Rwanda’s national park fees are managed by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and are charged in US dollars. All activity permits — gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, chimpanzee trekking, canopy walkway — must be pre-booked rather than purchased at the gate. Park entry fees are separate and paid on arrival. This guide has 2024 fees for every Rwanda park activity.
Volcanoes National Park Fees (2024)
- Gorilla trekking permit: USD $1,500 per person (includes park entry on trekking day). Non-refundable, date-specific. Book through RDB online.
- Golden monkey trekking: USD $100 per person. Pre-book through RDB.
- Dian Fossey hike (to Karisoke Research Centre): USD $75 per person. Pre-book through RDB.
- Volcano hike — Mount Bisoke: USD $75 per person. Mount Karisimbi 2-day: USD $400 per person.
- Conservation fee (park entry, non-activity days): USD $40 per person per day + vehicle fee.
Akagera National Park Fees (2024)
- Conservation fee: USD $40 per person per day + USD $40 per vehicle per day
- Boat trip on Lake Ihema: USD $35 per person (approximately 2 hours)
- Night drive: USD $40 per person (arranged through the park or your lodge)
- Rhino tracking (when available): USD $50 per person — subject to current policy
Nyungwe Forest National Park Fees (2024)
- Chimpanzee trekking: USD $150 per person. Pre-book through RDB.
- Canopy walkway: USD $50 per person (approximately 3 hours including approach trail)
- Conservation fee (park entry): USD $40 per person per day + vehicle fee
- Guided forest trail (without canopy walkway): USD $30 per person
- Colobus monkey tracking: USD $30 per person
Total Budget for a 7-Day Rwanda Self-Drive Circuit
For two people visiting all three parks (7 days):
- Gorilla permits (2 × $1,500): USD $3,000
- Golden monkey (2 × $100): USD $200
- Chimpanzee trekking (2 × $150): USD $300
- Canopy walkway (2 × $50): USD $100
- Park entry fees (5 park days, 2 people, + vehicle): approx. USD $650
- Akagera boat trip (2 × $35): USD $70
- Total permits and fees: approximately USD $4,320 per couple
Add vehicle rental (7 days Prado: approximately USD $850) and you have total non-accommodation costs of approximately USD $5,170 per couple for a full Rwanda 7-day circuit. This is significant — Rwanda is substantially more expensive than Uganda on a per-activity basis, primarily due to the gorilla permit price. Contact Car Hire 4×4 Drive for Rwanda vehicle rental costs.
