RWANDA GORILLA PERMITS PRICE INCREASE- MAY 6th, 2017.
Most gorilla tour itineraries for Rwanda will increase by US$750, given that Rwanda Development Board as of May 6th decided to increase the gorilla permits fees by US$750 to US$1500 per gorilla permit.
However the price for a gorilla permit in Uganda remains at US$700 all year round. The price of a gorilla permit for trekking the mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park DRC also remains at US$400 per gorilla permit.
We shall continue to assist clients with purchase of their Rwanda gorilla permit at the new price of US$1500 per gorilla permit for those clients who prefer the high-end gorilla trekking experience offered by Rwanda.
We believe that in the short term Uganda may benefit from this decision as clients choose to trek the gorillas in Uganda instead. Clients can still choose to arrive at Kigali airport, get a single east African tourist visa at US$100, cross the border into Uganda, trek the gorillas in Bwindi, flyout of Kigali and onward to either the Serengeti or Masai Mara for their African safari experience.
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We still believe that a price for a close encounter with the mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda or DRC should be both affordable and a memorable experience.
In the statement below issued by RDB on May 6th, the Rwanda gorilla permit fee increase was immediate. INCREASE OF GORILLA PERMIT TARIFFS
RDB on May 6th, 2017 in Kigali announced an increase in the price of Gorilla Permits from US$ 750 to US $1,500 for all visitors including Rwandans, East Africans and foreign national effective immediately. A new exclusive package for tourists who wish to book an entire family of gorillas (each gorilla group can only be trekked by a maximum of 8pax) was also introduced at US$ 15,000, and will receive exclusive personalized tour guide services.
The price increase will not affect tourists who had already purchased their gorilla tickets at the time of this announcement on May 6th, 2017.
Tourists who visit other Rwanda national parks of Akagera and Nyungwe for a minimum of 3 visitor days, in addition to gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park will be able to purchase their Rwanda gorilla permits at a reduced fee of US$1,050. At GPR we still have not yet figured out how this promotional offer will be effected by RDB. Similarly, conference attending visitor to Kigali Rwanda, who stay pre or post conference dates to see gorillas will be eligible for purchasing a gorilla permit at US$1,275 instead of the full US$1500 gorilla permit fee. We believe that Rwanda is pursuing a twin high-end gorilla tourism strategy in conjunction with promoting Rwanda as a top conference and events hosting destination.
When making the gorilla permit price double price increase, RDB stressed the fact that along with the new gorilla permit prices for 2017, the tourism revenue sharing rate for communities living next to Volcanoes National Park, will also increase from 5% to 10% which will avail the communities double the revenues which they have been receiving over since 2012 when the gorilla permit prices were last set at $750. RDB emphasized that over the last 12 years, more than 400 community projects had been completed including hospitals and schools using funds from gorilla permits that are donated to these communities.
Previously the communities received $37.50 for each tourist. That has risen to $150. But Rwandan citizens, who previously paid only $36 for a permit, will now have to pay the $1,500 fee.
Ms. Clare Akamanzi, the Chief Executive Officer at RDB further said:
“Gorilla trekking is a highly unique experience. We have raised the price of permits in order to ensure sustainability of conservation initiatives and enhance visitors’ experience. We also want to make sure that the communities living near the park area receive a bigger share of tourism revenues to fund development projects and empower them economically.”
New, high-end lodges are opening in Musanze, including Bisate Lodge and plans are underway to improve gorilla trekking visitors’ experience at Kinigi, including renovation of the information center.
Mountain gorillas are an endangered species with only around 880 remaining in the world. Of those in in the Virunga Massif, Rwanda accounts for 62% of the gorilla population. Stringent conservation measures have significantly contributed to a rise in gorilla numbers. There are currently 20 families habituated for tourism and research in Rwanda, up from just 9 families in 2010.
Families of gorillas have been habituated for tourism in Rwanda and neighboring Uganda. A typical visit involves an arduous hike through tropical rainforests of Volcanoes National Park, Bwindi or Virunga, and a memorable encounter of one hour with the gorillas.
Please email us with your requirements for gorilla permits for Rwanda, Uganda or DRC Congo at
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