Why is gorilla trekking expensive?
Why is gorilla trekking expensive? Mountain gorillas are endangered species that are located in only three countries of East Africa. These include Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda. The shy and amiable gorillas harbor the parks of Virungas in Congo, Volcanoes in Rwanda, Bwindi and Mgahinga national park in Uganda.
The presence of mountain gorillas in these parks has enabled the activity of gorilla trekking. Gorilla trekking is the most exciting activity that has attracted very many tourists to come to Africa to explore these identified species.
The cost of a gorilla permit in these countries varies depending on the countries pricing policy. In Uganda, the cost of a mountain gorilla permit is 700 United States dollars, in the Democratic Republic of Congo is 400 unites states and Rwanda’s gorilla ticket is expensive costing 1500 United States dollars.
It takes a lot up to gorilla trekking right away from clearing the vegetation for trails as gorillas can be stressed when they see very many visitors around them. The community development around the protected areas that inhabit gorillas needs well-constructed roads, piped water, education facilities to integrate all of them in all gorilla conservation. All these facilitation explain why gorilla trekking is so expensive.
Another reason as to why gorilla trekking us expensive is that gorillas need strict monitoring and safety. To effect this, there is a need for money to pay rangers and researchers especially those doing gorilla habituation, doctors that need to be on standby to treat gorilla since they are sensitive to viral diseases and others. Without enough security given to gorillas, they are trapped, poached, and killed which is detrimental to their conservation.
Additionally, the limited number of mountain gorillas in the whole world has made trekking gorillas is so expensive. The mountain gorillas remaining are located only in Uganda, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This has made the gorilla trekking permits demand to be high throughout the year, provided the amazing experience gorillas provide to clients. You need to book as early as 7 months to avoid last minutes terrific demand. All these attributes have made the gorilla trekking experience expensive.
To protect and conserve the endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda national parks of Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, the body known as Uganda Wildlife Authority was set up by Uganda Government to oversee all the activities of the parks which at times need money to run activities of the park hence making gorilla trekking expensive
