Difference in a gorilla permit price in Uganda and Rwanda

Both Rwanda and Uganda are known to be among the best gorilla trekking destinations within Africa. Gorilla trekking is one of the top tourism activities that are done within both Uganda and Rwanda.

However, before embarking on a gorilla safari, you must have obtained a gorilla permit. The gorilla permit can be gotten through booking with a trusted tour operator or book online through the websites of the authorized bodies. These bodies are Uganda wildlife authority for Uganda and Rwanda development board for Rwanda.

Tourists interested in carrying out gorilla trekking have a lot of questions about the price of a gorilla permit, such as why it differs from that of Rwanda and Uganda. This article is generally going to equip you with reasons why there is price difference in a gorilla permit of Uganda and Rwanda.

The gorilla permit price of Rwanda is quite high compared to that of Uganda. Even though it is expensive to trek gorillas in Rwanda there are many advantages to trek from the land of thousand hills compared to trekking in Uganda.

There are many factors followed while setting the price of a gorilla permit of different countries thus causing its divergency. Uganda and Rwanda are among the best gorilla trekking destinations in Africa, and they follow different aspects to set the price of their gorilla permits as we shall see.

What is a gorilla permit?

Let us start by understanding what a gorilla permit is and why on need one to meet these great apes in their natural habitats

A gorilla permit refers to a card or document offered by the tourism body of a country to grant tourists an opportunity/ permission to engage in gorilla trekking. A gorilla permit acts as an allowance for the gorilla trekking adventure.

Gorilla conservation

This is one of the main factors considered by both countries while setting up the price of a gorilla permit. With mountain gorillas already declared endangered, a lot need to be done to ensure their continuity.

Gorilla conservation refers to different measures put across mainly to protect and protect the mountain gorillas and their natural habitats. As a way to conserve the gorillas and their habitats, high prices are set to limit the number of people that do visit gorillas per day. Therefore, since Rwanda has got fewer gorillas compared to Uganda, then it is only logical for Rwanda to set their prices higher than that of Uganda from the law of demand and supply.

Government policy and economic goals

Given Rwanda small size as a country and few tourist attraction activities that can be done within the country, the government decided to put its focus on high end tourism. For the country to be able to offer such exclusive private safari that Rwanda is focusing at then the price of the permit had to be set slightly higher to meet the government goals and objectives.

While.

For the case of Uganda, the country with a lot of other tour activities beside gorilla trekking, it is logical to keep the gorilla trekking fees slightly low to encourage visitors to come to the country and participate even in other activities. On top of that, Uganda has got more than two times as many mountain gorillas as Rwanda with two national parks in Bwindi national park and Mgahinga gorillas national park compared to Rwanda which has one national park in volcanoes national park has got and this also influence the price of the gorilla trekking permit in the country.

Tourist infrastructures

For the case of Rwanda, the country has aimed and staged itself with luxury tourism infrastructures such as lodges, roads, and many more hence supporting its premium pricing model.  Trekking gorillas in Rwanda is done at volcanoes national park and the transport routes are very good and near to the city centre where you it will only take you only two hours to drive from Kigali international airport to the park.

The park is surrounded with luxury and world class infrastructures thus justifying the higher costs of permits. Some of the luxury lodges around Volcanoes national park include 5 volcanoes, Bisate lodge, Virunga lodge, Mountain gorilla view lodge and many more high-end lodges.

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In Uganda, tourism is majorly based on budget to mid luxury safari with relatively poor infrastructure development compared to that of Rwanda which explain the low permit prices due to the intended clientele the country is targeting.

Gorilla population and its Accessibility

The issue of gorilla populations is one of the factors to consider while setting up the price of the gorilla permit.

Rwanda has few habituated mountain gorillas compared to Uganda thus contributing to an exclusive and premium experience. Rwanda is quoted with approximately 20 percent of total gorilla population while Uganda with two national parks is quoted with over 50 percent of the total mountain gorillas that do exist in the world.

In terms of accessibility, Rwanda park (volcanoes national park) is the most accessible park it is just 2 hours drive from the airport to the park compared to Bwindi national park of Uganda which is 10-hour drive from Entebbe international airport. The accessibility and the luxury infrastructure justify the higher price of the gorilla permit.

