Gorilla trekking is the ultimate activity in a Uganda or Rwanda safari. However, the cost of gorilla trekking safaris in those countries is dependent on a number of factors. A Gorilla permits cost in Rwanda differs from the permit cost in Uganda and this is also due to certain reasons. Below are some of the answers to common questions regarding the gorilla trekking cost.
Why is gorilla trekking so expensive?
Gorilla trekking is one of the most exception wildlife activities on legendary Africa. Gorilla trekking is special because mountain gorillas are endemic to one part of the world and are limited to only three countries. The mountain gorillas are further endangered, which makes their value optimally significant. The gorillas exist in families or groups with a hierarchy where the most dominant male and leader of the group is called the silverback and he usually dictates what has to done by the rest of the group. The silverback is usually followed by the black back in command.
Gorilla trekking is so expensive because mountain gorillas are endangered (1063 left in the world) and yet very many people want to see them. The high increase in the number of tourists who want to see them has forced many governments to raise the price of permits, partly as a conservation strategy and to limit the number. Every gorilla group can only be trekked by 8 people a day and this serves to limit significant human encroachment on the wildlands.
The amount of money collected is partly used in conservation efforts to maintain the health and ecosystem environment of the endangered primates. For such to be maintain, a number of researchers, rangers and a team of scientists need to be put in place for research and monitoring and yet all these efforts require money. Furthermore, there is a need to prevent human-wildlife conflicts. Therefore, a percentage of the money collected is given to the communities around the protected areas so that they may understand the value of wildlife and develop a spirit of conservation.
What determines the cost of gorilla trekking safaris?
The price of gorilla trekking safaris depends on a number of factors. These range from the country where you are trekking from, the cost of the permit, the vehicle you hire and means of transport, the number of days, the activities you want to do, the type of accommodation, the number of people you are to the kind of guide you hire.
- Country where you are doing gorilla trekking from.
Gorillas are endemic to the Virunga landscape and can only be found in three countries across the whole world. These include: Uganda, Rwanda and DRC. Gorilla trekking is Rwanda is the most expensive since a gorilla trekking permit in Rwanda is USD 1500. However, gorilla trekking in Rwanda is the best since Volcanoes National Park is closer to the airport thus one moves for a shorter distance. In Uganda, a gorilla trekking permit is at 700 USD, which is an increment from 600 USD. This is still far much cheaper than in Rwanda which makes the safari less expensive.
DRC has the cheapest gorilla permits at 400 USD which makes the safari the least expensive.
- Vehicle you hire and means of transport.
There are four National Parks where mountain gorillas can be tracked from. These include: Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National park in DRC. Reaching any of these National Parks requires either a short distance or long-distance drive, depending on their locations from the airports. Mgahinga and Bwindi are found in the Southwest of Uganda and are approximately 8 to 9 hours drive from Kampala, the capital of the country. Volcanoes National Park in Musanze is just approximately 2 hours from Kigali and Virunga in Goma, at the heart of DRC is approximately 5 to 6 hours drive from the airport.
If you are to travel by road, you can either use a safari van, land cruiser or mini bus depending on your number, and all these vehicles require a different amount of money. When you take a drive, you get to experience the roads and have scenic views of nature on your way. You also get to interact more with the people to understand them more.
However, you could opt to use air transport. Air transport exists in all these countries by the use of chartered or scheduled flights. For example, on reaching Entebbe International Airport, you can take a direct flight to Bwindi using Aero link or Uganda air. These flights take a shorter period of time but are relatively more expensive than a drive.
- Number of days.
The more the number of days, the more expensive usually your gorilla trip will be. This is because the costs and expenditures keep accumulating on a daily, making your safari more expensive.
- The activities participated in.
You may want to participate in other activities alongside gorilla trekking. And you should note that some activities are very expensive while others are not. For example, mountain trekking is expensive and would increase the cost of your safari by far. Furthermore, the more activities you engage in, the higher the expenditure.
- The kind of guide you have.
Some guides, especially special set skill guides are more expensive and would make the safari more costly. For example, if you don’t know English, you might need a guide that can speak a language of your choice and this requires slightly more money. Guides for bird-watching are also more costly.
- Type of accommodation selected.
Although different accommodation facilities vary in their charges, the amount of money paid also varies in their rate of service and room types. Some lodges are high end (luxury) and budget while others are mid-range. The selection made can affect the price of a safari.
Furthermore, one may select different room types. Some rooms can be shared- which reduces costs.
- Number of people on a safari.
The number of people on a safari can reduce or increase the cost depending on the organization. Numbers above 10 will warrant the use of a mini bus which increases the price of car hire. However, the combined effort can actually reduce the costs since almost everything may be shared.
- The use of porters.
During your gorilla trekking safari, you will need porters to carry your luggage which eases your safari. These porters are usually paid by you at a cost of 15 USD each.
- Service charge by the travel company.
You should also budget some money to give the travel company you are going to use.
- Tipping
This is a minor cost and it shouldn’t worry you. However, you can calculate it for proper planning.
For guidelines on gorilla trekking, check this out.