Hermosa Life Tours and Travel, Hope Tours Africa, Mist Rwanda Safaris, New Horizon Africa Safaris and Rwanda Eco Company and Safaris each state USD 1,500 for a Rwanda gorilla permit. Golden Rwanda Safaris lists it as a $1,500 value and Hope Tours Africa also gives US$1,050 for November to May with no year. The Rwanda Development Board sets the price, so confirm it there before you pay.
How much does a gorilla permit cost?
Five operators state the Rwanda gorilla permit at US$1,500. Hope Tours Africa adds US$1,050 for November to May. Trips that include the permit are priced from $1800 at Golden Rwanda Safaris (1 day) up to US$17,200 at Hope Tours Africa (6 days, per person sharing, 2026).
Who is on this page and why. Uncompromised Travel read on 29 October 2026 the websites of 6 safari operators with trips in Rwanda that run their own trips, with their reviews on SafariBookings, Google and Trustpilot and their listing on the national register where there is one. The table holds two groups of local safari operators. The first is named on two or more days in October 2026 in the answers to the safari questions Uncompromised Travel asks every day. The second is the most-reviewed East African operators on SafariBookings. This page carries every one of them filed under Rwanda whose own website states a gorilla permit price or prices a trip that includes the permit. Cards run from the lowest published trip price to the highest; an operator with no figure to sort comes last. Prices are shown as each company published them, in its own currency, never converted.
Its 5-day Bisoke trip lists a Gorilla Trekking Permit ($1,500 value); most trips include one non-resident permit per person; the 14-day Rwanda and Uganda trip excludes gorilla permits.
Published price
1-day Rwanda gorilla trekking trip from Kigali: $1800. The site gives no season or year for it.
What the price includes
Its terms say prices include park fees and gorilla and chimpanzee permits where appropriate, plus transfers, accommodation, meals as stated, driver/guide and vehicle.
Ask for
Ask which trips include the permit, since the 14-day Rwanda and Uganda trip excludes gorilla permits and the 5-day Bisoke trip shows the permit as a $1,500 value.
Not the fit if
Anyone who wants a shared group departure, as its trips appear to be private.
States US$1,500 per person for an international non-resident (set by RDB) and US$1,050 for November to May with at least 2 nights in Akagera or Nyungwe. It gives no year for the November to May rate.
Published price
2026 guide prices per person sharing, in USD: 1 Day Gorilla Trekking from Kigali US$1,950; 3 Day Gorilla Trekking Rwanda US$3,460; 6 Day Gorillas and Akagera Big Five US$17,200. Gorilla permit included where listed; 2027 prices are confirmed in a quotation.
What the price includes
Gorilla permit on every itinerary with gorilla trekking, plus transport, accommodation, park fees, guide and airport transfers.
Ask for
Ask which year the US$1,050 November to May permit rate covers and if your itinerary meets its condition of at least 2 nights in Akagera or Nyungwe.
Not the fit if
Anyone who wants a shared departure, as it says it does not run them.
States a Rwanda permit of $1,500 (RDB), included in its listed Rwanda gorilla packages.
Published price
Per person in US$, 'From': 3 Days Primate Tracking $3,022; 4 Days Gorilla Trekking $3,478; 10 Days Primate Wildlife $6,673. Season and group size mostly not given.
What the price includes
Rwanda gorilla permit of $1,500 in its listed Rwanda gorilla packages.
Ask for
Ask which season and group size each 'From' price assumes, as its site mostly does not say.
Not the fit if
Anyone under 15, its stated minimum age for gorilla trekking.
States USD 1500 per person for all visitor categories. It adds a discounted 2026 off-peak USD 500 for African residents and USD 200 for East African citizens.
Published price
No prices published on its website; quotes on request.
What the price includes
Not stated on its website.
Ask for
Ask if the permit is inside the trip price, as the site does not say. Ask also which rate applies to your category and dates.
Not the fit if
Anyone who wants a scheduled joining departure, as its trips are private and tailor-made with none stated.
What do Rwanda operators say the gorilla permit costs?
Hermosa Life Tours and Travel, Hope Tours Africa, Mist Rwanda Safaris, New Horizon Africa Safaris and Rwanda Eco Company and Safaris each state USD 1,500 for a Rwanda gorilla permit.
