The Rwanda Development Board has announced an increase in the price of Gorilla Permits from US$ 750 to US $1,500 for all visitors effective immediately.  However, the mountain gorilla tracking permit cost remains the same in Uganda at USD600 and Congo (DRC).

According to RDB, the new price increase will not affect tourists who had already purchased their tickets at the time of this announcement.

A new exclusive package for tourists who wish to book an entire family of gorillas was also introduced at US$ 15,000, and will receive exclusive personalized tour guide services.

The price increase will not affect tourists who had already purchased their tickets at the time of this announcement.

Clare Akamanzi, the Chief Executive Officer at Rwanda Development Board said: “Gorilla trekking is a highly unique experience. We have raised the price of permits in order to ensure sustainability of conservation initiatives and enhance visitors’ experience. We also want to make sure that the communities living near the park area receive a bigger share of tourism revenues to fund development projects and empower them economically.”

Meanwhile, tourists who visit other national parks; Nyungwe National  Park and Akagera National Park for a minimum of three days, in addition to gorilla trekking will receive a discount of 30%.

Similarly, conference tourists, who stay pre or post conference dates to see gorillas will be eligible for a 15% discount.

The price increase aims to strengthen conservation efforts and contribute more to the development of communities living around the Volcanoes National Park, RDB said in a communiqué.

According to RDB, tourism revenue sharing rate for communities adjacent to the park will also increase from current 5% to 10%, which will increase absolute revenues received by communities.

Over the last 12 years, more than 400 community projects have been completed including hospitals, schools, business development centers and water supply systems to facilitate access to clean water.

Mountain gorillas are an endangered species with only around 880 remaining in the world. Of these, about 400 live in the Virunga Massif  striding across Rwanda, Uganda and the D.R.Congo, while at leas 448 mountain gorillas live in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.