What You Need to Know: Our Rwanda safaris run from 3 to 14 days, from US$2,946 per person for the 3-day gorilla trek from Kigali and US$2,410 for the 5-day Akagera, Nyungwe and Lake Kivu trip, for 2 travelers at mid-range lodges with permits and park fees included. The gorilla permit costs US$1,500 all year.
Our Rwanda Safaris and Prices
Prices are starting prices per person for 2 travelers at mid-range lodges (luxury for the luxury safari), including park fees and the permits listed; regional flights are quoted separately and your written quotation gives the final price.
| Itinerary | Days | From (per person) | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volcanoes gorilla trek | 3 | US$2,946 | One gorilla trek |
| Akagera, Nyungwe and Lake Kivu | 5 | US$2,410 | Savannah, rainforest, lake; no gorillas |
| Nyungwe and Volcanoes | 6 | US$4,542 | Chimps and gorillas |
| Akagera, Nyungwe and Volcanoes | 9 | US$5,988 | All of Rwanda |
| Rwanda and Uganda | 10 | US$7,270 | Two gorilla treks and chimps |
| Rwanda and Tanzania | 14 | US$8,348 | Gorillas, then the Serengeti |
Rwanda's Parks
| Park | Known for | From Kigali |
|---|---|---|
| Volcanoes National Park | Mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, Dian Fossey's grave | 2.5–3 hours |
| Nyungwe Forest | Chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, the canopy walkway | 5–6 hours |
| Akagera | Rwanda's only Big Five park, boat trips on Lake Ihema | 2.5–3 hours |
| Lake Kivu | Beaches, island boat trips, the Congo-Nile road | 3–4 hours |
Rwanda Gorilla and Primate Permits
| Permit | Uganda | Rwanda |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain gorilla trek | US$800 (US$600 in April, May and November) | US$1,500 all year |
| Chimpanzee tracking | US$250 in Kibale | About US$150 in Nyungwe |
| Golden monkeys | Mgahinga, rate in your quotation | US$100 in Volcanoes |
| Minimum age | 15 for gorillas, 12 for chimps | 15 for gorillas |
Rwanda's gorilla permit is issued by the Rwanda Development Board for a set date and costs US$1,500 per person all year for international visitors. Permits sell out first from June to September and at Christmas: we reserve yours as soon as you confirm.
How We Run Rwanda Trips
Our Rwanda trips are run on the ground by a trusted local partner operator, with a private 4x4 vehicle and an English-speaking driver-guide for your group only. We plan the route with you, send one written quotation and stay your contact throughout, and we handle the flights if you combine Rwanda with a Tanzania or Kenya safari.
When Is the Best Time for a Rwanda Safari?
June to September and December to February are the driest months, with easier trails. March to May and October to November are wetter, but the permit price stays the same and the parks are quieter.
Rwanda Visa and Health Requirements
US citizens can get a Rwanda visa, about US$50, online or on arrival; the East Africa Tourist Visa (US$100) covers Rwanda and Uganda together. Bring a yellow fever certificate if you arrive from a yellow fever country such as Kenya or Uganda.
How to Book a Rwanda Safari
A 30% deposit confirms your trip and the balance is paid on arrival. Refunds: 100% if you cancel 60 days or more before arrival, 90% at 30–59 days, 60% at 15–29 days, 25% at 10–14 days, and nothing under 10 days. Gorilla and chimpanzee permits follow the park authorities' own rules and are usually non-refundable once issued.
What a Gorilla Trekking Day in Rwanda Is Like
You meet the rangers at the park office at about 7:00 for a briefing, and they assign your group of up to eight to one habituated gorilla family. Trackers have gone ahead at dawn to find the family, and you walk with a ranger and armed escort through farmland and into the forest. The walk can take from under an hour to five or six hours there and back.
When you reach the gorillas, you leave your bags and walking sticks with the porters and spend one hour with the family, a few meters away, while the silverback watches over the group and the young ones play. Keep about 23 ft (7 m) back, speak quietly and don't use flash. Then you walk out, and most guests are back at the lodge for a late lunch.
- Wear: waterproof jacket, broken-in boots, long pants tucked into socks, long sleeves and gardening gloves for nettles
- Carry: 2 liters of water, a packed lunch, a rain cover for your camera and insect repellent
- Porters: local porters can be hired at the start, for about US$15–20, and are a big help on steep ground
- Health: if you have a cold or fever, you can't trek: gorillas catch human illnesses
Planning Tips for Rwanda
- Stay near Kinigi: lodges close to the park headquarters mean a short drive to the 7:00 briefing
- Plastic bags are banned: Rwanda prohibits single-use plastic bags, and they may be taken at the airport
- Umuganda: on the last Saturday morning of each month, the country does community work and traffic stops until about 11:00; we plan drives around it
- Add golden monkeys: a second, lighter trek in the bamboo zone for US$100 per person, the day after the gorillas
Common Questions About Rwanda Safaris
How much is a gorilla permit in Rwanda?
US$1,500 per person for international visitors in 2026, all year. It includes the park entry for the trek day.
How long is the gorilla trek in Rwanda?
From under an hour to about six hours there and back, starting at about 8,200 ft (2,500 m), with one hour with the gorillas.
Can I see gorillas on a short trip?
Yes: our 3-day trip from Kigali has one trek and a night either side.
Can I combine Rwanda with a Tanzania safari?
Yes: RwandAir flies between Kigali and Kilimanjaro. See our 10-day Tanzania and Rwanda trip and 14-day Rwanda and Tanzania safari.
Is Rwanda safe?
Rwanda is one of the safest countries in Africa for travelers, with good roads and a clean, orderly capital.
The Bottom Line
Rwanda is the fastest way to a gorilla family, with chimpanzees, golden monkeys and Lake Kivu close by. Book the permit as soon as your dates are set.
Tell us your dates, the number of travelers and what you want to see, through the booking form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and we will send a written quotation and itinerary.