Why are Uganda gorilla permits cheaper than Rwanda

September 22, 2024 September 22, 2024
Katland Safaris
Gorilla trekking, Rwanda safaris, Travel Blog, Uganda safaris

Why are Uganda gorilla permits cheaper than Rwanda – Gorilla trekking safaris and tours.

Anyone hoping to view mountain gorillas must get a gorilla permit for Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, or Rwanda. Insecurity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is driving many visitors to follow mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park as well as Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.

Many elements come into play before any choice is taken as customers begin weighing expenses and experiences before deciding whether to pursue gorillas in Rwanda or Uganda. Those who are sensitive about the expenses of a gorilla tracking safari will most likely wonder why Rwanda gorilla permits are pricey or why Uganda gorilla permits are less expensive than Rwanda.

A gorilla permit in Rwanda costs USD1500., whereas in Uganda it costs USD800. Rwanda gorilla licenses have a much more costly price than Uganda.

Why are gorilla permits from Uganda less expensive than from Rwanda?

We shall attempt as much as we can to explain the numerous reasons Uganda gorilla permits are less expensive than Rwanda. Rwanda has a competitive advantage over Uganda in terms of gorilla monitoring, hence they may choose to raise the price of their gorilla licenses without influencing their sales.

One would rather pay highly for a gorilla permit in Rwanda and travel for a short distance (2-3 hours) from Kigali to Volcanoes National Park than 9-10 hours from Entebbe Airport to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park when you consider the drive time/time spent from Kigali Capital to Volcanoes National Park.

Understanding this competitive advantage, Uganda’s government via UWA decided to cut the price of gorilla permits in order to attract those customer who would be ready to travel great distances from Entebbe to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and pay less.

Uganda spends less in marketing than Rwanda, which is another factor explaining the lower Uganda gorilla permits. Given Rwanda’s strong focus on marketing, one may raise their gorilla permit fee without compromising their population.

Uganda decided to cut the price to make them more affordable in order to benefit into gorilla tracking industry.

Arguments that Rwanda gorilla trekking experience is far better than Uganda, that Rwanda has few tourist attractions compared to Uganda and as so she has to capitalize on income from gorilla trekking; other reasons advance to explain why Uganda gorilla permits are cheaper. Most of these are still open for debate.

Gorilla trekking in Ruanda

Gorilla trekking in Ruanda – Rwanda gorilla trekking tours and safaris.

Ruanda announced twenty-four newborn gorillas during their yearly Kwita Izina ceremony in northern Ruanda on September 5, 2015. This has placed Ruanda on the international map in relation to mountain gorilla conservation and promotion. The following material should be carefully reviewed for individuals getting ready for gorilla treks in Ruanda in 2016 and 2017.

Driving time to Volcanoes N P for Ruanda’s gorilla trekking

If you travel in to Rwanda via Kigali Airport for gorilla trekking in Ruanda, kindly be advised that you will have to move to Volcanoes National Park, which is situated in northern Rwanda often known as Ruhengeri. Depending on your arrival time, you could stay a night in Kigali town or move straight to Volcanoes National Park from Kigali city.

It takes two to three driving hours. Given Rwanda’s mountainous terrain and fog covering much of the country, including highways, individuals who believe they can drive from Kigali and subsequently arrive in time for the gorilla hiking briefing in Ruhengeri/Kinigi may find it difficult. Driving a day before gorilla trekking in Ruanda is usually preferable, much as the travel duration is not too great.

Approvals for gorilla trekking in Ruanda

Gorilla trekking Ruanda still costs USD 1500.00 per person and enables one to spend one hour with endangered mountain gorillas as well as services of a gorilla guide and park admission fees. To arrange for you, you may get in touch with us using the date you want to go to Rwanda to see gorillas available.

Regarding the distribution of gorilla families

Allocation of gorilla families in Rwanda is governed by a criteria. Those who like gorilla trekking in Ruanda should be aware of their preferences ahead of time so they may easily choose a gorilla family that will provide them that experience.

Tourists are allowed to ask for a gorilla group of their interest during a briefing; the rangers will do their best to bring you the best. If you would rather a shorter walk, families with silverbacks, with kids etc., please ask for it. Send us an email for more information on gorilla trekking Ruanda.

24 baby gorillas named in Rwanda

September 22, 2024 September 22, 2024
Katland Safaris
Gorilla trekking, Rwanda safaris, Travel news

24 baby gorillas named in Rwanda – Kwita Izina – Rwanda gorilla tours.

