TourismA Rwanda gorilla trekking permit costs $1,500 per person in 2026. That’s the fixed price set by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), and it applies to every visitor regardless of nationality. There are no student discounts, no low-season reductions, and no negotiation — but what you get for that price is extraordinary.
Here’s a complete breakdown of what the permit includes, how it compares to Uganda, and how European travellers can book at the best value.
Your Rwanda gorilla permit covers entry to Volcanoes National Park, assignment to one of 10+ habituated gorilla families, an armed ranger guide, and one hour with the gorillas once you find them. The trek itself can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 5 hours depending on where the gorillas are feeding that day.
The permit does not include transport to the park, accommodation, meals, or tips for your ranger and porters. A porter (highly recommended for steep terrain) costs around $10–15.
The most common question we hear from British travellers: is it worth paying nearly double for Rwanda?
Rwanda: $1,500 per person. Volcanoes National Park. Treks are generally shorter (gorillas are closer to the trailhead). Kigali is a 2-hour drive from the park. Well-maintained roads. Premium lodges nearby.
Uganda: $800 per person. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga National Park. Treks can be longer and more physically demanding. More remote, rougher roads. Budget to mid-range accommodation options alongside luxury lodges.
Rwanda is the better choice if you’re short on time, prefer easier logistics, or want to combine gorilla trekking with Kigali’s culture scene. Uganda suits travellers who want more adventure, a lower permit cost, and the chance to add chimps, tree-climbing lions, and Murchison Falls to their itinerary.
At Nature Nest Safaris, we operate gorilla treks in both countries and can help you decide which fits your trip.
Permits are issued by the Rwanda Development Board and sell out months in advance during peak season (June–September and December–February). You have two options:
1. Book through a licensed tour operator (recommended). Operators like Nature Nest Safaris secure permits on your behalf and bundle them with transport, accommodation, and guides. This is the easiest route — we handle the paperwork, payments, and logistics. The permit price stays $1,500; our safari package wraps everything else around it.
2. Book directly through RDB. Visit the Irembo platform online, create an account, and apply. You’ll need passport details and preferred trekking date. Direct booking works but offers no flexibility if plans change — cancellation policies are strict.
Rwanda’s gorilla trekking runs year-round, but the best months are the dry seasons: June to September and December to February. Trails are drier, visibility is better, and the trek is less physically taxing. The wet seasons (March–May, October–November) see fewer visitors and the forest is lush and green — permits are easier to get, though trails can be muddy.
Most European visitors don’t fly to Rwanda just for gorilla trekking. Popular combinations include:
Rwanda + Uganda (7–10 days): Trek gorillas in both countries for two very different experiences. Add Queen Elizabeth NP for tree-climbing lions and Bwindi for chimps.
Rwanda + Tanzania (10–14 days): Gorillas in the Virungas, then fly to the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater for a Big Five safari, finishing with Zanzibar beaches.
Rwanda + Kenya (8–12 days): Combine gorilla trekking with the Masai Mara’s Great Migration (July–October). Flights connect Kigali to Nairobi daily.
The Virunga Volcanoes sit at 2,500–4,500 metres altitude. Expect cool, damp conditions even in the dry season. Essentials: waterproof hiking boots, long-sleeved shirt and trousers (protection from nettles), rain jacket, gardening gloves for grabbing vegetation on steep slopes, and a good camera with no flash.
As a Uganda-based operator with strong Rwanda partnerships, Nature Nest Safaris offers gorilla trekking packages from £1,800 per person for a 3-day Rwanda gorilla safari including permit, accommodation, transport, and meals. Fly from London to Kigali (from £500 return) and you could be face-to-face with mountain gorillas within 48 hours of leaving home.
Ready to book? Contact us at book@naturenestsafaris.com or call +256 777 131 912. We’ll secure your permit and build an itinerary around your dates.
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