Top 3 Rwanda's National Parks & Tourist Attractions

  • Gazelle Safari Africa

  • Rwanda
  • Sep 02, 2022

The Rwanda National Parks which include Volcanoes National Park, Akagera Park, and Nyungwe Forest National Park, are breathtaking. Each of them safeguards a distinct ecology in addition to several large creatures, different bird species, trees, and insects.

In this article, we’ll break down the entry costs for each of these Rwanda Destinations based on the various activities.

1.   Akagera Park

This is one of Rwanda’s largest national parks, covering 2500 sq km of mostly Savannah territory in the country’s eastern region. The Kagera River, which runs along Tanzania’s eastern border with Rwanda, is the source of the park’s name.

Planning a Uganda Safari in this magnificent park, here are the charges you should know. Rates are charged per person classified in different categories. These include; non-residents, resident foreigners, residents of other East African Community countries, nationals of other East African Community countries, and Rwandan citizens.

Entry fee or self-drive permit1 day/night 2 nights 3 nights 
 USDRWFUSDRWFUSDRWF
Rwandan/EAC citizen1615,0002422,5003230,000
Rwandan/EAC resident50 75 100 
International Visitor100 150 200 
Rwandan /EAC citizen children 6-121110,0001615,0002120,000
Rwandan/EAC resident children 6-1230 45 60 
International visitor children 6-1250 75 100 

2.   Nyungwe Forest National Park

In the biggest national park in Rwanda, the fees apply to the activity you go for and the different categories. These categories include; non-residents, resident foreigners, residents of other East African Community countries, nationals of other East African Community countries, and Rwandan citizens.

Important To Note: The fees provided are charged per person.

Chimpanzee Trekking Permits

For travelers who are keen on the chimpanzee trekking experience, here are the charges to expect;

  • Rwandans pay 5000 Rwf
  • Foreign residents pay $60
  • Foreign non-residents pay $90
  • Students who are citizens of Rwanda 2500 Rwf
  • Students who are non-residents pay $30
  • East African Community (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Burundi, and D.R Congo) Nationals pay $10
  • East African Community students pay $5
  • East African Community foreign residents pay $60

Forest-Guided Walks

The guided walks in the park are one of the most fascinating experiences for visitors as they can view the different species of animals, birds, and insects up close. The travelers walk around gazzeted trails with the help of park rangers.

Here are the charges for the guided walks in the park;

  • Rwandans pay 3000 Rwf
  • Foreign residents pay $30
  • Foreign non-residents pay $40
  • Students who are citizens of Rwanda 1500 Rwf
  • Students who are non-residents pay $20
  • East African Community (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Burundi, and D.R Congo) Nationals pay $5
  • East African Community students pay $3
  • East African Community foreign residents pay $30

Bird Watching

The bird watching experience in Nyungwe national park is unique. With over 300 bird species, this experience draws huge numbers of visitors for the magnificent sight. Here is a breakdown of the charges below;

  • Rwandans pay 5000 Rwf
  • Foreign residents pay $50
  • Foreign non-residents pay $40
  • Students who are citizens of Rwanda 2000 Rwf
  • Students who are non-residents pay $20
  • East African Community (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Burundi, and D.R Congo) Nationals pay $10
  • East African Community students pay $5
  • East African Community foreign residents pay $20

Other Primate Tracking Activities

Besides chimpanzee tracking, the national park is home to more than 12 primate species. Below are the fees required to access other primates.

  • Rwandans pay 5000 Rwf
  • Foreign residents pay $40
  • Foreign non-residents pay $60
  • Students who are citizens of Rwanda 1500 Rwf
  • Students who are non-residents pay $20
  • East African Community (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Burundi, and D.R Congo) Nationals pay $10
  • East African Community students pay $3
  • East African Community foreign residents pay $40

Canopy Walk

This interesting experience allows tourists to walk on a well-built ridge hanging on a rope in the trees. This way travelers can get scenic views of the forest that they wouldn’t have been able to see on a regular forest walk.

Here are the charges below;

  • Rwandans pay 5000 Rwf
  • Foreign residents pay $50
  • Foreign non-residents pay $60
  • Students who are citizens of Rwanda 5000 Rwf
  • Students who are non-residents pay $25
  • East African Community (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Burundi, and D.R Congo) Nationals pay $10
  • East African Community students pay $5
  • East African Community foreign residents pay $50

The Waterfall Tours And Hike

For this experience, travelers can see the waterfalls in all their glory on a 3 to 4-hour hike. Let’s take a look at the charges below;

  • Rwandans pay 5000 Rwf
  • Foreign residents pay $40
  • Foreign non-residents pay $50
  • Students who are citizens of Rwanda 2000 Rwf
  • Students who are non-residents pay $20
  • East African community (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Burundi, and D.R Congo) Nationals pay $10
  • East African Community students pay $5
  • East African Community foreign residents pay $40

Nile Congo trail

Let’s take a look at the breakdown of fees for the Nile Congo trail below;

