Rwanda Safari Cost, Day By Day Prices, Tours for 2025.

One of the few African nations that uses a low volume but expensive tourism strategy is Rwanda, which has made significant investments in promoting its travel industry. The main activity for tourists on safari in Rwanda is mountain gorilla trekking. However, the nation is home to a variety of other intriguing sites, such Nyungwe National Park, where visitors may experience monkey viewing.

Popular for its thrilling game viewing safaris, Akagera National Park also offers exciting city tours and cultural tours that give you a close-up look at Rwandans and a thorough understanding of the 1994 genocide, which killed thousands of people. The Genocide Memorial sites are located all over the country.

The price of a safari in Rwanda’s largest tourist destination, Akagera National Park, and the cost of a gorilla trekking safari will be the main topics of this article.

The cost of a Rwanda safari – The price of a gorilla trekking safari in Rwanda

“How much does it cost to see the gorillas of Rwanda?” is one of the most frequent questions asked by many tourists that come to this beautiful nation. Simply put, there isn’t a set cost for this kind of safari; however, each Rwanda gorilla tour itinerary has its own price that is based on a variety of factors, as we will see below. These factors include the cost of a trekking permit, transportation, and lodging, among others.

The cost of gorilla trekking in Rwanda – Factors influencing Gorilla Trekking Rwanda’s price Cost of Hotels and Lodges in Safari, Rwanda

It is crucial to remember that the price of the over safari will be heavily influenced by the cost of the lodging you choose. Rwanda has a variety of lodging alternatives, including some of the best luxury accommodations, mid-range accommodations, and affordable accommodations.

Vacationers will undoubtedly find something within their budget at Volcanoes National Park, which is home to the mountain gorillas. With the assistance of a reliable tour operator, you will also undoubtedly have a somewhere to stay. Because of this, it is strongly recommended that you take your time and choose the kind of lodging that best fits your needs and budget.

For affordable lodging that can cost as little as $100 USD per night, you can also choose to stay in Kigali City, which is about a three to four-hour drive away. However, since the trekking activity starts at 8 a.m., you should arrange for transportation that will get you there in time for the activity.

Cost of a Gorilla Trekking Permit in Rwanda Starting in May 2017, the Rwanda Development Board, which oversees the gorilla trekking activity in Rwanda, doubled the gorilla permit fee from 750 US dollars to 1500 US dollars per person per trek.

This means that anyone who wants to participate in this activity, whether they are trekking in Rwanda, Uganda, or the Democratic Republic of the Congo, must have a permit. Rwanda has the priciest permits compared to other mountain gorilla sanctuaries in other nations; neighboring Uganda costs $800 per permit each hike, while the Democratic Republic of the Congo charges $450 per person every trek.

Purchasing gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda is simple and can be done via any of your reliable local tour operators or by getting in touch with the Rwanda Development Board directly at reservation@rwandatourism.com.

Safari Transport in Rwanda

The majority of gorilla trekking safaris start in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. It takes around three hours to travel from Kigali International Airport to Volcanoes National Park, which is home to the mountain gorillas.

The packs can be accessed in a number of ways, including private transportation arrangements, such as a taxi, which costs roughly $50 USD. Alternatively, you can choose to use public transportation, like a taxi, but these have a number of drawbacks, including multiple stops along the way and only get you to the park entrance gate at Kinigi, even though it’s only about 14 km from Kinigi to the park headquarters where the activity starts.

Depending on the kind of vehicle you want to use, prearranged transportation services via your tour operator are the most convenient method to get to this park. These services may cost as little as $100.

The price of portage services

Porters may be hired from the park headquarters to do tasks like carrying your bags while you travel into the jungle to search for the mountain gorillas. The cost of the porter services is $10 per porter. By utilizing their services, you will be supporting the welfare of the local population by generating income from such activities and increasing employment prospects.

The cost of a driver guide is included in the total safari price quote you will receive. This includes the cost of hiring an English-speaking guide who will be on duty around-the-clock from the beginning of your safari (Day 1), when you arrive, until you are dropped off at the airport for your scheduled departure flight. This book will be extremely helpful in answering any questions you may have about the history, fauna, and the customs and way of life of the locals.

Prices for safaris in Rwanda – The ideal season to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda

Although mountain gorilla trekking is often thought of as a year-round sport, the ideal times to see the gorillas are during the long dry season, which runs from June to September, or the short dry season, which runs from mid-December to February.

In contrast to the wet rainy season, these seasons provide rather decent trekking conditions with a minimal danger of malaria. The lengthy rainy/wet season, which runs from March to May, is characterized by severe and continuous rain, making it difficult to hike mountain gorillas since the forest pathways are muddy and exceedingly slick.

The price of a safari in Akagera National Park for game viewing

In addition to other species and birds, the Big Five may be found in the exquisitely stocked Akagera National Park, which is a popular destination for tourists interested in Rwanda’s diverse wildlife. However, the national parks are maintained and employees are paid via a variety of levies, government taxes, and related payments.

There are three primary groups of people who visit Akagera Park: Rwandans and East Africans, Rwandans and East Africans, and foreign visitors. The prices for each of these groups vary based on the activities they plan to partake in, such as game drives, boat cruises, bird watching, and camping.

Akagera Wildlife Safari – Safari Fees in Akagera National Park

A list of some of the fees associated with accessing Akagera National Park is provided below.

The cost to enter the park:

Citizens from Rwanda and East Africa pay 7.5 USD, while minors ages 6 to 12 pay $4 USD.

Residents of East African communities and foreigners living in Rwanda pay $35 USD, while the children pay $20 USD.

The youngsters pay $30 and foreign tourists pay $50.

Entrance charge for vehicles:

Depending on its size and registration plate, any car entering the National Park must pay a specified amount. Small cars and minibuses registered in the Rwandan and East African communities cost $12 USD, whereas buses and omnibuses or overlanders pay $20 to $24.

Buses, overlanders, and omnibuses cost $100 USD, whereas foreign compact cars and minibuses cost $40.

The cost of a guide in Akagera

These are available for hire for $25 USD for a half-day or $40 USD for a full day for anyone who are interested.

Fees for game drives

The Akagera Management firm offers game drives throughout the day for 180 US dollars for a maximum of five (5) hours, which includes a driver and a car that can hold up to seven persons. Full-day game drives cost 280 US dollars.

The Akagera Management business still hosts night game drives, which cost $25 for kids and $40 for adults.

Trips for Fishing

It costs $25 USD for adults and $15 USD for kids when you bring your own equipment.

Boat Vacations

For one hour, it costs $35 USD for adults and $20 USD for kids. The cost of a sunset boat cruise is $35 for kids and $45 for adults.

The cost of camping

Although you bring your own tent and other camping supplies, it costs $25 USD per person per night at a safe campground.

Cultural and communal experiences

They cost $30 for adults and $20 for youngsters, but they come in a variety of forms and provide a range of activities.

When to go to Akagera National Park is best.

Although you may visit Akagera National Park at any time of year, the best time to go is during the dry season, which runs from June to September. During this time, the foliage is often sparse and dry, providing you with very wonderful vistas of the animals. Since many of the animals congregate near the few water sources that remain throughout the dry season, it is easier to spot them at this time of year.