There are only three countries where these magnificent and highly endangered great apes that still survive in Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. About 1000 mountain gorillas inhabit the Virunga massif ecosystem shared by Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Virunga Park and the Uganda’s Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. A separate population lives in Uganda’s Bwindi Forest, a large tract of tropical rain forest that hosts about 480 individuals.
Rwanda has bravely risen from a tragic past and stands proudly as a representation of Africa’s irrepressible beauty. Rwanda is Africa’s home to some of the last remaining mountain gorillas and a place where you will be warmly welcomed by smiling local. It was 7th of May 2017; the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) doubled the gorilla permit cost from $750 to $1500 per person per day for one hour watching gorillas in the Volcanoes national park.
According to the RDB, the price increment comes in support with Rwanda’s high end tourism strategy which aims to strengthen conservation efforts and contribute to community development and improvement of livelihood of locales living in communities living around national parks. Rwanda is now the most expensive $1500 in terms of gorilla trekking permit followed by Uganda $600 and then D.R.C Congo with the least price $400.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is another home to Mountain Gorillas in Africa. The country hosts three subspecies of gorillas; the mountain gorilla in the Virunga National Park, the western lowland gorilla and the eastern lowland gorillas. Therefore, the gorilla trekking safaris are becoming popular in this expansive country though the most popular destinations that receieve tourists are Virunga National Park and Kahuzi Biega National Park. The country is now safe and open to all International visitors. A gorilla safari experience in the DR Congo is best combined with climbing Mount Nyiragongo Mountain. Mount Nyiragongo can be visited on one day, while gorilla trekking can be enjoyed on the other, so we advise that you book your stay at Bukima Tented Camp, as you won’t need to travel long distances to visit the mountain gorillas.
In the D.R.C it is possible to go gorilla trekking for a less cost than in Rwanda and Uganda, because the cost these other two countries much more expensive than for Congo. Virunga National Park is among the best destinations for gorilla trekking and it’s cheaper due to the fact that the gorilla permits only cost US$400 per person.
In all the three Countries, obtaining a permit is a must for any person before you are allowed to go and track the gorillas in any of the parks. Every traveler must obtain a gorilla trekking permit from the authorities that manage the national park to be visited. It is important to know that gorilla permits are issued on first come – first served basis. Therefore you are advised to obtain one in advance before traveling to avoid disappointments.
To get to the D.R.C, you will drive from Kigali to the border crossing at Goma 3 hours’ drive before using a different vehicle for the drive to Virunga. In Congo tracking permit costs $400 and during promotional month of March 15th to 15 May tracking permit cost only $200 in Virunga National Park. The mountain gorilla is extremely endangered and visiting them is a great way to ensure their survival as each permit raises money for their conservation. While Gorilla tracking permits for Rwanda in Volcanoes National Park cost $1500 per person, Rwanda has no discounts on gorilla trekking permits.
As permits granting permission to visit the gorillas are extremely limited we require flexibility in both the tour itinerary and where we actually visit them. The home of the mountain gorillas is completely a natural habitat with man-made borders and so their range encompasses Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Whenever possible we choose to make use of the National Park in Congo, but this depends on the availability of permits. Should we not obtain permits to visit the mountain gorillas in Congo then we will inform all passengers beforehand that the tour will travel to Rwanda or Uganda.
A gorilla trekking in Africa allows you to spend time with gorillas in the wild. The gorillas visited on a trek have been watched by researchers for some time as they go about their day to day in the gorilla park in the wilds of the cloud forest of the Virunga Volcanoes and Bwindi. As this is the case they have become habituated to people being around them. Each and every trek is then a totally unique spontaneous wildlife experience allowing you to see the gorillas at close quarters as they while the day away.
The mountain gorilla is critically endangered animals and their numbers vary it widely, they are assumed that there are only around 880 left in the world. Visiting the gorillas is a great way to support their future on earth as the money spent on permits is used for their protection. An extremely important part of the future conservation of the remaining gorillas rests in the community development work as local communities change their attitudes towards wildlife and start to protect rather than poach, the future of the mountain gorilla is assured.
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