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Dec

2022

Lion Tracking Experience in Uganda

Lion tracking experience guarantees sightings of lions monitored by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) rangers in the Kasenyi plains, the northern sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The new experimental experience is one thing you should try out on your Uganda safari. Rangers will search and locate lions by use of GPS at any time of the day. Visitors are permitted to spend 1 to 4 hours learning about the habits of the big cats, take photos and thereafter receive a certificatthe e. The permit for lion tracking experience cost is $100 per person (not for profit) and can be booked through UWA or a tour operator. You have the option of booking a morning or afternoon session at the Mweya visitor center up to 24 hours in advance. All proceeds benefit the Lion Conservation Fund, which was established in 2010 under the Uganda Large Carnivore Program (ULCP). The monitoring and research data is used to strengthen conservation efforts and stop a dwindling population of lions in Uganda. The ishasha sector in the southern region of Queen Elizabeth National park is also home to tree-climbing lions. However, the experiential activity involves tracking lions that do not climb trees

Status of lions in Uganda

Lions in Uganda are mostly found in 4 savanna protected areas including Murchison Falls, Kidepo Valley, and Queen Elizabeth National Parks. The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and UWA survey estimated there were 600 lions in 2009, but only 416 remain today. The numbers have decreased mostly in Murchison Falls (from 320 to 130 individuals). On the other hand, Queen Elizabeth National Park alone is home to 144 lions of which 65 to 72 lions live in the Kasenyi plains. Because of this viable number, the park was designated as a Lion Conservation Unit (LCU), making it a critical site for their conservation. It has drawn the attention of NAT GEO Wild explorers, and the BBC Big Cat Diaries have filmed lions, taken part in the lion tracking experience, and offered technical support.

The lion population seems to be declining not only in Uganda but also across Africa with an estimated 25,000 to 39,000 lions now left in the wild. According to the National Geographic Big Cats Initiative (NAT GEO Wild), their habitat range has decreased by 80% and the numbers have declined by 43% since 1990. Due to the threat of extinction, lions are listed by the IUCN as “Vulnerable” species. Human interference is the biggest threat to lions. Many people and their livestock live close to Queen Elizabeth National Park and will sometimes go over the boundary to look for water and pastures. The lions will attack or even kill their animals as prey. In most cases, the locals will retaliate by poisoning carcasses. If the big cats return to feed they will eventually die. For instance, 11 lions (3 adults and 8 cubs) died from suspected poisoning in 2018 in Hamukungu, a fishing village adjacent to Kasenyi plains. Two years later, six other tree-climbing lions in Ishasha died in a similar manner. Saddened by the news, the NAT GEO explorer Alexander Braczkowsk, who filmed the lions before their deaths, said that “if the killings go on at the present rate, the park will be devoid of lions five years from now.” This is why monitoring the lions helps to keep track of where they’re likely to encounter possible dangers.

Challenges and solutions for lion conservation

The lion tracking experience is therefore meant to raise funds for conservation activities. So far, several measures are being implemented by the Uganda Large Carnivore Program (UCP) including community-based initiatives that aim to pay locals for any livestock lost to lions and other predators. However, the Uganda Wildlife Act of 2019 established the Standards, Utilities and Wildlife Court, which must hear cases against those involved in wildlife tracking and crime. The 2 persons who were found guilty were sentenced to 17 years in prison.

Such penalties and financial rewards, however, have been criticized as not being sound measures to change people’s attitudes toward conservation according to a study in the Journal of the Society for Conservation Biology (Evidence of increasing human-wildlife conflict despite a financial compensation scheme on the edge of a Ugandan National Park). A new monitoring and research program has been rolled out for further study to find better ways of addressing the challenges. So far, camera traps have been set across 60 locations both in Queen Elizabeth and Kidepo Valley National Parks to monitor the lions under a joint survey between UWA and NAT GEO Wild scientists. Other measures include preventing elephants from raiding crops. UWA built an electric fence stretching 40 km along the park’s border with the Kasese district. The barrier will also be installed soon in Murchison Falls National Park.

Besides the lion tracking experience, other activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park include game drives, boat cruises on the Kazinga Channel, bird watching, and visits to crater lakes such as Lake Katwe, where salt mining has been practiced since the 16th century. The park also has chimpanzee tracking opportunities in the Kyambura Gorge and Kalinzu Forest Reserves.

Mar

2022

Uncover the Beauty of Uganda

They say beauty lies in the hands of the beholder but Uganda’s beauty is witnessed by both people living within and overseas. This is evident by the increasing influx of visitors from foreign areas to the various tourist destinations in Uganda for gorilla safaris and other wildlife adventures. The pearl of Africa is all about breath-taking wildlife game parks, free-flowing rivers, seething freshwater lakes, enthralling towering mountains and captivating diverse cultures. Tourists who have explored and uncovered the different natural wonders of the pearl of Africa have rave reviews about it. Uganda is a landscape covered by greenery with unique living species from north to south. In every part of the country you visit, you will be enthralled by the gifts of nature it’s endowed with. Although Uganda has a plethora of natural beauties to uncover, there are some special ones that are worth a detailed mention.

