Rwanda doubled the price of gorilla permits on 6 May 2017 from $750 to $1,500.

Uganda have confirmed their prices at $600 for the next two years.

Rwanda have also introduced a new permit category, where you can reserve visitation rights to a specific gorilla group for US$15,000, with a private guide.

Seeing mountain gorillas in the wild is priceless. It is something that may not exist for our children as they are highly endangered. So I wonder, would you pay the price to see them? I would.

My preferred Tour Operator for Uganda is Kampala-based Abacus Vacations run by Robert Begumisa, who took me all over Uganda. There’s nothing he doesn’t know about tourism in Uganda.

The Rwanda price increase is why Guy and Melanie Harris from Cape Town, who recently asked my advice on gorilla trekking, have just booked to go gorilla trekking at Bwindi in Uganda. This is where I’ve done my gorilla visits and it’s extremely well organised and highly recommended.

But, like many gorilla visitors, they are doing a quick in-and-out and not exploring the rest of Uganda.

I think this is a mistake as Uganda has so much to see:

• chimpanzee forest walk
• a whopping 1,000 species of birds (I sawa rare Shoebill Stork nr Murchison Falls)
• tree climbing lions
• great herds of buffalo
• monster crocodiles on the Nile
• huge lakes with masses of hippos
• boat trips in a watery Garden of Eden
• bananas everywhere
• friendly smiling people

Is gorilla trekking on your bucket list? Would you pay the price?

These are the Guidelines when  Visiting the Gorillas:

• Gorillas can catch human diseases so you are not allowed to go if you have a cold/flu.
• Maintain a distance of 7m (about 22ft) from the gorillas.
• Viewing time is limited to one hour.
• Maximum 8 visitors per group.
• Should you need to cough, cover your mouth and turn away from the gorillas. Do not spit.
• Keep your voice low when with the gorillas.
• Don’t make rapid movements that may frighten the gorillas.
• If a gorilla should charge or vocalize at you, stand still, look away from the gorilla and follow your guide’s instructions. DO NOT run!