Why are Gorilla Permits So Expensive – Safari Uganda & Rwanda
Why are Gorilla Permits So Expensive : Gorilla permit is so expensive for certain reasons; First of all, gorilla trekking is worth the money and because of the high costs of conserving the large population of gorillas, estimating about 75% of your gorilla permit fees which goes into conservation initiatives to protect the endangered mountain gorillas. More so, because the mountain gorillas are endangered gorillas and attracts many people to come see them. Also due to the increased number of tourists interested in seeing gorillas eye to eye encounter has forced governments of that recognized countries Uganda and Rwanda to raise the price of the permits. Although the demand is not only the explanation for the high cost of gorilla permits.
Furthermore, the cost of gorilla permits is so expensive because of the relatively high demand compared to other wildlife explore. The more reason why gorilla permits or trekking expensive because gorilla trekking is one of the top done activity and fabulous on the earth as meet up with these great mountain gorillas whom we share 98% of the DNA. Note, you cannot compare gorilla trekking to a game drive in the Serengeti, Masai Maraa. For this make, Gorilla trekking special because mountain gorillas are unique species that look and behave like we humans. Mountain gorillas live in families of 30 individuals with a hierarchy where the dominant silverback leads the family.
The money collected from gorilla permit caters for the life time of gorillas and conservation and constructing infrastructure. Gorilla conservation involves significant investments in research, scientists and park ranges and they all require money. And part of the money collected from gorilla permits contributes a lot towards the protection of these unique primates.
To be realistic to the money paid for the permits,15% of the collected money goes to the government ,10% goes to the local communities and 75% gorilla conservation. Important note, if the price for permit were reduced considerably, there is a likelihood that there would be too many visitors to the park thus affecting the overall well-being of the few habituated gorilla families.
Gorilla trekking is only possible in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo and without a valid permit, you cannot to trek gorillas. In Uganda, mountain gorillas can be trekked in Mgahinga and Bwindi National Park. In Congo can be seen in Virunga National Park while in Rwanda mountain gorillas can be trekked in Volcanoes National Park.
What is the cost of Gorilla Trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo?
The cost of gorilla trekking differs country to country; It is important to know that the price of gorilla permits is not all about costing of gorilla trekking package. You also have to consider transportation, accommodation, food, Visas, air ticket, porter fee and packing list .Of course, all you need to know about gorilla trekking and why is it so experience at the end of this article ,you would have answered your question, Why are Gorilla Permits So Expensive.
The gorilla permits costs; Before planning to do gorilla permits in any of the three countries, you will need to acquire a gorilla permit. A gorilla permits is a ticket that allows you access to the mountain gorillas.
In Uganda, gorilla permits costs USD700 per person per trek for foreign nonresident and USD600 for foreign residents. Rwanda’s gorilla permits cost doubles the price for Uganda as a fee USD1,500 and Congo –gorilla permit cost USD400 per person per trek. The East African Members in Uganda, can obtain a gorilla permit at USD250,000 UGX.
During the low season you go for gorilla trekking at cheap rate no discount in Congo’s Virunga National Park at USD250 though some time it might change. Tourist interested for a long hour stay with mountain gorillas can book for gorilla habituation experience which is only done in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda, at a cost of USD1,500 per day per trek , it’s a four-hour experience with gorillas which is the same amount of one hour in Rwanda.
Gorilla habituation is quite different gorilla trekking; it is a whole day experience that involves in four hours with mountain gorillas while gorilla trekking is an hour activity with the trackers. Remember, a gorilla permit is a pass out document to see gorillas in their nature inhabitants. You cannot be allowed to take part in the activity without holding a valid gorilla permit to show to the park authorities. A gorilla permit includes; interacting with the gorillas for one hour, park entrance, park ranger fees and advanced trackers.
How to get a gorilla permit;
A gorilla permit can be booked directly or through your tour operator or from the government authorities in the respective countries. In Uganda –gorilla permits are issued out from Uganda Wildlife Authority while the Rwanda Development Board in Rwanda. If you’re to trek in Congo safaris, you will book a permit with in Virunga National Park website or through the tour operator. We advise you to book your gorilla permit in advance. If you are planning to visit in the peak season ‘’June to Mid-September and December to February, we recommend you to start booking at least 5 to 6 months before the trip so that you don’t go through disappointments of asking different tour companies. If you want to take a run for gorilla trekking, please you can contact us Achieve Global Safaris we do care for our clients and our first priority in all we do. It’s all amazing you to set eyes on these beautiful gentle giant –the mountain gorillas in their nature habitat where everyone should get to experience once in their lifetime. The price of the activity is worth it and even affordable. Get started now! Your safari to Uganda or Rwanda Gorilla Safaris.
Lastly, continue supporting the African safaris through visiting these unique creatures of mountain gorillas. The money you pay for a Gorilla Permits helps in the conservation efforts, research building of infrastructure around the park and the country as well as supporting the communities around Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park plus also payment of the park staff and rangers who protect the mountain gorillas.
