National parkNorthern Province
Volcanoes National Park
Mountain gorillas and golden monkeys on the Virunga volcanoes.
Tourism · Rwanda
Rwanda, the land of a thousand hills.
Mountain gorillas on the Virunga volcanoes, chimpanzees in Nyungwe's ancient rainforest, Big Five safaris in Akagera, the shores of Lake Kivu and a capital that tells the country's story. Plan with official fees and licensed operators.
Best timeJun – Sep, Dec – Feb
Gorilla permits96 a day, book ahead
CurrencyRwandan franc (RWF)
Main airportKigali International (KGL)
Where to go
Rwanda's must-see places
National park
National parkSouthwestern Rwanda
Nyungwe National Park
Ancient montane rainforest, chimpanzees and a canopy walkway.
National parkEastern Province
Akagera National Park
Rwanda's Big Five savanna park, with lakes along the Tanzanian border.
Lake and lakeside towns
Memorial
Capital city
Museum and royal palaceSouthern Province
King's Palace Museum, Nyanza
A royal palace, a 1930s king's residence and long-horned Inyambo cattle.
Caves and lakesNorthern Province
Musanze Caves and the Twin Lakes
A lava-tube cave and the twin lakes Burera and Ruhondo below the volcanoes.
What to do
Top experiences
Mountain gorilla trekking
One hour with a habituated family on the Virunga volcanoes.
US$1,500 · US$200 EAC citizensVolcanoes National ParkGolden monkeys
Track troops of this rare monkey through the bamboo.
US$100 · US$65 EAC citizensVolcanoes National Park
Chimpanzees of Nyungwe
Early-morning treks in one of Africa's oldest rainforests.
US$150 · RWF 25,000 EAC citizensNyungwe National ParkNyungwe canopy walk
A suspended walkway high above a forested valley.
US$40 plus entryNyungwe National Park
Big Five in Akagera
Self-drive or park-run safaris, two and a half hours from Kigali.
Entry US$100 · RWF 15,000 EACAkagera National ParkBoat trip on Lake Ihema
Hippos, crocodiles and fish eagles, with a sunset option.
US$35 plus entryAkagera National Park
Lake Kivu by boat and bike
Islands off Karongi and the Congo Nile Trail along the shore.
Priced by local operatorsLake Kivu
Rwanda's royal history
The King's Palace and the long-horned Inyambo cattle at Nyanza.
RWF 20,000 · RWF 10,000 African visitorsKing's Palace Museum, NyanzaOfficial tariff
National park entry fees
Adult prices per person. Gorilla and golden monkey permits are set by the Rwanda Development Board; Nyungwe and Akagera are run by RDB with African Parks and charge per day or night, with the second and third nights at half price. Rwandan citizens pay in Rwandan francs.
| Parks | Foreign non-resident | Foreign resident | Rest of Africa | East African citizen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gorilla trekking permit | US$1,500 | US$500 | US$500 | US$200 |
| Golden monkey tracking | US$100 | US$65 | — | US$65 |
| Nyungwe park entry | US$100 | US$60 | US$60 | RWF 10,000 |
| Nyungwe chimpanzee tracking | US$150 | US$75 | US$150 | RWF 25,000 |
| Akagera park entry | US$100 | US$50 | US$50 | RWF 15,000 |
| King's Palace Museum, Nyanza | RWF 20,000 | RWF 6,000 | RWF 10,000 | RWF 10,000 |
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Foreign non-resident
- US$1,500
- Foreign resident
- US$500
- Rest of Africa
- US$500
- East African citizen
- US$200
- Golden monkey tracking
- Foreign non-resident
- US$100
- Foreign resident
- US$65
- East African citizen
- US$65
- Nyungwe park entry
- Foreign non-resident
- US$100
- Foreign resident
- US$60
- Rest of Africa
- US$60
- East African citizen
- RWF 10,000
- Nyungwe chimpanzee tracking
- Foreign non-resident
- US$150
- Foreign resident
- US$75
- Rest of Africa
- US$150
- East African citizen
- RWF 25,000
- Akagera park entry
- Foreign non-resident
- US$100
- Foreign resident
- US$50
- Rest of Africa
- US$50
- East African citizen
- RWF 15,000
- King's Palace Museum, Nyanza
- Foreign non-resident
- RWF 20,000
- Foreign resident
- RWF 6,000
- Rest of Africa
- RWF 10,000
- East African citizen
- RWF 10,000
Sources: RDB's permit portal (the gorilla rates for residents, African and East African citizens are promotional and do not apply from June to October 2026), the Nyungwe Pricing Scheme 2025–2026, Akagera's pricing list 2026–2027 and the Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy. None say whether VAT is included. Checked 25 October 2026.
Before you go
Plan your trip
- Visa and entry
Visitors of every nationality can get a visa on arrival or apply online: US$50 single entry. Citizens of African Union, Commonwealth and Francophonie countries get a free 30-day visa, and EAC citizens a free pass of up to six months. The US$100 East Africa Tourist Visa covers Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda for 90 days.
Rwanda immigration: visas - Health
You need a yellow fever certificate if you arrive from a country with yellow fever risk. Rwanda screens arrivals at Kigali airport and restricts the DR Congo border during the current Ebola outbreak in DRC. Ask a travel clinic about malaria prevention.
- Money and permits
Parks and RDB are cashless: pay permits online or by card, mobile money or bank transfer. Book gorilla permits months ahead for June to September. Plastic bags are banned and can be taken from your luggage on arrival.
- Getting around
Rwanda is small: Volcanoes and Akagera are about 2.5 hours from Kigali, Lake Kivu about 3 hours and Nyungwe 5 to 6. Most visitors travel with a driver-guide. On Umuganda, the last Saturday of each month, traffic and businesses pause until about midday.
Book with licensed people
Who to travel with
Rwanda's tour operators, travel agencies and tour guides need a licence from the Rwanda Development Board. Until our Rwanda operator register is connected, our team matches each quote request with licensed operators by hand.
Run a lodge, hotel or tour company?
Add your business to East Africa Connect Hub so travellers planning these trips can find and contact you. Licensed businesses show their licence on their listing.