On Saturday 6th May 2017, the Rwanda Development Board (which is responsible for Rwanda’s tourism) announced officially an increase in the cost of Gorilla Permits from the US$ 750 to now US$1,500 and this is to apply for all foreign visitors with immediate effect. They also introduced a new special package especial for tourists interested in booking a whole gorilla family for their Gorilla Tour and this was priced at US$ 15,000. These will also be provided customized tour-guide services.
This price increase however won’t affect tourists that had already bought their tickets before this announcement was made. Also a 30% discount on the cost of gorilla trekking permits was introduced for tourists who will visit either or both Nyungwe and Akagera National Parks for at least three (3) days. Also conference tourists who which to see gorillas before or after their conferences will be offered a 15% discount on the gorilla permit fee.
They say that this price increased is aimed at strengthening the gorilla conservation efforts as well as boast the contributions offered towards the development of the local communities living close to the gorilla sanctuary – Volcanoes National Park.
How will this Affect Rwanda’s Tourism
Although gorilla trekking has been the leading source of foreign income within Rwanda’s tourism industry, spectators within this sector have said that this is a very wrong move by the government of Rwanda considering that its neighboring country Uganda which in fact has more gorillas to see is still selling its gorilla trekking permits at just US$600.
Spectators say that the number of tourist arrivals into Rwanda is likely to drop and perhaps shift to Uganda considering that Gorilla Tours are among the most enjoyed and loved activity within the region. Several tour operators have had their clients cancel their gorilla safaris in Rwanda and now prefer to have them in Uganda. We are all now attentively observing Rwanda’s tourism sector and see how thing unfold in the time to come.
What Next for lovers of Gorillas?
This increase in the cost of gorilla permits is quite big and not every one will be in position to afford it yet there are so many people who love and have long dreamed to visit these amazing giants.
Well our recommendation to such people is not to simply five up on their dream but rather opt to take their Gorilla Tour in Uganda within the impenetrable forests of Bwindi which are home to more than half the world’s population of mountain Gorillas.
What are Mountain Gorilla Permits?
Mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) are listed as a critically endangered ape species by IUCN with about just 880 of these remaining in the world. These hairy giants have a lifespan of 40 to 50 years and a mature male can grow up to 160 kilograms while the females can reach 95 kilograms. They mainly leaved in the moist tropical and subtropical broadleaf forests. These are only two populations of these in the entire world – one in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forests of Uganda, and in the other in the Virunga mountains shared by Uganda, Rwanda and D.R.Congo.
Now to get an opportunity to see these amazing giants who have so much in common with man, you will be required to have a Gorilla Trekking Permit. in Uganda this permit costs just US$600 while in Rwanda its at US$1500 today.
Therefore for anyone to take part in this amazing activity, it is mandatory to have this permit. For additional information about this activity, click on our About Mountain Gorillas page. We hope to hear from you soon about this great activity
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