  • Rwandans pay 10,000 Rwf
  • Foreign residents pay $70
  • Foreign non-residents pay $100
  • Students who are citizens of Rwanda 5000 Rwf
  • Students who are non-residents pay $35
  • East African community (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Burundi and D.R Congo) Nationals pay $20
  • East African Community students pay $10
  • East African Community foreign residents pay $70

Camping Fees

Camping in Nyungwe Forest National Park is available for visitors who would like get close to nature and enjoy the tranquiity of the wild. Here are the charges below;

  • With your own tent, you pay $30
  • If you hire a tent, you pay $40

Commercial Filming Fees

Nyungwe forest National Park welcomes travelers who work in filming and are involved in the commercial exchange of Africa’s fascinating wildlife to the world. For this activity, they are charged as follows;

  • For commercial filing fees for chimpanzees, you pay $1000 per group per day
  • For commercial filing fees for any other park activity, you pay $600 per group per day

3.   Volcanoes National Park

This park is popular for many of the endangered mountain gorillas it harbors along with a lot of other primate and bird species. There are a lot of other attractions to view that will make you add this destination to your Rwanda National Parks package.

The Rwanda national park entry fees for Volcanoes national park are quite specific but it depends entirely on the activity you intend to do while at the park.

Remember park / entry fees depend on the activity as well as the categorization of the guest. For instance guests are categorized into foreign residents, non-foreign residents, Rwanda/ east African citizens, and East African community citizens. Here are the Volcanoes national park entrance fees;

Gorilla trekking permit

Mountain gorilla trekking is one of the most popular activities in the park. This means that the gorilla trekking permits are usually less compared to demand and hence get sold out quickly.

Unlike other activities in the park, gorilla trekking permits go for a standard price of $1500 per person. A total of over eighty permits are issued to trek the gorillas and are valid for one day.

Travelers interested in this activity are advised to book the gorilla permits at least 6 months in advance before the actual date of trekking. This way, you are aware of the availability of the permits and have the ability to reserve them.

Golden monkey tracking

Besides gorilla trekking, travelers can go golden monkey tracking. Here are the charges below;

  • Rwandans pay $65
  • Foreign residents pay $65
  • Foreign non-residents pay $100
  • East African Community (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Burundi, and D.R Congo) Nationals pay $65
  • East African Community foreign residents pay $80

Mount Bisoke Hike

This hike gives you an amazing view of the great Virunga volcanoes, tropical rain forest, and Crater Lake. For this hike, the fee is as follows;

  • Rwandans pay $55
  • Foreign residents pay $60
  • Foreign non-residents pay $75
  • East African Community (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Burundi, and D.R Congo) Nationals pay $55
  • East African Community foreign residents pay $65

Mount Karisimbi hike

Mt. Karisimbi is one of the biggest among the 8 Virunga volcanoes and stands at 4507 meters above sea level. This hike can last about 2 days giving you great views of Rwanda, Congo, and the local communities within.

  • Rwandans pay $200
  • Foreign residents pay $250
  • Foreign non-residents pay $400
  • East African Community (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Burundi, and D.R Congo) Nationals pay $200
  • East African Community foreign residents pay $300

Gahinga hike

  • Rwandans pay $55
  • Foreign residents pay $60
  • Foreign non-residents pay $75
  • East African Community (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Burundi, and D.R Congo) Nationals pay $55
  • East African Community foreign residents pay $65

Dian Fossey grave

Dian Fossey was an American primatologist who took part in studying the life of the gorillas. She also contributed to protecting them during the poaching activities that almost led to their extinction. But later, she passed on.

The hike to the Dian Fossey grave goes for the following fees;

  • Rwandans pay $55
  • Foreign residents pay $60
  • Foreign non-residents pay $75
  • East African Community (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Burundi, and D.R Congo) Nationals pay $55
  • East African Community foreign residents pay $65

Multiple volcanoes hike

As a traveler, you have the opportunity to hike multiple volcanoes that is Mt Gahinga, Mt. Bisoke, Karisimbi, and Muhabura. The total cost for the permit is $1500 for all the hiking activities.

Nature-guided walk

During this activity, you will explore the park on foot as you get to view the game and bird species at a close range. The fees for the nature walk cost;

  • Rwandans pay $35
  • Foreign residents pay $40
  • Foreign non-residents pay $55
  • East African community (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Burundi, and D.R Congo) Nationals pay $35
  • East African Community foreign residents pay $45

Camping fees

For all the camping activities around the park, these are the fees to expect;

  • Rwandans pay $10
  • Foreign residents pay $30
  • Foreign non-residents pay $30
  • East African community (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Burundi and D.R Congo) Nationals pay $10
  • East African Community foreign residents pay $20

Buhanga Eco Park

  • Rwandans pay $25
  • Foreign residents pay $30
  • Foreign non-residents pay $40
  • East African community (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Burundi and D.R Congo) Nationals pay $25
  • East African Community foreign residents pay $35

Muhabura hike

  • Rwandans pay $60
  • Foreign residents pay $75
  • Foreign non-residents pay $100
  • East African community (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, Burundi and D.R Congo) Nationals pay $60
  • East African Community foreign residents pay $80

You can book these and more either as a standalone activity or part of a planned Rwanda Safari Packages.

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