Showing posts with label East Africa safaris. Show all posts
Showing posts with label East Africa safaris. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Gorilla Trekking Price increased in Rwanda


Silver back Mountain Gorilla.
The price of gorilla permits in Rwanda has been increased from 500 USD to 750 USD, a 50% increase! The decision to increase the price was reached by Rwanda Development Board as announced on Friday last week and will take full effect from 1st June as a measure to conserve Rwanda’s mountain gorilla environment and the park’s biodiversity however, the news have not been welcomed by some tour operators in Rwanda claiming the permit price has been hiked, something that might affect their clients and reduce the number of tourists to Rwanda since gorilla trekking is the major tourist activity in the country! A gorilla permit allows one access to the mountain gorillas and an opportunity to view them for only one hour so whether as to pay such a price is reasonable leaves a lot to be desired!

Apart from the mountain gorillas in Parc De volcanoes, Rwanda tourism offers wildlife tours in Akagera national park among other park activities like a boat cruise on Lake Ihema inside the park, chimpanzee tracking in Nyungwe forest national park, and is home to golden monkeys and numerous bird species. You can also visit the genocide memorials, do karisimbi hiking, and visit Dian Fossey’s grave, Kigali city tour among others. However, most of the safari activities in Rwanda can be put together in one single itinerary!

That said, travelers and tour operators are waiting to see whether Uganda & DRC will also increase their gorilla trekking costs or take it as an advantage to market gorilla tourism. Gorilla trekking is such an adventure that involves long walking hours and trekking through thick vegetation and bearing some challenges at times including heavy rains until you reach the particular gorilla family you are supposed to visit. Uganda has the largest number of these primates, with 12 gorilla groups in Bwindi however, many say Rwanda gorillas are easier to find and offer better chances of photography and filming!

Have you been on gorilla tours to Uganda or Rwanda recently or before? Have you done any of the mentioned activities before? Have you visited both gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda? What’s your take?

As if that was not enough, in may 2017, Rwanda doubled the Gorilla trekking price from $750 to a staggering $1,500 for a single gorilla permit in Rwanda! This left many in a shock but luxury tourists and celebrities are still flocking Rwanda for its mountain gorilla trekking.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

EAST AFRICA, SOUTH AFRICA AND AFRICA’S BEST TOUR SERVICES AND OPERATORS REWARDED


EAST AFRICA, SOUTH AFRICA AND AFRICA’S BEST TOUR SERVICES AND OPERATORS REWARDED
Winners for the 14 major categories including "Best Safari Property in East Africa", "Best Safari Property in Africa", "Best Tourist Board", "Best Safari Accommodation Group in Africa", "Best Community Safari Property", "Best Safari Property in Southern Africa", "Best Beach Safari Property in Africa", "Best Ecological Safari Property in Africa", "Best Safari Hotel in Africa" and "Best Safari Spa in Africa" categories among others were revealed and awarded a few weeks back in the Good Safari Guide annual ceremony that was held in South Africa at Hilton, Durban on Friday 7th May 2010 (the evening before INDABA started) at 7.00 pm.
The event took place well ahead of the INDABA tourism trade show that took place in South Africa as well and was graced by a number of renowned travel professionals and experts and saw a number of performers in Africa’s tourism sector recognized and rewarded for their efforts. A good number of winners came from South Africa after the country’s tourist board emerging as the best tourist board in Africa following their efforts in the campaign bringing the 2010 world cup to the African continent for the first time in the history of the tournament-commencing June 11th, and undoubtedly, that makes them the best tourist board in its right! And Kenya followed as runners up-a good image for Kenya Safaris and East Africa tours, followed by Zambia in the third place.
The Good Safari Guide ceremony witnessed sad moments as Primrose Havelock Stobbs won the lifetime achievement award for her contributions to the African Safari and tourism sector for the many years of help while she stayed in Kenya as a long-term resident, while she had succumbed to a long term illness three weeks to the event!! The awards were decided by a panel of respected experts within the travel, tourism and safari industry including travel agents and tour operators.
Here is the list of the Main winners prestigious Good Safari Guide annual ceremony;
Winner.
Category/ award.
South Africa
Best Tourist Board
Elsa's Kopje of Cheli and Peacock
Best Safari Property in EA &Africa
Cheli and Peacock
Best Safari Accomm Group in Africa
Loisaba Lodge
Best Community Safari Property
Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge
Best Safari Hotel in Africa
Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
Best New Safari Property in Africa
Chui Lodge
"Travellers' Choice Best Safari Property in Africa".
And many more. (Go to www.goodsafariguide.com/new/pastwinners.php) for a complete list.
Tags: Good Safari guide 2010 ceremony, Good safari guide, Kenya safari, East Africa safaris, Kenya safaris, Africa, Africa safari operators, Good Safari Guide winners, Good Safari Guide awards.
© 2011 For all Uganda safaris, Gorilla trekking Uganda and Rwanda, East Africa tailor-made safaris & private safari packages for wildlife Safaris, Cultural tours, Luxury holiday safaris, Self drive safaris and tours, Car hire and safari vehicles, and all kinds of accommodation booking/ reservations across Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania. Uganda Safaris and tours