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Rwanda experienced an attack on Friday 4th October 2019 in Musanze district’s Kinigi sector home to Volcanoes National Park and its mountain gorillas. The merciless attack was reportedly carried out by ethnic Hutu rebels in the north of Rwanda against the current rule of President Paul Kagame are the rebels to Rwanda. Hutu minorities who fled Rwanda running away from justice after taking part in the 1994 Rwanda genocide which claimed the lives of millions of innocent people within 100 days. The rebels dwell in the eastern jungle of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Officials suspect that the rebels carried out the killings while searching for food.
The retaliatory attack took place near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, police said. Unidentified attackers have killed at least eight people and wounded 18 others during an overnight attack in northern Rwanda near the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), according to police. They are said to have used traditional fighting tools such as pangas and knives.

“Eighteen people were injured and are being attended by doctors,” he added, noting that the search for the attackers was underway. Police did not say whether any tourists were among those killed. However, the hotels in the area are heavily guarded by the military and are unlikely to have been attacked. It was not clear who the attackers were or where they came from but Rwanda has in the past seen incursions by fighters from the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) armed group from their bases in eastern DRC. The FDLR is composed of former Rwandan soldiers and Hutu rebels who fled after taking part in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. Over the years, various groups opposed to Rwanda have found sanctuary in DRC’s eastern jungles from where they have occasionally launched attacks on the country.
Despite the recent attack, Rwanda is still a save country for tourists thanks to the government and security agencies for promoting peace, safety, and security of all people and businesses in Rwanda.

Rwanda is a beautiful small and landlocked country located a few degrees south of the Equator, Rwanda is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, known as the land of a thousand hills, Rwanda’s stunning scenery and warm, friendly people offer unique experiences in one of the most remarkable countries in the world. It is blessed with extraordinary biodiversity, with incredible wildlife living throughout its volcanoes, montane rainforest, beautiful scenery, and hospitable people, unique cultures warm weather, among others.

Volcanoes national park is also known as Parc National de Volcans, located in the northwestern part of Rwanda a home to the mountain gorillas consisting of five of the eight volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains, namely Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga, and Sabyinyo. It borders Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. Volcanoes National park is a top safari destination with a growing number of travelers coming into Rwanda for gorilla safaris and other Rwanda wildlife tours. Travelers to Volcanoes national park have a variety of activities which include: Gorilla trekking, it has about 10 habituated gorilla families including Asabyinyo, Amahoro, Susa, Karisimbi, Hirwa, Ugenda, Umubano, just to name a few., Golden monkey trekking, Hike to Diana Fossey’s Tomb, Mt Bisoke, Mt. Sabyinyo hike, Bisoke Hike, and Karisimbi hike, Community walks there are the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village and cultural tours.

Rwanda ranks high on the scale of beautiful and attractive destinations in Africa with thousands of travelers visiting the country from different parts of the world.
In addition to your Rwanda safari, you can also learn about the country’s sad history of a tragedy that claimed almost a million lives from one of the genocide memorial museums.
A visit to the twin lakes of Bulera and Buhondo for a boat cruise and cool breezes and the city tour through Kigali is a must-do for everyone on a Rwanda safari. The cleanness, quietness, and ambiance of Kigali city give you a fresh feeling. The small city is ranked as the cleanest city in Africa. While there art galleries, Kigali convention center, the presidential palace, and local markets for shopping crafts.

Gorillas live only in tropical forests of equatorial Africa. Most authorities recognize two species and four subspecies. The western gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) is made up of two subspecies: the western lowland gorilla (G. gorilla gorilla), which inhabits the lowland rainforests from Cameroon to the Congo River, and the Cross River gorilla (G. gorilla diehli), which inhabits a small forested region along the Cross River separating Nigeria from Cameroon. The eastern gorilla (G. beringei) is also made up of two subspecies: the eastern lowland, or Grauer’s, gorilla (G. beringei graueri), of the lowland rainforests of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa), and the mountain gorilla (G. beringei beringei), found in the montane rainforests and bamboo forests of the highland terrain north and east of Lake Kivu, near the borders of Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo (Kinshasa).
Uganda is a habitat for the half population of the world’s Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga National Park. The national park areas are found in southwestern Uganda and they are the only best spots for the tourists to these magnificent creatures.

