How much is a Gorilla trekking Permit?

How much is a Gorilla trekking Permit?

How much is a Gorilla trekking Permit? The cost of gorilla trekking is relatively high compared to other wildlife encounters, as we will discover in this article. What is gorilla trekking, and why is it so expensive? Gorilla trekking is one of the most thrilling wildlife activities in Africa. The experience is different from a game drive in the Serengeti, Masai Mara, or Kruger National Park.

Gorilla trekking is special because mountain gorillas look and behave like we humans. They live in families led by a dominant silverback who dictates everything that is done by the group. Gorilla trekking is expensive because mountain gorillas are endangered, and because of that, many people want to see them. The high number of tourists interested in observing wild gorillas has forced many governments to raise the price of permits. You can say the principle of demand and supply applies here. The higher the demand, the higher the price. But demand is not the only explanation for the high cost of gorilla trekking permits. The governments need funds to protect the primates, as you will find out from another article about whether gorilla trekking is ethical or not.

Gorilla Conservation and Where to Experience Gorilla Trekking

Gorilla conservation involves significant investments in research, infrastructure, Rangers, and scientists. This requires money. Part of the money collected from gorilla permits is used to fund activities related to protecting these majestic primates. In general, 15% of the money collected from gorilla permits goes to the government, 10% to the local communities, and 75% to gorilla conservation. It is important to note that if the cost of gorilla permits were reduced considerably, too many tourists would visit the primates, hence affecting their overall well-being.

Note: Mountain Gorilla trekking is possible only in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In Uganda, mountain gorillas can be tracked in Mgahinga and Bwindi National Park. In Congo, the primates are found in Virunga National Park, while in Rwanda, it is Volcanoes National Park. Eastern Lowland Gorilla Trekking is only possible in the Democratic Republic of Congo. If you are interested in Western Lowland gorilla trekking, you would have to visit the Central African Republic, Congo, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon.

The Cost of Gorilla Trekking in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo

The cost of gorilla trekking differs from country to country. It is important to note that the price of gorilla permits is just a fraction of the overall cost of gorilla trekking. You still have to consider transportation, accommodation, food, Visas, air tickets, packing lists, porters, and tips for the Guides.

The cost of a gorilla permit:

If you are planning to do gorilla trekking in any of the three countries, you will need to acquire a gorilla permit. A gorilla permit is a document that allows you access to the gorillas. In Uganda, gorilla permits cost $700, in Rwanda $1500, and in Congo $450. The high price of Rwanda gorilla permits makes the cost of a Rwanda safari more expensive for international Travelers. If you are an East African national, you can obtain a gorilla permit in Uganda for 300,000 shillings.

During low seasons of the year, Gorilla permits may be sold at a discount in Virunga National Park of Congo for as little as $250 (This could change soon). The price of gorilla trekking in Congo is lower because of this generous discount. Rwanda may also have discounted permits for African Union Citizens, foreign residents, large groups, families, and those taking part in other activities in the country. Uganda has discounted gorilla permits for foreigners who are residents in East Africa. A Rwanda gorilla trekking cost is higher than in Uganda or Congo because of the price of permits.

If you are interested in the gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi, you will have to pay $1500 for a permit. The Gorilla habituation experience is quite different from normal gorilla trekking. It takes the whole day and involves spending 4 hours with mountain gorillas instead of the one hour allocated to tourists during standard gorilla trekking.

How much is a Gorilla trekking Permit?  A gorilla permit is a requirement for tracking gorillas. You cannot be allowed to take part in the activity without showing your permit to the park authorities. What is included in the price of a Gorilla Permit? A gorilla permit includes interacting with the gorillas for one hour, park entrance, and Ranger fees.

To book a gorilla permit, you need to go through your tour operator or one of the government authorities in the respective countries. In Uganda, the Uganda Wildlife Authority issues gorilla permits, while the Rwanda Development Board does the same in Rwanda. If you are planning on a safari in Congo, you can book a permit with the Virunga National Park website or through your tour operator. It is important to book your gorilla permit at least 2 months in advance. If you are planning to travel in the peak season (June, July, and August), we recommend that you do the booking at least 5 to 6 months before the trip so that you don’t go through the stress of asking different tour companies if they have availability.

