Is Gorilla Trekking Expensive?

Is Gorilla Trekking Expensive?

Is Gorilla Trekking Expensive?, Gorilla Trekking Experience offers Tourists a once in a lifetime opportunity. To encounter the endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. However, this experience comes at a steep price, the high fee provides necessary funds for gorilla conservation efforts. Most tourists surely agree that it is well worth the price for a once in a lifetime experience. Gorilla Trekking permits are expensive simply because the Mountain Gorillas have a high maintenance cost. This involves significant investments in research, rangers and scientists and this requires enough funds.

The Mountain Gorilla Trekking Experience is unique simply. Because these gorillas resemble human beings in appearance and behavior, more so, they share 99.8% of human DNA. Gorillas live in families which are led by a dominating silverback who is in charge of everything the group does.

Gorilla Trekking one of the most thrilling wildlife experiences on Earth, the Cost of the experience more expensive compared to other wildlife encounters. The experience is special because mountain gorillas look and behave like humans and they live in families. With a hierarchy where the dominant silverback dictates everything  done by the group members.

Gorilla Trekking very expensive because mountain gorillas endangered and due to that, very many people want to see them. The high numbers of tourists interested in seeing them has therefore forced government in these 3 countries; Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo to raise the price of the Gorilla permits.

Gorilla trekking done only in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In Uganda, gorillas tracked in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. In Rwanda, gorillas  tracked in Volcanoes National Park (Parc National Des Volcans) and in Congo. The primates  found in Virunga National Park.

Demand is not the only explanation for the high costs of gorilla permits, there is need for funds to protect these endangered primates. And therefore, for one to see the Gorillas, they need to have a Gorilla Trekking Permit. You cannot be allowed to take part in a gorilla trekking activity without showing the permits to the park authorities.

Gorilla Permit is a document that gives one access to habituated gorilla groups in gorilla destinations of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Acquiring a Gorilla permit to watch these mountain gorillas is one of the most important things to consider when planning to go on a Gorilla safari.

Part of the money collected from the gorilla permits channeled towards the protection of these majestic primates. To be more specific, 15% of the money goes to the government. 10% goes to the local communities and then 75% channeled to Gorilla Conservation.

The cost of gorilla trekking differs from country to country. Therefore, it is important to note that the price of gorilla permits is just a fraction of the overall cost of gorilla trekking. In Uganda, the Gorilla Trekking Permit costs $ 800 per permit, in Rwanda, the Gorilla Permit costs $ 1,500 per permit whereas in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The cost of a Gorilla Permit is $ 400 per permit.

Gorilla Habituation Experience is quite different from gorilla trekking experience. Here, it involves spending 4 hours with the Mountain gorillas instead of the 1 hour allocated to visitors during the standard Gorilla Trekking. The activity takes the whole day since finding the gorillas takes about 2 to 6 hours of Trekking.

A gorilla permit includes interacting with the gorillas for one hour, park entrance, Ranger fees and also advance trackers. To book a gorilla Trekking permit, you need to go through your local Tour Operator or the government authorities responsible for wildlife in the respective countries.

In Uganda, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) issues out gorilla permits. Rwanda Development board (RDB) does the same in Rwanda and in case you are planning a safari to Congo. You can book a gorilla permit through the Virunga National Park website or through your local Tour operator.

It is very important to book your gorilla trekking permit or Gorilla Safari at least 2 months in advance. This is because Gorilla Permits are sold and booked on first come, first serve basis. And therefore, they need to be reserved in time so that you do not miss out. In case you are planning to travel in the peak season; from June to August. We recommend that you do the booking well in advance so that you don’t go through the multiple stress of checking your availability.