Gorilla trekking is rather expensive compared to other animal experiences, as we shall see in this essay. What is gorilla trekking, and why does it cost so much? Gorilla trekking is one of the most exciting wildlife activities in Africa. The experience differs from a wildlife drive across the Serengeti, Masai Mara, or Kruger National Parks. Gorilla trekking is unique because mountain gorillas appear and behave like people. They live in families, each led by a dominating silverback who controls everything the group does. Gorilla trekking is pricey because mountain gorillas are endangered, and many people want to visit them. The large number of visitors interested in viewing wild gorillas has caused several governments to boost permission prices. The concept of demand and supply applies here, which states that the larger the demand, the higher the price. However, demand is not the sole reason for the high price of gorilla permits. There is a big need for cash to conserve primates, as you will see in another article concerning gorilla trekking is ethical or not.
Gorilla conservation requires large investments in research, infrastructure, Rangers, and scientists. This takes money. Part of the proceeds from gorilla licences are used to finance programmes aimed at safeguarding these gorgeous creatures. In typically, 15% of the money raised by gorilla licences goes to the government, 10% to local communities, and 75% to gorilla conservation. It is vital to remember that if the cost of gorilla permits were significantly cut, too many people would visit the primates, jesopardising the overall well-being of the few habituated groups.
Mountain Gorilla trekking is only available in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Mountain gorillas may be monitored in Uganda’s Mgahinga and Bwindi National Parks. The primates may be found in Congo’s Virunga National Park and Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
The Cost of Gorilla Trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo
The cost of gorilla trekking varies from nation to country. It is crucial to note that the cost of gorilla permits is a small proportion of the total cost of gorilla trekking. You must also consider transportation, lodging, meals, visas, airline tickets, packing lists, porters, and gratuities for the guides. In the following paragraphs, we will go over each component of the total cost of gorilla trekking. We hope that by the conclusion of the post, we will have answered the following questions:
How expensive is gorilla trekking?
What is the cost of gorilla trekking?
How much does a gorilla safari cost?
How much does gorilla trekking cost?
What is the gorilla trekking price range?
How much does it cost to go gorilla trekking in Rwanda
How much does it cost to go gorilla trekking in Uganda
What are the gorilla trekking in Rwanda prices?
The cost of a gorilla permit: If you are planning to do gorilla trekking in any of the three countries, you will need to acquire a gorilla permit. A gorilla permit is a document that allows you access to the gorillas. In Uganda, gorilla permits cost $700, in Rwanda $1500 and Congo $450. The high price of Rwanda gorilla permits makes the cost of a Rwanda safari more expensive for international travelers. If you are an East African national, you can obtain a gorilla permit in Uganda for 300,000 shillings. During low seasons of the year, Gorilla permits may be sold on a discount in Virunga National Park of Congo for as little as $250 dollars (This could change soon). This large discount can help to reduce the cost of a Virunga gorilla trip. Rwanda may also provide cheap permits to African Union citizens, international residents, large groups, families, and people participating in other activities in the country. Uganda gives cheap gorilla licences to international inhabitants of East Africa. The cost of Rwanda gorilla trekking is greater than in Uganda or Congo due to permission fees. For individuals interested in the gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi, a permit costs $1500. The gorilla habituation experience is very different from regular gorilla trekking. It spans the entire day and entails spending four hours with mountain gorillas rather than the one hour allowed to visitors during normal gorilla trekking.
A gorilla permit is required for tracking gorillas. You will not be able to participate in the activity until you give your permission to the park officials. What is included in the Gorilla Permit fee? A gorilla ticket covers one hour of interaction with gorillas, as well as park admission and ranger costs.
To book a gorilla permit, contact your travel operator or one of the different nations’ government offices. In Uganda, the Uganda Wildlife Authority grants gorilla licences, whilst the Rwanda Development Board does the same in Rwanda. If you’re planning a safari in Congo, you may reserve a permit through the Virunga National Park website or your tour operator. It is critical to schedule your gorilla permit or trip at least two months in advance. If you want to visit during the high season (June, July, and August), we recommend that you book at least 5 to 6 months in advance to avoid the burden of contacting numerous tour operators for availability.
