There is a seasonal huge reduction on gorilla safaris in Rwanda since the out break of corona virus. The slash on the cost of gorilla safari was one of the ways to revive the tourism industry in the country after several month of total lock down. Rwanda development board through its board of trustees announced a discount to Rwandan nationals, and foreign resident who would wish to go for gorilla trekking in Rwanda having been hit hard by the outbreak of the novel virus. Tourism contributes 50% gross income to the country and all this time National parks were closed more so the primate parks, volcanoes national park and Nyungwe national park for Gorilla and chimpanzee tracking respectively to avoid the spread of infection to the endangered vulnerable species.
The new discount of gorilla permits allows Rwandan national to pay usd 200 and usd 500 for foreign nationals for a gorilla safari in volcanoes national park. Rwanda is known to be a high-end tourism destination since the country hiked its gorilla permits cost from usd 700 to usd 1500 for all nationalities three years ago.
Although there is a discount on gorilla permits in Rwanda, there are restrictions and guidelines to adhere to, the discount is limited to Rwandan national and foreigners already with in the country and must test negative of the virus 48 hours before they access the park facilities. Then foreigners who wish to fly in the country must use a charter flight and test virus free with in 72 hours. Symptomatic visitors will not be allowed to access the park, that is having a temperature, cold, fever among others.
Gorilla tracking rules amid covid-19 pandemic
The gorilla tracking rules have been there before as a measure to protect the spread of respiratory diseases to gorillas, however with the spread of corona virus as a wild fire, there is more to observe such as;
- Wash hands for at least 20 seconds and sanitize before and after setting off to see the gorillas
- Wear a face mask as a must
- Sanitize your hands at all times where possible
- Keep a distance of 10 meters away from the gorillas
- Don’t trek to see the gorillas in case one is ill or sick
- Don’t litter the park
- Flash photography is prohibited
- Don’t attempt to touch the gorillas
- In case there is an urge to cough, sneeze while with the gorillas turn the face opposite the gorillas
- Gorilla tracking is limited to aged 15 and above. Minors are not allowed
The discounted Gorilla permits are for only a short period up to 31st December there fore it is very important to use this chance to trek the gorillas in volcanoes national park with Gorilla treks in Rwanda. Book a gorilla safari and have a magical moment with the great apes in their splendid home.