Why is gorilla trekking so expensive?

Gorilla Trekking is one of Africa’s most expensive safari activities, and perhaps the most expensive of all other wildlife safaris in Africa.  Why is gorilla trekking so expensive? If this question lingers in your head, here we are to elaborate more about gorilla trekking costs. Mountain Gorillas are critically endangered which puts them at a great risk of extinction and a need to promote their existence has stimulated high efforts towards conservation. Many people all over the world are interested in seeing human second closest relatives just after the Chimpanzees. Acacia safaris offers a wide range of gorilla trekking packages that range from low Budget packages to high luxury packages. Design your dream adventure with us for stunning experiences.

Uganda gorilla Safaris – Why is gorilla trekking so expensive? 

All you need to know – Why is gorilla trekking expensive? – Why are gorilla permits expensive?

Gorilla trekking is one of the most thrilling wildlife activities on earth. The experience is much different from a game drive in top wildlife spotting areas of Serengeti, Masai Mara or Kruger National Park. a must include safari activity for any traveler to East Africa. This adventure offers much more than just sighting experience but also offer great opportunities to unit with human cousins. Mountain gorillas live in families with a hierarchy where the dominant silverback dictates everything that is done by the group, just like a father in traditional African Family settings.

The following are some of the reasons as to why gorilla trekking is expensive

Mountain gorillas are endangered and because of that many people want to see them. This has attracted several governments to increase the gorilla permit prices. You can say the principle of demand and supply applies here, the higher the demand, the higher the price. But demand is not the only explanation for the high cost of gorilla permits. The high need for funds to protect the primates from extinction is also a contributor to the high price.

Mountain gorillas share almost 97% DNA with humans, this implies they can be affected by most of the diseases just like those of humans, and in order to maintain there well being, there is need to protect them from external influence. Setting prices of trekking permits let’s say acts as a way to reduce the number of people who can trek them.

Gorilla conservation involves significant investments in research, rangers and scientists and this requires money. Part of the money collected from gorilla permits are channeled towards the protection of these majestic primates. To be more specific, 15% of the money collected goes to the government, 10% to the local communities and 75% to gorilla conservation. This also attributes to high prices of the activity.

Is gorilla trekking worth the money and efforts?

Our immediate response to this is “YES”, Gorilla trekking is worth the money, time spent and effort. The activity is one of the kind and much more different from all other wildlife encounters in the wild sweet Africa. The previous experiences by the previous visitors who have done gorilla trekking will stimulate your Africans safari mood. Coming face-to-face with these gentle endangered giants is something you will live to remember. Gorilla trekking is thus very worth, the money, time and efforts right from the early stages of planning the gorilla trekking safari is worth everything involved. Choose Acacia safaris Limited for the best experiences.

Different prices of gorilla trekking permits in different countries

Gorilla trekking is only done in three East African countries of Uganda, Rwanda and D.R Congo. Acacia safaris organize gorilla trekking safaris/tour to all the three countries with guaranteed gorilla trekking permits. A gorilla trekking permit is a document that allows you access to the gorillas. In Uganda, gorilla permits cost up to  $ 600, in Rwanda $1500 and Congo $400. For East African community nationals however, you can obtain a gorilla permit in Uganda for 300,000 shillings. During the low seasons of the year, Gorilla permits are sold at a discount in Virunga National Park of Congo for $250 dollars

Uganda also offers Gorilla habituation safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, an experience that was introduced early in 2014. Gorilla habituation safaris offer visitors more time with the gorillas than the normal gorilla trek. Habituation safaris will allow you spend up to 4 hour with the massive giants in the forest. Gorilla habituation permits cost up to $ 1500 in Uganda.