The cost of accommodations: One thing to think about while organising your gorilla trip is where you’ll sleep. All gorilla national parks offer high-quality lodges. Your budget will determine your hotel options. The good-budget hotels cost between $50 and $130 per night. Good mid-range hotels cost between $150 and $200. Luxury hotels range from $300 to $5500 per night. If you want to drive yourself, you can book these accommodations, although most travellers do so through a reputable tour operator. If you reserve your hotel, make sure it is close to the start point of the gorilla family or sector to which you have been allocated. If you book too long in advance, you may fail to arrive for the briefing on time, resulting in missing the trip – this is all the more reason to book your gorilla tour with a trustworthy tour operator.
meals costs: In addition to lodging and gorilla permits, you must budget for meals, beverages, and, most importantly, water. Hotels supply this, but you’ll need water and food when you leave the hotel or travel. If you’re travelling alone, food and beverages should cost around $40 per day. If you want to purchase pricey wine or cigars, you may need to budget for them individually. If you plan your vacation through a tour operator, you won’t have to worry about food. The firm should provide food and drink while at the hotel and in between events. You may read a similar post on how much a safari in Uganda costs.
The cost of transportation (plane tickets and automobile rental): After obtaining gorilla permits and locating a lodging, the next consideration is how to get to the gorilla parks. Air tickets to and from your home country might cost anything from $600 to $2500, depending on the airline. If you want to book chattered flights from within the gorilla trekking country, you may need to pay an additional $600. If internal flights are out of your price range or you want to see more of the African landscape, taking a car trip from the airport is strongly advised. Hiring a car in Rwanda and Uganda will cost you around $70 per day, excluding petrol and a driver. Expect to spend long hours on the road, particularly if you’re tracking in Uganda or Congo. Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable Park are around 8 to 10 hours’ drive from Entebbe International Airport. The Volcanoes National Park is approximately an hour’s drive from Kigali International Airport. Those who prefer to go gorilla trekking in Virunga National Park must first arrive in Kigali before travelling to the Congo border, which can take up to 4 hours.
Organising your holiday in a new and developing nation might be challenging. It is why most travellers delegate the issue of transportation, permits, and lodging to their selected tour operators, leaving them with simply the chore of arriving at the airport. It is also worth noting that few tour firms purchase airline tickets on behalf of their clients. Consult your tour operator to see if they can assist you in arranging flights to and from your country of origin.
Price of things on the gorilla trekking packing list: To have the greatest experience following and viewing gorillas, bring a decent camera, bug repellents, sunscreen, hiking boots, hand gloves, binoculars, and a rain jacket. Aside from the gorilla permit, there are several other hidden charges to consider. You may wish to learn more about the goods indicated on the gorilla trekking packing list.
Visas and border crossings: Gorilla trekking frequently requires crossing borders between Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. If you want to go gorilla trekking in Congo, you will need to pay to cross the Goma border post ($100 for the visa). Those who find the cost of gorilla permits in Rwanda prohibitively expensive might choose more economical gorilla trekking in Uganda but must go through Kigali to avoid the 8-hour journey from Entebbe or Uganda’s capital Kampala. Gorilla trekking from Uganda through Kigali requires a $50 VISA fee at either the Katuna or Cyanika border gates. The East African tourist visa can also be obtained at $100 for people who are taking safaris in different nations.
Yellow fever vaccination card: This may not appear to be necessary, but it is required for entry into Uganda and Congo. If you read gorilla trekking reviews, you will discover that yellow fever vaccination cards are one of the primary documents required at the airport and while crossing borders. If you want to visit most African nations, you should consider the expense of taking the injection.
Cost of porters – especially for the elderly: If you are travelling with heavy equipment, baggage, or video cameras, you will need to hire a porter to assist you in carrying them while tracking gorillas. The porters may also help you carry your packed lunch and assist you throughout the more challenging stages of the journey. Gorilla trekking for the elderly is more difficult since they must utilise sedan chairs and employ around eight porters to lift them to the tracking station. It might cost around $400 to hire a sedan chair and porters to transport it. Porters live near the gorilla parks, and some were formerly poachers. Some of the porters are students searching for money to pay their school fees, while others are parents trying to supplement their income by working. By hiring these porters, you are contributing to their overall well-being and indirectly helping them sustain their families. Hiring a porter costs around $15 and may be acquired at the park offices or during the briefing. You may be curious about how travellers are assigned to gorilla groups.
Tips for the Guide/Driver, Park Rangers, and Hotel Employees: Sometimes hotel personnel, guides, rangers, waiters, and waitresses go out of their way to make your stay with them wonderful and unforgettable. You may elect to tip them as a courtesy to show your appreciation for the service they have done. The amount is totally up to you. Tipping is optional while gorilla trekking and should only be done if you are satisfied with the service provided.
It is worth noting that the cost of gorilla trekking is also determined by the number of days set aside for the activity. A one-day gorilla trip in Uganda costs around $970 per person if travelling with someone. A two-day Uganda gorilla trip would cost around $1150 per person if travelling with someone on a budget. If you’re travelling with someone on a budget, the three-day gorilla trip in Uganda will cost $1350 per person. If you intend to follow gorillas in Rwanda, add $900 to the fees shown above to get an approximation of your total expenses. Luxury gorilla trekking vacations may cost anywhere from $1600 to $7000, depending on the resort you select. These rates do not include airfare, tips, alcoholic drinks, or any personal expenditures.
