By Seif Gracien Hasingizwimana/Kigali, Rwanda,
The growing global interest in Rwanda’s mountain gorillas following the documentary about Pablo is not leading to unlimited tourism growth but instead highlighting the country’s carefully managed conservation model.
The documentary follows Pablo a mountain gorilla first filmed by Attenborough in 1978 tracking the silverback and the generations after him now living in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park.
Programmes like this have created what has been dubbed the “Attenborough effect” before Blue Planet II sparked a global behaviour change in 2017 around plastic pollution and an increased demand for conservation-led experiences.
But Rwanda’s gorilla tourism model is different Access is capped permits are limited and growth is deliberately restricted to protect the species Unlike some wildlife destinations Rwanda actively limits access and does not allow visitor numbers to expand simply because interest has increased.
Gorilla permits are capped at 100 each day priced at $1,500 and strictly controlled in order to protect both the animals and their habitat As a result growing interest in gorilla trekking does not automatically translate into more visitors on the ground because the permit system remains fixed and carefully managed.
Rather than experiencing a spike in visitor numbers the destination is instead seeing a change in traveller behaviour earlier bookings stronger intent and a broader mix of demographics.
According to Lydia Eva Mpanga founder of Nkuringo Safaris when global interest rises the permit system does not suddenly stretch to meet it Gorilla trekking remains tightly controlled In Rwanda permits are booked in advance on a first come first served basis visits are limited to one hour and only eight visitors can track a gorilla family at a time.
Mpanga says travel habits are changing as around five in 10 guests booking gorilla safaris now choose to trek twice and stay longer up from roughly two to three in 10 before showing that people are thinking more seriously about the experience and giving it more space in the safari.
The $1,500 permit helps keep the experience limited serious and planned Rwanda has tied the permit price to conservation visitor management and revenue for communities living around the park.
Furthermore many travellers inspired by nature documentaries are people who already care about wildlife forests and conservation and may already have been considering such a trip before watching the film.
Gorilla trekking is expensive physically demanding limited by permits and shaped by rules that put the gorillas first Seeing gorillas on screen is one thing but the real journey still takes planning including permits season safari routing and lodge availability.
While the emotional decision can happen in an evening after watching the film the practical side usually takes much longer to shape well Rwanda’s gorilla booking system is built for advance planning not instant access.
In Rwanda, permits are booked in advance on a first-come, first-served basis, visits are limited to one hour, and only eight visitors can track a gorilla family at a time Samwel Nsyuka