Mountain gorillas in forested highlands of Bwindi
Endangered mountain gorillas breeding in the tropical rainforests of Bwindi impenetrable national park are the niche beauty of Uganda. The mountain gorillas are one of the four subspecies of gorillas. They are rare and endangered species living in two restricted isolated areas of Virunga ranges churning in Uganda, Rwanda and Dr Congo and Bwindi forest in Uganda. Uganda alone is home to almost half of the total population of mountain gorillas in the world. The Bwindi impenetrable national park has 459 gorillas out of the over 1000 individuals in the world, making it the place to be for the gorilla trekking experience. The gorilla trekking experience is a tour activity that offers opportunities of encountering these enormous apes in the wild at close range. While on this trekking experience, gorillas are watched and observed communicating and interrelating among themselves. Their social antics are intriguing and visitors normally go bananas while watching them. It is really intuitive to see an animal show so much compensation to another like as though it were a human being. This is absolutely beautiful and captivating.

Kampala the city of Culture and History
Kampala is the face and capital city of Uganda. This place host lots of people from different walks of life and culture. It is a busy area dominated by business arcades at every corner, bodabodas coming from all sides of the road and white coloured passenger matatus ferrying people from and to the business centre. The right term to use is that Kampala is a bustling and chaotic area but with lots of adventures and attractions to enjoy right from its welcoming and jolly people, franchised restaurants, nightlife hangouts to the historical and cultural sites.
Out of the many attractions in Kampala, travellers mostly seek after its historical, religious and cultural sites.
The capital of Kampala has so many historical, religious and cultural sites that depict the Buganda culture and the colonial events, which unfolded in the past. The beauties to uncover on a Kampala city tour include Namirembe Cathedral- the arch worshipping place for Protestants, Rubaga Cathedral for the Catholic, Gadhafi Mosque- the main shrine for Muslims, Kasubi Tombs- the main burial place for the Kabakas of Buganda, Mengo Lubiri- the palace of the kabaka, Bulange Mengo- the parliament of Buganda, Bahai Temple- the only temple of Bahaullah faith in Africa, Namugongo shrine- the burial area of the Uganda martyrs et cetera.

Chimpanzees in the tropical rainforests of Kibale
In terms of excitement and pleasure, the chimpanzees in the Kibale forest are only beaten by the mountain gorillas in Bwindi. Chimpanzees are popular in the various rainforest around the world but the ones in Kibale are in such an astronomical population and occupy a wide area range. Kibale forest has over a thousand chimpanzees, the largest population in Africa.
The forest has three habituated communities to watch on the tracking expedition. Chimpanzee trekking experience is not so intimate as gorilla tracking because of the agile and arboreal nature of these small cunning apes. They are quick and spend most of their time on tree canopies thus being somehow hard to critically observe their characters. Travellers are advised to carry binoculars to get the most out of their experience. Other than that chimpanzees are interesting to watch, they exhibit a series of social antics that are almost similar to mankind for instance the use of tools like tree branches and stones to get food and also built their nests. They are also capable of peeling off a cover of any fruit to enjoy the inner fresh part. Their appearance is something to wonder about their well-designed faces, protruding digits at the end of their limbs https://libido-portugal.com/. You might think they are a hairy human race living in the jungle.

Big five in Murchison falls National park
A safari trip to Murchison falls national park makes it possible to watch the big five (lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo and rhino). Note that the park only has four of the big five animals, namely lions, buffalos, elephants and leopards but the Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary is within the vicinity. A stopover at Zziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Nakasongola is imperative, to watch Uganda’s only rhinos in the wild and then continue to Murchison falls national park to encounter the rest of the animals. The big five are legendary species of animals that were so hard to hunt during the African traditional society. The big five still have so much prestige even in this day and age generation as they are hard to find all together in one place. This is why we put them on the list of the beauties to uncover in Uganda.

Jinja The Source of the Nile
During the late 18th century, two European explorers in John Speke and Burton travelled as far as Britain to find the source of the Nile and guess where they discovered it, in Jinja an area located in the east of Uganda. Many wondered at that time where the River Nile, arguably the longest river in the world originated from and still now many speculate where the source of the Nile is found. The advice is to come to Uganda and uncover Lake Victoria, the source of the Nile situated in Jinja. To see the source of the Nile, a boat cruise trip on the waters of Lake Victoria in Jinja is taken. The boat lands near the small rocky island where travellers stand to watch water vigorously sprouting and spinning from underneath. While the Nile leaves Jinja making its way to northern Uganda to as far as North Africa, Egypt, it leaves lots of water features that harbour adventurous activities. Some of the activities carried out on the River Nile include White-water rafting at Itanda falls, Kayaking, Bungee jumping and water tubing.

The Snow Capped Summits of Rwenzori Ranges
Rwenzori Ranges and its snow-capped summits have been phenomena of interest since the 15th century when the Greek Scholar labelled it as the mountains of the moon. It is perplexing to find a snow-covered area in an equatorial region where the average temperature is 28 degrees Celsius. However, due to the climate change happening around the area, the glaciers are decreasing and predicted to get extinct in the forthcoming generations. For travellers who wish to witness snow in a sunny area, take the next flight to Uganda to take part in the Rwenzori hiking expedition to uncover its snow-capped summits before they are no more.

