Are Rwanda Gorilla Permits Refundable? Mountain gorillas thrive at higher elevations in the Virunga volcanoes, which span three countries: Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda.
Trekking mountain gorillas in Rwanda offers you the experience of observing and monitoring gorillas for one hour.
A gorilla permit is a card issued by the governing authorities, serving as a pass for trekking mountain gorillas.
The permit is only issued to individuals aged 15 and above.
In case of any illness detected on the morning of your trek, you will not be allowed to participate for your own safety and the safety of the gorillas.
In such cases, 50% of the permit fee will be refunded to clients who show any sign of illness prior to the trek during the morning briefing.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda takes place in Volcanoes National Park, located in the northeastern part of the country.
Rwanda’s mountain gorilla permits are the most expensive, costing $1,500 per person.
The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) is fully responsible for issuing gorilla permits, and you can book a permit either through the RDB or through a trustworthy tour operator.
A gorilla permit is required to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda, and without it, you cannot participate.
The permit costs a hefty USD 1,500, and due to the limited number available each day (a maximum of 8 people can trek one gorilla group, with 12 habituated groups in total), it is essential to book your permit in advance, especially if you plan to trek during peak season.
What happens if you book and purchase a Rwanda gorilla permit but can’t make it to the trek?
Will you be refunded? Unfortunately, the answer is no. The gorilla trekking permit is non-refundable after purchase.
However, it can be postponed to another date, up to twice. Additionally, you can resell your permit.
Your tour operator can sell your permit to new clients or other tour companies if someone is inquiring about trekking on your dates.
This is often the best solution for tourists who cancel their trek and do not plan on visiting in the near future.
However, to facilitate the sale of your permit, the tour operator may reduce the price, meaning you won’t recover the full amount.
This is something you will need to agree upon with your tour operator.
In Conclusion, Mountain gorilla permits should be reserved only when you are certain about traveling to Rwanda for the gorilla trekking experience to avoid any losses.
You can secure your permit by depositing 30% to 50% of the fee 3 to 6 months in advance due to high demand.