Travelling alone is more expensive since you must pay for your transportation, accommodations, and petrol. Furthermore, it is vital to remember that firms add a markup fee to the whole trip to cover administrative services (guides, office workers, and office functions), which often range between 10 and 20% of the total cost.
Given the fees listed above, how can you save money on gorilla trekking? One option is to go gorilla trekking in inexpensive places such as Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Another option is to ask your travel operator to recommend the finest budget resorts. Avoid travelling alone so that you may split the expense of transportation, lodging, and petrol with a partner or friend. You can also go during the low season (rainy season) when fewer visitors visit the country. In nations such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, you may discover that lodging facilities are less expensive and that discounts on hotels and even gorilla permits are available. You may also save money by taking public transportation, but it is unsafe since you have no control over when you leave or arrive at your location. Public buses in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo do not run on time. You run the risk of being late for the park headquarters briefing or missing the entire activity. You cannot afford to miss the activities since gorilla permits are pricey. Furthermore, there is no assurance that you will be able to acquire one the next day, even if you wish to.
Another strategy to save money is to avoid flying scheduled domestic flights. Most of the chattered flights are quite pricey. Internal flights are expensive since few locals fly. To compensate for the small number of local travellers, airlines charge visitors a hefty price. Travelling by road may take hours, but it will present you with a unique opportunity to see the African countryside, topography, breathtaking scenery, and locals going about their daily lives. The greatest approach to learning about a nation is to observe both the metropolis and the rural. Last but not least, compare pricing from various trip companies. Do not go for the lowest option; you may wind up spending more. Choose a trip company that offers less yet guarantees exceptional services. The tour operator must be able to provide the essential components of the journey, which include food, lodging, water, petrol, and a car. Request that they provide you with information about the available hotel alternatives.
Many tour companies make big promises but fall short on quality (experienced driver, car, hotels, etc.). Book with a tour operator who can book you decent accommodations, even if they are slightly more expensive. The hotel you choose is critical to the success of your trip. You do not want to ruin your vacation because you are trying to save a few dollars.
Chimpanzee Tracking in Uganda.
Chimpanzee tracking is the process of walking through the forests in search of the interesting monkeys that swing between the forest trees.
Queen Elizabeth National Park has five key ecosystems, including the Kazinga River. The breathtaking Kyambura Gorge is located in Queen Elizabeth National Park, 30 km from the lodge. It is also known as the Valley of the Apes and is located in the eastern part of the well-known Queen Elizabeth National Park. If you visit the Gorge, you will enter a new universe; it is drained by the Kyambura River and has a rainforest near the equator. Just enough sunlight reaches the treetops. The subterranean vegetation is lively and luxuriant. And if you visit this gorge, you will not return home unchanged, but with something to write and debate.
The habitat of Kyambura Gorge is comparable to that of the legendary chimpanzees, with tall, thick trees and underground rainforest plants. Seasonally, the trees give fruit. The chimps like their visit since they have access to their primary diet (fruits).
Kyambura Gorge has a nomadic chimp troop that is more mobile than chimpanzees in other national parks, such as Kibale. Uganda’s wildlife service named about 24 chimpanzees in July 2013. When a person visits, they are 80% likely to observe habituated chimpanzees.
There’s something remarkable about the chimps at Kyambura Gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Almost all of the chimps in Queen Elizabeth National Park are habituated, which means they are comfortable around humans and can perform their behaviours in their presence. Chimpanzees can also be found in areas like Kibale National Park. However, because habituated chimps are so numerous and mobile in the bush, tourists are unlikely to spot even one at Kibale National Park.
Aside from being tall and productive throughout the seasons, the tree’s limbs are easily bent. This makes the chore of building nests for these chimps straightforward. Chimpanzees establish nests on tree branches by bending them together and lining them with twigs to make them stronger.
As if that weren’t enough, the gorge is home to a large number of habituated chimpanzees, who you may view. They swing through the tree branches in the morning to get their meal. There are other areas in the Kalinzu forest in Bushenyi, Kibale National Park, but Queen is exceptional for this activity since it offers a diverse range of wildlife that complements the chimps and provides a great experience.
What can make you a right person to participate in chimpanzee tracking activity?
