INCREASE IN TRACKING PERMITS

Permits:
Rwandan Office of Tourism and National Parks (ORTPN) wishes to inform the public that with effect from 1 June 2007 revised  the gorilla visit permit will cost US$ 500 for Foreigners, US$ 250 for Foreign Residents inclusive of 25 for park entry fee and 20 000 RWF for Rwandese.

This increase has been led by taxation (VAT), yet the revised fees will also be an opportunity to enable ORTPN to realise some of the key projects aimed in improving tourist services, the overall experience and, at the same time, to keep the species well protected.

The revised fees will enable the ORTPN to realise some of the key projects aimed in that direction:
They include community projects, infrastructure development and marketing of the destination

ORTPN has been promoting economic activities within communities that neighbour the National Parks in order to divert them from poaching, encroachment and other illegal activities. These require concentrated efforts and funding to ensure their success. They believe that this will encourage communities to become active partners in the promotion of tourism and the protection of their environment. Issues revolving around park management and the maintenance of its infrastructures are areas that also need constant attention.

In order to improve the Gorilla experience as a whole, the Kinigi road leading to the Park will be upgraded, the Sabyinyo Community Lodge will be constructed, a High End Nyungwe Ecolodge will be constructed, a boat on the Lake Kivu will be purchased. All these investments will be made by or in partnership with the government and are aimed at improving the stay of tourists and increase their length of stay.

Notes: Gorilla Population:
The number of rare mountain gorillas living in central Africa has increased by 17 percent over the past 15 years, despite conflict in the region, poaching and human incursions into the animals' habitat.

A recent census shows the number of the endangered primates living in a mountain range straddling Rwanda, Congo and Uganda has grown to 380 from 324 in 1989, when the last census was conducted. The increase of gorilla numbers has been credited to the effective conservation programmes in place.

The census was conducted late 2003 by Rwandan, Ugandan and Congolese wildlife experts. They began in September in Mgahinga Game Park, south-western Uganda, then moved to Virunga Park in neighbouring eastern Congo, and completed the count in the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.

*** ENDS ***