Allocation of Gorilla Permits in Rwanda

Attaining a gorilla permit is one of the crucial preparations for gorilla trekking in Rwanda, and as such should be done in advance to avoid last-hour rush or disappointments. Provision of these permits is a way of limiting the number of people visiting the endangered mountain gorillas and this is done to reduce any possible spread of diseases as well as stress to these Giant Apes. For Rwanda, gorilla permits cost $1500 per person and have to be purchased at least 6 months in advance, given the high demand for these adventures.

For a total of 12 habituated gorilla groups in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, only about 96 permits are availed each day (on the basis of 8 permits per habituated group) and this is done by the book. Never will a particular gorilla group be trekked by more than 8 visitors and therefore make your plans early.

Rwanda Gorilla Trekking

It is common for visitors planning to undertake gorilla trekking to be inquisitive about a number of things, one of which is how gorilla permits are allocated in Rwanda. You would be asking, why so? Well, the gorilla groups occupy different parts of the Park, some living in high altitude areas thus difficult-to-trek while others would prefer to live and range around low altitude areas thus easier-to-trek. For instance, Sabyinyo and Agashya gorilla groups are some of the renowned relatively easy-to-trek groups. On the other hand, the charming Susa A and Karisimbi Groups are popular hard-to-trek groups in Volcanoes National Park owing to the fact that they inhabit/roam around the slopes of Mount Karisimbi (the highest of the 8 Virunga Volcanoes at 4507 meters above sea level).

Therefore, the allocation of Gorilla Permits in Rwanda is based on;

Age

Age is one of the important parameters used in the allocation of gorilla permits so that travellers of eligible age can get the chance to meet face to face with the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitats. While gorilla treks are agreeably strenuous and physically demanding, some gorilla families in Rwanda especially Agashya and Sabyinyo are considered easy-to-trek groups and therefore during allocation, such gorilla groups are given to the elderly travellers whose fitness levels are still wanting. For this reason, travellers are advised to always make their discomforts known to Tour Operators in the process of booking for permits.

Level of physical fitness

Another factor that guides the allocation of gorilla permits in Rwanda is travellers’ level of physical fitness, although there are also chances of the disabled visitors to trek the mountain gorillas in their natural habitats. Provisions such as the use of sedan chairs are used in Volcanoes National Park to make it possible for the elderly (with wanting physical fitness) and disabled travellers to trek for these Giant Apes. Like it is with age, your physical fitness levels have to be disclosed during booking of gorilla permits because some gorilla groups such as Karisimbi and Susa A are literally hard-to-reach and thus only the physically fit are allocated to such families.

Traveller’s personal interest

While you might be elderly, you are also likely to be physically fit and therefore make it also known, so as to challenge yourself with the renowned difficult-to-trek gorilla groups. Additionally, you might be young and sadly not physically fit or even disabled thus you can also make it known to the booking agent.

The number of times to trek mountain gorillas

If you booked a double gorilla trekking tour in Rwanda, it is obvious that you will be allocated permits for two different gorilla groups. This is done to change the trekking experience. However, regardless of these mentioned parameters, gorilla permits are allocated on a “first-come, first-serve” basis and if you desire to trek a particular group, it is important to book at least 3-To 6 months in advance to avoid being left out.