PERMITS to join gorilla trekking itineraries in Rwanda have been increased by 50 per cent to US$750.

The increase will take effect from June 1, but will not apply to travel booked before that date.

Product manager at African specialist wholesaler, Bench International Fiona Orton said that the gorilla-trekking itineraries were so popular  that she did not expect the increase to affect the growth in bookings to either Rwanada and neighbouring UIanda.

Rwandan authorities said that the increase comes at a time when there is significant growth in the gorilla population as well as an increasing demand for gorilla tourism.

A spokesman said, “We are very committed to sustain our efforts in conservation in order to protect their environment as well as the rich bio-diversity that exists in our national parks.”

Rwanda’s gorilla conservation efforts have shown significant success as there are now 10 gorilla families which accommodate a maximum of eight tourists per day each, a number that has almost doubled over the last five years. 

Rwanda’s tourism office said that a contribution of 5% towards the communities surrounding the national parks under the revenue sharing program is an activity that the office is also committed to and this increase will also proportionally impact on this initiative.