When one thinks of a gorilla trekking safari in Africa, two countries come to mind: Uganda and Rwanda. These two countries are home to the majority of the once critically endangered Mountain Gorilla species. These primates are now considered endangered, thanks to the aggressive conservation strategy implemented by wildlife authorities in both countries.
Uganda
Wildlife Authority manages gorillas in Uganda, while the Rwanda Development
Board manages gorillas in Rwanda. These are the same authorities that issue
trekking permits, though you can also obtain them from licensed tour operators.
Each gorilla permit in Uganda costs $700 and $1500 in Rwanda, implying that
Rwanda is more expensive than Uganda.
Despite being
quite affordable, Uganda has the world’s largest population of mountain
gorillas, with over 600 spread across two national parks, Bwindi Impenetrable
and Mgahinga. Bwindi Impenetrable has 21 habituated gorilla families, while
Mgahinga has only one. Uganda is the best option for those on a tight budget
for this safari adventure.
Rwanda, on
the other hand, has the fewest gorillas, with around 150 divided into 12
gorilla families. These are only found in Volcanoes National Park on the slopes
of Mt. Bisoke and Karisimbi, and it is a high-end destination, as evidenced by
the high cost of gorilla permits and luxurious lodges.
Gorilla
trekking in both countries is similar in a way that only 8 people are allowed
to visit each family in one day, the treks involve hiking to high altitude
areas though Uganda hikes are more challenging compared to Rwanda.
Since the
introduction of gorilla trekking in both countries, a variety of advantages
have been observed:
Through the
game rangers, porters, and guides who assist tourists on their gorilla treks,
gorilla tourism has enabled both countries create job opportunities.
Accommodation facilities, such as hotels and lodges built close to the parks
employ a variety of workers, including chefs, security officers, cleaners,
house keepers and hotel managers who all assist tourists going gorilla trekking
and make their stay comfortable.
Gorilla
tourism has contributed to the creation of new innovative business
opportunities such as tour operators who plan and book tours on behalf of
tourists; these new ventures not only serve as sources of taxation to the
country but also create employment for youths such as reservation officers,
tour consultants, web designers who create websites for tour companies and
driver guides who escort tourists to their various destinations of interest. As
Uganda and Rwanda are still developing countries, this has helped to reduce
unemployment levels.
The number of
permits sold each day generates a significant amount of revenue to these
economies. Funds received contribute greatly to countries‘ GDP and consequently
used to develop other sectors of the country, such as health sector, education,
security, etc. Through revenue, foreign exchange is earned.
Other gems
within the countries have been discovered because after visiting the gorillas,
they indulge in other tourism activities such as game drives in Queen Elizabeth
National Park, hiking Mount Rwenzori National Park in Uganda, boat cruises on
Lake Kivu and other lakes. The different attractions visited have marked Uganda
and Rwanda as the most popular tourist destinations in Africa.
Gorilla
tourism has greatly aided the development of communities living near the parks;
schools and hospitals have been built with proceeds from this activity. Sale of
locally made crafts has boosted revenues in these communities, making them
busier than ever. Such progress has also resulted in the construction of better
roads, as seen in the Batwa community near Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable
National Park.
Gorilla
tourism has improved and encouraged conservation of the endangered mountain
gorillas, more research has been carried out on how to keep them safe and
sustain their lives. The continued conservation and habituation have greatly
contributed to their increase in population which means the more gorillas and
families available, more number of permits will be sold in a day and hence
increased revenue earned.
Gorillas play
a big role in balancing the eco system through dispersing seeds of the fruits
and plants they eat that later grow and add to the vegetation cover of the
forests, they also produce waste which acts as a fertilizer for the plants
within their habitats.
Tourists from
all walks of life have visited these countries, drawing attention to them on a
global scale. This, in turn, attracts investors, whose support
helps a country to develop in a long run.