Cost of gorilla trekking in Rwanda– Primate Safaris

Such a high price for the permits makes the adventure of trekking the gorillas to be the most expensive safari holiday experience in Africa. Many travelers have taken part in this amazing life-changing encounter with the gorillas while others continue to plan their gorilla tours for the nearing future. What is interesting about the gorilla permit fees is that you can pay this money throughout the year regardless of the season. To trek the gorillas in Rwanda, the permit fees remains the same for both nationals and non-nationals.

Price for Gorilla trekking Permit

Gorilla trekking is undoubtedly one of the most expensive activities in Rwanda. The cost of a gorilla trekking permit is very expensive but truly worth it. In Rwanda, a gorilla trekking permit costs US$ 1500. Mountain gorillas are only found in the three African countries which are Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. Rwanda sells the most expensive gorilla permits of all the countries.

When talking to one of the authorities of wildlife conversations at Rwanda Development Board, we were highlighted about some of the reasons why gorilla trekking is so expensive. The reasons among others include;

1. The Mountain Gorillas are highly endangered

One of the top reasons as to why gorilla trekking is so expensive in Rwanda is that the gorillas are highly endangered and therefore requires the authorities to reduce their interaction with big crowds of people. According to recent statistics as of 2016, it is estimated that only 900 mountain gorillas are remaining in the whole world surviving in the tropical rain forests of Bwindi forest national park and Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda, Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Therefore, this calls for a high cost of the gorilla permits to perhaps discourage some people from traveling hence saving the highly endangered species from the crowds.

2. Mountain Gorillas Susceptible to Human Diseases

Another reason perhaps is that the mountain gorillas are close relatives to human beings which make them vulnerable to being infected by human diseases. This means, to save the mountain gorillas from being overcrowded by many humans, the permits have to be put on a high so as to limit some people from trekking them and also to avoid over exploitation and exceeding the carrying capacity of gorilla national park, which is Volcanoes National Park.

3. The need to conserve and offer sustainable gorilla tourism

After experiencing a great loss of mountain gorillas in the 1980s due to poaching and human encroachment on the mountain gorilla habitats.

The authorities decided to increase the gorilla permits in both countries so as to accrue revenue which can then be used to conserve the gorilla habitats and also to promote a sustainable gorilla tourism environment. This tells why Rwanda, for example, doubled the gorilla permit fee from $750.00 USD in 2017 to $1500.00 USD aiming to conserve the shrinking habitat of mountain gorillas.

To the Wildlife Authorities Conserving the gorillas, this is an indirect way of promoting sustainable gorilla tourism in Rwanda. Imagine if there was no limit on the number of travelers allowed to trek mountain gorillas? There would be crowding and overstepping which destroy gorilla habitats. A high number of travelers also make mountain gorillas uncomfortable in their natural habitat, which destructs their social happy life.

4. Safety and Easy Monitoring

Being that the mountain gorillas are highly endangered species, it is necessary to continuously monitor them so as to ensure they are safe which may not be possible if too many people are allowed to visit their habitats. According to the authorities, the funds collected from selling gorilla permits are partially used remunerate the ranger guides who monitor the well being of mountain gorillas in their habitats such as tracking their movements, feeding, and health status.

Tourism police and other armed rangers have also been hired to ensure the safety of mountain gorillas from any external attack by the poachers, and rebel groups who in the past used the gorilla habits as their hiding places. Incase travelers are connecting from one destination to another at night, tourism police escort them which ensures their safety throughout.

5. Gorilla Trekking is one way of improving the livelihood of the locals

Gorilla tourism has become an indirect source of Local livelihood for the communities adjacent to gorilla national parks. Responsible governments share part of the revenue earned to local communities to improve their standards of living. Rwanda gives 10% to local people.

Sharing with local people has created a positive attitude of local people towards gorilla tourism and conservation hence reducing the natural resource conflicts between local people and the management of respective national parks. Before the introduction of gorilla tourism and wildlife conservation, local people had full access to all resources in the forest.

6. Monopoly

Scarcity is one of the foundational principles in economics, whenever resources are scarce; there is always a high demand for the product which leads to inflated prices as well.

Mountain Gorilla tracking is not an exception; it cannot be carried out anywhere else in the whole world apart from these three countries. This implies that you only have limited options in case you are considering tracking mountain gorillas.

Rwanda; is more of luxurious gorilla trekking destination and gorilla trekking safaris; unfortunately due to insecurity and Ebola threats, Democratic republic of Congo is still facing stiff competition from Uganda and Rwanda.

Until Democratic republic of Congo gets back on the competition scene, the permits will still be charged expensively due to the only two secure destinations.

Conclusion

However you cannot consider booking the activity as a group to reduce the expenditure. This might not apply for gorilla trekking in Rwanda.

