Rwanda has finally reopened for tourism after three months of no tourism in the country. The good news for the reopening of Rwanda’s national parks was announced on June 17th 2020 by the Rwanda development board. More interestingly, the reopening came with great promotion for those visiting to trek gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. Effective from 18th June to 31st December 2020, Rwanda Development Board is offering discounted gorilla permits at $200 discounted gorilla permits at $200 for Rwanda nationals and East African community citizens living in Rwanda while foreign non residents will pay $ 500 per permit. The discounted permits in Rwanda for the next 6 months is a great relief for primate lovers while dream is to visit gorillas in Rwanda.
Remember to Sanitise
Rwanda Development Board is also offering special Rwanda safari packages for families, big groups and corporations visiting Volcanoes National Park home for the endangered gorillas and Nyungwe Forest National Park for chimpanzee trekking. However, travelers are reminded that the price for Rwanda gorilla permits will go back to the initial $1500. In May 2017, Rwanda Development Board double increased its gorilla permit costs from $700 to $1500, which transferred Rwanda into Africa’s luxury gorilla destination.
More so, Rwanda is allowing the resumption of international travel for charter flights for foreign travelers. Rwanda Development board will exempt all international travelers from the exiting anti coronavirus measures, which stop travelers from entering Rwanda. In the meantime, all commercial flights in Rwanda are still on suspension till further notice.
Directives for Visiting Rwanda Now
Wear a mask
While Rwanda is allowing travels amidst corona Virus, the government, Rwanda ministry of Health and Rwanda Development Board have put directive for all those visiting national park. Firstly, all domestic tourists to Volcanoes and Nyungwe Forest National Parks MUST test negative for corona Virus 48 hours before the visiting date.
Secondly, foreign travelers traveling with charter flights MUST have tested negative for Corona Virus within 72 hours before arrival. They will be tested again before visiting any primates. The recommended COVID19 test centers in Rwanda are Amahoro National Stadium in Kigali city on appointment only while another private test Centre is at Petit Stade. More test centers will se established according to demand.
Discounted gorilla permits in Rwanda
Grab the chance to and trek Rwanda gorillas at discounted prices. The major reason for discounted Rwanda gorilla permits is to encourage more travels to Rwanda. Its undeniable that in the past 2 years, most budget travelers were cut off from trekking gorillas in Rwanda due to very high prices @$1500. For that reason, mots of the would have been Rwanda tourists ended up crossing to the neighboring Uganda to trek gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks where gorilla tours were quite cheaper. The Kigali to Bwindi gorilla trekking safaris have been s common in the past 2 years before the outbreak of the deadly corona virus since March 2020.
When was tourism in Rwanda suspended?
All tourism and research activities in Rwanda National Parks were suspended since March 2020. Primate parks of Volcanoes for mountain gorillas, Nyungwe Forest and Gishwati Mukura National parks were closed first to prevent the spread of the deadly corona virus to the endangered mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. Shortly after, Akagera National Park home to the big five game and all other tourist destinations in Rwanda were closed. Kigali International airport was also closed and no domestic or international flights were allowed except for emergency. More so, border points to the neighboring countries especially Uganda and Congo were closed to avoid the spread of the virus across borders.
Impacts of Covid19 on Rwanda Tourism
Baby gorilla with mum in VNP
Corona Virus has negatively affected Rwanda tourism during the lockdown. The ban on travels into Rwanda led to the cancellation of many trips some of which were due. Some travelers postponed trips till unknown further date while others cancelled totally and asked for refund. The government of Rwanda has lost over 70% of its revenue or this financial year. over 50% of Rwanda’s Gross Domestic Product has been through the sell of mountain gorilla which is not the case now. Also, service providers such as lodges, hotels and transportation companies have lost a lot of revenue. Many jobs have been lost in the process, which had increased the unemployment rate in the small land locked Rwanda. However, with the reopening of tourism in Rwanda, we hope for the best in the shortest time possible.
How to Book a Rwanda safari amidst Corona Virus?
Do you want to book and Enjoy Rwanda’s discounted offers amidst corona Virus? African Apes Tours is at your service to book and reserve for you a discounted gorilla permit in Rwanda. We offer tailor made Rwanda safari packages for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, Chimpanzee trekking in Nyungwe Forest, Kigali city tour and game safaris in Akagera National Park at affordable rates.
The reopening of Rwanda tourism is great news for travelers and tour operators. Book today, follow the guidelines, stay safe and enjoy Rwanda’s promotional offers on gorilla trekking and other Rwanda safaris across the country with African Apes Tours & Travel