The cost of accommodation:

One of the things you will have to consider while planning gorilla safaris is where to sleep. All the gorilla national parks have high-quality lodges. Your choice of accommodation will depend on your budget. The good budget hotels cost anywhere between $50 $130 a night. Good mid-range hotels go for between $150 $200. The luxury hotels start from $300 to $5500 per night.

You can book these hotels on your own if you are planning to do a self-drive, but most travelers book the hotels through a reliable tour company. If you book a hotel yourself, ensure that it is located close to the starting point of the gorilla family or sector you have been assigned. If you book too far away, you may not show up for the briefing on time, hence missing the trek. This is all the more reason why it is better to book your gorilla tour through a reputable tour operator. This particular recommendation is very applicable to those planning to do gorilla trekking in Uganda.

The cost of food:

Apart from accommodation and gorilla permits, you need to take into consideration expenses on food, drinks, and particularly water. The hotels provide this, but you are going to need water and food when out of the hotel or traveling. Food and drinks should cost you about $40 each day if you are traveling on your own. If you are planning to buy expensive booze or cigars, you might have to plan for them separately. You should not worry about food if you book your vacation with a tour company. The company should take care of the food and water while at the hotel and when traveling between activities. You can read a related article about the cost of a safari in Uganda.

The cost of transport (Plane tickets and hiring a vehicle):

After securing the gorilla permits and identifying a lodge, the next thing that comes to mind is how to get to the gorilla park. Air tickets to and from your country of origin can cost between $600 $2500, depending on your choice of airline. If you are planning to book chartered flights from within the gorilla trekking country, you might need to part with another $600. Should you find internal flights way beyond your budget, or should you decide that you want to experience more of the African countryside, then traveling by road from the airport is highly recommended.

Hiring a car in Rwanda and Uganda will cost you between $70 $150 a day, excluding fuel and a driver. Expect to travel on the road for long hours, especially if you are traveling in Uganda and Congo. It takes between 8 and 10 hours of driving to reach Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable Park from Entebbe International Airport. The driving distance from Kigali International Airport to the Volcanoes National Park is 3 hours. Those who choose to do gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park have to first land in Kigali and then proceed to the Congo border in a journey that can take about 4 hours.

Arranging your own vacation in an unfamiliar and developing country can be complicated. This is why most Travelers leave the issue of transport, permits, and accommodation to their chosen tour operators so that they are only left with the task of showing up. It is also important to note that few tour companies book air tickets on behalf of their clients. Consult your tour company to see if they can help you with booking flights to and from your country of origin.

Cost of items on the gorilla trekking packing list:

How much is a Gorilla trekking Permit?  For the best experience while tracking and watching the gorillas, you will need to travel with a good camera, insect repellents, sunscreen, hiking boots, hand gloves, a pair of binoculars, and a rain jacket. These are all hidden costs that need to be taken into consideration apart from the gorilla permit itself. You might want to read more about the items recommended on the gorilla trekking packing list.

Visas and border crossing:

How much is a Gorilla trekking Permit?  Gorilla trekking often involves crossing borders between Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. If you are planning to do gorilla trekking in Congo, expect to cross the Goma border post at a cost ($100 for the Visa). Those who find the price of gorilla permits in Rwanda beyond their budget can choose to go for more affordable gorilla trekking in Uganda instead. But arrive through Kigali to avoid the 8 hours of driving from Entebbe to the park. Gorilla trekking from Uganda through Kigali involves paying a VISA fee of $50. At either the Katuna or Cyanika border crossings. The East African tourist visa can also be acquired at a cost of $100 for those who are combining safaris in different countries of East Africa.

Yellow Fever vaccination card:

This may not seem important, but it is a requirement for entering Uganda and Congo. If you read reviews about gorilla trekking, you will learn that yellow fever vaccination cards are one of the key documents required at the airport and while crossing borders. If you are planning to travel to most African countries, you need to consider the cost of taking the shot.

