Adventure tour operator, Intrepid Travel has reported increased demand for its trips to see mountain gorillas in Rwanda this year, following its pledge to absorb the recent hike in the cost of a gorilla permit.
On 1 June 2012, the cost of a permit to visit Rwanda's gorillas increased from $500 to $750, but Intrepid pledged to meet the extra cost for its passengers until the end of 2012 and as a result more than 40 per cent of its Rwandan trips still to depart this year have sold out.
"Seeing gorillas in their natural habitat is a once-in-a-lifetime experience," said Geoff Manchester, Managing Director of Intrepid Travel. "It's something that many people dream of and save up for, so we hope that by absorbing the extra cost we can help keep the dream within reach for people who hope to go soon."
Intrepid Travel's permit promise applies to the following trips that visit Rwanda's gorillas:
Experience Rwanda - 8 days from USD $2,685
Gorillas, Chimps and Game Parks - 16 days from USD$1,495 plus USD$1,230 trip kitty
Gorillas, Game Parks & Beaches - 29 days from USD $2,255 plus USD $2,120 trip kitty
Gorillas to Vic Falls - 39 days from USD $2,775 plus USD $2,425 trip kitty
Vic Falls to Gorillas - 39 days from USD $3,245 plus USD $2,420 trip kitty (for a Total Price of approximately AUD $5238, subject to exchange rate fluctuations)
Africa Encompassed Southbound - 60 days from USD $4,025 plus USD $3,110 trip kitty (for a Total Price of approximately AUD $7376, subject to exchange rate fluctuations)
Africa Encompassed Northbound - 60 days from USD $4,860 plus USD $3,180 trip kitty
Travellers that wish to see the gorillas without paying the increased permit price need to book and travel by 31 December 2012.
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