A private Rwanda safari with Epic Rwanda Safaris costs from US$850 per person for 3 days on Lake Kivu to US$5,650 per person for 10 days across every major park, based on 2 people sharing and mid-range lodges. Any trip with mountain gorillas starts from US$2,650 per person for 3 days, because the gorilla permit alone is US$1,500. Here is what each trip costs, what drives the price and how to get the best value.
Rwanda safari prices at a glance
| Journey | Solo | 2 sharing | 4 sharing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Days Lake Kivu Retreat | US$1,500 | US$850 | US$650 |
| 3 Days Akagera Big Five Safari | US$1,800 | US$1,100 | US$900 |
| 4 Days Nyungwe Chimpanzee & Canopy Escape | US$2,350 | US$1,450 | US$1,150 |
| 5 Days Savannah & Rainforest | US$3,100 | US$1,950 | US$1,600 |
| 3 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari | US$3,350 | US$2,650 | US$2,450 |
| 5 Days Gorillas & Chimpanzees | US$4,800 | US$3,550 | US$3,200 |
| 6 Days Kigali Culture & Gorillas | US$5,050 | US$3,700 | US$3,250 |
| 7 Days The Rwanda Grand Journey | US$5,850 | US$4,200 | US$3,700 |
| 6 Days Double Gorilla & Golden Monkey Safari | US$6,950 | US$5,500 | US$5,050 |
| 10 Days The Ultimate Rwanda Safari | US$8,100 | US$5,650 | US$4,900 |
| 5 Days Meet the Legends: Luxury Gorilla Safari | On request | On request | On request |
Prices are per person, with mid-range lodges and the permits listed on each journey included. Luxury lodges are priced on request.
What makes up the cost of a Rwanda safari
Four things shape the price of a trip to Rwanda: park permits, where you stay, how many people share the vehicle and how long you travel.
1. Park permits and fees
Permits are set by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and are the same whichever company you book with. They are the biggest single cost on a gorilla trip.
| Permit or fee | Price for foreign visitors |
|---|---|
| Mountain gorilla trekking, Volcanoes National Park | US$1,500 per person |
| Chimpanzee tracking, Nyungwe National Park | US$150 per person |
| Golden monkey tracking, Volcanoes National Park | US$100 per person |
| Akagera National Park entry | US$100 for 1 night, US$150 for 2 nights |
This is why a 3-day gorilla trip costs more than a 5-day trip to Akagera and Nyungwe. If gorillas are not your priority, Rwanda can be very good value. Read more in our gorilla trekking guide and chimpanzee trekking guide.
2. Where you stay
Our prices are based on comfortable mid-range lodges and hotels, such as Five Volcanoes Boutique Hotel near the gorillas. Rwanda also has some of the finest lodges in Africa, particularly around Volcanoes National Park. Their rates vary by season and are much higher, so we price luxury journeys on request, as with our 5-day luxury gorilla safari.
3. How many people share
Every journey is private, with your own vehicle and driver-guide. The vehicle, guide and fuel cost the same whether one person travels or four, so the price per person falls as more people share. On the 7-day Grand Journey, for example, a solo traveller pays US$5,850, while each person in a group of four pays US$3,700.
4. How long you travel
Each extra day adds accommodation, meals and the vehicle. Rwanda is compact, so you rarely need long trips to see a lot. Our guide to how many days you need in Rwanda explains which length suits which interests.
What is included in our prices
- A private 4×4 safari vehicle with an English-speaking driver-guide, fuel included
- Airport or Kigali hotel pickup and drop-off
- Accommodation as listed, sharing a double or twin room
- Meals as listed in each itinerary
- Park entry fees and the permits listed for each journey
- Booking and securing your permits through the RDB
- Bottled drinking water in the vehicle
What is not included
- International flights
- Your Rwanda visa
- Travel and medical insurance
- Drinks other than water
- Tips for guides, porters and lodge staff (a common guideline is US$20 per guide per day)
- Porters on treks, about US$15–20 plus a tip, paid locally
- Optional activities and personal expenses
How to get the best value
- Travel in the shoulder months. Many lodges lower their rates in the rainy seasons, March to May and October to November. Permit prices stay the same all year. See the best time to visit Rwanda.
- Share the vehicle. Travelling as four rather than two lowers the price per person on every journey.
- Add the lower-cost parks. Akagera, Nyungwe and Lake Kivu add a lot to a trip for a modest cost.
- Choose one gorilla trek. A single trek is enough for most travellers. A second trek adds US$1,500 per person in permits.
Rwanda safari cost: frequently asked questions
How much does a Rwanda safari cost?
Our private journeys cost from US$850 per person for 3 days on Lake Kivu to US$5,650 per person for 10 days, based on 2 people sharing and mid-range lodges.
How much does a gorilla trekking trip cost in Rwanda?
Our 3 Days Gorilla Trekking Safari starts from US$2,650 per person, 2 sharing. The gorilla permit is US$1,500 per person and is included.
Why is gorilla trekking in Rwanda expensive?
The gorilla permit costs US$1,500 per person. The fee is set by the Rwanda Development Board and supports the protection of the gorillas and the communities around the park.
Is a safari in Rwanda cheaper without gorillas?
Yes. Our 3 Days Akagera Big Five Safari starts from US$1,100 per person and our 5 Days Savannah & Rainforest journey from US$1,950 per person, both 2 sharing.
Is it cheaper to travel in a group?
Yes. Each journey is private, so the vehicle and guide cost is shared. On the 7-day Grand Journey the price falls from US$5,850 for a solo traveller to US$3,700 each for four people.
Do your prices include permits?
Yes. The gorilla, chimpanzee and golden monkey permits and park fees listed on each journey are included, and we secure them for you.
Related guides: Rwanda visa requirements, safety and health in Rwanda, golden monkey tracking, Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe National Park and Akagera National Park.
Written by the Epic Rwanda Safaris team in Kigali. Prices and permit fees checked October 2026; permit prices are set by the Rwanda Development Board and may change.
Get a price for your dates
Tell us your dates, group size and the kind of lodges you like through our Plan Your Safari planner, and we will reply within 24 hours with a private itinerary and a firm quotation. Prefer to talk? Message our team on WhatsApp.