# Rwanda Gorilla Trekking - An independent guide to gorilla trekking in Rwanda covering permits, Volcanoes National Park, tour options and comparisons with Uganda.

> This is an independent guide to gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Volcanoes National Park. It covers permit costs and booking rules, trek day logistics, golden monkey tracking, volcano hikes, what to wear and how Rwanda compares with Uganda. It is not an operator, a seller of travel or a booking platform.

Site: https://rwandagorillatrekking.tours/
Language: en. Currency: USD. Country: Rwanda, around Volcanoes National Park in the Virunga Mountains in the northwest of the country.
Facts checked: 2027.

## Verified facts
- A Rwanda gorilla trekking permit costs $1,500 per person per day for foreign non-residents. Source: https://visitrwandabookings.rdb.rw/rdbportal/mountain-gorilla-tracking
- Only 96 gorilla permits are issued daily in Rwanda, eight per troop per day. Source: https://visitrwanda.com/interests/gorilla-tracking/
- Minimum age for gorilla tracking is 15 years. Source: https://visitrwandabookings.rdb.rw/rdbportal/mountain-gorilla-tracking
- Maximum of 8 visitors per group and viewing time with the gorillas is limited to one hour. Source: https://visitrwandabookings.rdb.rw/rdbportal/mountain-gorilla-tracking
- Visitors should maintain a distance of 7 meters (about 22 feet) from the gorillas. Source: https://visitrwandabookings.rdb.rw/rdbportal/mountain-gorilla-tracking
- Briefing takes place at the RDB offices in Kinigi at 7:00 AM on the trek day. Source: https://visitrwandabookings.rdb.rw/rdbportal/mountain-gorilla-tracking
- If you track all day but fail to contact a gorilla family, 75% of the tracking fee is refunded. Source: https://visitrwandabookings.rdb.rw/rdbportal/mountain-gorilla-tracking
- Twelve habituated gorilla families live in Volcanoes National Park and 10% of permit revenue goes to local communities. Source: https://visitrwanda.com/interests/gorilla-tracking/
- Advance booking requires paying 40% to 99% of the visiting fee when a slot is available, with the remaining fee paid before 30 days to confirm the permit. Source: https://visitrwandabookings.rdb.rw/rdbportal/advbooking
- Rescheduling a confirmed permit carries a processing fee of 20% of the Application Fee, approved automatically more than 7 days before the visit. Source: https://visitrwandabookings.rdb.rw/rdbportal/reschedule-permit
- Approximately 1,000 mountain gorillas live in the wild, 604 of them in the Virunga Massif. Source: https://visitrwanda.com/interests/gorilla-tracking/
- Golden monkey tracking costs $100 for foreigners, with a minimum age of 12 and a maximum of 16 people per group, reporting at 07:00 at Kinigi headquarters. Source: https://visitrwandabookings.rdb.rw/rdbportal/golden-monkeys