The cost of chimp tracking in Kyambura Gorge is $30 and USHs30,000 (for the East African community). However, chimp tracking should be done in cooperation with a knowledgeable tour guide. As a result, a professional tour guide is paid US$20 to assist you with monkey habituation at Kyambura Gorge. During wet seasons, the roads of not just Queen Elizabeth National Park, but also other national parks, may not be suitable for any form of vehicle. A four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicle is ideal for monitoring chimps in the national park.
Chimpanzee tracking works best in the early morning hours. Most animals, like hippos, are out to hunt or to avoid nocturnal movements during the early hours, particularly around 8 a.m., while others, such as pythons at Nyanzibiri Cave in Maramagambo Forest, come out to enjoy the sun.
Chimpanzee tracking at Queen Elizabeth National Park is also best done in the morning, beginning at 8 a.m. and lasting 2-4 hours, with the game drive occurring in the afternoon, about 2 p.m.
The national park is home to an abundance of biodiversity, including animals and plants. This characteristic makes chimpanzee monitoring less appealing to youngsters under the age of 15, and they are not authorised to participate.
Behaviors of chimpanzees?
Chimpanzees live in groups known as troops, which consist of 30-80 individuals. The massive groupings are built up of little, extremely malleable, or easily led groups of fewer chimpanzees, either females or males and sometimes mixed sex. Chimpanzees munch on leaves. They devour them, then use them like a sponge. They soak the leaves in water and suck the moisture away. During the boat cruise, they may be seen along the Kazinga Channel.
Chimpanzees, like humans, use twigs and sticks to prepare their food before eating. The twigs were arranged in anthills. This is done to entice termites to the twigs, unknowing that they would be a morning meal for the chimpanzees. These chimps in Kyambura Gorge enjoy termites as a pleasant treat. They also use the sticks to keep predators away from their nests. Chimpanzees also search for nuts under tree roots. The chimps use stones to break the nuts. Chimpanzees devour fruits using their lips. They debranch them from their stems and eat them with their lips.
Chimpanzees leave from aboveground, amid tree branches. During the daytime, they are also terrestrial. They spend the night climbing trees and relaxing after a busy day. They walk on the ground with all four limbs, making them quadrupeds. To support their tremendous weight, they walk with their fingers partially flexed. They also walk erect, albeit for a brief duration. They utilise their back limbs or legs, to travel short distances.
They are swift on their feet. They anchor themselves to the trees with their palms and long toes. As a consequence, they become the first climbers. They fly up into the trees and make nests out of twigs.
Chimpanzees do not have a set breeding season. Females give birth every four to five years.
What do chimpanzees feed on?
Chimpanzees are diurnal (live all day). They begin seeking food in the morning. The chimpanzees’ diet consists of around 80 different plant products. In the morning, the chimps eat fruit. Fruits are the chimps’ principal source of sustenance. The chimps, on the other hand, are particular about the fruits they ingest. They only eat the ripest fruits from the trees in the Kyambura Canyon region.
During the rainy season, they also eat the leaves, buds, seeds, flowers, and blooms. These animals are more like humans, except that they devour fresh flesh. Meat is a side dish to the main course, which is fruit. They have been recorded killing smaller monkeys and flamingo birds at Nyamunuka Crater Lake. They also look for prey, such as young antelope and goats from nearby populations.
What should you know before embarking on chimpanzee tracking?
No one should enter the jungle if they are unwell. For the sake of nature and wildlife protection, you should avoid doing this activity when unwell. Chimpanzees are susceptible to human illnesses. Do not leave any rubbish in the park. The chimps may consume the polythene bags and develop difficulties, which can lead to their deaths. For the sake of natural protection, it is best to avoid littering in the park.Do not urinate in the park since it may disrupt a certain ecosystem. And if it’s defecating, get away from the route. After that, bury your waste and toilet paper in the dirt around 30 cm deep.
Remember to stay quiet in the wild. The sounds can startle animals like chimps. Keep in mind that “make noise and see no more” will assist you in remembering to stay silent. Don’t emulate the chimps; you might not understand what their sign language means, and it could get you in big trouble. You should not eat near the chimps. They may assault you over your fruit or any other meal. According to the park guidelines, you are not permitted to feed wild animals.
It is not appropriate to utilise showy pictures. The brightness and noise from the camera shatter sometimes startle the chimps. They may also assume you are an adversary and assault you.
Other primates were discovered in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Kyambura Canyon is renowned as a spectacular gorge because it is home to numerous primates, notably red-tailed monkeys, who are fascinating to watch as they dart fast through the trees.
The creatures present in Kyambura Gorge include baboons, black and white colobus monkeys, and vervet monkeys. Because of its hilarious and distinctive monkey populations, it has earned the nickname Valley of the Apes and Dramatic Valley, among others.
