Rwanda Safari Prices
Rwanda Safari Prices – what you need to know about safari costs in Rwanda 2023 – 2024
Rwanda safaris are absolutely worth and most popular on travelers’ bucket lists when visiting Africa. Known as a country of a thousand hills, Rwanda has a variety to offer to its visitor from the famous gorilla trekking adventures to exclusive wildlife viewing in savannah safari parks like Akagera National Park. When planning safaris to this beautiful country, Rwanda Safari Prices are considered by many travelers and this article is meant to offer you exclusive knowledge of different safari costs you may incur while in Rwanda. different safari activities in Rwanda have different prices attached to them and in this article, we explain different safari activities and their costs
Safari Prices for Gorilla Trekking
Key to know about different safari costs/prices in Rwanda, a look at different activity prices in Rwanda
Gorilla Trekking Permit Cost – Rwanda Safari Prices
To trek mountain gorillas in any gorilla safari destination, be it Rwanda, Uganda, or DR. Congo, one must acquire a gorilla trekking permit. Since May 2017, the Rwanda Development Board, which oversees gorilla trekking in Rwanda, raised the price of a gorilla permit from USD 750 to USD 1500 per person for each trip. In comparison to other gorilla safari destinations, Rwanda has the most expensive gorilla permits: whereas a gorilla permit in DR. Congo is at USD 450 per person, a gorilla permit in Uganda is at USD 700 (foreign non-residents), USD 600 (foreign residents) and UGX 250,000 for east African Citizens.
Gorilla Safari Packing List
To have the best experience while trekking mountain gorillas, there are several items that you require to make your Rwanda gorilla safari a success.
These include;
- insect repellents
- Hand gloves
- A good camera
- Hiking shoes
- long-sleeved clothing
- Birding binoculars
- Rain jacket.
Note; these items should be purchased before your gorilla safari.
Chimpanzee Trekking Cost – how much is chimp trekking in Rwanda
Nyungwe Forest is home to approximately 400 chimps making it a prime destination for chimp tracking in Rwanda. These massive human cousins are spectacular to watch in the wild as they mimic human behavior and way of life. Tracking chimps offer travelers with an absolute sense of familiarity since they are human closest cousins sharing up to 97% DNA with humans.
In Nyungwe, there are two communities of chimpanzees that can be tracked in Uwinka. Travelers must arrive at the Uwinka Park headquarters by 7:00 a.m. for a briefing and registration. The trek to meet the chimps begins at 8:00 a.m., and the amount of time spent before meeting the chimps is variable. Depending on where the primates are that day, the trek can go anywhere from 30 minutes to a whole day. Travelers are, however, 99% certain of meeting the gentle giants on the day of the excursion. The maximum time spent with chimps is one hour.
Chimpanzee tracking
Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest costs $90 for foreign non-residents, $60 for foreign residents and East African Citizens, RWF 5000 for Rwandans, and $10 for East African community citizens. Students from Rwanda pay RWF2500, foreign residents pay $30, and East African Community students pay $5. This price is good for 24 hours. A chimpanzee permit, like a gorilla permit, expires within an hour of observing the chimpanzees.
Besides chimpanzees, Nyungwe forest is home to 12 more primate species which include Olive Baboons, Silver Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys, Golden monkeys, crowned monkeys, Owl-faced monkeys, L’Hoest’s Monkeys, Red Tailed Monkeys, Golden Monkeys, Dent’s Mona Monkeys, and Hamly’s Monkeys among many others.
Cost of trekking other Primates (Black and white Colobus, Golden Monkey among others)
If you are visiting Nyungwe and would like to trek other primates, foreign non-residents pay $60, foreign residents pay $40, Rwanda citizens pay Rwf 5000, Rwandan citizen students pay Rwf1,500, East African Community students pay $3, and foreign resident students pay $20. This price includes park admission, a tour fee, a conservation fee, and revenue to local communities. Boat Rides
This costs $20 for adults and $30 for children per hour, at a maximum of 11 people, and $180 if you want to rent a whole boat. Sunset boat cruises in Akagera cost $40 for adults and $35 for youngsters.
Camping charge
Camping in Akagera National Park costs $25 per night for adults and $15 for children in a secure camping area and includes your tent and other camping goods.
Fishing Excursions
These cost $25 for adults and $15 for children. This cost is meant to cover the fishing equipment.
Community and cultural encounters
These come in a variety of ways and feature a variety of activities; however, they cost $30 for adults and $20 for children.
Cost of Porters
For travelers who wish to hire potters, they are usually available at an affordable cost, especially during the gorilla trek. Porters will provide services such as luggage lifting when you travel to the jungle for gorilla trekking. Gorilla trekking can be tough for the elderly; and since they must utilize sedan chairs, they have to pay porters to hoist them up when walking. Hiring a sedan chair may cost you around $400, and porters will transport it for you. Porter services are available at $10 per porter.
These porters, some of them are students looking for money for their studies, and others who are men looking for money to support their families, all live close to national parks. However, they are all locals, and by using their services, you will surely be expanding job opportunities and ensuring the welfare of the neighborhood because these porters will be making a living from this line of work.
Cost of a Wildlife Safari in Akagera National Park
Rwanda’s sole savannah national park, the picturesque Akagera National Park, is a haven for diverse wildlife species, including the coveted big five, as well as a plethora of bird species. Those keen on experiencing Rwanda’s rich biodiversity should make a point to visit this park. It’s important to note that various fees, taxes, and contributions are allocated towards the upkeep of this enchanting natural reserve.
Visitors to Akagera Park, categorized into three groups—Rwandans, East Africans, and foreign tourists—will find differing charges based on the activities they choose to engage in. These activities encompass game drives, boat excursions, birdwatching, camping, and more.
Park Entry Fees
Every tourist to Akagera National Park is required to pay park entry fees. Park entrance fees for international tourists are $100 for adults and $50 for children aged 6 to 12 years, $50 for foreign East African residents (adults), and $30 for children. Rwandese nationals on the other hand pay $16 for adults and $11 for children for entrance fees.
Entrance fee for vehicles
Each vehicle entering the National Park must pay a fee based on its size and registration number. In Rwanda and the East African region, small safari cars and minibuses are subject to a $10 registration fee, while omnibus buses or over landers incur fees ranging from $20 to $24. International compact cars and minibuses are charged $40, while buses, over landers, and omnibuses face a tax of $100.
Safari Game Drives.
Safari game drives in Akagera National Park cost $180 for day game drives which last a maximum of 5 hours. This cost includes a driver and safari car that seats up to 7 people. Additionally, the complete day game drive costs $280. Sight View Safaris offers night game drives for $40 per adult and $25 for children.
Safari vacations and travel services designs itineraries in Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC. Over a decade of experience, we are proud of our reputation for executing some of the most highly-rated vacation experiences. Our local consultants plan with you your preferred itinerary using expert ground knowledge. We take care of all the local logistics like permits, accommodation, and transport. And also, manage your entire trip, from start to finish with others services like car hire services.
For inquiries, advice on how to plan for this safari, booking the hiking permits; organizing transport and accommodation. Get in touch with safari vacations and travel services, we help you to avoid inconveniences after landing for the safari.
