Step-by-Step Guide to Booking Gorilla Permits in Rwanda
Booking a gorilla permit in Rwanda is the most important step toward your mountain gorilla trekking adventure. It is your official entry pass to see the endangered gorillas in Volcanoes National Park — one of Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife experiences. Because permits are limited, the process requires good timing, accuracy, and planning. This guide explains every step in detail so that you can secure your permit confidently and begin your journey without stress.
Understanding What a Gorilla Permit Is
A gorilla permit is an official document issued by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) that grants permission to visit one of the habituated gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park. It covers park entry, ranger services, security, and the one-hour interaction with the gorillas. Only a few permits are issued daily, ensuring that gorilla tourism remains sustainable and minimally intrusive.
Rwanda allows a maximum of 96 tourists per day, divided into groups of eight per gorilla family. This limited number makes early booking essential. Without a confirmed permit, no one is allowed to enter the park for trekking.
Step 1: Decide Your Travel Dates
Before booking, determine when you plan to visit Rwanda. Gorilla trekking takes place throughout the year, but the dry seasons from June to September and December to February offer the best conditions. Trails are easier to navigate, and visibility inside the forest is better.
Knowing your exact travel dates helps you align your permit booking with your accommodation and other safari arrangements. If your dates are flexible, you have a higher chance of finding available permits.
Step 2: Choose a Reliable Booking Channel
There are two official ways to buy a gorilla permit in Rwanda — directly through the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) or via a licensed tour operator such as Gorilla-Permits.com.
Booking directly with RDB involves contacting their office by email or phone, which can be slow due to high demand and time differences. Most travelers prefer using trusted operators who handle the entire process on their behalf. Operators have direct access to RDB’s permit reservation system, ensuring faster confirmation, accurate records, and coordinated trekking schedules.
Working through a professional company also allows you to secure transport, lodging, and porter services together with your permit — making your experience seamless from start to finish.
Step 3: Provide Your Personal Details
To reserve a permit, you must submit accurate personal information. The RDB requires your full name, nationality, and passport number. These details are printed on your permit and verified on the day of your trek. It’s important that your passport information matches exactly what you provide at booking to avoid any complications during check-in.
If you are booking for multiple travelers, each person’s details must be provided individually. This ensures that every participant is properly registered for their specific trek date and gorilla group.
Step 4: Make Payment for the Permit
Once availability is confirmed, payment must be completed before the permit can be issued. As of now, the cost of a Rwanda gorilla permit is USD 1,500 per person per trek. Payment can be made through a secure bank transfer, credit card, or mobile payment option, depending on your booking agent’s instructions.
Permits are non-transferable and non-refundable, but in special circumstances such as illness or travel restrictions, RDB may allow rescheduling to another date. Your tour operator will assist you with any required communication if changes are necessary.
After payment, a confirmation receipt or voucher is issued — keep this safe, as it serves as proof of your booking until you receive your official permit.
Step 5: Receive Your Gorilla Permit Confirmation
Once payment has been received, the Rwanda Development Board issues an electronic confirmation indicating your trekking date, assigned gorilla family, and group number. If you book through Gorilla-Permits.com
, your consultant will send you this confirmation along with full details of your trip.
On arrival in Rwanda, your operator collects the physical permit from RDB headquarters and presents it to park authorities on your behalf. You will not need to handle any paperwork on-site — only to bring your passport and confirmation letter.
Step 6: Plan Your Accommodation and Transfers
After securing your permit, the next step is to book accommodation near Volcanoes National Park. Most travelers stay in Kinigi or Musanze, both located just minutes from the park headquarters. Staying nearby ensures you arrive early for your pre-trek briefing, which starts at 7:00 AM.
Lodges in these areas range from budget guesthouses to luxury eco-lodges, and your choice depends on your comfort level and budget. When booking with Gorilla-Permits.com, your consultant will recommend suitable lodges and arrange all transfers between Kigali and Volcanoes National Park.
Step 7: Prepare for Trekking Day
With your permit confirmed and accommodation booked, all that remains is to prepare for the actual trek. Be sure to carry your passport, permit confirmation, hiking boots, rain gear, and enough drinking water. On the morning of the trek, you’ll report to the park headquarters for a short orientation and group assignment. Rangers will then guide you into the forest to meet your gorilla family.
The permit grants you one magical hour with the gorillas — an encounter that remains one of the most emotional and inspiring moments in Africa.
Why Booking Early Matters
Because of limited daily slots, gorilla permits in Rwanda often sell out months in advance. Booking early ensures you get your preferred trekking date and allows you to align your other travel logistics smoothly. Travelers planning to visit during high season should aim to secure their permits at least six months before travel to avoid disappointment.
Early booking also gives you the freedom to choose your preferred lodge and add extensions such as golden monkey tracking or a Kigali city tour to your itinerary.
Plan Your Gorilla Trek with Confidence
Booking a gorilla permit may sound complex, but with expert help, it becomes straightforward and stress-free. At Gorilla-Permits.com
, we handle every detail — from checking permit availability and processing payment to organizing your accommodation, transport, and guide services.
Our team ensures that your Rwanda gorilla trek runs smoothly from start to finish. Every permit we book supports local conservation and community programs that protect mountain gorillas and benefit the people who live near the park.
Inquire and book your Rwanda gorilla permit today at Gorilla-Permits.com — and take the first step toward meeting the mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park.