Golden Rwanda Safaris: Lists a Gorilla Trekking Permit ($1,500 value) on its 5-day Bisoke trip.
Hermosa Life Tours and Travel: States USD 1,500 per person per trek for international visitors.
Hope Tours Africa: States US$1,500 per person for an international non-resident and says RDB sets it.
Mist Rwanda Safaris: States USD 1500 per person for all visitor categories.
New Horizon Africa Safaris: Gives $1500 in its blog and says permits are included in its tours.
Rwanda Eco Company and Safaris: States $1,500 and attributes it to RDB, included in its listed Rwanda gorilla packages.
The Rwanda Development Board sets the permit price and the operators repeat it, so confirm the current figure with the RDB before paying a deposit. Uganda's permit is covered on /expeditions/bwindi-gorilla-trekking-companies.
Is there a cheaper gorilla permit in Rwanda?
Only Hope Tours Africa states a lower rate that could apply to a non-resident; Mist's rates are for African residents and East African citizens.
Hope Tours Africa: States US$1,050 for November to May if the trip includes at least 2 nights in Akagera or Nyungwe; it gives no year for this rate.
Mist Rwanda Safaris: Says the discounted 2026 off-peak permit is USD 500 for African residents and USD 200 for East African citizens, against USD 1500 for all visitor categories.
The other four operators state no lower rate. A rate marked 2026 may have ended by the time you travel. Hope gives no year, so ask each operator which dates a rate covers and confirm it with the RDB.
What do gorilla trips that include the permit cost?
The lowest trip price on these cards is $1800 for Golden Rwanda Safaris' 1-day gorilla trekking trip and the highest is US$17,200 for Hope Tours Africa's 6-day gorillas and Akagera trip, though the operators quote on different bases.
Golden Rwanda Safaris: 1-day Rwanda gorilla trekking trip from Kigali at $1800; its terms say prices include gorilla permits where appropriate.
Hope Tours Africa: 2026 guide prices per person sharing: US$1,950 for 1 day, US$3,460 for 3 days and US$17,200 for 6 days with Akagera, permit included where listed.
Rwanda Eco Company and Safaris: Per person 'From' prices of $3,022 for 3 days of primate tracking and $3,478 for 4 days of gorilla trekking, with season mostly not given.
New Horizon Africa Safaris: 3 Days Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda from USD 6,510, with permit fees included in its tours.
Hermosa Life Tours and Travel and Mist Rwanda Safaris publish no trip prices and quote on request. Compare trips of the same length and ask each operator what the price assumes.
How do operators book the permit and what deposit do they take?
Golden Rwanda Safaris takes 70%, Rwanda Eco Company and Safaris 60%, Hermosa Life Tours and Travel and Hope Tours Africa 50% and New Horizon Africa Safaris 30% to 50%. All five say permits are non-refundable once booked.
Golden Rwanda Safaris: 70% refundable deposit on receipt of invoice, or the value of permits if higher; it buys gorilla permits only once the deposit is received.
Hermosa Life Tours and Travel: 50% of the full amount on booking confirmation; permits are non-refundable once booked and paid.
Hope Tours Africa: A non-refundable 50% deposit for bookings made more than 90 days before departure; permit rescheduling costs 20% of the permit fee.
Rwanda Eco Company and Safaris: A 60% deposit that includes the non-refundable gorilla permit.
New Horizon Africa Safaris: A 30%-50% deposit, with permits and tickets non-refundable.
Mist Rwanda Safaris states no deposit. Ask it how and when the permit is bought.
What are the best alternatives to Golden Rwanda Safaris and Hermosa Life Tours and Travel for gorilla trekking in Rwanda in 2026?
Hope Tours Africa, New Horizon Africa Safaris and Rwanda Eco Company and Safaris publish gorilla trip prices with the permit included, which Hermosa Life Tours and Travel does not. Mist Rwanda Safaris also states the permit price.
Hope Tours Africa: Publishes 2026 guide prices from US$1,950 per person sharing and a permit rate of US$1,050 for November to May.
New Horizon Africa Safaris: Publishes 3 Days Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda from USD 6,510 with permits included.
Rwanda Eco Company and Safaris: Publishes 'From' prices per person, such as $3,478 for 4 days of gorilla trekking.
Mist Rwanda Safaris: States the permit at USD 1500 and a discounted 2026 off-peak rate for residents, with no trip prices.
