Trekking permits price increase – Gorilla trekking in Uganda is managed by Uganda Wildlife Authority, a neutral body with sole aim of conserving all the parks and several reserves in the country, after every two years or more the body makes reviews on conservation rates and ensure that the changes are implemented in the best way possible for tourism industry to prevail and that both parties involved in submission of changes are not biased thus trekking permits price increase by concsent .
In August 2019 the institution through its partner association revised its new tariffs for change of rates in the sector regarding products that are available in Uganda and the changes in rates dint exclude Gorilla trekking experience.
Gorilla trekking in Uganda is done in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga national park located in south western province where we find half of the world’s mountain gorillas(480), currently permits are rated at $600 per person per trek for foreign nonresidents who are the immediate customers in the business and gorilla habituation experience has been/is at $1500, however due to the new changes starting 1st JULY 2020, gorilla trekking will be costing $700 an increases of $100 though habituation experience will maintain its current rates. this indicates trekking permit price increase per individual intending to undergo the experience.
Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale national park which is a habitat for over 1500 habituated primates has been on the list whereby chimp experience trekking permit price increase has been lifted by $50. Currently permits are sold at $150 and habituation experience at $200 which will change to $200 and $250 respectively however the remaining chimpanzee trekking areas like Budongo forest, Tooro semuliki wildlife reserve, Kyambura gorge, Kalinzu forest and Ngamba sanctuary will retain their current rates respectively, Golden monkey trekking which is done in Mgahinga gorilla national park according to the new tariff will cost $100 for Foreign Nonresidents per person per trek although the demand for this activity in Uganda is on a small extent than Rwanda.
Due to the fact that large extinction of the great Apes across the continent, sustainability of these primates becomes a primary key not only to the conservation body, neighboring community but to the entire world which is one of the factors that has led to increase in the price of the permits so that revenue generated can be more efficient in conservation of our cousins which share 98% of our DNA.
Support to local communities is another aspect, this is through supporting local based projects within and around Bwindi impenetrable forest and Mgahinga national park. Uganda Wildlife Authority spends 20% of its revenue collected from gorilla permits is spent on local support and protection of our endangered primates.
Increasing gorilla permit costs in Uganda will be a big deal to earn the government increased foreign exchange and improve the standards of living for the local people. Book a Uganda gorilla tour to Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga Gorilla Parks for a memorable experience.