GORILLA TREKKING TARIFFS IN UGANDA AND RWANDA

Glancing at the eyes of our closet relatives the “rare mountain gorillas” in their wilderness is in deed some thing full of thrilling and inspiring experiences that come once in a life time. Unlike the normal nature walks, gorilla trekking hikes in Uganda and Rwanda are filled with magical miracles of nature. Just within an hour that you spend with the mountain gorillas is enough for you to spark your imaginations with natural wonders in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, South Western-Uganda and Volcanoes National Park, North Western-Rwanda. Think of any adventures in the world and you will agree that gorilla trekking experience is truly a special one that you must include into your list.

MOUNTAIN GORILLA

Globally, there are not more than 900 mountain gorillas that are still in existence and all of them live in only 3 countries. If you wish to see these beautiful creatures, then bring yourself to Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). But due to instability in the DRC, gorilla trekking is currently convenient in Rwanda and Uganda. In Uganda, there are more than 480 species of mountain gorillas while the balance is distributed within the Virunga Massif; of which Rwanda takes 62%.

MOUNTAIN GORILLAS

To go for the trek, the park management assigns tourists to only one Habituated Gorilla Family each day and only 8 visitors are allowed per gorilla group. In Uganda, there are 11 fully Habituated Gorilla Families for tourists to view the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and only 1 Habituated Gorilla Family can be booked for gorilla trekking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. 

In Rwanda, there are 10 Habituated Gorilla Families for you to do gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes National Park. Uganda in this case is out weighs Rwanda in terms of Habituated Gorilla Families. As well, Uganda has recently introduced Gorilla Habituation Experience for visitors which you won’t find in any gorilla destination in East Africa or even in the world except, visiting the Biking and Bushaho gorilla families-Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. While here, it is all about spending the whole day while enjoying 4 hours exploring the daily behaviors of these impressive primates. Only 4 visitors are allowed to be in these gorilla families with researchers or conservationists. Each gorilla family takes only two visitors each day and the gorilla permit for Habituation Experience costs USD1500.

SPEND $1,500 AND HABITUATE GORILLAS IN UGANDA

Like Gorilla Habituation Experience requires visitors to have a gorilla permit, gorilla trekking too is a must to hold a gorilla permit in order for you to attain such special moments in your life with these extraordinary primates. Here you ask yourself, much must I pay for gorilla permit in Uganda or Rwanda? 

In Uganda, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has maintained its price for gorilla permits for the year 2016/1017 at USD600 per visitor especially during the peak season. The peak season here starts between June and September; between December and February. During these months, it is a dry season and it is sunny in the gorilla habitats but this doesn’t mean that there won’t be any rain showers.  Mountain gorillas live in rain forests and so you to expect it to rain at any time of the day. During the low season which occurs in the months of March to May and October to November, UWA reduces on the gorilla trekking tariffs from $600 to $450 per visitor for foreign none residents and $400 for East African residents. During this period, it is wet season and the steep slopes also tend to be muddy hence making it difficult for visitors to hike. However, it is season when there is plenty of food in gorilla habitat and visitors can easily track the mountain gorillas within the foothills of bamboo forest while they are feeding.

Uganda has 88 gorilla permits each day for visitor to trek for the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and only 8 gorilla permits in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. In total, Uganda has 96 permits readily available each day for visitors who are interested in gorilla trekking. It is also important for you to note that only 8 visitors are allowed per day to go for gorilla trekking whether in Uganda or Rwanda. You are therefore requested to book for your gorilla permit in advance since the demand is high.

SPARK IMAGINATIONS IN UGANDA AT$600

GORILLA PERMITS DURING LOW SEASON IN UGANDA 

In Rwanda, the cost for the gorilla permit is so different based on the current increment by Rwanda Development Board on 6^th May 2017. If you are interested in gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes National Park-Rwanda, the gorilla permit costs USD1,500 per visitor and this applies to all tourists. If you want to book for an entire family of rare mountain gorillas, the permit goes at USD15,000 and there are 80 gorilla permits that are available per day for you to track the mountain gorillas. At end of day you understand how much you are supposed to spend on particular destination.

TREK GORILLAS IN RWANDA AT $1500

In conclusion, gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda is a special adventure experience where visitors get value for their money, highly distinct and authentic products that one can never find in any part of the world except in the rain forests of East Africa. Despite the price tag in the permits, the experiences here are never regrettable in any way. We hope you will enjoy your stay with us in East Africa!!