Gorilla park fees raised
Jul 09, 2004
UGANDA has increased permits for gorilla viewing from $275 to $360 for foreign tourists in a bid to raise more revenue to fund conservation initiatives in the country.
UGANDA has increased permits for gorilla viewing from $275 to $360 for foreign tourists in a bid to raise more revenue to fund conservation initiatives in the country.
Gerald Tenywa reports that Mountain gorillas, which are the top tourist attraction in Uganda, are an endangered species.
Speaking yesterday, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) chief Dr. Arthur Mugisha said the new rates, which include new entrance fees into parks, take effect August 1.
Mugisha said the gorilla rates would match Rwanda’s charges of $375 per permit, but added that UWA would maintain six permits to view a group of gorillas per day as opposed to Rwanda’s eight.
“We respect gorillas because of their conservation value and economic interests would not make us compromise their survival,†he said.
He said Uganda, DR Congo and Rwanda share the global population of 670 gorillas and would harmonise their conservation programmes.
UWA’s Lillian Ajarova said the new charges were effected after a survey found that tourists were willing to pay $100 more to view the rare gorillas.
East Africans will pay $340, while Ugandans will part with sh100,000, up from sh80,000.
Ends
Gerald Tenywa reports that Mountain gorillas, which are the top tourist attraction in Uganda, are an endangered species.
Speaking yesterday, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) chief Dr. Arthur Mugisha said the new rates, which include new entrance fees into parks, take effect August 1.
Mugisha said the gorilla rates would match Rwanda’s charges of $375 per permit, but added that UWA would maintain six permits to view a group of gorillas per day as opposed to Rwanda’s eight.
“We respect gorillas because of their conservation value and economic interests would not make us compromise their survival,†he said.
He said Uganda, DR Congo and Rwanda share the global population of 670 gorillas and would harmonise their conservation programmes.
UWA’s Lillian Ajarova said the new charges were effected after a survey found that tourists were willing to pay $100 more to view the rare gorillas.
East Africans will pay $340, while Ugandans will part with sh100,000, up from sh80,000.
Ends