repost - just realized that I hadn't posted this specifically to Rwanda

It's possible to obtain the permits directly from the Rwanda Development Board, but you need a lot of time and patience to do that. If you're in a hurry or wanna otherwise play safe, use some reliable tour agency to get the permit. I first tried to contact the RDB by phone and emails but eventually gave up and used Amahoro Tours to get the permits. The permit costs 500 USD and Amahoro charges about 50 USD for the service (about 30 USD of this goes to bank charges). And if you use a tour agency you're most probably able to pay 50% in advance and the rest when you pick up the permit.

GE,
How long in advance did you arrange it? I'm hoping to travel in Tanzania for a couple of weeks first and work my way in the direction of Rwanda, but am not sure of my exact arrival date. The alternative is to pay $200 more to fly to Uganda and start my voyage from there.

There is a good deal of information on the branch about getting yourself to the park by bus and motorcycle, staying at the park guesthouse etc. You may see the name ORTPN come up but apparently that has changed recently and it is now the agency #1 mentions. Phone is likely better than email. You would still need to pay for 4WD from park office to trailhead unless you get a ride in another car. With limited time and hoping to buy tickets I would likely go through an agency at least for permit and ride to the trailhead.

Edited by: chriskean1

Viaggero, I also suggest you see this beforehand. We just had so much trouble because we tried to go independently and I see this is the sort of trip you want to do. Unless your passport allows you to go in without a Visa, i must tell that The Rwanda Immigration didn't give our tourist visa straight away when we wanted to go back from DRC into Rwanda... they asked about hotel reservations, itinerary and we heard it would be better to use a local operator to arrange it all for us. We did that, and the Operator told us the Immigration called them to say we were not spending enough money and started to make a lot of questions!!! We only had it sorted at Burundi, when the Embassy issued a visa without a lot of problems.... So, before you even think of the trek, just make sure they give your tourist Visa ahead. Then you can worry about the Gorillas! Try to look for reliable tour Operators. I reco. EOS Vision, but we also stayed at the Gorilas Lodge in Kigali and they do tours too... So maybe you can contact them first to see if they have a vacancy in a group. That would bring your costs down a lot!

I arranged the permits a week and a half before the tracking.

If I would do the gorilla tracking again, I would definitely contact a tour agency right away. It was maybe 5 weeks before our trip when I sent an email to RDB to make a reservation for permits. More than week later they replied:"There are permits for the requested day. The confirmation of reservation is made by payment." No bank details were attached to enable the payment. I sent them two emails asking for the bank details. No replies. I tried to call them and eventually got someone on line. We agreed that I'll send them an email immediately after I hang up and they will reply with the payment details. They didn't. About a week after the phone call they replied to my second email I had sent a few weeks earlier. On that point I had already booked the permits through Amahoro.

Thanks for the info on Amahoro. I contacted them and they got back to me within 24hours. If I am able to go, I will most like use them.

From what I've read on the boards, it's nearly impossible to not encounter the gorillas. That being said, I know that they are not in cages or trained. I'm still going to take the chance if I can, but, have any of you ever met someone who went on the trek and didn't see them? It's at that point when the $600-$700 day starts to really hurt.

You will see them. My recollection is if you happen to be in one of the rare groups that doesn't see them, you get to go again the next day (any confirmation of this would be appreciated). I suppose you'd have to cover the vehicle cost, but I don't think you need to worry about paying for another permit.

any confirmation of this would be appreciated

I second that because that would definitely lesson the stress of what will be the most expensive one day event that I've ever done.

viaggero, ask the company what is the policy. Sometimes the boardering parks into Uganda, Rwanda and DRC exchange information regarding the families and I heard that some operator actually manage to take people to the other parks. Of course, crossing countries adds up a lot, but you are sure to meet them. I choose DRC as a matter of the fact and had the most rewarding experience at the less visited park of Kahuzi-Biega. The fees there are US$ 400. Equally hurtful, but also paid for a very unique and especial experience.