Tree climbing Lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Lions climbing trees! Yeah, it is real and only possible in the Ishasha sector south of Queen Elizabeth national park.
At Ishasha area, lions are seen atop of the fig and acacia trees resting. The lions climb trees to avoid being bitten by ants and termites on the ground, have a clear view of the prey and pounce on the opportunity and also rest after a long hunt. There are four prides of tree climbing lions in Ishasha, the highest you can find in the world. Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania and Kruger National Park in South Africa are other places known for such species of lions, have only 1-2 prides each. Therefore, the best spot to encounter and uncover the tree-climbing lions is Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda.

What more beauty of Uganda is needed to uncover other than the above-mentioned attractions. For tourists interested in encountering the different wildlife species and natural resources, booking a safari with a local tour company is the best way.

May

2018

Hidden Treasure in the Rwandan Culture.

Rwanda is a landlocked East African country which is inhabited by the Hutu, Batwa, and Tutsi. Their main language is Kinyarwanda and French. Previous Rwanda was known for the 1994 genocide but now it is globally known for the Volcanoes National Parks. The Volcanoes National Park is home for the endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.

However, apart from that, it is one of the richest nations in terms of diversified cultural heritage. The heritage is visible in archaeological excavations, museums, memorials and historical sites.

Rwanda emerged global top ten countries as far as visitors safety is concerned as per World Economic Forum 2017 biennial report. Iby Iwacu cultural village is the best place to be for its unforgettable experience in the Rwandan culture.
This is a small village that speaks more about the lifestyle of the inhabitant of thousand hills. The village is located in Musanze district in Kinigi area, Nyabigoma cell around Parc National des Volcanoes. It is a village with the true demonstration of Rwanda’s rich culture. The Iby iwacu means treasure of our home.

The cultural village was started with the intention of harmonizing conservation and the local community. This was an alternative to benefit the community adjacent to the park and deter them from poaching of wild animals. Iby Iwacu cultural village is the best place to relax and fresh your mind after memorable gorilla trek in Virunga National Park.
The hospitality of the community members will make you feel like to stay in their community and not to leave. Your presence is of great value to the community. In the company of a professional friendly tour guide, the community members will share and showcase details of their past. The village brings a clear picture of the traditional lifestyle of a Rwandan including dress code, food crop growing, food processing and preparation, traditional ceremonies and interpersonal relationship with the community.

Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village

At iby wacu cultural village, you will visit the king’s house where you learn more about the king and queen lifestyle. At the king’s house, you get the opportunity to be enthroned and installed as a king where you can take part in exercising the power of leadership as the village elders give you a ceremony. This will give you nothing but a favor and immense experience of a real African royal for a moment. The favor of being a king or queen can only be found in Rwanda.

You will enjoy the rare Intore dance and Ibyivungo performed by the community members using traditional musical instruments like Umuduri, Ikembe, Iningiri, Inanga, Ingoma, Amakondera, and Agakenke among others. Listening to the famous songs of the gorillas sang by the Ngayabatema showing you the experience in the wild of mountain Gorillas where you can also join the dance leaves you with a story to tell.In addition, you get the chance to learn to drum and play the drums its lot of fun.

Thirdly you will visit the traditional clinic, meet the traditional healers. These traditional healers here are not witch doctors. At the traditional clinic, you will learn about different plant species and their medicinal significance to locals, the prescriptions of those medicines and tasting the medicines at your own will.

Not forgetting that visitors are allowed to participate in traditional activities of Rwanda people. This will include crop cultivation, millet grinding using ancient grinding stones, preparing local dishes like Ubugari and Igikoma served with the local beer made out of banana. At Iby iwacu you will also learn traditional methods of making the banana beer, hear stories of traditional techniques of hunting from the ex-poachers, learn pottery experience and crafting skills from the local women.

These experiences will surely give you a sense of belonging to this lovely community.

Sep

2017

2017 Kwita Izina Held in Musanze

On 1st September Rwanda held the 13th Edition of the much anticipated Kwita Izina ceremony. For the past 12 years Rwanda has been organizing this ceremony that takes place annually. The Kwita Izina attracts thousands of people from different walks of life including head of state, conservationist, tourists who had come for gorilla safaris in PNV, Researchers, Students, wildlife Educationist and individual people both local and international.

The ceremony was graced by His Excellency president Elect Paul Kagame who made his key remarks on the importance of conserving wildlife for sustainable growth and development of Rwanda and the entire region. The ceremony takes place in Volcanoes National Park located in north western Rwanda

Gorilla naming

May

2017

Rwanda Gorilla Safaris in Volcanoes National Park

Previously Rwanda was basically known much for its 1994 genocide war between the Hutus and Tutsis which claimed over one million people and a thousand seek refuge to neighboring countries. The economy went to standstill and many infrastructures where destroyed, the whole country was declared insecure. However, all come to pass the economy was rebuilt and many infrastructures where re-built, everything come back to normal and the country is now considered one of the safest nations not only in Africa but also in the entire world with one of the most cleanest city in the world.

