The cost of a budget Rwanda gorilla trekking and chimpanzee trekking safari depends on the number of days you hope to be on tour, choice of activities to be part of, number of people travelling with and more. Enquire Now
For gorilla trekking in Rwanda, the permit cost is a must for every tourist hoping to go on this Rwanda safari no matter the category of safari package you choose. Currently the cost of Rwanda gorilla trekking permit is $1500 for every tourist. This cost includes ranger guide fees, park entrance fees and more.
$500 for international residents in Rwanda
$500 for Other Africans
$200 for East Africans
The cost of chimpanzee trekking permits for Rwanda is currently $100 per person. You can choose to attend the morning or afternoon session.
Consider the cost of other Rwanda safari amenities including budget accommodation costs. In Rwanda the cost of Budget accommodations to use during gorilla trekking is about $50 and over $120. Note that majority of these facilities operate shared facilities.
The cost of accommodation to use during gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari in Uganda plays a great role in determining the type of safari package you choose.
Hire a 4×4 wheel drive vehicle with a professional and knowledgeable driver guide to make memories of your African safari experience. The cost of transport to use on gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari in Rwanda includes
Fuel or gas cost
Vehicle hire
Driver guide hire
Vehicle maintenance
What is included in the cost of Gorilla and chimpanzee trekking permits for Rwanda
Inclusions and exclusions in the cost of gorilla trekking permit for Rwanda
- Park entrance fees
- Security
- Conservation support
- Research
- One hour with fully habituated gorilla family
- Ranger guide fees and more
- Certificate after gorilla trekking
Exclusions in the cost of Rwanda gorilla permit
Tips
Transport
Personal Expenses
Inclusions and exclusions in the cost of chimpanzee trekking permit for Rwanda
Inclusions in cost of Rwanda chimpanzee permit
- Ranger guide fees
- One hour of chimpanzee trekking
- Security
- Conservation support and more
Exclusions in the cost of Rwanda Chimpanzee permit
Park entrance fees
Person expenses
porter hire and more
When Is The Best Time To Book Rwanda Budget Gorilla And Chimpanzee Trekking Safari
The dry season which is normally June, July, August, September, December and January is generally the best time to do any Rwanda safari but if you have a limited budget the low season may provide the best opportunities for an upgrade. The low tourism season in Rwanda is normally March, April, May and November and this serves as the low tourism season in the country.
No matter when you choose to go on this Rwanda safari, budget cost gorilla and chimpanzee trekking packages are open. You need to select which Rwanda safari activities you feel comfortable being part of so that the perfect itinerary can be customized for your taste.
During the wet season in Rwanda there are more chances of receiving discounts from service providers as they try to breakeven.
Note that you need to book the necessary permits that is gorilla and chimpanzee permits in advance to avoid last minute disappointments.
How Sure Can I Be See The Mountain Gorillas And Chimpanzees In Rwanda
The mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in Rwanda are surely present all season so be assured to see them. After paying a hefty cost on the permits, one wants to be assured of finding these primates as value for money.
To find the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees in Rwanda, some of the techniques to apply include
Attend briefing before gorilla trekking or chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda where communication about the latest information about the gorillas or chimpanzees is explained in details especially the rules.
Each day a team of early risers follows on the gorilla family from the nesting point, determine which direction they may be heading for the days and more. The ranger guides with tourists normally keep in close contact with the researchers who provide possible directions to take. Mountain gorillas and chimpanzees are free animals that traverse the forest with nothing to block them.
On the way to find new locations, mountain gorillas and chimpanzees they leave behind some clues including foot prints, fresh leftovers of celery, community with loud sounds and more. Tourists follow these clues to find where these primates may be spending their day.
Both mountain gorillas and chimpanzees stage their feeding location in a particular area, keep feeding from that area for sometime until food is proved insufficient to satisfy the entire family or community. Even when the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees relocate, they do not move very far from the previous location.
It is very important to have patience when searching to find the mountain gorillas and chimpanzees of Rwanda so that you do not lose the morale for choosing to do this Rwanda safari. Instead of focusing ion finding the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees in Rwanda, you need to open your mind to seeing other forest inhabitants including olive baboons, grey cheeked mangabey and more.
Where To Gorilla Trekking Or Chimpanzee Trekking In Rwanda
Volcanoes National park
For gorilla trekking in Rwanda, Volcanoes National park is the only destination in the country. The volcanoes forest in Rwanda is part of the Virunga Volcanoes which it shares with Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park or Mgahinga National Park in Uganda and Virunga National Park in D.R.Congo.
At the moment, Volcanoes National Park has about 12 gorilla trekking families some include Susa, Amahoro, Umubano and more. Each day maximum 8 gorilla permits of Rwanda are open to the public per gorilla family.
The gorilla trekking experience in Rwanda is quite steep because of the nature of the terrain in this country. The mountain gorillas sometimes spend the day on the slopes of these highlands or deep in the valley so you have to hike to get to them which is quite challenging.
Volcanoes forest is home to other primates including blue monkeys, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys, golden monkeys and more. Birding in Volcanoes forest will never disappoint with more than 200 bird species identified in the forest including Albertine rift endemics.
