Gorilla trekking is one of the most exceptional wildlife experiences in the world. It is an unusual adventure compared to the normal game drives in Murchison Falls National Park, Serengeti National Park or Masai Mara National Reserve. Gorilla trekking to others is considered to be costly but the reason behind this is because mountain gorillas still remain the endangered species and there is need to protect them.
Mountain gorilla conservation is a huge investment involving a number of aspects including research, paying the rangers, scientists and all the above need money to ensure smooth running of conservation activities. These are some of the aspects that explain why gorilla permits are expensive. A portion of gorilla permits fees collected is channeled to ensure gorilla conservation and protection initiatives are effected. Part of the fees collected from gorilla tourism also goes to local communities and this is to boast different local initiatives so as to make them embrace gorilla tourism and conservation.
Gorilla trekking in Africa is only possible in 3 states; Uganda, Rwanda and DRC. In Uganda, it is in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park; in Rwanda it is in Volcanoes National Park and the Virunga National Park in DRC.
Cost of gorilla permits
Tracking mountain gorillas is every traveler’s dream but you must have a valid gorilla permit. Each of the 3 countries has a set price for its gorilla permits with Uganda issuing her gorilla permits at US$ 700 (foreign non-residents), 600 foreign resides and as citizen in East African Community, you pay UGX 250000.
For holidaymakers on gorilla safari in Rwanda, you require US Dollars 1500 per person to book for a gorilla permit. In the DRC, a gorilla permit is obtainable at relatively lower price than Uganda and Rwanda. In DRC you need US Dollars 450 to reserve a gorilla permit. The cost of gorilla permits includes park guide charges, entry fees and visitor experience with a habituated gorilla group family in their natural habitat.
Accommodation
When costing for a gorilla tour in Uganda, Rwanda or DRC, the type of accommodation you plan to stay matters a lot. In the 4 gorilla trekking parks, each of them has accommodation alternatives ranging from budget, mid-range to luxury. The rates may differ depending on when you plan to travel to trek gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda or DRC. Higher rates are recorded during the dry or peak season and this is normally from June to September and December to February. These are months when demand is high and parks register highest number of visitors.
But there is possibility for visitors on gorilla tour to secure a budget accommodation at $50 or $100 per night. A comfortable moderate lodge can be got at $150 to $200 and luxury alternatives go at $300 to $2500.
Cost of transportation
By all means, planning for how you will get to your gorilla safari destination is a must and the rate for transportation is always captured when costing a gorilla tour. The rate differs depending on the kind of rental car you rent, number of days you plan to take but we have variety of rental cars suited to all kinds of travelers.