Discounted gorilla permits in Uganda
Uganda is among the leading tourism destinations in Africa. Though a landlocked country, the country has remarkable biodiversity and is the leading destination for primate tours. Apart from primates, Uganda is excellent for big 5 wildlife safaris. One can also take part in whitewater rafting, sport fishing, nature walks and community visits. Uganda is one of the best countries for birding in the world. The incredible biodiversity in the country is attributed to its position around the equator, excellent weather, perfect climate and its position around the equator.
In an effort to boost the tourism industry amidst the Coronavirus pandemic, the government of Uganda through the Wildlife Authority had announced an incentive for tourists from 2020 to June 2021, Gorilla permits in Uganda were costing USD400 for international tourists. Foreign residents were buying permits at USD300 while citizens within the East African community could pay 100,000 Uganda shillings. Tourists would also have free entry to Toro Semliki Wildlife Reserve and Mount Elgon National Park if they could buy gorilla permits around this period. The cost of gorilla filming had also been reduced significantly so as to allow for the creation of more documentaries about the primates which could help boost the tourism industry.
Not only gorilla permits, but also the price of chimpanzee permits had also been reduced to USD150 for foreigners and USD100 for foreigners residing in Uganda. Tour operators in Uganda would get two free gorilla permits if they purchased 30 permits. One permit would go to the tour operator and the other to the local Tour Operator Association. The COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the global tourism sector and Uganda was not been spared. The country would earn over 1.5 billion US dollars each year from tourism with gorilla trekking a key contributing factor.
Uganda is home to two gorilla national parks and has half of the remaining population of mountain gorillas. The onset of the COVID pandemic brought the industry to a sudden halt as airports and borders where closed. Although domestic and international tourism is now open, turn up has been low especially as park and activity fees remained the same. Actually, lock-downs around the world had forced many travelers to cancel.
The price cut helped kick-start the recovery of the tourism sector because gorilla trekking is the most popular wildlife activity in Uganda. Gorilla Permits are now costing $700 while chimpanzee permits where costing $200 for international travelers. The price reductions between 2020 and 2021 were meant to also counter the discounted gorilla permits offered by Rwanda.
Cheap gorilla permits in Uganda Apart from gorilla and chimpanzee permits, the government had also announced a 50% discount for park entrances to Katonga Wildlife Reserve, Semuliki National Park, Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve, Toro Semliki Wildlife Reserve, Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The Uganda Wildlife Authority says more promotions may be underway to promote the tourism industry and attract more travelers to the country.
The government of the republic of Uganda had already exempted tourism Agencies from taxes for a certain period of time while insisting that they follow certain standard operating procedures for gorilla trekking during and after COVID-19.
Contact Safari Vacations and Travel Services for more inquiries, we can assist you in booking the gorilla tracking permits and chimpanzee tracking permits at no additional cost and we can still help you while planning for your memorable experience while on your safari in Uganda.