The Cost of Gorilla Trekking Permits in Uganda and Rwanda
The Cost of Gorilla Trekking Permits in Uganda and Rwanda: In comparison to other wildlife adventure experiences, gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda is somewhat expensive, as this article gives you an insight into it. What is gorilla trekking, and why is it so costly? This is a question that most tourists have. In Africa, gorilla trekking is one of the most exciting wildlife experiences that is distinct from other wildlife adventure pursuits, including hiking, game drives, and birdwatching. Trekking and hiking through the jungle to find the endangered mountain gorillas is part of the adventure.
Why is gorilla trekking in Uganda an exceptional adventure experience?
Following the Cost of Gorilla trekking permits in Uganda and Rwanda, the experience is quite unforgettable and interesting, allowing visitors to spend an hour interacting with these gentle giants in their natural environment. This helps visitors to learn and study their daily routines, feeding, nurturing, mating, nesting, and playing, among others. Since mountain gorillas are endangered and many people would love to see them, hence making gorilla trekking is costly. Therefore, many governments have been obliged to increase permit fees due to the large number of tourists who want to see wild gorillas.
One could argue that the supply and demand theory is applicable in this situation. The price increases as demand increases. The exorbitant cost of gorilla trekking permits, however, can be attributed to more than just demand. As you will see from other posts about the ethics of gorilla trekking, governments require funding to protect primates.
This means that variables such as research, infrastructure, scientists, and rangers must all be heavily invested in gorilla protection. A portion of the revenue collected from gorilla permits is allocated to initiatives aimed at preserving these magnificent creatures. Generally speaking, 75% of the revenue from gorilla permits goes towards gorilla conservation, 10% to local communities, and 15% to the government. Importantly, too many people would visit the monkeys, which would negatively impact their general well-being, if gorilla permits were far less expensive.
Destinations for gorillas in Africa
It is only possible to trek mountain gorillas in countries including Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is possible to trek mountain gorillas in Uganda’s Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Primates can be found in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park and Congo’s Virunga National Park. It is only in the Democratic Republic of the Congo that it is possible to do lowland gorilla trekking amongst these three countries. Other countries that offer lowland mountain gorilla trekking include the Central African Republic, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon for visitors who would want to go gorilla trekking in the Western Lowlands.
The Cost of Gorilla Trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo
Following the cost of gorilla trekking permits in Uganda and Rwanda, the price varies depending on the country. It is crucial to remember that gorilla permits only make up a small portion of the total cost of gorilla trekking. Transportation, lodging, food, airline tickets, packing lists, porters, guides, and visas are some of the things to think about; each component contributes to the total cost of gorilla trekking.
You must obtain a gorilla permit if you intend to go gorilla trekking in any of the three countries. In Uganda, a gorilla permit is a document that grants you entry to see mountain gorillas. A gorilla permit in Rwanda costs $1500, in Congo $450, and in Uganda it costs $800. The cost of a Rwanda gorilla safari is higher for non-foreign residents due to the high price of gorilla permits. An East African national can pay 300,000 shillings for a gorilla permit in Uganda, and in DRC- Congo’s Virunga National Park, gorilla permits can be purchased for as little as $250 during off-peak season.
Due to this minimal discount offered, the gorilla trekking experience in Congo is a little cheaper. However, Rwanda also often offers discounted permits for foreign residents, large groups, and citizens of the African Union, among others. Uganda also offers discounts to foreign residents and East African Citizens. However, since permits are more expensive in Rwanda than in Uganda or in DRC-Congo, gorilla trekking is more expensive in Rwanda compared to other countries.
For those who wish to undergo the gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi, a permit will cost $1500. The experience of gorilla habituation differs greatly from that of regular gorilla trekking. Unlike regular gorilla trekking, which only gives tourists an hour, this full-day experience offers four hours spent with mountain gorillas.
To track gorillas, a gorilla permit is necessary. You must provide your permit to park officials to participate in the activity. What is covered by the Gorilla Permit fee? An hour of gorilla interaction, park admission, and ranger fees are all included in a gorilla permit.
You must contact your tour operator or the appropriate government agency in order to reserve a gorilla permit. Gorilla permits are issued by the Rwanda Development Board in Rwanda and the Uganda Wildlife Authority in Uganda. You can reserve a permit for a safari in Congo through your tour operator or the Virunga National Park website. Booking your gorilla permit at least 2 months in advance is crucial. We advise making reservations at least 5 to 6 months in advance of your trip if you intend to visit during the high travel seasons (June, July, and August) to avoid the task of engaging several tour operators.
Accommodation costs during gorilla trekking
When organising a gorilla safari, one of the things you will need to think about is where you will rest after this exhausting experience. Excellent resorts may be found in all of the gorilla national parks. Your budget will determine the lodging option you choose. A night at an affordable lodge may start from $60 to $130. The average price of a good mid-range hotel is $150 to $200. The nightly rates at the upscale hotels range from $300 to $5500. Although most tourists book the lodgings through a reputable tour operator, you can make your own reservations if you intend to self-drive.
