Rwanda Increases Gorilla Permit Tarriffs

Press Release from Rwanda Development Board.

Kigali, 6 May 2017 – The Rwanda Development Board today announced an increase in the price of Gorilla Permits from US$ 750 to US $1,500 for all visitors effective immediately. A new exclusive package for tourists who wish to book an entire family of gorillas was also introduced at US$ 15,000, and will receive exclusive personalized tour guide services.

The price increase will not affect tourists who had already purchased their tickets for gorilla trekking at the time of this announcement.

Tourists who visit other national parks (Nyungwe and Akagera) for a minimum of three days, in addition to gorilla trekking will receive a discount of 30%. Similarly, conference tourists, who stay pre or post conference dates to see gorillas will be eligible for a 15% discount.

In line with Rwanda’s high-end tourism strategy, the price increase aims to strengthen conservation efforts and contribute more to the development of communities living around the Volcanoes National Park.

Along with the new tariff, the tourism revenue sharing rate for communities adjacent to the park, will also increase from 5% to 10%, which will quadruple the absolute revenues received by communities. Over the last 12 years, more than 400 community projects have been completed including hospitals, schools, business development centers and water supply systems to facilitate access to clean water. These projects directly benefit the people living around the parks.

Ms. Clare Akamanzi, the Chief Executive Officer at Rwanda Development Board said:

“Gorilla trekking is a highly unique experience. We have raised the price of permits in order to ensure sustainability of conservation initiatives and enhance visitors’ experience. We also want to make sure that the communities living near the park area receive a bigger share of tourism revenues to fund development projects and empower them economically.”

Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest National Park

A visit to Nyungwe Forest National Park is a must for your next trip to Rwanda, with RwandaAir now flying daily from Kigali Airport to the nearby Kamembe Airport. Alternatively the trip by a car takes approximately five hours which is a good option for those who want to visit historical sites like Nyanza and Butare along the way.

Visitors to the Nyungwe National Park will be able to join excursions to view the rare species of Chimpanzees that reside in the area and can enlist the help of a guide to help them discover other animals found in the park; horticulturalists will have the opportunity to explore trails flanked by exotic flora and a multitude of different breeds of orchids.

Willing adventurers need to wake up as early as 5am for an incredible primate viewing experience and a visit to the Cyamudongo Forest because the Nyungwe Rainforest Chimpanzees wake up as early as 4am for breakfast.

Travelers to Nyungwe Forest National park have the option of staying at the Ultra-Luxury Nyungwe Forest Lodge which is set out in a tree plantation on the edge of the Nyungwe Rainforest.

For travelers looking beyond the typical Big-Five Style safari experiences on offer elsewhere in Africa and to instead set-up in a country with over 13 primate species and the endangered mountain Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park then you ought to look no further and pack up for a Safari in Rwanda.

Nyugwe Forest National park is the largest middle altitude rainforest in Africa with over 13 primate species, 275 bird species and over 240 tree species and boasts one of the highest biodiversity levels anywhere in the world.