Mountain gorilla safaris in Uganda are ranking in the world today. About 36 gorilla groups are in Bwindi National Park but only 15 and 1 in Mgahinga have been habituated for this lifetime experience making Uganda one of a must to visit destination for you. There are four main sectors in Bwindi National Park and they include Buhoma, Rushaga, Nkuringo and Ruhija sector. Gorilla trekking starts with an early morning briefing at 7:00 am and the actual trek begins at 8:00 am in your respective sectors. During the briefing, visitors are only assigned to one habituated group in groups of eight people per day. Only one hour is allowed for you to strike your imaginations with these Great Apes in their natural environment.

Below are some of the facts about mountain gorilla;
• Gorilla has taken its name from the Greek word Gorilla which refers to ‘a tribe of hairy women’.
• Gorillas are the largest of all primates, this rare animal is listed under the ‘endangered species’ category with only about 600 mountain gorillas alive on the earth.
• The scientist has shown that gorillas display individual personalities.
• Gorillas have been observed displaying emotions such as grief and compassion for other primates, including humans.
• Eastern gorilla is darker than the western gorilla with the subspecies mountain gorilla being the darkest among all.
• Mountain gorilla is the hairiest among all species. However, hands, feet and face of any gorilla are hair-free.
• The skull of a male gorilla forms a bony ridge as it reaches the age of maturity. This changes its head into a dome-shaped one.
• Gorillas live in fairly stable social groups comprising of one adult male usually referred to as the silverback (because of the silver hair on his back which signals full adulthood) and multiple females with juveniles and infants. When young males reach the age of 8-11 they will usually emigrate away and either join another group or form new groups.
• Gorilla family groups each live within relatively small areas of land. Different groups can, however, occupy converging areas and co-exist peacefully.
• Gorillas will groom each other by combing each other with their fingers and teeth. This ‘social grooming’ is an important aspect of gorilla groups which helps to establish and reinforce social bonds.
• Gorillas are mainly herbivorous, with the majority of their diet consisting of leaves, shoots and stems, some fruit and some small animal prey such as grubs, caterpillars, snails, termites, and ants. Western Lowland gorilla diets have a much higher proportion of fruit.
• African apes (gorillas, chimpanzees, and bonobos) diverged from a common ancestor about 5 million years ago and belong to the family Hominidae.
• Gorillas are one of our closest living relatives, after chimpanzees and bonobos. They share between 95% and 99% of our DNA!
• Gorillas and chimpanzees walk quadrupedally (on all fours) and use their knuckles to carry the weight of their head and torso.
• Gorillas were seen for the first time using simple tools to perform tasks in the wild in 2005. They were observed using sticks to test the depth of muddy water and to cross swampy areas.
• In Mountain gorillas, the ‘belch vocalization’ is a contact call and sign of contentment while foraging. Most gorillas will use a low grumbling sound to both locate each other and assign of contentment. Aggressive displays, such as the beating of chests and charging are quite rare but will be used by male gorillas as a warning if surprised or threatened.
• Although gorillas are generally quiet, they have a range of complex vocalizations that are used to communicate information in numerous contexts including teaching survival skills to young, searching for food, and during courtship. Like some other apes such as chimpanzees and orangutans, they are even capable of learning basic human sign language.
• Gorillas have analytical skills that help them find solutions to different problems. For instance, they can use a branch of the tree to make a way in the muddy or watery region, and also use them as tools.
• Females will start giving birth at about 10 years old and will have offspring every 3-4 years. When in oestrus she will be able to conceive for only three days in the month.
• Gorillas have a gestation period of nine months like humans, but babies usually weigh less than humans at approximately 4 pounds, their development is however roughly twice as fast.
• Gorillas spend a good deal of their time on the ground rather than in the trees and will make new nests on the ground each night.

Uganda hosts the meeting from 3rd to 6th September, under the theme “Primate Conservation in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities” with a focus on policy, practice, and sustainability. It is the first time that APS’s Conference is hosted by the east African country. The meeting has brought together scientists, researchers, conservationists, education practitioners, donors, and primate experts to discuss pressing issues relating to primate conservation and protection.
The 2nd African Primatological Society Conference on Tuesday commenced at Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel in Entebbe, Uganda with a focus on highlighting the plight of African primates.