Cost of porters (especially for the elderly Travelers):

If you are traveling with heavy equipment, bags, or video cameras, you will need to hire a porter to help you carry them while tracking the gorillas. The porters can also help you carry a packed lunch and lend a hand during the difficult sections of the trek. Gorilla trekking for the elderly is more complicated because they would need to use sedan chairs and hire about eight porters to lift them up to the tracking point. It can cost about $400 to hire a Sedan chair and the porters to carry it.

Porters live close to the gorilla parks, and some were once poachers. A few of the porters are students who are looking for money to top up their school fees, or parents interested in making some money to put food on the table. By hiring these porters, you contribute to their general well-being and indirectly help them support their families. Hiring a porter costs about $15, and they can be found at the park offices or during the briefing. You may want to know how gorilla groups are allocated to travelers.

Tips for the Guide/Driver, Park Rangers, and Hotel staff:

How much is a Gorilla trekking Permit?  Hotel staff, Guides, Rangers, Waiters, and Waitresses go out of their way to make sure that your time with them is memorable. Out of courtesy, you might decide to show your appreciation for the work done by giving them a tip. The amount depends entirely on you. Tipping during gorilla trekking is not compulsory and should only be paid after a service is rendered, and you are happy with it.

Note: The cost of gorilla trekking also depends on how many days you set aside for the activity. A 1-day gorilla tour in Uganda will cost about $1150 per person if traveling with someone. A 2-day Uganda gorilla tour will cost about  $1400 per person if traveling with someone on a budget. The 3-day gorilla tour in Uganda will cost $1550 per person if traveling with someone on a budget. If you are planning to track the gorillas in Rwanda, add $800 to the prices above to get an estimate of your overall expenditure. Luxury gorilla trekking tours can cost between $1800 $7000, depending on the lodge you choose. These prices do not include air tickets, tips, alcoholic beverages, or any expenses that appear personal in nature.

Traveling alone is more expensive because you have to pay for transport, accommodation, and fuel yourself. Moreover, it is important to note that companies add some markup costs to the overall trip to cater for administrative services (Guides, office staff, office functionality).

Tips for Saving on Gorilla Trekking Costs

How can you save on gorilla trekking costs, given the expenses involved? One option is to trek gorillas in more affordable destinations such as Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Another is to ask your tour operator to recommend the best budget lodges.

Avoid traveling alone so you can share the costs of transport, accommodation, and fuel with a spouse or friend. You can also consider traveling during the low (rainy) season, when fewer tourists visit. During this period, accommodation facilities may be cheaper, and some destinations, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, may offer discounts on hotels and even gorilla permits.

You may also reduce costs by using public transport; however, this option carries risks. You have little control over departure and arrival times, as public buses in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo often do not leave on schedule. This can cause you to arrive late for the briefing at park headquarters or even miss the activity altogether. Missing the trek is costly because gorilla permits are expensive, and there is no guarantee you will secure another permit for the following day, even if you wish to do so.

Smart Ways to Cut Travel Costs Without Compromising Quality

How much is a Gorilla trekking Permit?  Other ways of cutting costs are to avoid taking chartered flights within the country. Most of the chartered flights are very expensive. The reason for the high costs of internal flights is that few local people travel by plane. The few local travelers have forced Airlines to compensate by hiking prices. Traveling by road may take hours, but it will provide you with a rare opportunity to marvel at the African countryside, landscape, beautiful scenery, and the local people going about their lives. The best way to learn about a country is by observing the cities and also countryside. Last but not least, try to compare costs from different tour operators. Do not go for the cheapest because you might end up regretting it.

Go for a tour operator with affordable rates, but one that can guarantee quality services. The tour operator must be able to cater for the important elements of the trip, which should include food, accommodation, water, fuel, a Driver/Guide, and a car. Ask them to share details about the accommodation options. Many tour operators promise much but do not deliver on quality (Experienced driver, vehicle, hotels, etc.). Book with a tour operator that can book you good accommodation facilities, even if they cost slightly more. The hotel choice is very important and can make or break a trip. You don’t want to mess up your holidays because you are trying to save a few dollars.

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