Uganda Wildlife Authority has once again revised prices of gorilla permits for tourists interested in tracking the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga National Parks. It is a norm for UWA, the organization managing Uganda’s wildlife, National Parks and Wildlife Reserves to revise activity rates every two or three years as well as introducing new activities/products. The new rates come after about 2 years since Rwanda doubled prices for its gorilla permits from $750 to $1500 in May 2017.
The revised gorilla permit rates will see foreign non-residents paying $700 instead of $600, foreign residents will pay $600 instead of $500 and East African Community residents will pay the same amount of Shs 250,000. Nonetheless, these new changes will not be affected immediately but until 1st July 2020 hence tourists have up to the end of June to track Uganda’s Mountain gorillas in the old prices.
Reasons for the price increase
Following the exorbitant hike for gorilla permits in Rwanda (from $750 to $1500), most tourists were opting to track the mountain gorillas from Uganda hence increasing the demand for gorilla trekking. Therefore this price hike is seen as a way of protecting the already endangered Mountain gorillas and their natural habitat by balancing the carrying capacity. Also, the higher the price of gorilla permits, the more revenue and foreign exchange which in turn contributes to community development in addition to catering for different Conservation projects/initiatives.
On the benefits of this increment, local communities are bound to receive more revenue from gorilla tourism since 20% of the revenue collected from the sale of gorilla permits is given back to the communities living around Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga National Parks. This, in the end, makes the communities to appreciate gorilla tourism and strive to conserve the mountain gorillas by reducing encroachment on their habitats and staying away from poaching.
Other price changes
Gorilla trekking rates were not the only ones revised but also other activities were affected and these include golden monkey tracking whose permits were increased from $90 to $100, $80 to $90 and Shs 40,000 to Shs 60,000 for foreign non-residents, foreign residents and East African community residents respectively.
Chimpanzee tracking, Uganda’s second most sought-after activity is now at $200 from $150, $150 from $100 and Shs 150,000 from Shs 100,000 for foreign non-residents, foreign residents and East African community residents respectively.
For the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience, prices also changed from $200 to $250 for foreign residents and non-residents but permit rates for East African community residents remained at Shs 150,000.
For gorilla filming and commercial filming fees, costs are to be charged at 40% of the activity from $630 for foreign and foreign non-residents as well as Shs 630,000 for East African Community residents while tourists paid $4200 for a team of 5 for gorilla filming.
How to acquire gorilla permits
Gorilla permits can be acquired either directly from Uganda Wildlife Authority by visiting their offices at Kira road, or sending an email to reservations@ugandawildlife.org or calling +256 414 355 409/410.
Alternatively, you can acquire from tour operators (indirectly) who will charge a commission but the process is less cumbersome. Due to the high demand for gorilla trekking, intending gorilla trekkers are advised to book for permits at least 3-4 months in advance to avoid last-minute disappointments or fraud especially when you are desperate.
