Rwanda Safari Cost. Average Price of a Safari to Rwanda

Rwanda Safari Cost Factors

1. Getting there: Rwanda Flights

The main way to get into Rwanda is through Kigali International Airport, formerly known as Kanombe International Airport,. The airport is not far from Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. You may fly directly to Rwanda from Dubai, Doha, Johannesburg, London, Amsterdam, Paris, Brussels, Lusaka, Entebbe, Harare, Dar es Salaam, and Nairobi. Qatar Airways, KLM, Turkish Airlines, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines all fly to and from Kigali International Airport.

The price of your ticket to Africa will depend on when you choose to go. In the UK and the US, the busiest times for travel are from May to September, when schools are out for the summer, and then again in December, when the holidays are done. Airline tickets will be the most expensive during these times because there is a lot of demand. The long dry season, which spans from May to October, is also the best time to visit to Rwanda. This is when prices will be at their highest and demand will be at its maximum.

If you can change your travel dates and are on a limited budget, ask your travel agent when flights will be cheapest. The shoulder seasons, which are just before or just after the peak months, might be a nice compromise between the high season and the best travel season. During these times, tickets will be cheaper, safari travel conditions will be better, and there will be fewer visitors.

Rwanda Transport

The best thing about Rwanda is that it is small. This means that it doesn’t cost much to get about Rwanda and it doesn’t take long. Public transport is by far the cheapest alternative, although taxis stop a lot and their safety requirements are not always clear. Airport transfers and transportation between sites are included in the price of your Rwanda tour package for international tourists. This generally makes the overall cost of the safari lower.

These are some transportation costs that go into a Rwandan safari holiday.*

• Average transportation cost for independent travellers: +/- US$ 40/50 per person per day based on taking a taxi in a major centre.
• Airport transfer to Kigali: US$ 80.
• Kigali to Volcanoes National Park Transfer: US$ 300 per person.
• A helicopter transfer from Kigali to the Big 5 Akagera National Park: US$ 280 per person
  *Transportation costs are meant as a guideline only and may vary.

Rwanda Visa Costs

Travelers must have a valid passport when they go to Rwanda. When you arrive, you can get a 30-day tourist visa for any nationality. The cost of a single-entry visa cannot be more than US$50, and the cost of a multiple-entry visa cannot be more than US$70. Visa restrictions differ each nation, so it’s vital to check with your local travel agent before you go.

Rwanda Safari Park Fees

There are different kinds of activity permits for Rwanda parks. This means you need to choose what you want to do. Most people who go to Rwanda will want to go gorilla trekking. This is the most popular activity, hence it costs the most. Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is the best, but it’s also the most expensive. Here is a quick look at the prices of visiting Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe, and Akagera National Parks in Rwanda.

Volcanoes National Park

• Gorilla Trekking Permit: US$ 1,500
• Golden Monkey Trekking Permit: US$ 100
• Dian Fossey Hike Permit: US$ 75
• Kirisimbi Hike Permit (2 days excluding porter and chef): US$ 400
• Buhanga Eco Park Visit: US$ 40
• Musanze Cave Visit: US$ 50
• Guided Nature Walk: US$ 55
• Multiple Volcanoes Hike Permit: US$ 1,500

Nyungwe National Park

• Entry Fee: 1 night US$ 60 / 2 nights US$ 90 / 3 nights US$ 120
• Chimpanzee Trekking: US$ 150 (minimum 2 pax)
• Freelance Guide: half day US$ 15 / full day US$ 25
• Porter: half day US$ 5 / full day US$ 10

Akagera National Park

• Self Drive Entry Fees: 1 night US$ 100 / 2 night US$ 150 / 3 nights US$ 200
• Rwandan or EAC Registered Vehicle Fees: US$ 10 to US$ 20
• Foreign Registered Vehicle Fees: US$ 40 to US$ 100
• Guides for Self Drive: half day US$ 25 / full day US$ 40
• Night Game Drive: US$ 40 per person (min 2, max 7)
• Game Drive: half day US$ 180 / full day US$ 280
• Boat Cruise: day-time US$ 35 / sunset cruise US$ 45 / private US$ 180

Keep in mind that safari businesses typically obtain discounts for buying in quantity, and therefore choosing your activities as part of a package vacation might save you a lot of money. Make sure you talk to your travel adviser and carefully go over your safari travel itinerary when you book a tour to make sure you are checking off all of your Rwanda bucket list items.

Rwanda Safari Lodges/Camps/Hotels

There are a lot of places to stay in Rwanda, from cheap ones to budget ones, mid-range ones, and of course, luxury ones. Camping in the national parks will be the cheapest option by far, but not everyone will want to do that, especially since it can rain a lot in this equatorial paradise.

Camping costs and tent hire

• Volcanoes National Park: US$ 30 pp per night / tent hire US$ 20 (canvas 3m x 3m, 4 man tent)
• Nyungwe Forest National Park: US$ 15 pp per night/tent hire US$ 20 (canvas 3m x 3m, 4-man tent)

Akagera National Park

• Basic US$ 25 pp per night / tent hire US$ 20 (canvas 3m x 3m, 4 man tent)
• Ruzizi Luxury eco-lodge: Low-season luxury tent US$ 280 pp sharing

Rwanda Group Size Safari

The size of the group is significant and can save you a lot of money. Rwanda is no different from other places when it comes to intimacy and exclusivity. In short, going on a safari in Rwanda as a group is cheaper because you can split the expense. For instance, if you rent a car for $80 a day and have four friends to split the cost with, each person will only have to pay $22.50, which saves you $37.50. This also applies to safari package offers, where Kabira Safaris can provide you discounted rates as a way to save you money. The costs of a Rwanda safari for two, four, or six people are different.

4-day Rwanda Gorilla Trekking Safari
2 people: US$ 3,499
4 people: US$ 3,399
6 people: US$ 2,999

If you fly with 2 or 6 persons, you’ll save US$439. Travelling with a group of close friends or family is not only entertaining, but it may also help you save money on your safari and make the most of your budget.

Rwanda Safari Seasons

Rwanda used to have different prices for the low and high seasons. But because gorilla trekking is so popular, permits are now always included in the price. You can still save money by travelling during the off-season, and most of that money should go towards your hotel and flight fees.

Ruzizi, a premium tented camp in Akagera National Park, is a great example of seasonal savings.

Akagera National Park Ruzizi Luxury Tented Camp

Low Season March 1st to May 30th / October 1st to December 14th

• Double tent pp/sharing: US$ 195
• Luxury Tent pp/sharing: US$ 280
• Single person: US$ 265

High Season December 15th to February 28th / June 1st to September 30th

• Double tent pp/sharing: US$ 235
• Luxury Tent pp/sharing: US$ 335
• Single person: US$ 325

Check out our FREE complete guide to Rwanda if you want to learn more about the country. Kabira Safaris has a number of Rwanda safari tours, but the most popular one is gorilla trekking. You can look through our Rwanda Safari packages here or talk to one of our knowledgeable African Safari travel experts here.