Rwanda is one of the fast developing tourism destinations in Africa. Located in Central Africa, Rwanda has always been a peak tourist destination for gorilla trekking safaris in Africa and a reason for many to visit the “Land of Thousand Hills” a small cleanest country in East Africa region.
Today, Rwanda has turned into a luxury destination for gorilla safaris due to the increase of its gorilla permits from $750 to $1500 per a trek year round. The announcement was made by Rwanda Development Board (RDB) on 6th May 2017 in Kigali. Taking you back, Volcanoes National Park is a home for mountain gorillas, six of the eight Virunga Volcanoes. The park offers the great experience to see and track mountain gorillas as well as golden monkeys in Rwanda.
However the situation will benefit Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo since the price for the single gorilla permit is enough to book a private tailor made tours to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Mgahinga National Park and one in Virunga National Park. However, there are several benefits of the gorilla permit increase like the chance to track the entire gorilla family with exclusive park rangers at only $15000 per a trek.
Another exciting offer is that Rwanda offers family travelers who seek for great time and moments together as a group. Imagine tracking a particular gorilla family alone with your close relatives without any other intruder in the well conserved bamboo forest as you feel the natural surroundings of the jungle and its habitats.
Also travelers visiting other Rwanda national parks like Akagera National Park and Nyungwe Forest for a minimum of 3 days will get a 30% discount on their Rwanda gorilla permit. However, this offer works best for travelers interested in tracking mountain gorillas, chimpanzees and game viewing. If you also planning to visit Rwanda for a conference and also do the gorilla trek, be ready to get your 15% discount on your gorilla permit.
Other activity fees in Volcanoes National Park like golden monkey trekking, Dian Fossey Hike and Volcano hiking never changed.
There is also good news to the local community living adjacent to the park. Good news also goes to the nearby communities close to Volcanoes National Park will receive 10% instead of the initial 5%. This will improve and develop many community projects that will benefit the community today and tomorrow. Water supply systems, hospitals, schools, business centers are the main target for community development programs under Rwanda Development Board.
Ms. Clare Akamanzi the Chief Executive Officer at Rwanda Development Board said that “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.”
To make luxury tours a success, several new luxury Rwanda lodges have been opened in Musanze. These include Bisate Lodge and the One and Only Gorilla’s Nest Lodge.
Leave a Reply