Nyungwe National Park
Chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda is in Nyungwe National Park a pristine forest that seem to have been forgotten by time as it is one of the largest Afro-montane forests in Africa. Cyamudondo on the outskirts of Nyungwe forest is home to a community of chimpanzees too. Nyuhngwe forest is located in Rusizi district southwestern part of Rwanda.
Each day two chimpanzee trekking sessions happen in Nyungwe forest that is morning and afternoon. Tourists have to report for briefing at the ranger station at Uwinka before proceeding into the forest. Several trails are networked to take you into this rain forest including Igishigishigi trail, Usamo trail and more.
Along the way, you may encounter amazing features in Nyungwe forest including sparkling water falls, highlands and more.
Other than the chimpanzees, Nyungwe forest is home to other primates including blue monkeys, olive baboons, grey cheeked mangabey, red tailed monkeys and more. Birding in Rwanda is best enjoyed when in Nyungwe forest which hosts over 300 bird species including those on the IUCN red list.
What Cheap Accommodation To Book For Budget Gorilla And Chimpanzee Trekking Safari In Rwanda
Accommodation to book for gorilla trekking in Rwanda
The budget accommodation to book while in Volcanoes National Park include Kinigi Guest house, Hotel Muhavura, La Locanda, Villa Gorillas, Virunga Inn and More. In Musaze, there are more chances of getting basic accommodation. Note that majority have share facilities so you must ask for more details about the inclusions and exclusions of the cost of budget accommodations for better planning.
At Arch Safaris And tours, we encourage our tourists to use budget accommodations with more inclusions and security so that you feel safe and comfortable while on Rwanda safari. Over time we have a list of budget accommodation which we have chosen based on how much we have worked with them.
Accommodation book for Chimpanzee trekking Rwanda
Even though Nyungwe National Park has a limited list of accommodations to book while on chimpanzee trekking adventure some available include. Nyungwe eco Villa, Kitabi Eco Center, Gisaku Guest house, Notre Dame Kibeho Rest house,Rwiza Village, Imuhira Ecotourism Campsite, Nyungwe Tophill View Hotel, Gisaku Campsite and more.
How much time Do I Need During A gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari in Rwanda
To do both gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda, you need at least 5 days gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari.
For Rwanda gorilla trekking, you can choose the 2 days gorilla trekking package but ensure to have secured a gorilla permit in advance and no flight delays. The drive from Kigali international airport to Volcanoes National Park is about three hours. This is the shortest time to do a gorilla trekking safari but you need to have ticked all the necessary safari boxes in advance to avoid disappointments.
How To Get To Volcanoes National Park
The distance from Kigali to Volcanoes National park is about 109 kilometers taking about 3 hours drive time through winding roads. There are alternative routes to volcanoes forest depending on the location of your pick up spot.
How To Get To Nyungwe National Park In Rwanda from Kigali
The distance from Kigali to Nyungwe National park is about 219 kilometers depending on the route you take to get to Murama. The time to take from Kigali to Nyungwe forest is about 4 to 5 hours.
You can choose to take a charter flight from Kigali to Nyungwe forest at Kamembe international Airport but do not forget to hire a transfer vehicle.
Tips To Rwanda Gorilla Trekking And Chimpanzee Trekking Safari
Select when to do gorilla or chimpanzee trekking safari permanently or temporally as these help with finding permit availability. Purchase the gorilla or chimpanzee permit as soon as you can. Do organize this Rwanda safari in advance to avoid getting disorganized at the last minute.
Do some exercises before the gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda to keep your body fit as you have to hike to get to where these primates may be spending the day.
Mountain gorillas and chimpanzees are susceptible to human communicable infections like covid-19, cough, flu and this is also included in the rule of gorilla and Chimpanzee trekking, An affected tourists is requested to volunteer and stay in case they catch a communicable infection to avoid spreading the germs to these highly vulnerable and endangered primates.
When with the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees avoid making unnecessary movements because this may appear suspicious to the mountain gorillas or chimpanzees.
Pack the right gorilla and chimpanzee trekking gears in colors that are wilderness friendly including tan, forest green and more. Try to avoid colors like blue, black, white and more at these may attract stinging insects like tsetse flies.
Why Visit Rwanda For A safari
Rwanda has natural beauties that are getting rare to find in the world and most of the safari activities are eco based therefore immersing you in the aromas of nature.
Rwanda is one of the only three homes of the mountain gorillas in the world and these primates cannot be found else where in the world. Being a few meters from the huge yet gentle mountain gorillas is magical as you watch the family go about their daily work without any supervisor but natural instincts leading them.
The people of Rwanda are welcoming no matter where you come from creating a safe environment to relax and make memories that last a life time.
By purchasing a gorilla or chimpanzee permit you support the conservation plan as more funds are still needed to support this noble cause. Mountain gorillas and chimpanzees are on the list of highly endangered species in the world.
If you are tired of the chaos in the city and want to listen to the calls of the jungle, a Rwanda safari has got you covered. In the night, you get to bed listening to the calls of the jungle especially when sleeping in the lodges situated within the National Parks. By purchasing locally made souvenirs during Rwanda safari, you contribute to the income of the locals and its one way to support wildlife conservation in Rwanda.