The cost of gorilla trekking safari

Even though the gorilla trekking permit is a major contributor to the cost of gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda, it is not the only determinant factor on how much your great journey with the gentle giant in their natural habitats will cost you. Some other major expanses that will cost your Rwanda or Uganda gorilla safari are the choice of accommodation you will opt for which varies from budget accommodation which provides just the basic needs. Mid range accommodation comes with some degree of comfort and the luxury accommodation for the high-end clients/ traveller who highly value their privacy and comfort.

Another determinant we shall look at in this article is the cost of transportation from one destination to another. Are you planning to use public or private means of transport. Are you using road or air means of transport or this will determine how much you are likely to spend during your stay in Uganda and Rwanda on gorilla trekking safari.

On top of the above-mentioned factors, there is other factors that are not very significant but will also impact on how much you will spend on your gorilla trekking safari. These factors may include, the cost of the visa, the time when you plan to travel and many others as we will see in this guide. let us investigate the gorilla trekking costs to enable you realize your once in lifetime dream of walking with the mountain gorilla adventure.

Gorilla permit cost for Uganda and Rwanda

The passport for your gorilla adventure in their natural habitat is gorilla permit. On top of being the most important document to encounter gorillas, it is also likely to be the most significant expense on your Uganda-Rwanda gorilla safari. let us look at both Uganda and Rwanda gorilla permit costs details

Uganda gorilla permit costs (2024-2026)

• Foreign Non-Residents: US$800 per person
• Foreign Residents: US$700 per person
• Citizens of African Countries (outside East Africa): $500 per person
• East African Citizens (Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Burundi): US$ 65 per person

Rwanda gorilla permit costs (2024)

• Foreign Non-Residents: $1500 per person
• Foreign residents: $500 per permit
• African citizens (outside East Africa): $500 per person
• East African citizens (Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Burundi): $200 per person

Why are the gorilla permits so expensive?

Here are some of the reasons why the price of gorilla permit is higher than that of other tourist activities in Uganda and Rwanda that you can engage in on your great adventure.

1. Anti-poaching patrols: The big chunk of gorilla permit money goes on the preservation effort of gorillas. Protecting these endangered great apes from illegal hunting is an expensive but necessary activity to do
2. Research and monitoring: to ensure the continuity of gorilla existence such that even our grand children will have a chance to encounter these gentle giants in their natural habitats scientific research must be invested in and some of the permit goes for that work.
3. Community development: percentage of the permit money is reinvested in the community surrounding the park to improve the well being of the people within the community
4. Park infrastructure: developing the park infrastructure is another thing that need to be invested in a lot of money to ensure the comfort of the park visitors
5. Factors of demand and supply: mountain gorillas are found in just four destination all over the world which are volcanoes national park of Rwanda, Virunga national park of DR Congo, Mgahinga national park and Bwindi national park of Uganda. Virunga national park is currently closed this leave only Uganda and Rwanda as the only place where you can encounter mountain gorillas in their natural habitats. Therefore, this also greatly affect the price of the permit as the demand is extremely high for the permits

By purchasing the mountain gorilla permit, you are not only paying for a once in lifetime experience of walking with these great primates, but you are also in the process support the community and reservation effort of the community and the parks where the gorillas are found.

How to obtain the gorilla permit

You can book your gorilla permit directly from the responsible bodies in the respective countries of Uganda and Rwanda.

Uganda: the permit in Uganda can be purchased from Uganda wildlife authority (UWA) office in Kampala or through your authorized tour operator

Rwanda: the permit in Rwanda can be bought from Rwanda Development Board website or through Rwanda licensed tour operator.

It is highly recommended to purchase your permit through licensed tour operator like active African vacation to avoid a last-minute disappointment especially during the peak season.

Gorilla habituation experience permit (exclusive to Uganda)

In case you wish to spend more time with gorilla beyond the one-hour gorilla permit gives you. Then go for gorilla habituation experience will last for 4 hours while observing the social behavior of gorillas while interacting with them in their natural habitats. The cost of gorilla habituation permit is 1500$ and can only be done at Rushaga sector of Bwindi national park

The exclusive gorilla trekking permit (exclusive to Rwanda)

If you are looking for the gorilla trekking experience which is exclusively private for you and maybe you close family relative, then this is the package for you. Exclusive gorilla trekking will allow to trek mountain gorilla family either you alone all with your close relative and stop you from engaging in the early morning huddles as the briefing will be done in comfort of your lodge. The cost of exclusive gorilla trekking permit is 15,000$ but all other gorilla trekking rules apply.

Gorilla permit booking tips

• Book your permit early to avoid a last-minute disappointment especially during the pick season as gorilla permits are limited and issued on first come, first serve basis. Delaying to book, might you at the risk of missing out on this great adventure
• Be flexible with dates you are planning to trek and the park you are planning to visit. Sometimes there might not be slots in Rwanda but when you can get from the Uganda side. The experience and the terrain are not that different as these parks belong to the Virunga massif. Therefore, not refuse to change your gorilla trekking destination in case you miss out on the permit from your preferred destination.
• Always try to book with the tour operator as they usually know better how the game is played and have got the know how of the local tourism business.

Gorilla safari accommodation costs

The choice of your accommodation on your gorilla trekking safari will greatly affect your overall cost of the safari. With the accommodation choices varying from budget to luxury, you will surely need to make your choice of accommodation in relation to your total safari budget

Uganda

Budget friendly lodges (80$ to 149$ per night)

For the budget traveller, Uganda offers hotel and lodges between 80 and 149 dollars with comfortable rooms but with basic services

Mid-range lodges (150$ to 399$ per night)

The lodges and hotel within this range try to balance between affordability and amenities. They will offer services like Wi-Fi, swimming pool and upgraded room. They are always located in areas with the stunning view to add on your experience

Luxury lodges (400$+ per night)

For those seeking for the ultimate comfort and their privacy is paramount on their trip, luxury lodges are for you. They always range between 400$ and 3000$ depending on the level of comfort you are looking for. These lodges will offer you personalised services.

