A gorilla trekking permit gives us permission to trek Gorillas in their natural environment. Alternatively, some people calls it “Gorilla Pass”. On daily basis, each gorilla group/ family is visited by a maximum of 8 persons. Therefore, the number of gorilla permits available per day is limited. Rwanda currently has 10 gorilla groups habituated for tracking, meaning, only 80 gorilla permits available per each group per day. Therefore, any traveler interested in gorilla tracking is advised to book the permit (s) early before they are sold out.
How to Book Rwanda Gorilla tracking Permit/Pass?
Gorilla permits are usually booked through credible Tour Operators and Travel Agents like African Jungle Adventures Limited. If you book a tour with us, the price quoted always includes a gorilla permit(s). In other words, we offer an all-inclusive tour package. Or hire any of our cars, we assist you to book gorilla passes/ permits.
You can also book your gorilla trekking permits directly from Rwanda Development Board (RDB) Reservation Office in Kigali via email to: reservation@rwandatourism.com.
Or, you can physically visit the headquarters of RDB located on KG 220 Street, in Kigali, the capital and largest city of Rwanda.
Cost of Rwanda gorilla trekking permits:
-US$1500 per permit for all visitors.
The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) on 6th May 2017 made the following announcement: The price of a Gorilla Tracking Permit will increase from US$750 to US$1,500 for all visitors, effective immediately 6 May 2017. The price increase will not affect tourists who had already purchased their tickets prior to this announcement.
Uganda Gorilla Trekking Permits
Uganda currently has 13 gorilla groups in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and 1 gorilla group in Mgahinga National Park. This makes a total of 14 groups and these groups include Mubare, Habinyanja, Rushegura, Oruzogo, Kyaguriro, Bitukura, Nshongi, Nkuringo, Mishaya, Businje, Kahunjye and the newly habituated Bikingi and Bushaho, as well as one gorilla group of Mgahinga known as Nyakagezi. However, Nyakagezi gorilla group is not yet stable as it some times crosses the boarder to Volcanoes National park in Rwanda or Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Note: Its believed that one of Rwanda’s Gorilla family known as Hirwa Gorilla group crossed to Uganda in October 2019. It’s now being managed along with Nyakagyezi gorilla family, the one and only family in Mgahinga Gorilla National park.
Cost of Uganda Gorilla Trekking Permits
-US$ 700 per person for foreign non-residents
-US$ 600 per person for East African Foreign Residents
-UGX250000 for East African citizens and Ugandans
How to Book a Gorilla Permit / Gorilla Pass in Uganda?
As already noted, gorilla permits are usually booked through credible Tour Operators or Travel Agents like Gorilla Expeditions Limited. Uganda gorilla permits can also be booked directly from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) headquarters located on Plot, 7 Kira Rd, Kampala. Or you can book via Email: info@ugandawildlife.org