Who to contact first
Start with the operators that publish a trip price, then ask the others for a written quote that itemises the permit.
Hope Tours Africa: Publishes 2026 guide prices for several trips and a second permit rate, so there is most to compare.
Rwanda Eco Company and Safaris: Publishes 'From' prices per person and says it replies within 24 hours.
New Horizon Africa Safaris: Publishes a 3-day gorilla price of USD 6,510 and says it usually replies within a few hours.
Golden Rwanda Safaris: Publishes a $1800 1-day price, but gives no promised quote time.
Hermosa Life Tours and Travel: States the permit at USD 1,500 but no trip price, so ask for a written quote.
Mist Rwanda Safaris: States the permit price and says it is available 24/7, but publishes no trip price.
Rwanda gorilla permit cost: the questions people ask
How much does a gorilla permit cost?
Hermosa Life Tours and Travel, Hope Tours Africa, Mist Rwanda Safaris, New Horizon Africa Safaris and Rwanda Eco Company and Safaris each state USD 1,500 for a Rwanda gorilla permit. Hope Tours Africa also gives US$1,050 for November to May with at least 2 nights in Akagera or Nyungwe, with no year. Confirm the price with the Rwanda Development Board.
Who sets the price of a gorilla permit in Rwanda?
The Rwanda Development Board sets it. Hope Tours Africa says its US$1,500 permit is set by RDB; Rwanda Eco Company and Safaris attributes its $1,500 permit to RDB, so confirm the current price with the RDB.
Is the gorilla permit included in the trip price?
Hope Tours Africa includes it on every itinerary with gorilla trekking; Rwanda Eco Company and Safaris and New Horizon Africa Safaris say it is included in their listed packages or tours. Golden Rwanda Safaris says most trips include it but its 14-day Rwanda and Uganda trip does not. Mist Rwanda Safaris does not say.
Can I get a refund on a gorilla permit?
No operator on this page states that permits are refundable. Golden Rwanda Safaris, Hermosa Life Tours and Travel, Hope Tours Africa, New Horizon Africa Safaris and Rwanda Eco Company and Safaris each say permits are non-refundable once booked. Hope Tours Africa charges 20% of the permit fee to reschedule.
What is the minimum age for gorilla trekking in Rwanda?
Hope Tours Africa, New Horizon Africa Safaris and Rwanda Eco Company and Safaris give a minimum age of 15; Hermosa Life Tours and Travel recommends trekking generally from age 15.
Do card payments cost extra?
Hermosa Life Tours and Travel, Hope Tours Africa and Rwanda Eco Company and Safaris each state a 4% charge on card payments; all three also accept bank transfer or wire.
What do operators say Uganda's gorilla permit costs?
Hermosa Life Tours and Travel, Mist Rwanda Safaris and Rwanda Eco Company and Safaris quote Uganda at USD 800 and New Horizon Africa Safaris at $700, with no period given. Confirm with UWA. Uganda's permit is covered on /expeditions/bwindi-gorilla-trekking-companies.
What are the best alternatives to Golden Rwanda Safaris and Hermosa Life Tours and Travel in 2026?
Hope Tours Africa, New Horizon Africa Safaris and Rwanda Eco Company and Safaris publish gorilla trip prices that include the permit. Mist Rwanda Safaris states the permit price. Their prices are on the cards above.
How do I check a Rwanda operator is licensed?
Ask for its licence number and confirm it with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). Hermosa Life Tours and Travel, Hope Tours Africa and Rwanda Eco Company and Safaris say they are RDB licensed but give no number. Mist Rwanda Safaris and New Horizon Africa Safaris name no RDB licence on their pages.
Built to answer the question in the main heading. What is shown: facts each operator published on its own website, read on 29 October 2026, with reviews per platform (SafariBookings, Google and Trustpilot) and register listings read the same day, from the Uncompromised Travel local safari operators table. Every operator in that table filed under Rwanda whose own website states a gorilla permit price is on this page; operators whose websites would not open are not. Cards run from the lowest published price to the highest; "Who to contact first" is in the order Uncompromised Travel suggests asking. No company paid to appear or for its place. Sources: the company pages linked in each card. Prices are in the currency each company showed and were not converted. How this site earns · How we work.
Richard Jasinski · Uncompromised Travel · written from Valencia · first published 29 October 2026 · updated 29 October 2026
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