Gorilla trekking is currently one of the most expensive tourist activities in Africa, with permit prices of USD 1500 in Rwanda, USD 800 in Uganda, and USD 400 (lower in the low season) in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
For many, it’s worth it precisely because mountain gorillas cannot survive in captivity, meaning their natural habitat is the only place to see them. Conservation funded largely by permit revenue has helped grow the mountain gorilla population from around 300 individuals in the 19th century to roughly 1,000 today. Local communities also benefit directly through permit revenue-sharing schemes in both Uganda and Rwanda, which have helped shift many away from hunting gorillas toward earning income through tourism instead.




