Is gorilla trekking worth it? is it really worth the cost?
In this article, we evaluate gorilla trekking in Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo in accordance to their value and worth.
Mountain gorillas can only be found in four national parks in Africa: Virunga National Park, Volcanoes National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
They inhabit higher elevations of sub-tropical and tropical rain-forests.
Gorillas are generally calm and quiet animals, but they can become very aggressive when they feel insecure or disturbed.
They express their annoyance by beating their chests, making loud hoots, moving on two legs, tearing and throwing vegetation.
If the opponent does not back off after these warnings, a gorilla may attack.
Female mountain gorillas also fight to protect their loved ones if there is any danger.
Gorilla trekking is the most expensive tourist activity in Africa.
Rwanda offers the most expensive gorilla permits at $1500 per person, Uganda’s gorilla permits cost $700 per person, and the Democratic Republic of Congo offers the cheapest gorilla permits, with each permit costing $400 per person and $200 during the low season.
Trekking mountain gorillas is worthwhile because you will have the opportunity to encounter your close relatives in their natural habitat.
Mountain gorillas cannot be seen in zoos because they can’t survive in captivity.
Additionally, the Batwa communities have also benefited from gorilla trekking activities.
Conservation efforts have led to an increase in mountain gorilla numbers from about 300 in the 19th century to approximately 1000 mountain gorillas in the wild today.
Gorilla trekking is also worthwhile because the money generated from gorilla permits is used for the conservation efforts of these great apes.
These conservation efforts will enable future generations to also see mountain gorillas, so everyone who treks mountain gorillas contributes to conservation.
Conservation of mountain gorillas is worth considering, given that local communities also benefit from gorilla trekking.
Uganda allocates 20% of the gorilla trekking fee to the locals, and Rwanda allocates 10% to the locals.
This has also raised awareness of the importance of mountain gorillas, and locals no longer have to poach mountain gorillas for bush meat because they are content with the money given to them.
In conclusion, gorilla trekking is a worthwhile lifetime experience that every traveler should try.
Most of those who have had the opportunity to trek with these great apes have never regretted it.
There is a high chance of seeing mountain gorillas during the trek.
