How to Book a Rwanda Gorilla Permit in 2026: Step-by-Step

All gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda are issued by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). There are only 96 permits available per day (8 visitors × 12 habituated gorilla families), making them a limited and sought-after commodity.

You cannot buy permits directly from the national park gate. They must be booked in advance through RDB or through a licensed tour operator like Gerry Tours & Safaris.

Working with a licensed Rwandan operator is the easiest and most reliable way to secure your permit. Here's why:

1. We have direct RDB allocation. Licensed operators receive permit allocations and can often access dates that appear sold out on the public portal. 2. We handle all paperwork. Passport copies, payment processing, and permit collection — all done for you. 3. We match you to the right family. Based on your fitness level and interests, we request a family assignment that suits your group. 4. No markup on permit price. A legitimate operator charges the RDB price ($1,500) with no hidden fees.

At Gerry Tours & Safaris, we include the permit cost in all our itinerary pricing — so there's nothing extra to arrange.

Rwanda's best-kept secret: if you combine gorilla trekking with a visit to Akagera National Park (Big Five) or Nyungwe Forest (chimpanzees), RDB offers a discounted gorilla permit at USD $1,050 instead of $1,500.

That's a 30% saving — and you get to experience more of Rwanda. The combo must be booked as a package through a licensed operator. Individual components cannot be mixed and matched after the fact.

All of our multi-park itineraries (The Complete Rwanda, Rwanda in Full, The Ultimate Rwanda) automatically include the combo permit.

RDB's cancellation policy is strict: - 90+ days before trek: Full refund minus $100 admin fee - 45–89 days: 50% refund - Less than 45 days: No refund - Bad weather cancellation by RDB: Full reschedule to next available date or full refund

We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers trip cancellation for pre-existing medical conditions, flight delays, and political disruptions. We can advise on suitable policies.