Rwanda is now known as one of the countries in the world which attract tourists’ whole over the world and the most tourist attraction Rwanda offers is the endangered mountain gorillas. Mountain gorillas were listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for many factors including being hunted for trade meat and medicine by the poachers, deforestation for agriculture living them homeless, diseases among many others all these impacted on their population. In Rwanda mountain gorillas live in the rain tropical forest of the volcanoes national park which is located in the northwestern part of Rwanda in Ruhengeri Musanze district. On average Over 80%of travelers who visit Rwanda come purposely for gorilla tracking. Three countries worldwide host these endangered apes, however many gorilla trackers who have got chance to track both in Rwanda, Uganda and DRC give it to Rwanda as the leading gorilla destination in the world. many factors supports this, the short distance from the capital Kigali to the national park (volcanoes) those who does not want to travel for long hours choose to track Rwanda gorillas. A 1 day Rwanda gorilla tour is very possible, it’s just about 2-3 hours’ drive from the capital Kigali to the park, you embark on the drive very early in the morning and arrive at the park headquarters in time for briefing and then after tracking, you drive back to Kigali or at the airport for your departure flight according to your itinerary. Also many who have tacked in both countries testify that Rwanda gorillas are a bit easy to track than the gorillas in the impenetrable forest of Bwindi, and on top of that, the country is considered stable than the DRC, all these among many other factors makes put Rwanda in the position of the leading mountain gorilla safari destination in the world.

Gorillas cannot be seen in zoos or under captivity like many other wildlife and primate species, the only place to see these giants is only in their natural habitat very deep in to the forest. For one to see these giants must prepare in advance and book the gorilla permit the only passport for seeing these endangered species. Rwanda gorilla permits costs usd750 per person per tracking including a ranger guide fee and a park entry fee and these permits are sold at the Rwanda tourism board in Kigali or at the park headquarters in Kinigi. It’s better to book the gorilla permit with a genuine tour and travel company or a tour agent as they have easy access of these permits that an individual.
Gorilla tracking is the most expensive safari activity done in Rwanda but perhaps the most done safari activity, and gorilla tracking has gained the government of Rwanda a lot of revenue, a lot of money is collected from tourists. Many people have benefited from gorillas including the local people, lodge/hotel owners and workers, tour companies organizing gorilla safaris, drivers, park rangers and guides, among many others hence making mountain gorilla the most rewarding safari activity to the country.
You can’t talk of Rwanda minus mentioning the works of Diane Fossy, an American primatologists and a researcher who studied and habituated these endangered apes to human standards that they can be tracked safely in their natural habitat without any harm caused to human. Most of her research was conducted in karioske she was loved by the primates and she loved them too, she stayed and habituated the gorillas for over 18 years, however her work was brought to an end when she was assassinated by the said poachers whom she had made herself unpopular, she was buried near her friend gorilla digit and many other gorillas that where killed or killed of different diseases.

Diane Fossy made Rwanda very popular and up to now Rwanda is popularly known for its gorilla safari. Many authors oppose that, a safari in Africa is only complete when you visit the mountain gorillas in the true African wilderness, deep in the heart of Africa. A certificate is given to those who have fully participated and completed a gorilla tracking activity. Contact us for safari booking and inquiries we are always at your disposal.

May

2017

How to Obtain a Uganda Gorilla Trekking permit

When looking for gorilla safaris in the world, Uganda comes on the first list visited countries for gorilla tracking, few countries worldwide host these endangered species as there are only about 900 individuals left in the world shared by three African countries including Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Uganda to many gorilla trackers is considered as the leading gorilla safari destination in the world and perhaps housing the highest number of these endangered species. Gorilla tracking is considered the most interesting adventurous safari activity in the world attracting a number of travelers to gorilla tracking destinations.

Mountain gorillas is known as one of the sub species of gorillas rarely seen and safari to see these apes is only done in areas where they are habituated from. Mountain gorillas are known as the largest primate on earth, very intelligent and a close relative to human after the chimps which shares almost 98% of human DNA make-up. Uganda is popularly known for its mountain gorilla species and gorilla tracking is the most tourist activity many travelers come for. For one to track these remaining apes it needs some preparations and booking in time, it’s better to book with a registered and genuine tour and tour company to arrange for you the whole ground handling gorilla safari to Uganda.

A gorilla permit is a passport for one to see these remaining apes in their natural habitat deep into the forest, and gorilla tracking activity is at a very high demand permits sometimes get finished, so you are advised to book your gorilla tracking permit prior to your travel dates at least 2-5 months to secure and guarantee tracking. Owning a gorilla permit is a guarantee for sighting, but it’s not a guarantee for sighting since mountain gorillas are wild-animals they are very difficult to predict although chances of sighting are very high about 98% and above. sometimes it’s very difficult to obtain a gorilla permit as an individual but if you use a tour agent or tour and travel company chances of obtaining a gorilla permit in time is very high as they have more chances of buying them in advance than an individual, so to ease the process of obtaining a gorilla tracking permit it’s better to use a tour and travel company your permit will be secured early to stand a chance of participating in gorilla tracking activity in Uganda, the number one adventurous safari activity incomparable.

Mountain gorilla tracking costs usd700 for forein non residents, $600 for forein residents and Ugx 250,000 for East African citizens. Book with us at Go Rwanda Safaris and we will get you a gorilla permit at no extra charge. This works if you are booking the all gorilla safari with us; however in case you need only a gorilla permit we will get it for you at an extra charge of usd50. Mountain gorillas in Uganda are found in Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga gorilla forest national park, however in Mgahinga, gorillas are not stable most of the time they cross to Rwanda and DRC making tracking in the only gorilla group available in Mgahinga (Nyakagezi) very difficult), so many trackers opt for Bwindi national park and the park has 13 gorilla families with one group visited by only researchers and ranger guides. Other gorilla families are opened to tourist and safaris to trek them is done on a daily basis. Only eight people are allowed to visit gorillas in each gorilla family daily and to participate in this activity one should be above 15 years of age.