## Tours listed on this site
Booking links on the site are Viator and GetYourGuide affiliate links: we may earn a commission, the price does not change, and the operator or platform takes the booking and payment. The Booking URLs below are the plain listing pages.
- 1 Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tour In The Volcanoes National Park (Pick up anywhere in Kigali, operated by Universal Ventures) - from $342 per person, 12 hours, rated 4.9 from 83 reviews on Viator. Page: https://rwandagorillatrekking.tours/guides/one-day-gorilla-trekking-from-kigali/#tour-1 Booking: https://www.viator.com/tours/Kigali/1-Day-Rwanda-Gorilla-Trekking-Tour-In-The-Volcanoes-National-Park/d22362-354657P2
- Rwanda Gorilla Trek in Volcanoes National Park (Pickup at your accommodation in Kigali, operated by Vista Safaris) - from $260 per person, 1 day, rated 4.9 from 41 reviews on GetYourGuide. Page: https://rwandagorillatrekking.tours/guides/one-day-gorilla-trekking-from-kigali/#tour-2 Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/kigali-l32466/kigali-rwanda-gorilla-tracking-in-volcanoes-national-park-t537766/
- Private Gorilla Trekking Transfer to Volcanoes N.Park (Pickup included, operated by Trail Trek Africa) - from $350 per person, 7 hours, rated 5.0 from 37 reviews on Viator. Page: https://rwandagorillatrekking.tours/guides/one-day-gorilla-trekking-from-kigali/#tour-3 Booking: https://www.viator.com/tours/Kigali/One-Day-Gorilla-Trekking-In-Volcanoes-National-Park/d22362-71394P1
- One Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tour (Pick-up anywhere in Kigali City or Kigali airport, operated by Afri Safaris) - from $279.65 per person, 6-10 hours, rated 5.0 from 29 reviews on Viator. Page: https://rwandagorillatrekking.tours/guides/one-day-gorilla-trekking-from-kigali/#tour-4 Booking: https://www.viator.com/tours/Kigali/One-Day-Gorilla-Trekking-Rwanda-and-Ibyiwacu-Cultural-Village/d22362-401254P2
- 1 Day Gorilla Trekking Safari Tour (Shalom Safaris) - from $2,650 per person, 6 hours, rated 5.0 from 26 reviews on Viator. Page: https://rwandagorillatrekking.tours/guides/gorilla-trekking-packages-permit-included/#tour-5 Booking: https://www.viator.com/tours/Kigali/1-day-Safari-in-Rwanda-with-gorilla/d22362-143327P3
- 1 Day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Tour (Hotel pickup in Kigali, operated by Devine African Safaris Ltd) - from $2,687 per person, 9 hours, rated 5.0 from 24 reviews on Viator. Page: https://rwandagorillatrekking.tours/guides/gorilla-trekking-packages-permit-included/#tour-6 Booking: https://www.viator.com/tours/Kigali/1-Day-Rwanda-Gorilla-Trekking-Tour/d22362-69857P2
- 1 Day Gorilla Trekking Safari in Rwanda Volcanoes National Park (Hope Tours Africa) - from $2,675 per person, 12 hours, rated 4.9 from 12 reviews on Viator. Page: https://rwandagorillatrekking.tours/guides/gorilla-trekking-packages-permit-included/#tour-7 Booking: https://www.viator.com/tours/Kigali/1-Day-Gorilla-Trekking-Safari-in-Rwanda-Volcanoes-National-Park/d22362-281878P1
- 1-Day Gorilla Trekking in Uganda by Private 4x4 (Pickup at your Kigali hotel or Kigali International Airport if arranged in advance, operated by Kawira Safaris Ltd) - from $400 per person, 1 day, rated 4.9 from 26 reviews on GetYourGuide. Page: https://rwandagorillatrekking.tours/guides/uganda-gorilla-trekking-from-kigali/#tour-8 Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/kigali-l32466/from-kigali-1-day-gorilla-trekking-in-uganda-t387621/
- 4-Day Gorilla Trekking Tour in Rwanda & Uganda (Your hotel in Kigali, operated by Safari 2 Gorilla Tours Company Limited) - from $2,500 per person, 4 days, rated 5.0 from 1 review on GetYourGuide. Page: https://rwandagorillatrekking.tours/guides/uganda-gorilla-trekking-from-kigali/#tour-9 Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/kigali-l32466/4-day-rwanda-uganda-gorilla-trekking-tour-experience-t571157/
- 3-Day Mountain Gorilla and Golden Monkey Treks (Hotel or airport pickup in Kigali, operated by IMANI TOURS) - from $1,460 per person, 3 days. Page: https://rwandagorillatrekking.tours/guides/3-day-gorilla-trekking-tours/#tour-10 Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/kigali-l32466/from-kigali-3-day-mountain-gorillas-and-golden-monkeys-tour-t1317481/
- 2 Days Gorilla & Golden Monkey Trekking Safaris (You will let us know where you wish us to pick you from, operated by Kingfisher Journeys) - from $715 per person, 2 days, rated 5.0 from 4 reviews on Viator. Page: https://rwandagorillatrekking.tours/guides/3-day-gorilla-trekking-tours/#tour-11 Booking: https://www.viator.com/tours/Kigali/Kayaking-on-Lake-Kivu-from-Gisenyi/d22362-54154P2
- One-Day Rwanda Golden Monkey Trekking Tour (Pick-up anywhere in Kigali City or Kigali airport, operated by Afri Safaris) - from $267 per person, 5-9 hours, rated 5.0 from 8 reviews on Viator. Page: https://rwandagorillatrekking.tours/guides/golden-monkey-trekking-rwanda/#tour-12 Booking: https://www.viator.com/tours/Kigali/One-Day-Golden-Monkey-Trekking-and-Ibyiwacu-Cultural-Village/d22362-401254P12
- Easy Golden Monkey Trekking with Lunch (Hotel pickup in Kigali, operated by Private Tours /Rwanda) - from $320 per person, 8 hours, rated 4.8 from 6 reviews on GetYourGuide. Page: https://rwandagorillatrekking.tours/guides/golden-monkey-trekking-rwanda/#tour-13 Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/kigali-l32466/golden-monkey-trekking-with-lunch-t850037/
- A day trip _ Mount Bisoke Hike Adventure (Usalama Tours Rwanda) - from $328.58 per person, 6 hours, rated 4.9 from 14 reviews on Viator. Page: https://rwandagorillatrekking.tours/guides/mount-bisoke-hike/#tour-14 Booking: https://www.viator.com/tours/Kigali/Banana-Beer-Production/d22362-164636P2
- Bisoke Summit Trek, Crater Lake 1 Day Safari (Pickup from accommodation in Kigali City, operated by Vista Safaris) - from $260 per person, 12 hours, rated 5.0 from 6 reviews on GetYourGuide. Page: https://rwandagorillatrekking.tours/guides/mount-bisoke-hike/#tour-15 Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/kigali-l32466/from-kigali-bisoke-summit-trek-crater-lake-1-day-safari-t560127/