On September 5, 2015 Rwanda hosted another historic occasion when all newly born mountain gorilla infants were named in a ceremony conducted on the northern side of the nation. Attended by so many environmentalists, celebrities, visitors, and most importantly the president of Rwanda, His Majesty Paul Kagame, was this years Kwita Izina event. It seeks to guarantee that newly born baby gorillas are identified and named in keeping with safeguarding mountain gorillas and their habitats.

24 newborn gorillas identified as Rwandan.

There were twenty-four newborn gorillas named in Rwanda from several moms and groups. On January 16, 2015, Bukima female gorilla birthed a female gorilla baby belonging to the Isabukuru gorilla family. This indicates that thanks to good protection, mountain gorilla numbers are rising.

Among numerous partners like Rwanda Air, Bank of Kigali, Eco Bank, Akagera Aviation, Equity Bank, Kenya Airways, SN Brussels, Akagera National Park, Nyungwe Top view Hotel, Park view courts, this gorilla naming ceremony was expected.

For millennia, Rwandan society and custom have revolved around naming a freshly born child. The old naming century’s legacy was modeled on these species to get the national brand known as “Kwita Izina,” in line with the amazing efforts by the Government of Rwanda, through the Rwanda Development Board, and in cooperation with different conservation partners and local communities to actively protect the Mountai n Gorillas and their habitat. We would wish to congratulate Rwanda’s government for always leading the front in efforts at mountain gorilla protection.

2016-17 Discounted Gorilla permits launched by UWA at USD450

2016-17 Discounted Gorilla permits launched by UWA at USD450 – Gorilla trekking Safaris and tours.

Declared low season pricing and 2016-2017 reduced gorilla permits at $450.00 per person per trip for the months of April, May and November, Uganda’s wildlife authorities stated today July 28, 2015. Encouraging more visitors to Uganda to hike the rare and threatened mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park, this campaign will run for the next two years of 2016 and 2017.

During his presentation at the Uganda Tourism Forum at Hotel Africana titled “The status of Uganda Tourism,” Mr. Raymond Engena, the director of tourism development at Uganda Wildlife Authority, disclosed this exciting news. Uganda Tourism Association is the umbrella organization of all private sector associations.

Discounted gorilla permits in 2015, 2013, 2014, and 2015 have been costing $350 and by putting them at $800 for foreign none residents shows an increase in price but, this does not mean Uganda is indeed becoming an expensive destination compared to Rwanda that charges $800 per gorilla permit in both high and low season.

UEA’s cheap gorilla permits starting at $800 will help all those who want to trek gorillas during low season to save $800.00 off each gorilla ticket booked and paid during off season months of April, May and November 2016 and 2017.

Mr Engena Raymond advised other tourism sector stakeholders to adopt Uganda Wildlife Authority’s trends and provide off-peak discounts so that visitors may choose Uganda as a travel destination. He was quick to point out that Uganda would always be seen as an expensive travel destination if that is not done.

2016-2017 Reversed When you buy an all- encompassing gorilla or Uganda safaris with us, Gorilla permits started by UWA at USD800 may be bought via katland safaris at no additional fees. The exact day and month you plan to hike gorillas will be all you need to let us know; we will verify availability on your behalf and provide you all the available gorilla permits per area so you are in position to choose the finest one.

Should you are happy with our availability, you will be billed, requested to provide your passport information to allow us to schedule your gorilla permit and forward scanned copies for your review and records.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information on 2016-17 Discounted Gorilla permits released by UWA at USD450; we are always the first firm to break such fascinating news.

Discounted gorilla permits this November.

Discounted gorilla permits this November – Gorilla trekking safaris and tours.

The game is on and Uganda Wildlife Authority is still selling reduced gorilla permits at USD800.00 to travel gorillas in Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Should you be a foreign resident of Uganda, the cost is USD 800.00 per gorilla permit per person. Now that you may book with us a gorilla trip with inexpensive low season gorilla permits to visit gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park Uganda, if you missed opportunity of April and May 2016.

Discounted Gorilla Permits

Although Uganda Wildlife Authority has vowed to keep providing low season gorilla permit offers for next years, the pricing may alter for 2018. Every year and upon announcement, the price for reduced gorilla permits is agreed upon and communicated to all of our customers and tour agents at Katland Safaris. We so advise anybody wishing to save $250.00 per permit to get in touch with us with dates.

All you need to do is let us know the precise day in November 2016-17 when you want to see gorillas; we will then verify availability of gorilla permits at Uganda Wildlife Authority on that specific date. Once permissions are obtained, we will bill you for full payment and 20% of the overall safari fee so we may validate your gorilla permit and other services to be rendered on your gorilla trekking Uganda safari.

