Why is Gorilla Trekking Expensive

Most people ask themselves why gorilla trekking is expensive! Well, gorilla trekking is expensive because of the high costs associated with gorilla conservation, park maintenance, the need for trained rangers, and other reasons. To engage in gorilla trekking, you need a valid gorilla permit, and this is obtainable at a cost depending on the destination. The fees paid for obtaining a valid gorilla trekking permit fund several of the conservation efforts aimed at protecting the rare and endangered mountain gorillas, as well as their habitats.

Gorilla permits in Uganda cost USD 800 per person, and Rwanda gorilla trekking permits are open for booking at USD 1500 per pax. If you are visiting Congo, you can get a valid gorilla permit for USD 400 per visitor. The cost of the gorilla permit is added to the final cost of a gorilla safari, hence making gorilla trekking seemingly expensive.

Why is gorilla trekking expensive.

Protection of gorillas & visitors   

Gorilla trekking is expensive because the cost covers most of the conservation efforts, including the protection of mountain gorillas from poaching and diseases. The main source of funding for most of the conservation efforts like gorilla protection, is derived from the gorilla permit fees paid by visitors. The cost also covers for visitor safety while they embark on the gorilla trekking adventure in their dream destinations.

Habitat protection

Gorilla habitats are fragile and require maintenance hence need to be protected to prevent any likelihood of gorilla extinction. Gorillas live better in their natural environment, and to ensure that their home range is secure, personnel must be employed to conduct continuous monitoring. Habitat protection is vital for gorilla survival. Mountain gorillas for instance, are restricted to specific places and they cannot be found anywhere else except in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo.

More resources are required to ensure gorilla habitats remain safe, and this can only be financed through gorilla trekking fees paid by gorilla trekkers on the Rwanda/Uganda gorilla tour. Protecting habitats and visitors long-term helps achieve sustainable gorilla tourism practices.

Need for trained ranger guides

During gorilla trekking, an experienced guide is assigned to visitors. These park rangers ensure both visitor safety and gorilla protection. Rangers must receive training to gain the skills necessary for conservation and safety. The expense of training contributes to the higher cost of gorilla trekking.

Maintaining the parks and training guides

The park authorities tirelessly work to ensure that gorilla safari parks and guides are well-maintained. The park boundaries are always monitored by the park rangers to ensure the habitats are not encroached and these apes are not poached. To ensure the personnel is up-to-date, refresher training is offered, and these efforts are all funded by the fees paid on gorilla permits or gorilla trekking safaris. Embarking on a gorilla safari is ideal as you contribute towards gorilla conservation.

Enhance the livelihoods of the locals

Gorilla conservation isn’t only centered on park authorities. To achieve successful gorilla conservation efforts, the communities living adjacent to gorilla trekking parks must be considered. The involvement of local communities adjacent to gorilla safari parks aids gorilla conservation. About 20% of the all the park entrance fees is employed back to support the various community projects.

The local revenue sharing by the park authorities to communities adjacent to gorilla parks help finance a number of infrastructure ranging from road construction, schools, hospitals, and many more. It also enables the provision of clean drinking water and empowers locals economically. Some communities also have been advised to start their projects rather than depending on the park resources for a living, and you can come across goat projects.

To pass the message to communities on gorilla conservation and habitat protection, there is a need to have continuous community sensitization and education. This must be funded, and the main source is from gorilla trekking fees. The general ideal is to ensure that communities get involved and aware of the significance of gorilla conservation and tourism.

Restricted numbers

Gorilla trekking is expensive mainly because park authorities intend to limit the number visiting the mountain gorillas. The cost for gorilla tracking is high, mainly to discourage mass tourism and ensure only a limited number of tourists embark on a journey to interact with these endangered apes. The carrying capacity of gorilla habitats is strictly 8 per gorilla group per day. This is to limit any likelihood of causing stress on the gorilla’s behaviors.

Monitoring and research

Park authorities do continuous/daily tracking and monitoring of gorilla habitats and groups. The monitoring and research activities involve a number of experts who need to be funded. The cost of financing researchers, gorilla doctors to ensure good health of gorillas and habitats is high. By booking a gorilla trekking tour, you contribute towards some of these efforts.

The cost of accommodation

Overall, gorilla trekking is expensive due to the high cost of accommodation. The gorilla safari lodges in and around the gorilla parks have their set prices. When booking a gorilla trekking tour, the cost of accommodation is added. It is by all means that you must book a lodge or a hotel for an overnight stay, such that you can easily connect to the destination of choice to track gorillas.

Cost of transportation to enable you to access the parks

Gorilla trekking destination access must be planned and secured. The cost of hiring a car or booking a domestic flight is added to the final gorilla trekking tour fee. The rates for transport vary depending on the gorilla safari company.

Top places to visit for gorilla trekking

The 5 places to visit for gorilla trekking in Africa include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, found in Southwestern Uganda, and Volcanoes National Park in the Northern Province of Rwanda. Other ideal places to visit to track gorillas include Congo’s Virunga National Park (specifically offering mountain gorilla trekking), and Kahuzi-Biega National Park, perfect for Eastern Lowland gorilla trekking experiences.

Conclusively, gorilla trekking is expensive or costly due to the high cost of the gorilla conservation. Booking a gorilla trekking tour plays a significant role towards facilitating efforts to save the endangered mountain gorillas and their habitats.