## Guide pages
- https://rwandagorillatrekking.tours/guides/3-day-gorilla-trekking-tours/ - 2 and 3 day gorilla trekking tours from Kigali for 2027: lodge nights, golden monkeys and which permits each price covers. Compare both trips.
- https://rwandagorillatrekking.tours/guides/best-time-for-gorilla-trekking-in-rwanda/ - Plan the best time for gorilla trekking in Rwanda 2027: dry seasons, 96 daily permits, $1,500 permit price. Plan your trek.
- https://rwandagorillatrekking.tours/guides/golden-monkey-trekking-rwanda/ - Golden monkey trekking in Rwanda for 2027: the 7:00 report at Kinigi, groups of 16, age 12 and up, and two day trips from Kigali compared.
- https://rwandagorillatrekking.tours/guides/gorilla-trekking-packages-permit-included/ - Gorilla trekking packages with the permit included for 2027: 3 one-day treks from Kigali, 1 hour with the gorillas, cancellation terms compared.
- https://rwandagorillatrekking.tours/guides/is-gorilla-trekking-in-rwanda-safe/ - Is gorilla trekking in Rwanda safe in 2027? What the UK and Canada advise, the 7 m rule, 8 visitors per family and health tips. Read first.
- https://rwandagorillatrekking.tours/guides/mount-bisoke-hike/ - Mount Bisoke hike in 2027: 6 to 7 hours to the 3,711 m crater lake, age 15 and up, and two day trips from Kigali compared. Plan your climb.
- https://rwandagorillatrekking.tours/guides/one-day-gorilla-trekking-from-kigali/ - 1 day gorilla trekking from Kigali in 2027: pickup times, the 7:00 am Kinigi briefing and one hour with the gorillas. Compare the day tours.
- https://rwandagorillatrekking.tours/guides/rwanda-gorilla-trekking-permit/ - Rwanda gorilla permits cost $1,500 in 2027, with 96 permits daily and a 07:00 briefing at Kinigi. See full prices, rules and how to book.
- https://rwandagorillatrekking.tours/guides/rwanda-vs-uganda-gorilla-trekking/ - Rwanda vs Uganda gorilla trekking in 2027: permits, the 1-hour visit, trek length and access from Kigali compared. Pick your country.
- https://rwandagorillatrekking.tours/guides/uganda-gorilla-trekking-from-kigali/ - Uganda gorilla trekking from Kigali in 2027: a 1-day trip and a 4-day Rwanda and Uganda tour, the permit, the border and trek times compared.
- https://rwandagorillatrekking.tours/guides/what-to-wear-for-gorilla-trekking-in-rwanda/ - Kit list for Volcanoes National Park 2027: boots, gaiters, gloves, rain jacket for hikes of up to 4 hours at 2,500 to 4,000m. Plan your outfit now.

## Corrections to claims found elsewhere
- "Gorilla permits are cheap in Rwanda" → Rwanda permits cost $1,500 per person per day for foreign non-residents, significantly more than Uganda's permit, and promotional rates of $200 and $500 apply only to citizens, residents and African travellers and not during June to October. Source: https://visitrwandabookings.rdb.rw/rdbportal/mountain-gorilla-tracking
- "The drive from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park takes all day" → The Kigali to Volcanoes drive is about two hours, roughly a three-hour drive on the official itinerary, so short two and three day trips are realistic. Source: https://visitrwanda.com/itineraries/gorilla-tracking/

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