Rwanda earned an estimated $45.7 million, more than Rwf65 billion, from travel linked to mountain gorilla visits in the second quarter of 2026, making the activity one of the strongest contributors to the country’s tourism earnings.
According to the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) Travel Expenditure Survey 2026, people who arrived in Rwanda by air for leisure spent $57.6 million between April and June. Of that amount, 79.4% was connected to trips to see mountain gorillas, equivalent to about $45.7 million.
That amount represented close to 28% of the $161.8 million Rwanda earned from travel services during the quarter.
The $45.7 million was not made up of gorilla trekking permit fees alone. It also covered money spent while in Rwanda on accommodation, food and drinks, local transport, shopping, entertainment, visits to attractions and other services.
Spending around gorilla visits therefore reached businesses beyond the parks, including hotels, restaurants, transport operators and other tourism service providers.
Immigration data showed that 6,023 people arriving by air said seeing gorillas was the purpose of their trip during the quarter.
North America accounted for the largest share, with 3,469 followed by Europe with 1,008. Another 590 came from other parts of the world, 412 from other African countries, 294 from East African Community countries and 250 from Asia.
North Americans were also the highest spenders among travellers who entered Rwanda by air, spending $40.2 million. Travellers from Europe spent $27.7 million, those from other African countries spent $27.1 million, while those from the East African Community spent $22.2 million.
Leisure and tourism generated more travel revenue than any other purpose during the quarter, bringing in $59.7 million, equivalent to 36.9% of total travel-service earnings.
Visits to friends and relatives brought in $45.5 million, while business and work-related travel generated $40.2 million.
Among those who travelled by air, leisure trips accounted for $57.6 million in spending, visits to friends and relatives for $37.3 million, and business travel for $33.1 million.
Rwanda’s total earnings from travel services reached $161.8 million in the second quarter of 2026, up from $151.4 million in the first quarter.
The figures also showed the weight of the North American market in Rwanda’s tourism sector, particularly for trips centred on the country’s mountain gorillas.
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