Uganda’s Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Ruhakana Rugunda who was represented by Tourism Minister, Prof Ephraim Kamuntu said that about 60% of all primate species are threatened with extinction because of human activity.
“An estimated 60% of all primate species are threatened with extinction as a result of human activity. The main threats to primates are habitat destruction, poaching, bushmeat trade, the illegal pet trade and disease,” Rugunda said.
He called for joined effort to help address these threats, through increasing the level of involvement and commitment from stakeholders.
“This will be achieved by promoting primate research and improving the conservation of African primates by encouraging greater involvement and leadership of African primatologists,” Rugunda added.

On his own behalf, Prof Ephraim Kamuntu said, Uganda’s tourism is nature-based meaning that it thrives on wildlife including Mountain Gorillas.
He pointed out that Uganda has 54% of the world population of Mountain Gorillas living in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga in southwestern Uganda. The rest of the Mountain Gorilla population is found in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, and DR Congo.

Kamuntu thanked Dr. Gladys Kalema Zikusoka, the vice president of APS for lobbying the conservation fraternity to bring the congress to Uganda.

Mount Nyiragongo Volcano is an active stratovolcano with an elevation of 3,470 m (11,380 ft) in the Virunga Mountains associated with the Albertine Rift. Nyiragongo Volcano located inside Virunga National Park in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, about 20 km northwards of Goma Town. The main crater is about two kilometers wide (known as the world’s largest lava lake). The crater presently has two distinct cooled lava benches within the crater walls – one at about 3,175 m (10,417 ft) and a lower one at about 2,975 m (9,760 ft). Nyiragongo’s lava lake has at times been the most voluminous known lava lake in recent history. It has been erupting since 1977 and there have been over 34 eruptions some being internal eruption which is not visible but the notable eruptions was in 1977, 2002. The lava lake is some 250 m below the level of the 1994 lava lake. One of the ongoing problems is localized CO2 toxic gas releases. The deadly releases are locally referred to as “mazuku.” The gas seeps from fumaroles and cracks in the flanks of the volcano. A new vent opened on the flank in March 2016. It was accompanied with reports of rumbling leading to fears of an impending flank eruption.

The most recent large eruption was in 2002. It killed 147 people. Lava flows traveled through the neighboring city of Goma, destroying 13% of it. The eruption displaced 12 – 15,000 homes and hundreds of thousands of people. The lava flows entered the lake and posed a threat to release CO2 and methane gas stored in the lake. Lava from the 2002 eruption is thought to be residual lava from the lava lake activity in the mid-1990s. It was followed by a fresh batch erupted from fissure vents. The eruption was followed by unusual tectonic activity with over 100 earthquakes greater than 3.5 Richter during the 5 days following the eruption. There was also land subsidence at Goma and up to 10 km south along the northern lakeshore.
Hiking Mount Nyiragongo Volcano is among the top Safari activities enjoyed by travelers that choose to visit the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and it is done throughout the year. The recommended number of days to hike is between 2 -3 days. The hike is interesting to tourists besides hike, the beauty of the spectacular bubbling lava and the stunning landscapes of Virunga ranges forming the most striking features which leave hikers completely without breath. However, before engaging in the hiking activity one should note the following:

The five tips for hiking Nyiragongo Volcano

Hiring a porter

Always be prepared to hire out a porter at $ 24 each round trip and the extra for the tip. Even though you are a hiker, taking 25 to 30 pounds backpack up is so difficult. In case you have bad weather it turns out to be impossible to hike. It’s not good to find out halfway the hike that you can’t continue with the load

Taking of the hiking stick

It helps when you are going down and most of the lodges provide these sticks, with the steep nature of the hike, the hiking stick is very handy in helping with the stability and momentum as you gain the altitude.

Warm weather gear

Long-sleeved shirts, sweaters, caps, Jackets and scarf. These are also emphasized since its freezing at the top.

Adapt to the altitude beforehand

The major concern here is that you shouldn’t get off the plane and continue with the hike directly, you need to give yourself a few days at the higher altitude, this means that you can do a gorilla or chimp trek before to get the blood pumping and heart moving at the higher altitude.

Knowing your personal limits

You must understand your limits and your body plus understanding the hike. In case you are moderately fit, you can have this hike. Most importantly is how you are with the weather? How does your body respond to the cold weather? How are your joints?.

