Gorilla Permits in Volcanoes National Park.
Gorilla permits in Volcanoes National Park are legal documents issued by the Rwanda Development Board that allow travellers to see the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitats. All travellers visiting the endangered mountain gorillas must present this document at the park’s head offices for verification, and participants should carry their permits on the day of trekking. Volcanoes National Park is among the three destinations hosting the endangered mountain gorillas, and it’s the second destination with the highest number of endangered mountain gorillas after Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. Volcanoes National Park is one of the most visited national Parks in East Africa, famous for hosting the endangered mountain gorillas. It’s within the Virunga conservation area established to protect the endangered golden monkeys and mountain gorillas. It’s the oldest national park on the continent, established in 1925 to protect the endangered animals that existed at that time. The park is home to over 30% of the endangered mountain gorillas, with over 14 habituated mountain gorilla families which are accustomed to human presence. Each gorilla family is allotted a maximum of 8 participants per day, for a total of 112 gorilla permits per day.
Cost of Gorilla Permits in Volcanoes National Park.
Gorilla permits in Rwanda are very expensive compared to other gorilla destinations in East Africa, like Uganda and Rwanda; the cost is worth the experience. Each gorilla permit purchase portion of the money is dedicated to the gorilla conservation projects and the local communities. A gorilla permit costs $1500 for foreign nonresidents, $ 500 foreign residents, $ 500 rest of Africa, and $ 200 for East African residents.
Best time to book the Gorilla Permits.
Gorilla permits in Rwanda are subject to availability on a first-come, first-served basis. The park offers 112 permits per day, and only 112 participants are lucky to see the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitats daily. Travellers are advised to book the gorilla permits in advance. Travellers planning to travel in high season, which is in June, July, August, December, September, January and February, are advised to book their gorilla trekking permits early, like 3 to 6 months before the trekking date to avoid disappointments, since the majority of travellers prefer the high season. Those planning to trek in the low season in March, April, May, October, and November can book their gorilla trekking permits at least 1 to 2 months before the trekking date.
How to Book Gorilla Trekking Permits in Volcanoes National Park.
Travellers planning their gorilla trekking safari in Volcanoes National Park can book their gorilla permits directly through the Rwanda Development Board by sending them an email with the date, month, year of trekking and the number of people. Alternatively, you can book your gorilla permits through a trusted travel company like Caracal Explorers. You will contact us by sending an email indicating the date, month, and year you would like to do gorilla trekking and the number of people. We will check for availability and respond to your email. Once you confirm with us, we will request you to make payments, and we will purchase your gorilla trekking permit, and we will share the receipts with you.
Best time to do Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is done throughout the year, and the best time varies on individual’s interests. The park receives two seasons, the dry season and the wet season, both of which provide exceptional safari experiences. The dry season is the most loved period, which is from December to February and from June to September. During this period, the park receives little to no rainfall, it’s less muddy and slippery, making it easy to penetrate the park in search of the endangered mountain gorillas. The wet season is from March to May and from October to November. This period is characterised by little to no rainfall; the park is muddy, making it challenging to search for the endangered mountain gorillas. Though this season favours budget travellers as most accommodations offer discounts during this season.
