How Much Does It Cost to Go Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda – Rwanda Gorilla Safaris
How Much Does It Cost to Go Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda : It doesn’t matter how to go gorilla trekking experience but the main issue for gorilla trekking is the cost of trekking permits, accommodation, transport, meals and tips and other expenses like hiring a porter. To most of the international travelers to Rwanda or Uganda book their safari in an organized tour package; while considering the easiest route.
The most important expense is your gorilla trekking permits that allows you to see gorillas into their relevant national park and one hour to spend with great mountain gorillas accompanied by park ranger guides.
Gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda costs USD1,500 per person per day, and the only difference that should arise in your trekking experience, is the general gorilla tour arrangements. Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is located few kilometers away from the main arrival airport in the country –Kigali International Airport, which makes it much easier to access by road, compared to Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla national park which are far located from Entebbe Airport, where you need 9 to 10 hours’ drive. Although the daily flights are available which takes 1:15 hours. In order to enjoy your gorilla trekking experience, you need at least 2 days or 3 days to complete your gorilla’s tours in Rwanda, the same goes to Uganda Gorilla Tours. Though the Uganda gorilla permits are cheaper compared to Rwanda’s gorilla permits which costs USD1,500 per person per day and Uganda’s gorilla permits costs USD700 per person and an hour provided to watch these unique mountain gorillas in their nature inhabitant. To some visitors due to Uganda’s cheaper fee for gorilla trekking end up arriving in Kigali and arrange to Visit Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park via Kigali. Where you will need 3 days for the entire tour.
However, Rwanda’s Volcanoes National park sits at the edge of the rift valley because the gorillas are the most wholly habituated and often found in bamboo than the dense forest with easier photography taking. You should also note this, you can as well do Rwanda gorilla trekking in one day and fly back home since the park is located near the International airport. And if a tour operator organizes you a tour package they definitely consider the cost and include it in your tour cost.
The gorilla trekking permits are highly regulated by the government authorities that help to control human gorilla interaction and generate much needed revenue. In Rwanda –Gorilla trekking permits can be got through Rwanda Tourism Board. The availability of permits in Rwanda or Uganda is limited by the number of habituated gorilla groups and limited number of visitors allowed per family. That is eight people per group per trek.
Each Gorilla trekking permit has a unique serial number and the travelers’ personal details. Note, they are non-transferable and non-refundable except for medical reasons. You will have to send your scanned person documents to start booking your permits like passport.
Gorilla trekking starts early in the morning, so we recommend you to book an accommodation near to your assigned gorilla family. Note this, on your gorilla trekking safari you need to arrive at the park the day before you trek -accommodation options are full board.
Note; The majority of the lodges are independently owned, by the locals and others by international tour operators. Though the locally owned lodges are bit cheaper. Some are commercially run and others support the local projects. The internationally owned accommodation often have more years in the business thus giving a better overall experience.
Gorilla trekking experience also requires to hire a porter who goes at a fee of USD10 to USD20 per person per trek.
Lastly, much more still need to complete your Gorilla trekking tour package and all you need to do is to contact your tour operator and be very careful as you contact or email them. If possible you us Achieve Global Safaris for bookings or a total cost of your tour package for Gorilla trekking. You can start planning now!
