The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has implemented an increase in tracking fees for gorillas and chimpanzees. The fee for gorilla tracking has risen from $700 (Shs2.7m) to $800 (Shs3.1m), while the fee for chimpanzee tracking has increased from $200 (Shs762,000) to $250 (Shs953,000).
Mr. Sam Mwandha, the executive director of UWA, communicated this change in a letter dated January 17, 2024, to the Association of Uganda Tour Operators (AUTO), attributing the adjustment to a review of the conservation tariff.
However, it’s worth noting that charges for gorilla and chimpanzee tracking for local tourists remain unchanged.
Although the letter initially stated that the new tariffs would take effect on July 1, 2024, tour operators reported that the new rates were implemented on January 23, 2024, just a day after receiving the letter on January 22.
This sudden implementation has caused disruption within the industry, with tour operators expressing concerns about the timing and implications of the fee hike. They highlighted challenges in renegotiating contracts with overseas agents, who had already committed to bookings based on the previous rates.
The tour operators fear potential legal disputes with their overseas partners and anticipate financial losses that could further strain the tourism sector, already grappling with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges.
One operator voiced frustration, stating, “It is as if the government wants the industry to die,” citing a lack of consultation and adequate time for adjustment before the fee increase was implemented.
