different species of birds. Volcanoes National Park consists of about 10 Habituated gorilla families that are safe for tracking and visitor experience. The park is popular for mountain gorilla trekking, giving a chance to tourists to get up close to the magnificent mountain gorillas in their natural habitat, making it a major highlight for a safari enthusiast.

The gorilla trekking starts with a briefing at the Kinigi Visitor’s Information Center, where visitors are taken through a briefing about gorilla trekking. Later, tourists are divided into groups of 8 pax that are only allowed to visit a gorilla family per trek and awarded different habituated gorilla trekking families and armed park rangers to scare shoot in case the gorillas charge.

The actual gorilla trekking begins with navigating through the lush bamboo vegetation and thick forests in search of mountain gorillas. Along the trek, you can have a chance to spot a variety of wildlife species including L’Hoest Monkeys, red colobus Monkeys, vervet Monkeys Black and white colobus Monkeys, baboons, elephants, and other wildlife species, and different bird species such as Rüppell’s Vulture, Golden-winged Sunbird, Gray Crowned Crane, Blue-headed Coucal, Mountain Buzzard, Blue Turaco, Common Bulbul, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, White-necked Raven, African Paradise Flycatcher, Baglafecht Weaver, Chestnut-throated Apalis, Tawny-flanked Prinia, Kandt’s Wagtail, Red-chested Cuckoo, Olive Pigeon, Black-fronted Duiker, Yellow-eyed Blackbird, and Alpine Chat.

On finding the mountain gorillas, you shall be granted a maximum of 1 hour to observe the gorillas in their natural environment as they play and feed on leaves. Remember to keep a 10-meter distance as advised by the rangers, who will tell you more about how the gorillas live and their way of life.

How much is a gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda?

A gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda is issued by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), and a gorilla trekking permit costs USD 1500 for foreign Non-Residents, USD 500 for foreign residents, USD 200 for East African citizens and USD 200 for Rwanda Citizens. However, travellers planning a gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda are advised to book in advance their gorilla trekking permits to avoid inconveniences.

How to Book a gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda

Booking a gorilla trekking permit involves a careful and mindful process to have a successful gorilla trekking experience, and below is how to book a gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda.

Choose the time of the year: Gorilla trekking is an activity that can be done at any time of the year, though the best time is to go gorilla trekking when the trekking trails are drier, and there is shorter vegetation in the park. before booking a gorilla permit, it is essential to know to time of the year you want to do gorilla trekking.

Book a reputable Tour Operator: This is the easiest means to get a gorilla trekking permit through reputable tour operators who have organised gorilla trekking safaris for quite some good time. Alternatively, tour operators can help you plan and organise a perfect African wildlife and gorilla trekking safari. You can also send us an Inquiry and we help you organise your gorilla trekking safari.

Book through the Rwanda Development Board (RDB): Travellers can also book their gorilla trekking permits through the Rwanda Development Board directly. This body is in charge of Volcanoes National Park and conservation efforts. A maximum of 8 gorilla permits is issued per day per gorilla Family. The process of booking a gorilla trekking permit requires you to have the necessary documents such as a National ID and passport and provide full payment.

What to pack for a gorilla trekking safari

To embark on a gorilla trekking safari, one is required to pack some items that are ideal for gorilla trekking since the experience involves navigating through the deep, lush greenery vegetation and dense tropical rainforests. Some of the requirements include sturdy hiking shoes, long-sleeved pants and shirts, a light backpack, bottled water, a packed lunch, a camera, a pair of binoculars, a battery, sunglasses, a hat, gloves, and a face mask, among other requirements that make a gorilla trekking experience a safe and memorable one.

Rules and Guidelines to follow for Gorilla Trekking

• Do not track the mountain gorillas when you have a communicable disease
• Maintain a 10-meter distance while observing the gorillas in their natural habitats
• Do not use flash photography
• Persons under the age of 15 are strictly not allowed
• Do not litter in the park
• Burry human dung 30 meters deep
• Follow instructions from your ranger guide
• Do not make Noise
• Avoid sneezing or coughing