Rwanda has a good weather throughout the year but the dry season is more preferable. The weather is generally good in addition wildlife viewing is also more common during this time. For tourists interested in visiting gorillas this is also the best time for gorilla tours since there is a minimal chance of rain during the trek and a good hiking terrain in the rainforest. We still suggest your waterproof clothing even during these drier months, as this Equatorial climate is very unpredictable. This period is also a peak season; hence the prices can be higher on things like accommodation, car hire etc.

On the other hand, some travelers especially those on budget like visiting in the wet season. During this season, hotels have low occupancy and hence give travelers discounted food and sleeping services which is an added advantage. Also, there is low demand for gorilla permits which guarantee visitors a chance to see these endangered species with no competition.

Visiting Rwanda for gorilla tracking can be done all year round. The best time to travel to Rwanda is during the drier seasons, periods between December to early March and June to September. December to March is a long dry season for Rwanda, with temperatures going up to 29 degrees Celsius for some days while the months of March to Mid-May, July to September, on the other hand, are regarded as the rainy in the country.

 Best Time for Gorilla Trekking, Month by Month

January (peak/dry season, best weather)

January lies in the region’s short dry period, meaning it is an incredible time for gorilla trekking in both countries and game viewing in Rwanda. The dry paths make driving the untarmacked roads to the gorillas and walking in the jungle effortless. Despite being one of the hottest months of the year, gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park is pleasant because of the cooler temperatures that dump down the heat at high altitudes.

There may be some rainfall because of the tropical weather, but it’s unlikely to affect your gorilla adventure and safari game activities. Therefore, January is one of the best months for gorilla trekking in Rwanda; it falls within the peak season when most travellers flock to these safari holiday destinations. January is also the best time to combine the exceptional big five game drives in Serengeti and Masai Mara with gorilla trekking in Rwanda.

February (peak/dry season, best weather)

Although February is part of the dry season, we begin to see a drop in the number of travellers during the month. As with January, February is the best time for gorilla trekking, bird watching, taking game drives to view the savannah animals before the March rains disperse them.

As the month fades into the end of the dry season, Rwanda’s vegetation will become light. Therefore, it will be less challenging to spot wildlife as they start to gather around the barely remaining waterholes. Therefore, February is the best time for gorilla trekking and game viewing safari in Rwanda, Masai Mara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Also, it is calving time in the southern Serengeti and an ideal time to see predators in action.

March (low/wet season, bad weather)

March marks the start of a three-month-long low travel season and the beginning of the wet season across the region. However, this does not mean that gorilla trekking is entirely off-limits.

Although safari adventure activities across East Africa are at their optimum during this time, some travellers find this time still favourable for gorilla trekking because the month lies outside of the high season when travel prices are likely to be lower. There will be plenty of availability at a wide selection of lodges, and also, there’s plenty of availability for gorilla permits during this time.

Even though it’s during the wet season, it’s unlikely to rain for more than two hours a day before skies brighten up for cool, relaxing weather during your adventure. Travelling with waterproofing can save you from drenching, and you will still have plenty of time to relax at your safari lodge.

April & May (low/wet season, worst weather)

The extended downpours of March and April continue into May, disrupting walking adventures. We consider April & May to be the worst time for gorilla trekking and game viewing.

However, if you’re not too anxious about walking under the rain in the thick gorilla jungles, it can be a delightful time to explore the region’s dazzling landscapes. During this time, the beautifully terraced rugged slopes will be lush and verdant after long rainy periods creating charming backdrops for photography. Besides, gorilla permits are widely available, and you’ll get the best offers on accommodation during this time.

A combination of Serengeti, Mara or Rwanda’s savannah parks with gorilla trekking is reasonably good. Game viewing is relatively possible because the rains are usually light-short showers in the afternoon and beautiful green scenery.

June & July (peak/dry season, best weather)

June is the start of the peak safari season in Rwanda that extends into September, but June & July have the best weather for gorilla trekking in both countries ( Uganda, Congo and Rwanda). There will be little to no rainfall during that time, making the trek to find gorillas manageable for most travellers. As its peak season, gorilla trekking costs will be higher, and you’ll need to book permits well in advance.

However, unlike other African destinations, a safari holiday in Rwanda in the peak season rarely feels busy or overcrowded, allowing you intimate, wild encounters and extraordinary experiences. Gorilla trekking excursions are highly controlled to not more than eight people per gorilla group, allowing personal connection during your precious one hour with the gorillas. Some boutique safari lodges may fill up fast during this time, so book months earlier to secure your room.

Being the first month after the rainy season, June still enjoys leafy landscapes, so it can be a great time to travel if you want to combine the gorilla adventure with game viewing and scenery photography.

Suppose you have more time on your safari holiday. In that case, the dry season of July to October is the best time for combining a gorilla trekking adventure with big-game viewing or wildebeest migration in Masai Mara and Serengeti.

Conclusion

The decision on when to go for gorilla trekking rests entirely with the client taking into consideration time constraints, budget, overall fitness, convenience and many of the things discussed above.