It is very possible for pregnant women to trek however those who are below 7 months are the one who are advised to participate in the activity. Pregnant women are not exempted from taking this magical experience with the great apes. Gorilla tracking is among the great adventures which one should consider when planning a trip to Africa. It can only be done in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park (which has half of the world’s population of gorillas) and Mgahinga in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Virunga National Park in Congo. However, there are some factor considered before pregnant women undertake a gorilla tracking experience as noted below:

Visit during Peak Season

They are also advised to book their trips during high season because it is dry season in the gorilla habitats. Dry season months include June – early October and Mid – December to February. The tracking area isn’t slippery so they can easily participate. For those who cannot manage to track on foot.

Use Sedan seat stretchers

It is advised for those who are in the late months of the pregnancy. They can be carried by potter and will be changed between $350 -$500 depending on the weight of the person and the distance to cover. You will only get to touch the ground during your magical hour with the gorillas. These Sedan Seat stretchers need to be booked in advance as they get sold out quickly

Transport means

Charter flights are highly recommended from Entebbe to Bwindi instead of road transport which takes about 9 hours with uncomfortable roads which can be of harm to the mother and the fetus.

Accommodation Facilities

The type of accommodation they should choose Luxury or mid-range lodges, these provide a comfortable and conducive environment. They also prepare food recommended for pregnant women and are flexible in case of a special food craving.

Tracking Region

An accessible trekking region should be selected for the pregnant women, Buhoma and Rushaga have families that are easier to track one doesn’t need to walk for many hours until they can spot the gorillas. Ruhija is however more accessible from the main highway, so when planning a trip she can choose to track in one of the 3 sectors.
Lastly, the UWA ranger guides should be informed in advance that a pregnant woman will be taking part in gorilla tracking that day so that they can know which gorilla group is close for the pregnant women to track without any difficulty.

Top birding locations

Uganda, the Pearl of Africa is home to the highest number of mountain gorillas in the world. 18 gorilla families have been habituated for trekking 17 of which live in Bwindi forest while 1 lives in Mgahinga Gorilla National park. Gorilla families in Bwindi are split into four sectors of Buhoma, Ruhilja, Rushaga and Nkuringo, which make up Bwindi forest National Park. Interestingly, each gorilla family is unique in its own kind in terms of location, members and how it was formed Engagi Safaris brings you a full list of gorilla families in Uganda.

Buhoma Sector (NORTH)
Mubare Group: This Mubare group was the very first group to actually be habituated for tracking by tourists. Mubare group is actually named after the stunning Mubare Hill in which this group was discovered. It is the most popular tracked area because of its terrain.
Habiyanja Group: This group was habituated in 1997 for tracking, the group was first discovered near a swamp in Bwindi Impenetrable the name Habinyanja comes from the local name for water “Nyanja”. It is a larger group of 17 led by Makara the lead Silverback. There are also 1 black-back, 5 adult females, 1 sub-adult, 3 juveniles, and 6 infants.
Please note that such figures change as gorilla babies arrive, old members, die or move to another group and other factors.
However, a family was split from it named the Rushegura Group. These two group became rivals but they now co-exist peacefully.

Rushegura Group: This Rushegura Group was in 2000 habituated for tracking and received tourists in the year 2002. It is a huge group within the Buhoma area of Bwindi Forest. Those wanting a shorter Trek should note that this large gorilla group can be often tracked in a shorter time than 5 hours. There is, however, no guarantee that the gorillas may choose to go far and it may be a long trek to catch up with them. The Rushegura Gorilla Family is led by Kabukojo the silverback, 4 black backs, 4 adult females, 3 juveniles, 4 infants making it a total of 16.

Ruhija Sector (EAST)
Bitukura Gorilla Group: This Bitukura group is among the newest group in Bwindi Forest. The Bitukura Gorilla Family is led by Ndahura and is made up of 4 silverbacks, 4 adult females, 2 juveniles and 3 infants – It is unusual to have this many Silverbacks in one group but they get along. There is so much peace and harmony in this family. It has been so easy to habituate this group compared to others.

