The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has confirmed plans to implement changes to the current gorilla permit rates by 50 percent with effect from 1st June, 2012.
Charges for foreign non residents
will increase to US$ 750 from US$500, whereas foreigners residing in Rwanda
will be charged US$ 375 instead of US$250 to trek the gorillas.
Rwandan nationals will be charged
US$ 50 up from US $33.
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| Rwanda Gorilla Tracking Certificate |
The Chief Executive of RDB, John
Gara explained that the increase coincides with significant growth of the
gorilla population as well as increasing demand for gorilla tourism.
“This means that there is need to continue channelling all our efforts in conservation in order to protect their environment”.
“This means that there is need to continue channelling all our efforts in conservation in order to protect their environment”.
Rwanda’s gorilla conservation efforts
have realised significant achievements. Currently, there are ten gorilla groups
which accommodate up to eight tourists each per day, a number that has almost
doubled over the last five years. RDB clarified that the new pricing will not affect full payments and bookings for dates between now and June 1st, 2012.
“Those that have booked but have not
made full payments will not be affected if they make full payments by March
15th, 2012,” the head of Tourism and Conservation at RDB, Rica Rwigamba elucidated.
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| A mountain Gorilla feeding |
A communiqué released by RDB later stated that, “a contribution of five percent towards the communities surrounding the national parks, under the revenue sharing programme, is an activity that RDB is also committed to, and that the increase will also proportionally impact on this initiative.”
