Gorilla Trekking FAQ

A Rwanda gorilla trekking permit costs $1,500 USD per person for foreign non-residents, the 2026 rate set by the Rwanda Development Board. Foreign residents pay $500 and citizens of Rwanda and other East African Community countries pay $200. The permit covers one hour with a gorilla family, park entry, and an armed ranger escort. Full tour packages with accommodation, transfers, meals, and a private guide start from around $1,800 per person for a 3-day trip.

Rwanda issues 96 gorilla permits per day. Volcanoes National Park has 12 habituated gorilla families open to tourism, and each may be visited by a maximum of 8 people per day, which works out to 96 permits. Demand often exceeds supply in peak season, so booking 3 to 6 months ahead is wise. Rwanda Eco Company and Safaris secures permits on your behalf as part of the booking process.

Book at least 3 to 6 months in advance, especially for travel in peak season (June to September and December to January). With only 96 permits available per day across 12 gorilla families, popular dates sell out quickly. Rwanda Eco Company and Safaris handles permit securing as part of your booking.

Gorilla trekking is possible year-round in Rwanda. The dry seasons (June to September and December to February) offer the easiest conditions, with firmer, less muddy trails. The wet seasons (March to May and October to November) are quieter, often cheaper, and the forest is lush and green. Gorillas are found in every season.

Gorilla trekking ranges from moderate to strenuous depending on where the gorilla family has moved that day. Treks typically last 2 to 6 hours through steep, forested terrain at altitudes of 2,500 to 3,000 metres. A reasonable level of fitness helps. Porters are available to carry your bag and assist on tough sections, and most healthy adults aged 15 to 75 complete the trek successfully.

The minimum age for gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda is 15 years. This rule is set by park authorities and strictly enforced, and you must show proof of age (a passport) at the briefing. There is no upper age limit, and porters can support older or less mobile trekkers.

Plan for a full day. You arrive at park headquarters around 7am for a briefing, then trek 2 to 6 hours to reach the gorilla family. You spend exactly one hour with the gorillas before trekking back. Most visitors are back at the park gate by early to mid afternoon.

A maximum of 8 visitors may visit each gorilla family per day. Small groups reduce stress on the gorillas and limit the risk of disease transmission. Visitors also keep a 7-metre distance from the animals and wear a face mask, per park rules in both Rwanda and Uganda.

Both countries offer exceptional gorilla trekking. Rwanda (Volcanoes National Park) is more accessible, about 2 to 3 hours from Kigali airport, and its $1,500 permit experience is premium and well organized. Uganda (Bwindi Impenetrable Forest) permits cost $800 and the country hosts roughly half the world's mountain gorillas. Many travelers combine both for the ultimate gorilla experience.

A Uganda gorilla trekking permit costs $800 USD per person for foreign non-residents in 2026, set by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Foreign residents pay $700 and East African Community citizens pay UGX 300,000. Uganda also offers discounted $600 low-season permits in April, May, and November.

The gorilla habituation experience is a 4-hour encounter with a semi-habituated gorilla family, available only in Uganda's Bwindi (Rushaga sector). It is limited to 4 visitors per day and the permit costs $1,800 USD for foreign non-residents in 2026. A standard trek, by contrast, gives you one hour with a fully habituated family.

Most visitors can get a visa on arrival at Kigali International Airport, and citizens of all countries are eligible to apply on arrival without prior approval. Many nationalities enter visa-free, and citizens of East African Community states (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, South Sudan) need no visa. You can also apply online via the Rwanda e-visa portal (irembo.gov.rw). A passport valid for at least 6 months is required.

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you are arriving from or have recently traveled through a yellow-fever-endemic country, and it is recommended for all visitors. Routine vaccinations should be up to date, and many travelers also consider hepatitis A, typhoid, and antimalarial medication. Consult a travel clinic 4 to 8 weeks before departure for advice specific to your itinerary.

Yes. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is very safe. Habituated families are accustomed to human presence after years of preparation by trained trackers, and armed rangers escort every group. Volcanoes National Park is well managed with clear safety protocols, and Rwanda is consistently ranked among the safest countries in Africa for visitors.

As of the 2024 census, about 1,063 mountain gorillas remain in the wild, up from roughly 1,004 in 2018 and fewer than 600 in the 1980s. They live in only two areas: the Virunga Massif (Rwanda, Uganda, and DR Congo) and the Bwindi-Sarambwe ecosystem (Uganda and DR Congo). Mountain gorillas are the only great ape whose population is growing, thanks largely to tourism-funded conservation.

Bring sturdy waterproof hiking boots, long trousers and a long-sleeved shirt (protection from nettles and insects), a light rain jacket, gardening gloves, insect repellent, sunscreen, a hat, and at least 2 litres of water. A small daypack is ideal. A camera with a zoom lens is worthwhile, but flash photography is not permitted. Leave large bags at your lodge.

Tipping is customary but discretionary. As a guideline, many travelers tip their driver-guide $15 to $25 per day, gorilla trekking rangers around $10 to $20 per group, and porters $10 to $15 per trek. Lodge staff can be tipped via a communal tip box. Tips are typically given in US dollars or Rwandan francs.

The local currency is the Rwandan franc (RWF). US dollars are widely accepted for tours, permits, and lodges, and should be 2013-series or newer notes in good condition. Credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) work at most hotels and larger establishments in Kigali, and ATMs are available in towns. Carry some cash for tips, markets, and rural areas.

Yes. Popular combinations include gorilla trekking in Rwanda plus an Akagera National Park safari (Rwanda's Big Five savanna park), Rwanda plus Uganda for both chimpanzees and gorillas, and Rwanda plus Kenya or Tanzania for the Maasai Mara or Serengeti migration. Rwanda Eco Company and Safaris designs custom multi-country itineraries across Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.

Our all-inclusive packages typically include airport transfers, accommodation, all meals listed in the itinerary, gorilla and wildlife permits, park fees, a private English-speaking driver-guide, and a 4WD safari vehicle. International flights, visas, travel insurance, tips, and personal purchases are not included. Every confirmed booking receives a full packing list and pre-trip briefing.