REVISED PRICES FOR UGANDA GORILLA TREKKING SAFARI🦍

GORILLA TREKKING AND CHIMPANZEE TREKKING REVISED PRICES FOR PERMITS

In July this Year the Uganda Wildlife Authority set new Prices to start with 2020 for Gorilla tracking for the foreign Non-Residents and Foreign residents. The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) made the move to increase the Uganda Gorilla permits by 100 dollars to $ 700, Foreign Non-Residents pay $600 per person and $ 700 dollars for foreign Residents. The East African Residents still Pay UGX. 250,000.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda happens in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, these two parks can be visited all year round in the South Western Part of Uganda. Driving there would take you At least 7 hours – 9 hours.

Chimpanzee Trekking Permits in Kibaale National Park were also raised from $150 to $200 for foreign Residents and $ 250 for Foreign Non-Residents. Chimpanzees can be found both in Kibaale Kyambura and in Budongo Forest near Murchison Falls National Park.

As I write now these new prices are already working. However, tour operators and company owners are interested in the reinstatement of the low season deal, where UWA used to give discounts to visitors who bought Gorilla permits in the low season, this was to encourage tourists to opt for gorilla trekking Uganda safari tours during this time of the year that is April May and November.

 Reason for increase of Gorilla Permits prices

The main reason for the revised prices in the Gorilla trekking permit is to look mainly at the sustenance of these Mountain Gorillas. Money collected from these permits is used to fund activities undertaken by park Rangers, trackers, tourism police and mountain gorilla doctors. Other funds are used to hold workshops and symposiums by the conservation bodies looking for better ideas on how these Gorillas can be conserved.

Mountain Gorillas and chimpanzees are some of the species that are on the verge of extinction. This goes further in the funding of hospitals, schools and other community projects around the park mostly capacity building projects.

Filming Prices discounted by more than 60 percent

The filming and use of the camera on a gorilla trekking safari have instead been lowered.

Previously a crew of 5 people had to pay $ 630 for both Foreign non residents and foreign residents per day, UGX 630,000 for East African citizens, in addition to other activity fees whereas Film teams of more than 5 people were charged US $150 for FNR & FR and UGX 150,000 for EAC, per extra person per day.

This was even more expensive for someone whose intension was to film products like mountain gorilla experience. You had to pay US $ 4,200 Per hour for FR & FNR and UGX 4,200,000 for EAC, this was in addition to the Gorilla permit fee $600 per person.

Currently we are feasting to a serious discount that has been offered that is UWA will only require the team members to pay 40% of the activity fees, which is less than 40% of what they have been charging.

What to pack for gorilla trekking?

Below is a checklist of what to have before you head to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga gorilla national park. The gorilla trekking packing list includes among others:

1. Hiking boots/shoes

2. Rain jackets

3. Ponchos and sweaters

4. Hats

5. Sunglasses

6. Gardening gloves

7. Cameras and extra batteries

8. Energy giving snacks

9. Enough drinking water

A traveler with the appropriate packing list is assured of an enjoyable and flawless mountain gorilla encounter.

BRIEF GORILLA TREKKING RULES

Reminder: While with the gorillas, travelers are reminded to follow the trekking rule and regulations to ensure safety for themselves and the gorillas. The dos and do not of gorilla trekking include:

• Keep a distance of 7 meters away from gorillas

• Speak at allow tone

• Keep within your group

• Do not use a flashlight camera

• Do not litter

• Don’t trek when sick

• Turn your faces when coughing

• Do not touch or feed gorillas