Make sure the accommodation you choose, if you make your own reservations, is near the beginning of the gorilla family or sector to which you have been assigned. Book too far in advance, and you can miss the trek since you won’t be there for the briefing on time. This is just one more reason to reserve your gorilla trip with a trustworthy travel agency. This specific advice is quite relevant for anyone considering gorilla trekking in Uganda.
The Cost of Food
Prices for food, beverages, and especially water should be factored in in addition to lodging and gorilla permits. Hotels provide this, but when you travel or leave the hotel, you will need food and water. If you are travelling alone, food and beverages should cost you roughly $40 per day. If you intend to purchase pricey alcohol or cigars, you may need to make separate plans for them. If you engage the services of a tour operator, worry not about accommodation and meals, because the tour operator takes full responsibility for all inclusions in the safari package.
The price of transportation (tickets for flights and car rentals): The next question that comes to mind after finding a resort and obtaining the gorilla permits is how to go to the gorilla park. The cost of airfare to and from your home nation can range from $600 to $2500, depending on the airline you select. Tour Vehicle and Guide for Gorilla Trekking may need to pay an additional $600 if you intend to reserve chartered flights from within the gorilla trekking region.
The cost of renting a car in Rwanda and Uganda ranges from $70 to $150 a day, not including petrol or a driver. Be prepared for long road trips, particularly if you are traveling in Congo and Uganda. Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable Park may be reached by car from Entebbe International Airport in 8 to 10 hours. It takes three hours to drive from Kigali International Airport to the Volcanoes National Park. Gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park requires travellers to land in Kigali and then travel for around four hours to reach the Congo border.
Things to pack for gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda
You will need a good camera, insect repellents, sunscreen, hiking boots, hand gloves, binoculars, and a rain jacket in order to have the best experience tracking and viewing the gorillas. Aside from the gorilla permit itself, all of them are additional expenses that must be taken into account. Read more about the things that are suggested in the packing list for gorilla trekking.
Visa and border crossings
Gorilla trekking frequently entails crossing the Ugandan, Rwandan, and Congolese borders. If you want to go gorilla trekking in Congo, you will need to pay $100 for a visa to cross the Goma border station. If gorilla permits in Rwanda are too expensive, people can opt for less expensive gorilla trekking in Uganda, but they will need to travel through Kigali to skip the eight-hour drive from Entebbe to the park. A $50 VISA charge must be paid at the Katuna or Cyanika border crossings to go gorilla trekking from Uganda through Kigali. For individuals who are combining safaris in several nations, the East African tourist visa can also be obtained for $100.
Although it might not seem significant, a yellow fever vaccination card is necessary in order to visit Uganda and the Congo. One of the vital documents required at the border crossing and at the airport is a yellow fever vaccination card. The cost of the vaccination should be taken into account if you intend to visit most African nations.
Cost of porters, especially for the elderly
Following the cost of gorilla trekking permits in Uganda, you will need to hire a porter to assist you in carrying heavy equipment, baggage, or video cameras while you are tracking the gorillas. Some of the porters are parents who want to earn some cash to put food on the table, or kids who want to supplement their school costs. By employing these porters, you indirectly support their families and enhance their general well-being. Porters can be hired for around $15 at the park offices or during the briefing. You might be curious about how travellers are assigned to gorilla groups.
Advice for park rangers, hotel employees, and guides/drivers: Hotel employees, guides, rangers, waiters, and waitresses occasionally go above and beyond to ensure that your stay is unforgettable. You may want to tip them as a courtesy to express your gratitude for their hard work. The sum is totally up to you. Tipping is optional while gorilla trekking and should only be given when you are satisfied with the service you received.
It should be noted that the number of days you allocate for gorilla trekking also affects the price. If you’re going with someone, a one-day gorilla trip in Uganda will cost roughly $1150 per person. If you are on a tight budget, a two-day Uganda gorilla tour would run you roughly $1400 per person. The cost of the three-day gorilla tour in Uganda is $1550 per person, if you’re travelling on a tight budget. To obtain an idea of how much it will cost to monitor the gorillas in Rwanda, add $800 to the fees shown above. The cost of a luxury gorilla trekking excursion can range from $1800 to $7000, depending on the lodge you select. These costs do not include airfare, gratuities, booze, or any other costs that appear personal in nature.
Since you have to cover your own transportation, lodging, and petrol, travelling alone is more costly. It is also crucial to remember that businesses tack on a little markup to the total cost of the trip to cover administrative services (office workers, guides, and office functioning).
Given the above costs, how might gorilla trekking be made more affordable? One option is to go gorilla trekking in less expensive places like the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. Another is to request the best low-cost lodges from your trip operator.
Note:
Following the cost of gorilla trekking permits in Uganda, select a tour operator that offers reasonable prices while ensuring high-quality services. The essential components of the journey, such as food, lodging, water, petrol, a driver/guide, and a car, must be provided by the tour operator. Request that they provide information about the available accommodations. In regard to quality, including accommodation, professional guides, and transportation, some tour operators make lofty promises but end up falling short. However expensive the accommodation may be, select a tour operator who is reliable and is able to plan and execute your safari package diligently. Since a safari can succeed or flop just because you are trying to save a little.
