Want to know the cost/price of gorilla trekking in Uganda? Mountain gorilla trekking in Africa is synonymous with Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda. These three East African countries are famed homes of the world’s endangered primates.
Mountain gorilla trekking, being a popular tourism activity, has made these countries some of the most visited destinations in Africa.
Uganda, home to the largest population (50% of the world’s total) of mountain gorillas, boasts two enormous national parks where these unique apes dwell: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Rwanda, on the other hand, is home to the second largest population of mountain gorillas, with Volcanoes National Park harboring more than three-quarters of the world’s total population. Over 12 gorilla families have been habituated in Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking throughout the year.
Congo has the least number of mountain gorillas, although at one point it had the largest number. Due to insecurity and poaching activities in Virunga National Park, the number has reduced tremendously.
Currently, D.R. Congo has only eight habituated gorilla families in Virunga National Park.
Beyond reasonable doubt, Africa presents the only and the best destinations for gorilla trekking. However, these have not been fully exploited due to various reasons, including insecurity in DRC and the high costs of purchasing a gorilla permit, among others.
Cost of a Gorilla Permit
It should be noted that anyone wishing to trek mountain gorillas must have a gorilla permit, as only permit holders are allowed to access a given gorilla family. The cost of gorilla permits varies from country to country, ranging from $400 in D.R. Congo to $1500 in Rwanda. Despite the cost differences, the gorilla trekking experience remains equally exceptional.
Rwanda set high standards to become Africa’s luxurious gorilla destination with a significant increase in their gorilla permit prices from $750 to $1500 in 2017. This is double Uganda’s gorilla permits, which remain at $800 per permit per trek. The cost of a gorilla permit in Uganda is consistent throughout the year, after discontinuation of discounted low season permits in 2017. These discounted permits used to cost $450 each due to high demand for gorilla permits.
However, some tour operator associations, like AUTO (Association of Uganda Tour Operators), sometimes offer promotional permits during the low season, priced at $500. Uganda’s high season runs from June to September and December to early February, with the low season from March to May and October to November. Gorilla trekking in Uganda is available year-round.
Discounted prices are also offered to foreign residents with work permits, nationals, and citizens of East African member states (Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania). Foreign residents living and working within one of the East African member states are charged only $700 for a gorilla permit, while East African nationals pay 250,000 Ugandan shillings per permit.
Inclusions of a Gorilla Permit Cost
The gorilla permit price includes park entrance fees, tracking fees, a guide, vehicle parking fees, ranger fees, conservation and monitoring costs, as well as a percentage that goes to the neighboring local community. Exclusions are porter fees, transport to and from gorilla trekking destinations, other activities, accommodation, tips for rangers, drinks, meals, and souvenir shopping.
Gorilla Trekking Equipment
After booking your gorilla permit in Uganda, Rwanda, or D.R. Congo, there are several essentials to remember to bring along, including clothing, food, and more. Must-haves include strong hiking boots, a long-sleeved shirt/blouse and trousers, garden gloves, a rain jacket, packed lunch/light snacks, enough drinking water (1.5 liters recommended), a hat, insect repellent, and any other items considered essential for the trek.
Though gorilla trekking in Africa involves hiking through dense, steep, misty, and boggy jungles and may seem strenuous and expensive, the joy of coming face-to-face with a calm gorilla family, including a giant silverback, playful juveniles, and caring mothers, makes it all worthwhile.
