Rwanda Increase Mountain Gorilla Trekking Fees
Mountain gorillas are some of the world's endangered species of wildlife. With a population of only about 700 left in the wild, mountain gorillas face the danger of extinction. With the threat of poaching, disease and habitat loss as the greatest danger to the population of these gentle giants.
The DNA make-up of mountain gorilla is over 97% similar to that of human beings and this means that they are susceptible to the same diseases that humans face. This is the reason why one of the regulations for mountain gorilla trekking is such that one should maintain a reason distance between them and the mountain gorillas.
In addition, when easing oneself, you are required to dig a hole several inches deep and cover the waste when in the national parks where these gorillas can be found.
Mountain gorilla safari is only done with families that have been habituated to the presence of human beings. These gentle giants live in social family units with a dominant silverback as the head of the family.
The popularity of gorilla tourism has meant that the countries where these gorillas can be found that is Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have reapt a great deal from the tourist dollars coming into the country.
In order to carry out mountain gorilla trekking one has to pay a mandatory fee. In Uganda and Rwanda the gorilla trekking permit fee was originally $500 but Rwanda has increased the fee to $750. This fee allows you to spend one hour with the mountain gorillas and includes your park entrance fees as well as the costs of the park rangers who accompany you during the visit to the gorillas.
The increase is effective from June 1st of 2012. The reason for this is the need to conserve the mountain gorillas as they are faced with the danger of habitat loss and also the need to increase the revenue needed to conserve these gorillas.