The tracking permit will give you an opportunity to meet and spend time with the mountain gorillas and after tracking a certificate will be issued to you by the Uganda wildlife authority. Gorilla tracking can be done along with many other interesting activities including wildlife viewing, bird watching, chimp tracking, batwa experience among many others. To book your mountain gorilla tracking safari either in Uganda/Rwanda, send us your passport details which include your full names, passport number and the nationality. After confirming your tracking dates and sending the money for permits, the dates for gorilla tracking cannot change after the permits have been booked. For a change in dates of gorilla tracking, inform your travel agency or a tour company organizing your safari in time for the changed dates of gorilla tracking and the Uganda Wildlife Authority is subjected a fee of usd100 for each gorilla date changed as a cancellation fee. Book your gorilla permit now to stand a chance of seeing the gorillas in their natural habitat.

Apr

2017

How to Book a Rwanda Gorilla Safari

When planning a safari to Rwanda expect a real life adventure as the country is endowed with interesting and adventurous attractions most of them can’t be seen elsewhere in the world. Rwanda’s volcanoes national park is the only destination in Rwanda housing the endangered mountain gorillas, this gorilla species is rarely seen and only three African countries world-wide house these endangered apes the other two are Uganda in (Bwindi and Mgahinga national parks) and the democratic republic of Congo (Virunga national park). Rwanda is perhaps known as the leading home to these endangered apes and also known as a chief mountain gorilla safari destination in the world.

Safari planning to Rwanda in the Volcanoes National Park starts with the identification of your travel dates and gorilla tracking dates, selecting a reliable safari operator/ a tour and travel company that offers best gorilla safari packages to Rwanda at an affordable price. Also identification of reliable Airlines from your home country to Kigali international airport, know also the things to pack for a gorilla safari in the volcanoes national park among many others are very vital when planning a safari to volcanoes national park in Rwanda.
volcanoes national park is known as the best Rwanda national park to visit, with very many safari activities one can enjoy, although gorilla tracking is the major highlight to many safaris in volcanoes national park, the park also offers other safari activities like golden monkey tracking safaris, bird watching safaris, hiking safaris, Dian Fossy hike among many others. You can also combine gorilla tracking with chimp tracking in Nyungwe forest national park and wildlife viewing in Akagera national park.

After identifying your travel dates, check availability of international flight to Kigali international airport, if the available flights fit your travel dates go ahead and make a tentative booking, the second step is to check the availability of gorilla tracking permits, if they are available go ahead and book your flight, if they are not available regarding to your travel dates better get a better alternative. Once you arrive at Kigali you will find a representative from the company you booked with waiting for you usually they carry a placard bearing your name, however getting this you should inform your agent about your travel date and time. And if you organize with a local company, they will transfer you to your pre-booked hotel in Kigali. Gorilla permits are best to be booked through a tour and Travel Company or a tour agent since they have a high chance to purchase them in advance than an individuals, and gorilla tracking permits are sold at the Rwanda tourism board in Kigali or at the park headquarters in Kinigi.
The demand for gorilla permit in Rwanda is very high so it’s better to book your gorilla permit early at least 2-3 months prior to your travel dates to avoid last minutes bookings. Rwanda gorilla permits are sold on first come first serve basis, the earlier you book your gorilla permit the better. Furthermore you should book accommodation you will be staying while at the park. If you need, you can also rent a car and take a self-drive to Volcanoes National Park. Volcanoes national park is located just 2-3 hours’ drive from Kigali to Ruhengeri Musanze district passing through rolling hills and beautiful scenery.

How to pack for gorilla safari, packing for a Holiday Safari is very vital especially when going for gorilla tracking, it’s advised to pack light clothes to reduce on the weight as gorilla tracking involve hiking the jungle forest to search for the endangered mountain gorillas in the wild deep into the forest. Packing lights helps you to reduce on the charges that the airline may impose on you as Extra Charges. packing list for gorilla tracking include 1-2 long sleeved shirts or blouses, 1 pair of shorts, sun glasses, insect repellent, water proof and wind proof jacket like a Gortex, 1 sweater or sweater shirt, strong water proof walking shoes/boats, a bag, camera, hat-wide brim or with a visor from sun protection, lightweight wool socks, gloves-gardening or similar, all these are suitable for gorilla tracking safari in volcanoes national park. Gorilla safaris in volcanoes national park is regarded as one of the most memorable and interesting safari activity on earth. Enjoy a guided gorilla safari this year and win a chance of a discounted package to view the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Follow the above tips and you’ll find that Safari planning for your holiday travel and flights will be simpler than you ever.

Apr

2017

Primate Safaris in Rwanda?

Rwanda like its counterpart Uganda has no seaport and it’s known as one of the smallest countries in the world occupying an area of about 26,338 sq km (10,169sqmiles), and it’s known as a densely populated nation, UN estimates 2013 put its population at 13 million people. This land of ‘’a thousand hills’’ as its sometimes referred to is known as a gifted nation when it comes to tourist attractions, it competes very many countries world-wide when it comes to tourist attractions, and it attracts a huge number of travelers who jet into Rwanda to have a glace on the many of the attractions Rwanda offers.

