Prime rates for primates may hurt Rwanda
RWANDA: Seeing gorillas in their natural environment must be on every wildlife enthusiast’s bucket list, but spending an intimate hour with these primates comes at a price.
This month’s announcement by the Rwanda Development Board that permits would double in price to US$1500 (NZ$2100), with immediate effect, could make that dream even more distant for many travellers.
Made famous by primatologist Dian Fossey, the Virunga Mountains range in Rwanda is one of the only places to track mountain gorillas, and the country has an honourable track record for conservation. But this latest move has caused controversy in the travel industry, with some fearing it could deter tourists.
Rwanda has justified the price hike to cover the growing costs of maintaining conservation efforts and supporting the local community, with 10 per cent of the fee given to surrounding communities. A new package for tourists wishing to book private group tours to see an entire family of gorillas is also available for $US15,000.
High prices are certainly preferable to increasing the number of visitors (currently, a maximum of eight people can visit each of the park’s 20 habituated troops a day), but could this new move be a step too far?
‘‘Gorilla-trekking is Africa’s most costly animal encounter but even so, doubling the cost to $1500 for an hour is a bold move,’’ says Chris McIntyre, managing director of specialist tour operator Expert Africa.
‘‘To date, the money raised has been critical in conserving these iconic animals and their habitat – and it has also nourished an appreciative local economy beside the park.
‘‘I hope that this hike will help conservation, but I’m concerned that it’s so big that it could harm both the local economy and the revenues which flow to conservation.’’
Uganda, where habituated gorillas can also be seen, has announced their permits will remain at the same price for at least the next 12 months: $US450 in low season, rising to $US600 in high season.
Africa’s mountain gorilla population is believed to number about 900, with 500 in Uganda and the remainder split between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to the Uganda tourist board. A major census is due to take place in Uganda in September.
Many operators have already suggested they will put a greater focus on the country.
Tim Henshall, who heads Uganda tourism in Britain, says: ‘‘We don’t want to become elitist and allow only a wealthy and highly select few the opportunity to relive that famous David Attenborough moment. Having international tourists staying at a variety of grade hotels and lodges means that locally owned businesses will benefit.’’
Of course, there is more to Rwanda than seeing gorillas, and one aim of the new pricing structure is to spread tourism throughout the country; any travellers extending their stay for at least three nights in Akagera National Park (where black rhino have been recently introduced) and/or Nyungwe Forest National Park (where One&Only will open a resort at the end of this year) will receive a 30 per cent discount on permits.
It’s also worth noting that any pre-purchased gorilla permits will be honoured, though few companies have stockpiles. – PA