Rwanda Gorilla Permit Discount – Promotional Offers during COVID

The government of Rwanda has devised means of kick starting the tourism industry since it was hard hit by COVID-19. This global pandemic humbled the entire world when it caused unprecedented lock-downs and damage to businesses. One of the strategies Rwanda has used to encourage tourists into the country is discounting fees for gorilla permits and other tourism products. Gorilla trekking is arguably the most popular tourism product of Rwanda. Many tourists have in the past years flown to Rwanda mainly to see wild gorillas.

Rwanda had become a prime destination for luxury gorilla travelers. The Volcanoes National Park become a great gorilla trekking destination because visitors don’t have to travel much from the capital Kigali to see the primates. You can read about gorilla permit discounts in Uganda. However, when COVID-19 struck, there was an overnight decline in the number of bookings and travelers for gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes National Park. This decline was attributed to the limited movement imposed by countries to curb the highly infectious coronavirus. Moreover, the cost of gorilla trekking in Rwanda is relatively high. The world has now learnt how to deal with COVID-19 and vaccines have been found that are effective against the virus. There are standard operating procedures which have been put in place so that people can get back to their normal lives. Once people started traveling again, Rwanda begun work on reviving gorilla tourism in a big way. They have put in place incentives and discounts on gorilla permits to attract travelers back into the country.

Note: International travelers who are not citizens of the African Union are generally still paying $1500 for a gorilla permit in Rwanda.

Gorilla Permits Discounts in Rwanda

The discount on the gorilla permits were first announced in 2020 and came into effect in March 2021. However, due to the continued low turn up of tourists in the country, discounts continue to be in place and should continue until December 31^st 2022. The Rwanda Development Board has announced gorilla permit and other discounts for different categories of travelers as follows:-

1. East Africa nationals can now pay $200 for a gorilla permit per person.
2. Foreign residents in Rwanda pay $500 per person.
3. Organizations or Corporate entities were given a 10% discount on bulk purchases starting from 30 permits.
4. Families going for gorilla trekking are entitled to a 15% discount for gorilla permits. By family we mean couples and children above 15 years old.
5. African Union citizens who are not East Africans can purchase gorilla permits at $500.
6. Africans who are resident outside Africa are also entitled to a gorilla permit discount of $500.
7. International visitors who are not African Union citizens but are traveling in a group of 100 or more, will get a gorilla permit at a promotional rate of $500.
8. Tour operators may also be eligible for a discount of 15% for gorilla permits if their clients are doing gorilla trekking and visiting Akagera National Park.

Discounts for other activities in Volcanoes and Nyungwe National Park

Apart from the reduced gorilla permit fees, the rate of other tourism activities/products were discounted the Volcanoes and Nyungwe National Parks as follows: –

Nationals, foreign residents and East African citizens are entitled to a 30% discount when traveling in groups of 10 or more.

Individual travelers who are Nationals of Rwanda, East African citizens or who are foreign residents are entitled to a 10% discount when visiting the two parks.

Organizations and Corporate Companies are entitled to a 30% discount on bulk purchases (from 30 permits).

A 15% discount on activities has been offered to families visiting the two national parks.