Rwanda suffered much in the 1994 genocide, the war claimed a lot of people over 1 million people lost their life and many fled the country to seek refuge and many infrastructures where destroyed, however all those came to pass, the country is now considered one of the safest with a cleanest city in the world and it has got no political insurgency, giving room to tourists to visit the country without fear.

Rwanda is much known for its primate species than any other tourist attraction, this is because primate tracking is much adventurous than any other attractions, as the activity involves moving deep into the forest and have a close exchange of eyes with these animals making the all process adventurous, this is not the case when compared the experience to wildlife safaris which involves moving in a tourist vehicle during a game drive in a national park (Akagera National park). A wonderful moment to see the primate species involves spending some memorable time with the primates deep in their natural habitat. Chimpanzees are the close relative to humans and the mountain gorillas are considered the second relative to man sharing almost 98% of human DNA make up.
To mention some of the key primate species to track in Rwanda include the mountain gorillas, golden monkey and chimpanzee, and any safari to Rwanda with a primate watch to see one of the above mentioned primate specie is considered incomplete. However sometimes the treks to meet them may be challenging since the activity involves passing through the deep and muddy forest of volcanoes national park and Nyungwe forest during the search of these apes, so a reasonable degree of fitness as well as tracking gears are highly recommended, some treks are tough and others are a bit easy to trek. In details let us talk about these Rwanda primate species and Rwanda primate safaris.
Mountain gorillas: when Rwanda Is talked about what comes to many people’s ear is the endangered mountain gorillas, mountain gorillas is one of the sub-species of gorillas and its regarded as one of the endangered species. According to the last population census, estimates shows that only 900 mountain gorillas are left in the world and this number is shared by three African countries including Rwanda, Uganda and the democratic republic of Congo. Rwanda is blessed being among these countries in the world to host these animals and perhaps Rwanda is known as the leading mountain gorilla safari destination in the world something which makes it special with almost a half of these remaining endangered mountain gorillas. Mountain gorillas have attracted many people to Rwanda to stay with these apes for at least one or two days in their natural habitat. Rwanda gorillas are inhabited in the volcanoes national park. The park is located in the northern part of Rwanda in Ruhengeri Musanze district and it’s a drive of about 2-3 hours from Kigali Rwanda’s capital to kinigi park headquarters the starting pointing for gorilla tracking.
Rwanda gorilla safaris are the leading tourist attraction in Rwanda and the government of Rwanda has acquired a lot of money from revenue collected from tourist and the local people have benefited from the activity especially those who stay near the park.

On the day of tracking, after an early breakfast, you will be driven to the park headquarters in kinigi to receive short briefings from the park wardens/senior ranger guides about the whole process of gorilla tracking, after the briefing, you will be driven to the starting point where you will follow the ranger guide to the forest to begin the search of gorillas. The time taken to meet the gorillas is unpredictable, since gorillas are wild animals; they keep on moving from one place to another in search of food, so the trek can go from 2-8 hours while in the jungle, a reasonable degree of fitness is needed as well as tracking gears like sturdy pair of walking shoes/boots, bottled water and sometimes packed food. Rwanda gorilla groups are distributed according to age and physical ability, the weaker and old are assigned to easy to track gorilla families and younger and physical trackers are assigned to tough gorilla families. However it’s not a guarantee the one seem to be easy on bad day may turn to be difficult and vice versa. Once the gorillas are met you are only restricted to one hour with them while studding as well as learning their behaviors. After tracking, you drive back to your booked accommodation or departure depending on your itinerary.
Rwanda gorillas permits costs usd750 per person per tracking. Rwanda gorilla permits are at very high demand and they are sold on first come first served basis the earlier you book your tracking permit the better to avoid disappointments of last minute booking. Permits are sold at the Rwanda Tourism Board in Kigali Rwanda’s capital or at the park headquarters in Kingi, it’s better to book a gorilla permit through a travel agent or a tour company organizing your tour, as they have easy access to these permits than an individual. Volcanoes National Park has 12 gorilla families and in each gorilla family only eight members are allowed to visit these giants on daily occasion for to safety purpose.

Golden monkeys are also known as endangered species, and are regarded the most beautiful primate on earth. This endangered species of primate inhabit the forest of volcanoes national park, so for more primate experience at the park if you have extra days at the park, you can opt for golden monkey tracking. Golden monkey are fabulous fun to watch when playing in fruitful trees or bamboo forest. like mountain gorilla tracking, the track to see the monkeys begins very early in the morning after reporting at the park headquarters to receive short briefings about the dos and don’ts while with these apes, follow the ranger guide to the forest to begin the search of them, trekking time is an unpredictable, however the tracking time can go from 2-7 hours searching them. Not like mountain gorillas which can be seen on ground, golden monkey are jumpy, they like jumping from one tree to another, so you are recommended to carry a first camera good at shooting. However even when tracking the gorillas, you can still watch these apes and the ranger guide will help you to take photos of them. one hour is allowed to stay with them once they are met. The number for tracking golden monkey is not restricted to eight members like that for mountain gorilla tracking. Tracking gears like study pair of walking shoes/boots are long sleeved shirts is needed and some level of physical fitness.

