Rwanda Announces 50% increase for Gorilla Trekking Price (Gorilla Permits).
On January 27th, 2012, Rwanda Development Board, the body responsible for Rwanda tourism announced the bitter sweet news that the price of a single gorilla permit would be increased from the usual 500 USD to a hooping 750 USD in a resolution that will take full effect come 1st June 2012! The news of this move by Rwanda Development Board has raised eyebrows among many Rwanda tour operators some calling it “over the top” however, according to an explanation from John Gara, the board’s Chief Executive officer; a decision to increase the gorilla permits price was reached as a conservational effort due to an increase in the gorilla population in Rwanda and an increased demand for gorilla tourism.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is the major tourist activity in a country that has only 3 national parks with limited biodiversity! Akagera national park is being restocked in order to make it a viable wildlife destination, the other being Nyungwe forest, home of the chimpanzees, golden monkeys, birds and other primate species. However, Gorillas in Rwanda can be viewed with ease and offer better photography and video filming compared to those in Bwindi-Uganda and DRC.
Now the question goes; how will this move affect Uganda, DRC and Rwanda Gorilla Tourism?
Rwanda has done its best and successfully marketed itself as a tourism destination even when it has little to offer compared to its East African counterparts more so Uganda, its immediate neighbor. Uganda possesses the highest mountain gorilla population in the world with 12 gorilla families in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park at the moment and doubt is now cast on whether it will tor the line and increase the price too and whether Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a gorilla trekking destination as well, will be next!
Coming up close with a mountain gorilla is such an ecstatic experience and every one that has had the opportunity to do so will tell you they would pay any price to spend that one hour with the gentle giants found only in the Virunga mountains range but with Uganda being voted “Best Country to Visit in 2012” by Lonely Planet, the decision to track gorillas in Rwanda or Uganda will be left to the jury; the tourists themselves!!
In my opinion, Uganda should welcome the news as a golden opportunity to chance themselves as the client’s choice for gorilla safaris and tours. UWA should be rejoicing and strategizing on how to better place Uganda before the tourists! Uganda should be the best all around tourist destination in East Africa. It is safe, it has Mountain Gorillas, abundant wildlife, birds, hiking spots, primates, nature and wonderful people; it has a good infrastructure within its parks and offers reasonable priced lodging compared to its counterparts all of which when well marketed should make Uganda the ultimate traveler’s choice.
Look out for Gorilla Trekking Uganda safaris and tours at pocket friendly prices!