Discounted gorilla permits are none refundable but may be modified or rescheduled to another day only in case you find any issue with your original date. They must be paid in full. Since rates vary depending on your status, you will have to email us a copy of your passport so Uganda Wildlife Authority may verify your either East African, Foreign Resident, or Foreign None Resident status.

They also ask for your passport in order to prove the age of people seeking gorilla permits. When passports are given, age limit may be determined and they can tell you if you are qualified or not. The minimum age for gorilla tracking is 15 years and above.

Get more information about savings on our transportation, lodging to help you visit Uganda using our reasonably priced low season prices by contacting Katland Safaris.

Gorilla permit overbooking

September 22, 2024 September 22, 2024
Katland Safaris
Gorilla trekking, Rwanda safaris, Travel Blog, Uganda safaris

Gorilla permit overbooking – Gorilla trekking safaris and tours.

More often than not, the Uganda Wildlife Authority sees gorilla permit overbooking in Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Combining the boost of twelve habituated mountain gorilla groups from Bwindi and Mgahinga National Parks, a total of ninety six visitors interested in gorilla trekking may be housed.

Still, there are certain seasons or areas when gorilla permit overbooking is reported. Mountain gorilla trekking laws and regulations state that gorilla permit overbooking is not allowed as it would lead to more individuals than the legal limit of eight persons.

Naturally, this will lead to congestion during gorilla trekking, something that can imperil already threatened mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Parks.

Overbooking Gorilla Permission

Four gorilla paths in the East (Ruhija), North (Buhoma), South (Rushaga and Nkuringo) go through Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Although each of these areas or trail heads has separate gorilla families, distances separating them from lodges booked by guests may make it difficult for clients to get from one area to another when there is gorilla permit overbooking in one location as opposed to another.

For instance, you may find that gorilla permit overbooking has occurred in the Buhoma region, which is by far the best or preferred region visited by tourists. When this is found most especially on the day of the trekking, it is quite difficult for Uganda Wildlife Authority to transfer clients let’s say to Rushaga on that very trekking day due to distance. Gorilla families in such an area will therefore be walked by more than eight persons.

Overbooking in gorillas may arise from many factors. The new system was showing availability of gorilla permits but in actual sense, they had been sold out since some booked gorilla permits stored in the old system were not captured when moving to the new system. Consequently, additional gorilla permits were offered to visitors and tour companies leading to over booking.

We should underline that Uganda Wildlife Authority encourages all individuals to report any overcrowding during gorilla trekking most likely due to gorilla permit over booking; it is not done deliberately by them. Uganda animals Authority does not support operations meant to imperil all threatened primates and animals in Uganda’s protected regions as it is dedicated to their protection. This article just highlights the occasional occurrence of gorilla permit overbooking.

Rescheduling gorilla permits in Uganda and Rwanda.

A gorilla permit is a paper document issued in Uganda or Rwanda allowing one to hike mountain gorillas in both countries. As long as you have a sincere cause, it is now allowed to postpone or relocate gorilla permits to new dats in Uganda and Rwanda.

Gorilla permits to hike Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgaihinga National Park in Uganda may be bought here. Rescheduling gorilla permits in Uganda and Rwanda operates like this.

Once bought gorilla permits from one date to another, it was quite difficult to move or reschedule; but, Rwanda Development Board and Uganda Wildlife Authority have changed their position and can now reschedule or move gorilla permits from one date to another. When gorilla tracking began in both Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Rwanda’s volcanoes National Park,

Uganda Wildlife Authority lets people or tour operators change gorilla permits once. You must ask the Director of Tourism Business and Development at Uganda Wildlife Authority to enable you reschedule permits from the previous date to the new one. The letter has to be sincere in explaining why these permits are being shifted to the new date and include all original receipts as sent by Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Once the Director of Tourism Business and Development gets this letter, he will then allow reservations and Information Communication departments to adjust everything in the system to the new dates. Rescheduling of gorilla permits in Uganda and Rwanda comes under restrictions and circumstances; so, if you run into any problems, kindly let us know so that we may assist you in this regard.

The aforementioned rescheduling relates exclusively to peak season gorilla permits. High season gorilla permits fall in January, February, June, July, August, September, October, December. Discounted gorilla permits given in April, May, and November are neither refundable; one cannot relocate them or reschedule them to another date.

