Gorilla trekking in Rwanda can't be done cheaply — the $1,500 permit sees to that — but it can be done for less. Our budget trek strips the cost back to the essentials: your permit, a seat in a shared vehicle from Kigali, and a guide who gets you to Kinigi on time.
Price: $1,900 per person
| RDB gorilla trekking permit | $1,500 |
|---|---|
| Shared transport Kigali ⇄ Volcanoes NP, driver-guide, water | $400 |
| Total per person | $1,900 |
That's $100 less than the private day trip. The difference: you share the vehicle with other trekkers going to the park on the same date, the schedule is fixed, and meals aren't included (bring snacks or buy lunch in Musanze).
What's the same as a private trek
- The same $1,500 RDB permit, issued in your name
- The same 7:00 AM Kinigi briefing and family assignment
- The same RDB ranger guides and trackers
- The same one hour with a habituated gorilla family
- The same trekking certificate
The park doesn't know or care how you arrived. Once you're at Kinigi, every permit-holder is treated identically.
Itinerary
4:30 AM
Pickup in Kigali
Pickup from a central Kigali meeting point or your hotel along the route. The drive north takes about 2.5 hours.
7:00 AM
Briefing at Kinigi
Registration, a cup of coffee and the rangers' briefing, then assignment to your gorilla family.
8:00 AM onwards
Gorilla trek
Transfer to the trailhead, trek into the forest and spend one hour with the gorillas. Your vehicle waits for everyone in the group.
Afternoon / evening
Return to Kigali
Once the whole group is back, the vehicle returns to Kigali. Expect to arrive between late afternoon and early evening.
Included and not included
Included
- $1,500 RDB permit
- Shared vehicle Kigali ⇄ park
- Driver-guide
- Drinking water
Not included
- Meals
- Porter and tips
- Private schedule
- Accommodation
Who the budget trek suits
Solo travellers, students, overlanders and anyone for whom $100 matters more than having the car to themselves. It's less suitable if you're slow on the trail and don't want to feel others are waiting for you (the vehicle leaves when everyone is back), or if you want a flexible schedule.
Honest note
A shared departure depends on other trekkers booking the same date. If nobody else does, we'll tell you in advance and offer the private trip, or the budget price on a nearby shared date.
Budget trek questions
What is the cheapest way to see gorillas in Rwanda?
Our budget trek at $1,900 per person, including the $1,500 permit. It is a one-day trip from Kigali in a shared vehicle. The permit itself cannot be discounted, so the saving comes from sharing transport.
Is the budget trek a worse gorilla experience?
No. The permit, the ranger guides, the trackers and the hour with the gorillas are identical. Only the vehicle is shared, and you travel on a fixed schedule with other trekkers.
How many people share the vehicle?
Typically up to six travellers going to the park on the same date.
Can I book the budget trek alone?
Yes. It's ideal for solo travellers, since sharing the vehicle is what keeps the price down.
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