Discounted Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Permits
Discounted Rwanda Gorilla trekking permits in Volcanoes National Park are available for tourists with tight schedules/budgets. These permits are meant for those who want to enjoy up-close encounters with the endangered mountain gorillas. The permits can be obtained at a reduced rate, thus offering typically budget-friendly gorilla safaris.
When are discounted Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Permits available?
The discounted gorilla permits in Rwanda are available during the off-season or low seasons. This particular discounted Rwanda gorilla trekking (off-season discount) offer is available in November and May.
Rwanda’s discounted gorilla permit opportunities include a 30% offer, up to USD 1050 per person. The 30% discount offer on gorilla permits is essential for visitors with plans to visit other parks, specifically Akagera or Nyungwe National Park. It means you have a gorilla tour in Volcanoes National Park with an extra 3 days/2 nights in either Nyungwe National Park or Akagera National Park.
About Akagera National Park
Three days in Akagera will take you on a Big Five game encounter. Akagera National Park lies in the Eastern province of Rwanda and is Rwanda’s largest and only savannah park. It spans up to 1122 sq. km and holds over 500 species of birds and many savanna wildlife. Wildlife to spot on game viewing tour in Akagera National Park includes zebras, giraffes, lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, topis, impalas, waterbucks, hippos, crocodiles, serval cats, hyenas, and many others.
Birds to explore at Akagera include the white-browed coucals, African fish eagle, sooty chats, marabou stork, shoebill storks, papyrus gonoleks, red-faced barbets, Ross’s turacos, red-winged francolins, grasshopper buzzard, brown-chested lapwing, blue-shouldered robin chat, Denham’s bustards, Cabanis’s bunting, Tabora cisticola, Souza’s shrike, slate-colored boubou, western reef herons, dimorphic egret, Northern brown-throated weaver, and more.
At Akagera National Park, you can experience the best game driving, boat cruising, birding, nature walking, air ballooning, rhino watching, and behind-the-scenes activities.
About Nyungwe National Park
An addition of Nyungwe means an excellent opportunity to explore the diversity of primates and other species that live in the rainforest. Nyungwe, situated in the Southern Province of Rwanda, protects up to 13 species of primates and 310 species of birds. Top experiences to engage in Nyungwe National Park include guided canopy walks, chimpanzee tracking, tea farm tours, forest hiking, and many others.
Additional discounted offers include USD 1275 if you are on a MICE event in Rwanda and want to track gorillas. USD 15,000 for private gorilla tracking –to explore the whole family with the guide services provided. Lastly, three visitors can opt for a USD 30,000 behind-the-scenes experience.
How to book a Gorilla Permit in Rwanda
The safest way to book a gorilla permit is through a local tour operator. Contact Native Africa Tours, a recognized tour operator, to assist you in securing a valid gorilla permit. Talk to our expert to book your gorilla permit in advance.
Last-minute Gorilla Permit Booking
Gorilla permits can also be booked at the last minute, although there is a high chance of not finding one due to the high demand. This option is ideal for visitors to Rwanda for conference events and business tours.
Why book the Rwanda Gorilla Permit?
Booking a Rwanda gorilla permit is essential for all tourists with plans to encounter mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. There are many reasons why a gorilla permit is needed, including;
Conservation support: By booking the Rwanda gorilla permit, you contribute to protecting the gorilla habitat. Protecting gorillas can be costly, with the most significant contributor being financing conservation efforts at Volcanoes National Park.
Legal entry to track gorillas: The cost of a gorilla permit covers park entry fees. With the entrance fees sorted, you can access Volcanoes National Park to participate in the trek with mountain gorillas.
Support local community: The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) introduced a community-sharing scheme that returns some gorilla permit fees to local communities. Supporting local communities is one way gorilla tourism positively impacts residents’ livelihoods and promotes sustainable travel.
Regulation of environmental impact: Booking a gorilla permit is one way park authorities regulate how many visitors track a gorilla family. There is an acceptable age limit that a visitor must meet to be considered eligible to purchase a gorilla permit. Visitors on a gorilla tour should be above 15 years old to obtain a gorilla permit in Rwanda.
What is Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park like?
Volcanoes National Park offers captivating gorilla trekking adventures involving you walking through the natural forest to search for mountain gorillas. The day with the Rwanda gorillas includes an early morning briefing about gorilla trekking regulations. After the briefing, you will be assigned gorilla families and park ranger guides.
Gorilla treks in Volcanoes National Park typically start in Kinigi at 7:00 a.m. with a briefing by an experienced park ranger guide or official. Volcanoes are popular for gorilla trekking and conservation efforts. Dian Fossey visited and conducted her research there for 18 years. During her research, she helped to spread the plight of the critically endangered mountain gorillas worldwide.
Today, Volcanoes National Park is among the best places to visit to spot mountain gorillas in the wild. About 13 habituated families of gorillas, including the Agashya, Kahungye, Bwenge, Ugenda, Susa A, Muhoza, Igisha, Karisimbi, Sabyinyo, and Amahoro gorilla families, have been designated for gorilla tourism.
The usual trek with gorillas can last 2 to 6 hours, depending on the location of gorilla families, the nature of the habitat, physical fitness levels, and other factors.
Gorilla trekking regulations should be observed, including maintaining a safe distance of 8 meters from gorillas, respecting wildlife, not destroying vegetation, keeping the habitat clean, and tracking gorillas with a guide.
What to take on a Rwanda Gorilla Tour besides Permits
In addition to gorilla permits, tourists interested in trekking gorillas must also pack other essentials. They include comfortable hiking boots, which should be lightweight and waterproof; a first aid kit, gardening gloves, a small daypack, insect repellents, a camera, sunscreen, a sun hat, sunglasses, snacks, and water.
The Best Time to Visit Rwanda to See Gorillas
Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park enjoyed climatic conditions characterized by low rainfall and drier, steep slopes. While gorilla treks can be done any time of the year, the dry season is best for you to consider for Rwanda gorilla adventures. The longest dry months extend from March to May, and shorter dry spells start from December to February.
Where to Stay at Volcanoes National Park
Amazing places to retire for the night in Volcanoes National Park range from budget to luxury. Accommodation options include Amakoro Songa Lodge, Samboro Kinigi Lodge, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, Best View Hotel, Le Bambou Lodge, Kinigi Guesthouse, Virunga Hotel, and One & Only Gorilla House.
How to reach Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
Getting to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is easier by road. Traveling by road to track gorillas in Volcanoes National Park starting from Kigali takes between 2 and 3 hours’ drive. The other alternative provides access from Kabale or Kisoro in Uganda via the Katuna or Cyanika border crossing.
