The gorilla trekking cost entirely varies depending on key influencing factors such as the price of gorilla permit, accommodation, transportation to & from destinations, length of your gorilla trip, other activities, cost of essential items to be packed, visas & border crossing, passport, and other factors.
Here is a breakdown of determining factors for gorilla trekking cost;
Gorilla permits
The cost of gorilla trekking permits is not same across gorilla safari destinations that is Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Each of these gorilla trekking destinations have their rates for tourists to obtain a valid gorilla permit.
In Uganda, the cost of a single gorilla permit currently stands at USD 800 per person and obtaining one allows you explore a gorilla family in either Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
Rwanda gorilla trekking permits cost USD 1500 per person while visitors intending to track mountain gorillas in the Virunga National Park in the D.R. Congo or Eastern lowland gorillas in Kahuzi-Biega National Park, the permits are available for booking at USD 400 per person. Obtaining permits and planning the entire gorilla tour is easier done through a local tour operator.
Cost of accommodation
The cost of accommodation is another significant factor that can determine how much a gorilla trekking adventure can cost. On gorilla safari, there are 3 key categories of accommodation options visitors choose for their night stay that is budget, midrange and luxury. Each of these accommodation options have their set rates. A budget accommodation option can be booked at a slightly a lower rate than if you booked a luxury/an upmarket accommodation.
The accommodation cost at times varies depending on the season. During the peak season (June, July, August, September, December, January to February), most accommodation rates rise up or remain at normal rates due to high demand unlike during the off-seasons/wet months of the year when there is low turn up of visitors and some lodges provide promotional rates in order to attract more guests.
Always endeavor to find the best accommodation facility that is within your budget and choosing, better to book one that is close to where your actual gorilla trekking adventure or briefing point is. It can save you a lot in terms of movement in the morning as you try to catch up with the briefing session.
Meal plan is a key determinant on how much you will spend on accommodation and hence influences the cost of gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda or D.R. Congo.
Dealing with the local tour operator with vast knowledge on where you can stay is key and you have every reason to plan and book a memorable gorilla trip with us.
Cost of transportation
Getting to and from gorilla safari destinations is key and the rates vary depending the type of rental car you intend to use, how long you will be with it and others. A budget rental car like a 4×4 Rav4 can be hired at slightly a reduced rate compared to a 4×4 Land Cruiser. The cost on transportation also varies depending on the length of your road trip where if you have a 3-day gorilla tour, the rates can be lower than if you have a 10-day trip.
Choose the best rental car that won’t leave you in regrets and it is important to always deal with the local tour operator to be on the safer side. When choosing a rental car for your gorilla safari road trip, be guided by number of visitors whom you will be on a holiday. The more the number the bigger the car you should have in order to accommodate everyone comfortably.
For guests who may want to opt for flights rather than road transportation, they are also covered with our fly-in gorilla safaris to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park or Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The rates for fly-in safaris won’t be the same as those of a rental car. On a fly-in gorilla safari, your journey begins from Entebbe International Airport/Kajjansi airfield to Kihihi or Kisoro airstrip then you will be transferred by road up to your respective accommodation options.
Tipping
Tipping isn’t mandatory but is a good gesture by which visitors can show or appreciate the service provider. The amount to be tipped entirely varies from guest to guest because others can give USD 10 or USD 20 or even more. There is no standard and when planning your next gorilla safari holiday, the cost of tipping shouldn’t be left out.
Length of the trip
The longer your trip is, the higher the cost of gorilla trekking is likely to be. A short gorilla trip runs from 1 day to 4 days and longer gorilla safaris go from 5 days and beyond. Opting for a long gorilla trip is best as it allows you explore the destination to the fullest.
Lifestyle
The cost of gorilla trekking also varies depending on visitors’ lifestyle. A budget or backpacker visitor is likely to spend less than the one who opts for luxury or mid-range trip. A midrange/luxury lifestyle interestingly comes with enormous benefits right from the means of transportation to accommodation type.
Season
The 2 significant seasons to consider when planning a gorilla trip include the dry and wet season. The dry season is also known as the peak season –is when there is high demand for almost essential for gorilla trekking from gorilla permit, transportation, accommodation and more. For the wet/rainy/low season, there is low turn up of visitors and some accommodation facilities tend to offer discounts which you stand a chance to enjoy or even on your means of transportation.
Visas, passports and other travel documents
The entire gorilla trekking trip begins right from your home country. The cost for obtaining visas, passports and other essential travel documents shouldn’t be left out when you are budgeting for your gorilla holiday to Uganda, Rwanda or D.R. Congo.
Packing list cost
There are a must-have items when it comes to gorilla safaris. This means you will meet a cost in order to obtain them. Things like waterproof hiking boots, daypack, long-sleeved shirts (that is environmentally friendly/blends with nature), first aid kit, safari hat, insect repellents, and others.
Other activities
Any additional activities inside gorilla parks or other destinations do impact on your gorilla trekking cost. Within parks like Bwindi, you can still combine normal gorilla treks and gorilla habituation experience with a single permit costing USD 1500 per person, forest walks, birding and or cultural experiences.