Chimpanzee tracking is another primate species that attracts travelers to Rwanda specially primate lovers. Rwanda is a home to over 13 species of primates coupled with chimpanzee the closest relative to human sharing almost 98% of human genes. Other primate species include owl-faced monkey, black and white colobus monkeys, baboons, more than 300 Colobus monkeys, mona monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys among others. These entire primate species are inhabited in Nyungwe forest national park Rwanda’s habituated park chimpanzee safaris.
The park is located in the south-western part of Rwanda just about 5-6 hour’s drive from the capital Kigali. chip tracking is one of the selling adventurous safari package in Rwanda, meeting these close relative of man in their natural habitat is a regarded as a moment in life very difficult to forget. The one hour allowed staying in presence of these apes while changing eyes is memorable. Chimps are excellent to watch when jumping from one tree to another, while observing their daily activities including feeding, making nest, mothers feeding their young ones, socializing among others makes the activity more exciting.

However like mountain gorillas and golden monkey, the time taken to meet these apes is unpredictable, since they are wild animals, they keep on moving from one place to another in search for food, the search can go from 2-5 hours. Indeed primate safaris dominates many other safari activities in Rwanda, many other activities are just a complement to primate safaris. However on safari to Rwanda you can still enjoy many other tourist activities including wildlife safaris in Akagera national park, Kigali city tour to visit which will take you and visit some of the interesting things around, visit Lake Kivu Rwanda’s freshest water body among many others. Put Rwanda on you must visit destination this year.

Nov

2016

How to Prepare for your Gorilla Safari

It’s always good to go on a gorilla safari and came back when satisfied, however this can be reached through a series of things including prior planning and organization. This is very essential before setting your gorilla safari to one of the three countries which host these endangered mountain gorillas in the world including Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Gorilla tracing is the most loved adventurous safari activity, since they cannot be seen in zoos/ under captivity, this factor pushes many people to come and see them in their natural habitat over 900 individuals are said to have been left in the world. Over 80% of travelers to East Africa come specifically to see these endangered mountain Gorillas. So due to this factor, it’s better to plan and secure your gorilla permit earlier to your tracking dates to avoid disappointment. However the first thing you should put under your consideration is to know the country in which you will track these Gorillas Uganda (Bwindi impenetrable and Mgahinga gorilla national park) , Rwanda (volcanoes national park)or DRC(Virunga national park) https://libido-portugal.com/. Each country offers the best mountain gorilla safari activities, however the experience may become totally different and each country charge differently as far as gorilla permits is concerned. Uganda charge a fee of USD 700 for foreign non-residents, USD$600 for foreign residents and UX250, 000 for east African citizens. Rwanda gorilla permits cots USD 1500 which apply to all travelers regardless of one’s nationality or residence. Mountain gorilla permit costs include park entry fee and guide fee.

Gather also relative tracking information including which country offers the best gorilla tracking activity, the best time for gorilla tracking, you should know that gorilla tracking is suitable during the dry season this is because the roads and trails leading you to the gorilla family are passable, and you can climb the steep sloops with a lot of easy. You should also prepare the tracking gears including sturdy pair of walking shoes/boots, rainy jacket since African weather is unpredictable, it’s subjected to change at any time, and a bag is also essential to carry your accessories like camera, battled water, and jacket and sometimes packed food. Search and write to different tour and travel companies organizing gorilla safaris in order to choose one offering the best service fitting your budget. So ounce all are observed well you will go ahead and book your gorilla permit for your tracking dates.
In order to secure your gorilla permit, it’s advised to book earlier at least 2-5 months, this is due to the fact that gorilla permits are sold on first come first served basis the earlier you book your permit the better and in the high seasons permits get finished so easily. It’s good to book your gorilla tracking permit with a tour and travel company or travel agent, they have 80% access to these permits than an individual. You will only send money for the gorilla permit after being confirmed by the tour agents about the gorilla permit availability on the stated dates. After permits are bought, you will be requested to send your passport details then after a receipt will be sent to you as an attachment to confirm your payment.
On the day of tracking, you will be prepared to report at the park headquarters early before 7:30 to receive short briefings about the dos and don’ts while with these apes, and also get you allocated to the gorilla family and guide. After, you will set into the forest to begin the activity possibly the most interesting safari activity done on earth. Ounce they have met you strictly allowed on hour with them while observing their behaviors as well as taking photography. Ounce you are well prepared to do the activity you won’t meet any difficult during the process of gorilla tracking. Gorilla tracking activities is incomparable it’s regarded as a breathtaking activity difficult to forget. In order to be satisfied it needs good preparation with a good tour operator. For more information about gorilla tracking contact us at info@gorwandasafaris.com we will get back you ASAP