Marketing and Branding

In any business, marketing and branding are one of the main factors considered while setting up the price of a gorilla permit. Rwanda markets itself as a high end eco tourism and luxurious destination offering an exclusive gorilla trekking experience that suites its price for the permit and other safari expenses.

while

In terms of marketing and branding, Uganda takes a more inclusive approach appealing to a wider range of tourists. The pearl of Africa embarks on offering tourists with many days since it is a home to many national parks compared to Rwanda thus its low price of the gorilla permit.

Uganda also promotes other wildlife experiences, along side gorilla trekking encouraging longer stays and broader tourism explore across the country.

THE GORILLA TREKKING EXPERIENCE

The gorilla trekking experience in Uganda has no big difference with that of Rwanda. Mgahinga national park of Uganda is found is the same terrain as volcanoes national park of Rwanda which means you won’t experience any difference. In case of Bwindi national park, the terrain is slightly different but with a good experience. Gorilla trekking opens with a briefing at the park main head quarters and is only done once in a day.

Gorilla trekking opens with a briefing, where you are told about the rules and regulations to follow while you are in the forest. After the briefing, you join a group of 8 people and go to the forest. Make sure you carry the necessary requirements such as the good hiking shoes, insect repellents, safe drinking water, and many more on your trekking safari.  During gorilla trekking experience you will be able to see a variety of bird species, plant species and the different primate species.

Upon you encountering with the gorillas, only one hour is given to you to spend with these gentle giants in their natural habitats. This one hour involves taking photos, see gorillas feed, hunt and how they behave with each other. After enjoying your gorilla trekking adventure, then you will have to return to the park main headquarters and be awarded with the gorilla trekking certificates.

COST OF A GORILLA PERMIT

The cost of a gorilla permit in Uganda and Rwanda differs. The price of the gorilla permit in Rwanda is 1500 dollars. The percentage of this money is used for the conservation effort and another percentage is re invested in the community. The gorilla permit for Rwanda can be obtained through Rwanda Development Board or through a trusted tour operator.

The price of a gorilla permit in Uganda is $ 800, which includes conservation and protection of these endangered great apes species. A percentage is invested into the community where gorillas are found. The gorilla permit can be obtained from Uganda wildlife authority or book online through the website, or book with any tour operator.

RULES AND REGULATIONS TO FOLLOW DURING GORILLA TREKKING

Gorilla trekking like any other activity, it has various rules and regulations to follow while you are with the gorillas or before encountering these gentle giants. Tourists interested in participating with gorilla trekking, should be willing to follow these rules and regulations and they include.

• Do not smoke or eat anything while you are with the gorillas.
• Always keep approximately 7m while you are with the gorillas.
• Keep silence while you are with the gorillas and do not imitate them.
• Do not put on flashlight of your phone, while you are with the gorillas.
• Do not spit on the vegetation or soil while you are in the park.
• Always follow the rules and instructions of your park guide.
• You must be 15 years and above to embark on your gorilla trekking expedition.
• Do not visit the gorillas when you a sick for instance you have cough and flue.
• Please do not run away in case the gorilla charges, just remain calm in order not to cause chaos.

The above rules are some of the rules and regulations to be followed by tourists as they are trekking these endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitats.

BEST TIME TO CARRY OUT GORILLA TREKKING

Gorilla trekking is an all-year-round activity implying that it can be carried out at any time of the year. However, the best time for carrying out gorilla trekking is generally the dry season. The dry season ranges from (December to Feb, June to Sept). During this time the terrain are dry and passable.

The dry season is the ideal time for carrying out gorilla trekking because there are few rains thus easy trekking, the roads are also not slippery and muddy thus easy movements of the trekkers. Adding to that, the dry season is a very perfect time for game wildlife viewing, since the vegetations are too lush and clear.

However, tourists can still do the rainy season gorilla trekking and still enjoy their gorilla trekking adventure. The goodness and beauty of visiting in the rain season is that different accommodation facilities tend to offer discounts on their rooms, and it is also the best time for bird watching since its the breeding period for some birds. You can enjoy gorilla trekking as you spot a variety of bird species. During this time, you can also be able to secure a gorilla trekking permit at 30 percent discount.

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