Rwanda Earns $19.2m from Mountain gorilla Permits in 2018
Rwanda tourism sector is steadily progressing from time to time. The small country located in Central Africa has challenged many who thought its tourism sector would fail following the double increase of gorilla permit prices in 2017. While addressing reporters, Belise Kalisa the chief Executive of Rwanda Tourism Board disclosed that Rwanda is currently earning big than never before. Belise was updating reporters on the upcoming Kwita Izina ceremony scheduled for 6th September. In her report, Belise confirmed that in 2018, Rwanda earned 19.2mln USD from the sale of mountain gorilla permits. This was just one year after the increase of Rwanda gorilla permits from &750 to $1500 each. The 19.2mln USD was collected from the sale of 15,132-mountain gorilla permits to travelers visiting mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National park. Rwanda Development Board has achieved a 4.19 million dollars increase from the sale of gorilla permit compared to 15 million dollars that were sold in 2016 before RDB increased her gorilla permit.
Rwanda Development board confirms that since the rise of Rwanda gorilla permits, the country has seen an increase in demand for permits to trek mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National park. Rwanda shelters quarter of the world’s population endangered mountain gorillas and is home to the highest population of gorillas in the Virunga Conservation Area. The other destinations to trek mountain gorillas are Bwindi Impenetrable forest/ Mgahinga Gorilla national parks in Uganda and Virunga National park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The whole world shelters 1004 mountain gorillas half of which live in Uganda, Quarter in Rwanda and the remaining in Congo.
Despite the costly Rwanda gorilla tours, the endangered gorillas have continued to attract the highest number of travelers from all over the world. Tourism statistics indicate that over 90% of total tourist arrivals to Rwanda for gorilla trekking. In 2018, Rwanda hosted 1.711 million visitors an increase of 8% compared to 2017. Thanks to the great efforts of Rwanda development board in marketing Rwanda as a top tourist destination in Africa.
About the upcoming Gorilla Naming Ceremony
The 2019’s gorilla naming ceremony is set for 6th September at Kinigi headquarters of Volcanoes National Park. Over 25 baby gorillas born in this year and late last year will be given names. Many people from all over the world have been invited and will arrive in Rwanda to grace this lifetime experience. Among the people expected at Kwita Izina this year include among others:
• Tony Alexander Adams, the former captain for English premier league Arsenal football Cup,
• Naomi Elaine Campbell the British supermodel
• Shaffer Chimere Smith ( Ne-Yo )an American singer
• Louis Van Gaal, the former Dutch play and football manager.
Top tourist attractions in Rwanda
The remarkable tourist attractions that make Rwanda an exceptional destination include :
Mountain gorillas
Mountain gorillas living in the jungle forest of Volcanoes National Park in northwestern Rwanda are a number one attraction in Rwanda. The small country is home to 10 gorilla-habituated families each visited by a group of eight travelers every day. Each traveler trekking gorillas in Rwanda must have a valid gorilla permit as a pass to see these endangered species. Gorilla permit booking in Rwanda is recommended at least 6 months before the trekking date to ensure timely planning. Booking gorilla permits in Rwanda can be done directly with Rwanda Development Board or through Gorilla Trek Africa, the number one travel operator in Rwanda and Africa as a whole.
Golden monkeys
Golden Monkeys in Volcanoes National park
Second to mountain gorillas are golden monkeys also living in Volcanoes National park. Of recent, a high number of visitors have been seen visiting Rwanda purposely to trek the endangered species. A single permit to trek golden monkeys costs $100, a relatively cheap price for all travelers even those on budget.
Chimpanzees
Rwanda is also home to chimpanzees dwelling in Nyungwe forest National park in southwestern Rwanda. 2 communities of chimpanzees are habituated for trekking one in the main Nyungwe forest and the other one in Cyamudongo Forest. Interestingly, trekking to see chimpanzees is less strenuous compared to mountain gorillas but the experience is memorable.
Big game
A rhino in Akagera National Park
Besides primates, Rwanda is home to the big five game in Akagera national park game drives through the park offer you exceptional close views of numerous wild animals including elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, buffalos, hippos, giraffes, Topis, Elands, waterbucks and warthogs among others. Also, the banks of Akagera river are home to numerous bird species hence the best spot for Rwanda bird watching safari.
Other tourist activities to do in Rwanda include:
• Hike to Dian Fossey graveyard
• Virunga volcano climbing
• Cultural tours
• Kigali city tours
• Caving
• Waterfall hiking
• Boat cruising on Lake Kivu
The increase of tourist arrivals to Rwanda is proof that the small country is tourism gem. Visit Rwanda to trek mountain gorillas, visit chimpanzees and enjoy the big game with Gorilla Trek Africa.
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