Oruzogo gorilla family: It is composed of playful energetic juveniles and toddlers in the group that keeps visitors entertained. The Oruzogo Gorilla Family started to receive visitors in 2011 and those who came to visit them simply love this group. It is not an extreme trek but you need endurance, steadiness
The Oruzogo Gorilla Family is led by the Bakwate and there is 1 other silverback, 2 black backs, 5 adult females, 2 sub-adults, 1 juvenile, and 5 infants

Kyaguliro family: It was a family that was not visited by tourists and there were no permits issued for the Gorilla Group. It was set aside as a Research Group studied by the German Max Planck Institute of Evolutionary Anthropology. After the death the of their leader or family head Rukina the group was led by an inexperienced young Silverback (Mukiza) who was later ambushed by an immigrating Adult Silverback (Rukara) from the Bitukura family, this fueled a split of the family into two – (Kyaguliro A -Rukara and Kyaguliro B -Mukiza) in May of 2016. However, these groups are suspected to re-unite in the future since they leave just approximately near each other. The A&B groups are made up of Rukara which is composed of 10 individuals; 1 silverback, 2 black backs, 3 adult females, 2 juveniles and 2 infants, while the second group, Mukiza is also made up of 10 individuals who include; 1 silverback, 4 adult females, 1 sub-adult and 4 infants.
The area can accommodate 18 trackers per day.

Rushaga Sector (SOUTH)
Nshongi Group: The Nshongi gorilla family group is named after the Nshongi River where they were first found where this group was discovered some years back. The Nshongi group is headed by the Silverback Bweza and there is only one Silverback, 3 adult females, 1 sub-adult, 1 juvenile, and 1 infant.
This currently is the biggest habituated gorilla family in Uganda with 25 group members, at the opening of the group for visitors after habituation it comprises of 25, and 10 left to form another family called the Mishaya group.

Mishaya Group: A family dispute occurred the Mishaya Gorilla Family split from the then biggest Gorilla Group in Bwindi Forest –Nshongi Gorilla family. Presently there are 12 family members led by Mishaya with 1 dominant silverback but in the world of gorilla families again like in our human families and friendship groups that number can change. Silverbacks – there is one here will bring in other females into their groups or be joined by break-away members of other groups.

Kahungye Group: The Name Kahungye comes from a hill in the Rushaga area where the gorillas were discovered. The Kahungye Gorilla Family is led by Rumanzi and there are a total of 17 individuals that includes 3 silverbacks, 3 black backs, 3 adult females, 3 sub-adult, 3 juveniles, and two infants.
The group was opened for visitors and gorilla tracking in 2011 after being habituated, a process that takes over two years.

Busingye gorilla group: The Busingye Gorilla Family split group from the Kahungye Gorilla Group in August of 2012. At the last check, the group consisted of 9 members and among them were three infants and what is called a sub-adult – gorilla teen. However, there are speculations that this group could return back to Kahungye.

Bweza Group: This group broke away from the Nshongi Family group because of too many disputes within the group at the end of 2013. The Bweza Gorilla family is led by the Silverback Kakono and is made up of 12 individuals including; 2 silverbacks, 4 black backs, 3 adult females, 1 sub-adult, and two infants.

Nkuringo Sector (SOUTH)
Nkuringo Group: The Nkuringo Group led by the Silverback Rafiki is made up of 12 individuals; 2 silverbacks, 1 black back, 2 adult females, 2 sub-adults, 3 juveniles, and two infants, Nkuringo Group may be the toughest to track due to the tough terrain, however, it is an experience that is worth it.

Mgahinga National Park
The park is found in southwestern Uganda, Kisoro District. The park has Virunga Volcanoes that includes the Muhabura, Sabyinyo and Gahinga.

Nyakagezi Group: This is the only habituated group in the lowlands of Mgahinga National Park. They derive their name from the area where they live within Mgahinga called Nyakagezi. It comprises of 9 members: 4 silverbacks, 2 infants, 2 adult females and 1 juvenile who are known for their migratory behaviors from Uganda to Rwanda and Congo. However, they are said to have settled in Uganda since 2012 so it is easier for the tourists to track them.

Comparison between gorilla trekking experience in Uganda Rwanda and Congo
The cost of a gorilla permit in Uganda is lower than that of Rwanda although it has been increased by $100 with effect from July 2020 the price will be US $ 700. In case you are threatened by the price look at it in this point of view that you are contributing to the conservation of mountain gorillas and as a form of thank you. Gorilla permits within Rwanda were recently increased up to $1500 per individual and Congo Gorilla permit is lower compared to the 2 countries; $400 in dry season and $350 during the rainy season. Uganda has more gorillas compared to Rwanda and Congo.
A gorilla permit is acquired prior to tracking date, 8 people are allowed to visit each gorilla group per day and tracking involves hiking for the 3 countries.