Composite and homestay

For those low budget travellers and those wishing to get the connection with locals, the composite and homestays are available from as low as 10$.

Rwanda

Mid range lodges (300$ to 790$)

Rwanda known for her high-end tourism that limit the number budget lodges to very few and far in between. However, the mid range lodges can be found at the cost of between 300 and 790 dollars with the balance of affordability and amenities

Luxury lodges (800$+)

The luxury lodges from Rwanda starts from 800$ and goes to the upward of 3000$ with the world class services, world class amenities and exclusively private services

The determinants of accommodation costs

• The distance from gorilla trekking points. The nearer the lodge located to the starting point of gorilla trekking, the higher the prices are likely to be.
• The lodge with the a lot of amenities like swimming pool, WI-FI , spas and more are likely to be more expensive than those that do not offer such services
• The lodge prices increase with the increase in the level of luxury offered by that particular lodge
• Peak season come with an increase in demand of the accommodation which will impact the general prices of the accommodation.

Transport costs

The international airports in Kigali international airport and Entebbe international airport where your international flight will drop you are relatively far from the parks where you will meet gorillas. For instance, to drive from Entebbe to Bwindi national park will take you 11-hour drive whereas driving from Kigali national airport to volcanoes national park is a 2-hour drive and a drive from Kigali to Bwindi is a 6-hour drive. Therefore, the transportation cost must be budgeted for as it is significant. Here are the transportation options we have got for you

Private car hire: (Uganda & Rwanda)

This is the most flexible and convenient way of transferring from airport to the park. It will guarantee your privacy during your safari. The cost of this arrangement range between 100$ and 300$ depending on the choice of your car including the guide and the fuel of the car.

Rental car (Uganda and Rwanda)

For those interested in the self drive, this is a greater option for you. The cost of rental car range between 50$ and 200$ depending on the choice of your car and your itinerary you are going to follow.

Public transport (Uganda)

The cheapest way to transfer from Entebbe to your gorilla destination. However, this mode of transfer is time consuming and will necessitate you to move with people from all corners of the world and you wont dictate when to arrive to your destination

Domestic charter (Uganda)

Given the distance from Kampala to the gorilla trekking destination in Bwindi domestic charter can be arranged by your local tour operator from either Entebbe international airport or kajjansi airstrip and take you to the southwestern Uganda where gorillas are found. The flight is a one-hour flight.

Other costs

It is true that gorilla permit costs, accommodation costs and transportation costs form a big chuck of your gorilla trekking safari but there are other costs that you must consider before embarking on your great journey and these include:

Visa

Uganda: most tourist who are not east African citizens are required to apply for the visa before coming to Uganda. The single-entry tourist visa is applied for only and it cost 50$. The visa is valid for 60 days

Rwanda: like Uganda most visitors who are not east Africans are required to have a visa to access Rwanda. However, unlike Uganda, you can get your Rwanda single-entry visa on arrival in Rwanda at 50$ or apply for one online at the same price

East African visa: for those planning to visit beyond one east African country, you should consider applying for the east African visa that will allow you to visit all east African countries including Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Burundi and DRC, the countries that makes up the east African community.

Porter fees

Porters will help you to carry your luggage. If you have a heavy luggage, consider hiring the porter who will help you to carry the luggage. The cost of a porter is 20$ or it equivalent in local currency

Tipping fees:

Our tipping policy is 10$ as a token of appreciation for the job well done by your guide or drivers.

Additional activities

Batwa community visit (Uganda): the cost of visiting Batwa community on your gorilla trekking in Bwindi or Mgahinga national park is 50$.

Cultural performances: most lodges will arrange cultural performance with the lodges. The activity cost between 5 to 10 dollars.

Gorilla package price range

The gorilla package prices are determined by the destination where you are going to do gorilla trekking whether Uganda or Rwanda, the number of days you are planning to spend on the safari, the choice of accommodation and the transportation means you are planning to use

Uganda

Budget packages: a 3-day budget gorilla package will range between 1400$ and 2,499$ per person including the gorilla permit

Mid-range package: the 5-day mid range package will range between 2,500$ and 4,999$ per person including the gorilla permit

Luxury package: the 5-day luxury package will be in the northward of 5000$ per person including the gorilla permit

Rwanda

Mid-range package: the 2-day mid-range gorilla trekking package will go for the price between 2000$ and 2,999$ including to gorilla trekking permit

Luxury packages: the luxury package for a 4-day gorilla safari will range between 3000$ and 7000$ including your gorilla trekking permit

Gorilla trekking packages in Uganda and Rwanda tailored for you

The 3 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari Tour Rwanda offers travelers an opportunity to adventure the rare species of Mountain Gorillas in their natural vegetation habitat at Volcanoes National park Ruhengeri. Book this trip to experience the best safari tours in Rwanda as you go on a Gorilla trekking adventure

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The 4 Days Primate Safari Tour in Rwanda gives you the opportunity to explore numerous places in Rwanda like Volcanoes National Park where you will watch the Mountain Gorillas enjoying their natural habitat to the fullest as well as Nyungwe Forest National Park

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The 4 Days Primate Safari Tour in Rwanda gives you the opportunity to explore numerous places in Rwanda like Volcanoes National Park where you will watch the Mountain Gorillas enjoying their natural habitat to the fullest as well as Nyungwe Forest National Park where you will track the rare species of Chimpanzees.

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