Gorilla Permit Fees increase to US$500 with effect from 1st July 2007
In line with efforts to harmonise management of gorilla tourism in the region, the three countries of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have agreed to work towards harmonisation of the gorilla tracking fees in all the 3 countries. Based on the prevailing socio-political environment in the respective countries as a first step Uganda and Rwanda agreed to charge US$500 per permit for foreign non-residents effective July 1, 2007. East Africans and foreign residents will pay US$475 per permit.
Mr. Mapesa Moses – Executive Director Uganda Wild Life Authority says this has been brought about due to recent regional events which have necessitated that the fees be reviewed. Tariffs for other tourist activities and services will remain unchanged as per the 2006-2008 tariff rates.
Uniform pricing for gorilla tourism will help to strengthen the already existing collaborative management arrangements between the three countries especially in the areas of research, monitoring, eco-tourism, and community-based conservation.
All three countries offer gorilla trekking as one of the main tourism activity, and various tour companies such as African Pearl Safaris operate in all three countries, which necessitated harmonising the procedures for booking gorilla permits, giving refunds, giving incentives to the private sector, as well as the general gorilla rules.
In October 2005, the Ministers of Tourism in the three countries signed a declaration of support for formalising the transboundary collaborative management of the gorilla national parks especially in the areas of research, monitoring and tourism.The three countries of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have the only remaining mountain gorillas in the world, about 700 in total. Over half of these are found in Uganda.
Civil and political conflicts, poaching, illegal trade and habitat destruction contributed to the decline in the population of gorillas over the past decades, but increased vigilance in law enforcement as well as a stronger working relationship with the local communities have helped stem the decline in recent years and now the gorilla population is actually increasing.
Uganda has four habituated gorilla groups, each of which is allowed 8 a maximum of visitors per day. Uganda Wild Life Authority (UWA) provides gorilla trekking services on a daily basis, and trekking can last between a few hours to a whole day.
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