Gorilla tracking packaging list
• Wear comfortable hiking shoes because of the steep muddy slopes during the hike..
• Carry packed lunch and enough drinking water.
• Carry rain gear, long-sleeved shirt, sunscreen lotion, a hat (as the weather is unpredictable) and insect repellent.
• Carry a camera however flashlight is not allowed.
• Insect repellant, rain jacket because of the weather in the forest changes frequently.

Rules and Regulations of Gorilla tracking
• Ensure that you maintain a distance of 7 meters from the gorillas.
• A maximum of eight people can visit a group of habituated gorillas in a day.
• No camera flash is allowed in the presence of mountain gorillas and you will be told by the guide when to take the photos.
• Eating, drinking and smoking while you are near the Gorillas is prohibited
• Tourists with cough or flu will not be allowed to track mountain gorillas because the Gorillas can easily catch human diseases.
• Littering in the park is prohibited. You are expected to carry back whatever you came with.
• Noise is not permitted during the activity however after spending 1 hour with the gorillas, you are advised to keep your voice low until you are 200 meters away from the gorillas.

On 7th August 2019, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) informed the tourism Stake holder’s about the changes in its conservation tariff. The authority has also gone ahead to introduce new products, new rates for some products, new fines as well as clarification on some UWA products and services

Among the changes, is the increment in the price for the permit to track the mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park for both foreign residents (FR) and Foreign nonresidents (FNR) going forward (effective 1st July 2019) all foreign non-residents and foreign residents intending to track the mountain gorillas in Uganda will pay a fee of US$700 and US$600 per person respectively for the gorilla permit, up from US$600 which has been charged for the last 4 years.

The East African Citizens rate will not change from the current 250,000 Uganda Shillings (UGX) and there was no mention of any changes in the US$1500 charged for the mountain gorilla habituation.

Despite the US$100 hike in the price for the gorilla permit, Uganda still offers a much more affordable gorilla trekking safaris compared to its close competitor who increased from $750 in 2017 to $1500 to track the same gorilla species (the fee is also charged to their own citizens); which is US$800 more expensive than Uganda.

The increase in Gorilla permit will enable the Authority to collect enough funds which will be used in the efforts to conserve these endangered species of great apes as well as the aggregate contribution to the local community in UWA’s revenue-sharing scheme.

The change in fees has also affected the commercial filming fees for Uganda’s protected areas have been unbelievably reduced.

Before, a crew of 1 to 5 people had to pay US$630 for FNR & FR per day, UGX 630,000 for East African Citizens (EAC), in addition to other activity fees. Film teams of more than 5 people were charged US$150 for FNR & FR and UGX 150,000 for EAC, per extra person per day. It was even more expensive for someone intending to film special interest products like the mountain gorilla experience. You had to pay US$4,200 per hour for FR & FNR while with the gorillas, UGX 4,200,000 for EAC, in addition to the Gorilla permit fee of $600 per person. Filming a commercial piece on the chimps was previously priced at US$1,050 per day for FNR & FR, UGX 1,050,000 for EAC excluding the chimpanzee permits.

As per the new changes, UWA will only require that crew members pay 40% of the activity fee, which is less than forty percent of what they have been charging. The discount in film fees is a move to boost destination promotion by highlighting the country’s stunning national parks and reserves through film.

The fee for the Uganda chimpanzee trekking permit and the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience (CHEX) have also been revised to add an extra US$50 for all categories, for both the Foreign residents and foreign nonresidents.

UWA will charge US$200 for FNR and US$150 for FR to track the Chimpanzees in Uganda; US$250 and US$250 for the Chimpanzee Habituation Experience for FNR and FR respectively. East African Citizens will be charged UGX150,000 for both experiences.

Rwenzori Mountains trekking on UWA managed trails FNR and FR will pay $50 and EAC 50000shs which were initially free of charge. Small Boat trips in Lake Mburo National Park fees will be $30 for FNR and FR, EAC 30,000shs. Kidepo Valley National park newly opened Lonyili Summit Trail will be charged $50 for FNR, $40 for FR and 50,000shs for EAC. There will be no charges for accessing Sempaya hot springs, only park entrance fees will be required.