The Uganda Wildlife Authority, in short – UWA, has amended its rates for the year 2020. Uganda Wildlife Authority is among the governing bodies that regulate the conservation of wildlife in Uganda, self-proclaimed ‘’the pearl of Africa’’. The mission of Uganda Wildlife Authority is “To conserve, economically develop, and manage sustainably the wildlife and protected areas of Uganda in partnership with neighboring communities and stakeholders for the benefit of the people of Uganda and the global community”. However, among the many changes/new rates for 2020, below are some which headlined the changes:
A Mountain Gorilla Permit
Recently a gorilla permit has been costing US$ 600 in Uganda but due to an upgrade in gorilla safaris in Uganda, there is a slight increase in the cost of a permit as it will be sold at US$ 700, effective of 1st July 2020-23. As it is that the mountain gorillas are classified as endangered species and can only be found in three countries in Africa and globally; Uganda, Rwanda, and Democratic Republic of Congo, there is much need to remove these great apes from being endangered because they are greatly loved by tourists and good enough they are also very friendly to humans.
Therefore, this can only be possible when both parties, gorilla lovers and local conservation organizations, join hands to conserve these gentle and lovely creatures – mountain gorillas.
The money paid for the gorilla permit of course fully caters for the gorillas, including; paying for the park Rangers, and also paying the people who monitor the well-being of gorillas, plus many other necessities for the gorillas to be healthy.
Uganda is the only country with two national parks all protecting the mountain gorillas that includes the Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Parks.
Therefore, Uganda Wildlife Authority is working very hard to see that gorilla safaris in these two parks are more extraordinary and superb than they were in the previous years but still as Uganda Wildlife Authority made changes in the cost of the permit, it minded a lot about the gorilla lovers by adding a small amount of only US$ 100 unlike in Rwanda where the permit’s cost was doubled from US$ 750 to US$ 1500, therefore a gorilla permit is still more affordable in Uganda than that of Rwanda regardless of the new changes.
Remember that though there are three countries where mountain gorilla expeditions are eligible, Uganda and Rwanda are the most recommended ones, as of current, because they are very safe as compared to Democratic Republic of Congo where there is instability, especially in its gorilla refuge (Virunga National Park), meanwhile its gorilla permit is the cheapest – costing US$ 400.
Therefore, raising the price for the gorilla permit should not restrict you from visiting the gorillas because it is for the best conservation of these endangered species and as a gorilla enthusiast it is a pleasure to contribute to the wellbeing of them such that people of future will also be able to enjoy the lifetime experience of trekking the gorillas in their natural habitats.
Chimpanzee Permit
Like a gorilla permit, the Uganda Wildlife Authority has also made changes in the price of a chimpanzee permit in Uganda’s and East Africa’s premier destination for chimpanzee safaris – Kibale Forest National Park. The permit for tracking the chimpanzees in Kibale has been costing US$ 150 but starting from 1st July 2020 up to 2023, the permit will be purchased at a price of US$ 200 for bettering chimpanzee tracking and habituation experiences in the park.
For the chimpanzee habituation experience, the permit has also slightly increased from its initial price of US$ 200 to US$ 250, still as of 1st July 2020. The prices have actually increased such that the services in the Parks are improved and tourists be assured of only great and exceptional memories whenever they go for a safari.
The other changes
Besides the gorilla and chimpanzee permits’ changes, there are few other changes that you should also be aware of, such as; a small boat trip in Lake Mburo National Park has changed from costing US$ 20 to US$ 30, fees for exploring the Sempaya hot springs in Semliki National Park has been US$ 15 but starting from 2020 you will only pay the Park fees and no surcharge for exploring these eye-catching hot springs, Kidepo Valley National Park.
Hiking newly opened Lonyili summit trail is US$ 50, the golden monkey tracking with entrance fee has been costing US$ 90 but it will now cost US$ 100, and lastly the Rwenzori Mountains trekking on UWA managed trails will cost US$ 50. Those are basically the major changes done by UWA in the Uganda safaris for the year 2020 but all the changes start from 1st of July 2020 but as of now things are still the same.
