Booking a gorilla permit in Rwanda isn't complicated, but it does need doing in the right order. The single most important thing: secure the permit before you build the rest of your trip around it. Flights and hotels can be changed; a sold-out gorilla date can't.
Step 1: Pick a trek date (and a backup)
Choose the day you'd like to trek, plus a second option if you can. A few practical rules:
- Don't trek on the day you land. Briefings start at 7:00 AM at Kinigi, 2.5 hours from Kigali airport. Arrive at least the day before.
- Leave a buffer before your flight home. Treks can run into mid-afternoon; don't book an international departure from Kigali on the evening of your trek unless it's late at night.
- Avoid the last Saturday morning of the month if you can. That's Umuganda, Rwanda's national community-work morning, when most road traffic stops until around 11:00. Gorilla trekking continues, and tourist vehicles going to the park are usually allowed through, but it's a complication worth knowing about.
- Check the season. June–September and December–February sell out first; see best time to go.
Step 2: Check availability
Send us your date(s), the number of trekkers and how you'd like to travel through our permit availability search or on WhatsApp at +250 796 077 321. We check live permit availability with RDB and reply — usually the same day, often within the hour — with:
- Which of your dates have permits available
- A written quote showing the $1,500 permit and our service fee separately
- Options if your first date is full (nearby dates, or a different trek format)
Step 3: Send passport details
RDB issues permits in each trekker's name. For every person, we need:
| Detail | Why it's needed |
|---|---|
| Full name exactly as in passport | Printed on the permit; checked at Kinigi |
| Nationality | Determines the permit category |
| Passport number | Permit registration |
| Date of birth | Confirms the trekker is 15 or older on trek day |
| Fitness or mobility notes (optional) | Helps rangers assign a suitable family |
Send these by email or WhatsApp. We use them only for your permit and trip and don't share them with anyone except RDB and, where relevant, your lodge. See our privacy policy.
Step 4: Pay to secure the permit
Gorilla permits must be paid in full to be issued. We take the permit amount first, by card payment link or bank transfer, then book it with RDB straight away. For multi-day trips, we take a deposit on the rest of the trip at the same time; the balance is due before you arrive. Every payment gets a written receipt.
Why the permit is paid first
Permits are a scarce, government-controlled inventory. Until a permit is paid for, it isn't yours — it can be sold to someone else. Paying first is what guarantees your date.
Step 5: Receive your confirmation
Once RDB confirms, we send your permit confirmation showing each trekker's name, the date and Volcanoes National Park — normally within one or two working days. Keep a copy on your phone and bring your passport on trek day.
Step 6: Final trek-day details
A week or two before you travel, we confirm:
- Your pickup time (4:30 AM from Kigali on a day trip, around 6:15 AM from a lodge near the park)
- Your driver-guide's name and phone number
- Any fitness or mobility needs we'll pass to the park team
- The packing list and trekking rules
Then it's trek day. Our guide to what to expect walks you through it hour by hour.
Booking timelines at a glance
| When you travel | When to book the permit |
|---|---|
| Peak: June–September, mid-December–February | 3–6 months ahead |
| Shoulder: October–November, early December | 1–2 months ahead |
| Green season: March–May | 4–8 weeks ahead (often less) |
| Last minute | Ask anyway — cancellations do happen |
If plans change
Permits are generally non-refundable once issued. If your flights change, tell us immediately — a date change may be possible depending on RDB rules and availability, but it is not guaranteed. This is why we strongly recommend travel insurance with cancellation cover. Our booking terms set out exactly what applies.
Booking a permit safely
Gorilla permits are valuable, and scams exist. Protect yourself by booking only with an RDB-licensed operator or RDB directly, refusing anyone selling permits "below $1,500", insisting on a company name, physical address and written receipt, and checking that your confirmation shows your own name and date. We're happy to look over any offer you've received elsewhere and tell you honestly if something seems off.
Booking questions
How do I book a gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda?
Choose your date, confirm availability with a licensed operator or RDB, provide passport details for each trekker, and pay the $1,500 permit in full. With us, you send dates by form or WhatsApp, we check availability the same day, and issue your permit confirmation once paid.
What information do I need to book a gorilla permit?
Full name as in passport, nationality, passport number, date of birth (trekkers must be 15+), your preferred trek date and a backup date, and where you'll be staying the night before.
Do I have to pay the full amount upfront?
The permit itself must be paid in full to be secured with RDB. For multi-day trips, we take the permit cost plus a deposit on the rest of the trip, with the balance due before arrival.
How long does it take to receive a permit confirmation?
Usually within one to two working days of payment when the date is available.
Can I book a gorilla permit at the last minute?
Sometimes. In the low season, permits a week or two out are often available, and occasionally even in peak season when bookings change. Message us with your dates and we will check immediately.
Can I choose which gorilla family I visit?
No — families are assigned by RDB at the morning briefing. You can, however, ask for an easier or harder trek, and we pass on fitness and mobility needs in advance.