As long as you can pay USD250.00 each permit, Rwanda Development Board arranges gorilla permits for Volcanoes National Park from an old date to a new one in Rwanda. This really helps as you would rather lose only USD700.00 instead of USD1500.00, the cost each gorilla permit per person.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority has changed its position on gorilla permit rescheduling since it has come to see that there are several reasons why people might not travel gorillas on the designated date, including clients becoming sick closer to time and yet you are not allowed to trek gorillas when sick.

The Ebola outbreak has caused problems for Africa that have resulted in cancellation of safaris or delay; so, UWA in cooperation with Uganda Tour Operators agreed on the way ahead concerning it and concluded that those who may visit Uganda at a later date should be provided this opportunity. Sometimes terror threats have led to safaris being moved to other dates, therefore one is given an opportunity to rearrange their own permissions.

Nevertheless, the government of Uganda advises all visitors to always carry travel insurance to prevent such unanticipated events and with such a development, rescheduling of gorilla permits in Uganda and Rwanda would attempt to assist.

Please get more information on rescheduling of gorilla permits in Uganda and Rwanda by contacting us.

Gorilla tracking-which country benefits more

Gorilla tracking-which country benefits more – Gorilla trekking safaris and tours.

Mountain gorillas are found in Uganda, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, and other nations; so, gorilla tourism has expanded in these nations when visitors visit national parks and spend one hour with the gorillas. This page will attempt to identify the nation most benefiting from gorilla tourism.

Advantages from gorilla permit sales.

Mountain gorilla permits vary depending on the nation one is planning to visit for gorillas. While in Uganda a gorilla permit costs USD800 in peak season and USD 800 in low seasons of April May and November, Rwanda’s development board charges USD1500 for a gorilla permit per person per trip.

On paper, Rwanda makes more money from the selling of gorilla licenses based on the amount paid than Uganda owing mostly on pricing. Uganda could, however, sell additional permits and decrease the price differential gap depending on cost control. This pricing differential can also help Uganda to be a less expensive travel destination than Rwanda.

Advantages for hotels and lodges

Gorilla tourism benefits hotels and lodges as well; this depends on the number of days one spends at the lodge or hotel during his/her gorilla trip. The minimum days one needs to spend on a gorilla trip in Uganda are three and thereafter two nights at any one Lodge.

You have to spend another second night in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park as one night is when you get there and the second night is for trekking gorillas; you never know when you will be returning. Uganda Hotels & Lodges so enjoy more bed nights than their counterparts in Rwanda. Many visitors like trekking gorillas in Rwanda more for fewer days or nights spent than for any other reason—not because of any statistics.

You may travel to Kigali, drive directly to Volcanoes National Park, track gorillas the next day and then get to the airport for your departing flight out. This results in fewer bed nights per lodge as one requires one night at a specific resort in Rwanda. Although this benefits the visitor, it is not healthy for lodges as well as a source of government income.

Advantages for Tour Operators

Given more evenings and days spent on a gorilla trip to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga than in Rwanda, Ugand’s gorilla packages are more lucrative. For Uganda travel agents, discounted gorilla permits in April, May, and November is proving helpful.

Many visitors have been drawn to hike In Uganda at this time instead of Rwanda, and lodges also often lower their prices, which helps Uganda sell more easily than Rwanda.

Gorilla tourism helps all nations; depending on the approach used, we shall see who gains more in futre. Please contact Katland Safaris for any questions about gorilla trekking safaris; we will then provide appropriate advice.

New silverback takes over leadership of Nyakagezi gorilla group

New silverback takes over leadership of Nyakagezi gorilla group.

Located in Mgahinga National Park in southern western Uganda, the Nyakagezi gorilla family is the only known habituated group. Together with Volcanoes National Park of the Democractic Republic of Congo, this little national park is part of the great virunga mountains and shares borders with Rwanda.

Ten members of the Nyakagezi gorilla family include five silverbacks, three females, one young adult and one baby. After habituation, members of a particular gorilla family are given names to help them find one other readily. These cover Mathew, Nshuti, Baby Rukundo, Mutagamba, Nvuyekure, mark and bugingo.

News reports from Mgahinga National Park indicate that Mark, said to be 53 years old, has taken over as leader of the Nyakagezi gorilla family from Bugingo. Rare among mountain gorillas and other animals, Bugingo still remains with the family; displaced silverbacks often flee from such households and either seek safety on another gorilla family or go alone.

Sometimes they will develop a new family from either a habituated or wild gorilla family. We have observed similar situations when Mwirima silver back went into seclusion after the dethronement from the leadership of the Mubare gorilla group.

