Rwanda Development Board has announced an increase in the price of gorilla permits from US750 to USD1,500 for all visitors, effective immediately.
A new package for tourists wishing to book an entire family of gorillas was also introduced at USD15,000 and with the tourists receiving exclusive personalized tour guide services.
The price increase will however not affect tourists who had already purchased their tickets prior to the announcement.
The Board further announced that tourists who visit other national parks (Nyungwe and Akagera) for a minimum of three days in addition to gorilla trekking will receive a discount of 30 per cent.
Similarly, conference tourist who stay pre-or-post conference dates to see gorillas will be eligible for a 15 per cent discount.
According to the board’s CEO Clare Akamanzi, the prices increase aims at strengthening conservation efforts and contributing more to the development of communities living around the Volcanoes National Park.
This increase is set to reflect to the communities living near the parks as their sharing rate will increase from 5 per cent to 10 per cent.