From seven to 10 members is fantastic news for Uganda’s tourism because visitors want to hike mountain gorilla families with many members including silverbacks and young infants. All of this comes from improved conservation strategies used by Uganda Wildlife Authority and other participants in this fight.

Until this year, when they settled in Mgahinga National Park, the Nyakagezi gorilla family spent most of their time traveling between countries. This makes it impossible for Uganda Wildlife Authority to sell its gorilla permits in advance to a degree that would allow all individuals who would be interested in trekking the Nyakagezi gorilla family to reserve their gorilla permits on ground.

Since gorilla permits were available for both Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda, this hampered the growth of gorilla tourism in Mgahinga National Park since no visitor would spend money to come to Uganda hoping to trek Nyakagezi gorilla family.

The Park is now attracting quite a fair number of visitors who visit Mgahinga not only for gorillas but also for other activities including golden monkey experience and tracking, hiking of Mgahinga Volcanoes among other volcanoes including Sabinyo and Muhavura. The gorilla family is now permanently settled in. Batwa path also exposes visitors to the way of life and culture of the previously wooded populace that was driven out of Mgahinga and other south western Uganda national parks once they were gazetted.

Accessible by road and air, Mgahinga National Park is situated in Kisoro district in south-west Uganda. From Kampala, it is around 9-10 hours drive; from Kigali city in Rwanda, it is roughly 3 hours drive. For individuals who want to fly to the Park, charter and scheduled flights may be arranged at Kisoro airstrip, the closest and only one available.

You could decide to travel up to two hours to Mgahinga National Park, where numerous lodging facilities like Gahinga Volcanoes Lodge is leading from Kisoro town. You may stay in the well-known Kisoro Travellers rest Inn in Kisoro, where Dianne Fossel used to stay while in Uganda.

who is eligible to trek gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda?

gorilla tracking activities take occur in Uganda, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Katland Safaris gives unmatched experience to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga National Park as well as volcanoes National Park Rwanda. There are things you should know before you and your family begin organizing a gorilla trip to help you avoid frustration.

Age restriction for gorilla treking in Rwanda and Uganda

The age restrictions or prerequisites for one to hike gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Volcanoes National Park are the same for Uganda and Rwanda. The administration of Uganda Wildlife guarantees that all those trekking gorillas in Uganda ought to be fifteen years or above.

They are rather rigorous on this and to show this; every individual is expected to provide their passport data at the time of acquiring a gorilla permit and also before one embarks on the journey.

Though this is the response, some parents who want to accompany their children often ask this question. Conservation is the reason for this as it has been scientifically shown that youngsters will never show the emotion when they come across these mountain gorillas. They might yell or flee, which would lead to a scenario wherein mountain gorillas could assault those who had come to hike them.

The second reason is that while mountain gorillas are already in threat, their alleged 94% human nature means that humans share identical DNA and may readily transmit illnesses to them. Children are thought to be able to readily transmit these illnesses to mountain gorillas, therefore helping to lower the already small population of these animals.

You need a Uganda or Rwanda Gorilla permit.

One must have a gorilla permit granted by Rwanda Development Board (RDB) either for Volcanoes National Park or Uganda Wildlife Authority in case of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park to track mountain gorillas in Rwanda or Uganda. Discounts are regularly offered; a gorilla permit in Rwanda costs USD150.00 per person per trip; in Uganda, it costs USD800.00 both in high and low seasons.

Discount gorilla permits starting in 2013 have been USD450 in April, May, and November. When you arrange all services—including lodging, transportation with us— Katland Safaris helps you get a gorilla permit at no additional cost.

As a corporate policy, we always advise all of our prospective customers to always book their gorilla permits at least three months in advance as most notably during busy seasons, gorilla permits tend to sell out rapidly. This is so because trekking mountain gorillas in any nation is impossible without a gorilla permit.

Has to be in excellent health.

Humans may readily spread illnesses to mountain gorillas, hence all people who want to follow gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda should first see their medical physicians before they even go down to Bwindi, impenetrable national park or Volcanoes National park. You won’t be able to hike gorillas should it be found that you are not in excellent health.

Should it so transpires that you contracted the illness one day before, you have to prove this by providing a medical doctor’s report; in this case, you could be entitled to a refund from Uganda Wildlife Authority, who oversee all national parks in Uganda and handle gorilla permit sales.

Please get in touch with our team to get more information on who is illegible to hike mountain gorillas; they will be ready to guide you appropriately. A lifelong journey, gorilla tracking has to be planned in line with those who know the dos and do nots.