Things to see & do on a Rwanda Safari
When in this land of ‘’a thousand hills’’ as it’s sometimes referred to, is gifted with many incredible things to see and do activities ounce on a safari to this small central African country. Looking at this country, you can’t even think that it out compete many other huge nations when it comes to tourist attraction, it has more than what you can expect. The tourist attractions that inhabit the country and many are untouched have attracted a big number of travelers to this country since a number of them can’t be found elsewhere in the world. Few people especially foreigners don’t really know what exactly makes this small country unique that almost everyone wishes not to miss visiting, below are some of the tourist activities enjoyable on a Rwanda.
Gorilla tracking;- you can’t visit Rwanda minus going for a gorilla tracking activity in the volcanoes national park which is located in Ruhengeri Musanze district about 2 hours’ drive from Kigali city. Gorilla tracking is the most done tourist activity attracting a big number of travelers to Rwanda. Over 75% of travelers to this nation go gorilla tracking making it the number one done tourist activity, contributing to a lot of revenue to the government of Rwanda. It is one of the most highly charged activity but known as the most done Rwanda tourist activity. A Rwanda gorilla permit cost usd 1500per person per tracking. Rwanda is known as the best gorilla tracking safari destination housing almost a half of the world remaining mountain gorillas over 380 individuals live only to this country out of an estimated 1006 mountain gorillas left in the world. Spend some magical time with the gorillas in their natural habitat very deep in the forest. For any tourist interested in this safari activity you are advised to secure your gorilla permit earlier before the tracking dates at least 2-5 months during the high season and 1-3 months during low season. Rwanda gorilla permits are at a very high demand they can get finished so early so the earlier you book your gorilla permit the better.
Chimpanzee tracking; Rwanda offers the best primate safaris, as its one of the few countries which houses the largest percentage of primate species over 13 species of primates live in Nyungwe forest national park, however the most known primate at the park is the chimpanzee the closest relative of man sharing almost 98% of human genes. Nyungwe forest national park is located in the south western part of Rwanda at the border with Burundi just about 7 hours’ drive from Kigali city.All gorillas and other tourism permits in Rwanda are issued by the Rwanda Development Board.

Chimpanzee tracking is one of the most interesting safari activities as these apes are fabulous fan to watch when jumping from tree to tree. Like gorilla tracking ounce they are met only one hour is allowed staying with them while observing their behaviors as well as taking photography. Other primate species that inhabit the forest include the black and white colobus monkey, baboons, red colobus monkey; civet monkey mona monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys, owl-faced monkey, golden monkeys the list is endless all these can be seen during the process of gorilla tracking

Wildlife Tours;- wildlife safaris are conducted in Rwanda’s protected national park that’s Akagera National Park in the eastern part of Rwanda along the border with Tanzania. The park houses a variety of animal species and all can be viewed in a tourist vehicle with pop up roof. Games always concentrate in the savannah grassland or woodland area of the park, games expected to see on a wildlife safari to Rwanda include warthog, giraffe and zebra haunt the savannah, and more than dozen types of antelopes live in the park including the handsome chestnut-coated impala, cape eland, secretive bushbuck, oribi. Lions, elephant, buffalo, leopard, hippos are also inhabitant to this park, so wildlife safaris is a thrilling moment one should not love to miss.
Cultural Tours;- cultural encounter with the local people is regarded as a magnificent experience most especially for those who want to learn more about how Africans live. A walk through some of the villages Ibyiwacu cultural village gives visitors a chance to meet and interact with the local community. The center exhibits Rwanda culture through Art and crafts, traditional clothes, cultural demonstrations, hunting attires among others. At the site, Visitors are taught Rwandan skills of dressing, Skills in Art and crafts, singing among others. Cultural experience is one of the things you should not miss ounce you take a safari to Rwanda.
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Other things to do on safari to Rwanda include; – hiking adventure, nature walks, city tours, boat ride, Lake Kivu tour and more. Visit our website for more things to do and see while in Rwanda

Nov

2016

Gorilla Conservation & Tourism in Rwanda

Mountain gorilla is the most fascinating and memorable activities done on earth, however there regarded as endangered due to their small population and according to last population census on mountain gorillas their about 980 mountain gorillas (Gorilla gorilla beringei) left in the world that can be tracked safely in their natural habitat and all are found in the small area of East Africa across the border of Uganda, Rwanda and democratic republic of Congo (Zaire). In many centuries gorillas were considered fearful and aggressive however different primatologists like Oscar Von Beringe, in 1902; in 1925 Carl Akeley decided something must be done to preserve the population of these splendid creatures due to inhuman activities which were carried on them like hunting them done for trade meat and medicine.

He persuaded the Belgian government to create Africa’s first protected area, Albert national park now (virunga national park). The work of George Schaller in 1959 and later by Diane Fossy in 1967 who tried their best to habituate these species to human standards and their results created a good relationship between human and gorillas and they (gorillas), and many travelers whole over the world leave their beautiful offices and homes to come and spend at least 1-2 days in the wild with gorillas since they are fabulous fan to watch. Mountain gorillas is the major tourist attractions in Rwanda, Uganda and the democratic republic of Congo and these government have earned a lot of revenue due to very tourists who come in to watch these species in a close eye. Thanks should go to those primatologists for the work done
Gorilla tourism

After realizing that gorillas attract many tourism from whole over the world they are being promoted year in and out. In Congo gorilla trekking became popular in the 1960s and in Rwanda gorilla tourism was promoted in 1978 and by 1980s gorilla was a major source of revenue to the government of Rwanda and gorilla become a symbol of national pride. Due to political instabilities that mounted the two countries that’s Rwanda and the democratic republic of Congo in the 1990s and in the process of these instabilities many gorillas where killed and other where hunted down for meat and medicine and during that time Uganda become the leading popular country for encountering mountain gorillas, However the international gorilla conservation programme (IGCP) and the Dian Fossy

Gorilla foundation (DFGF) have tried to promote sustainable agricultural and tourism practices and encourage the active participation of local communities in conservation and this has played a large part in ensuring the gorilla survival during unstable times. However by the time of writing there is peace and stability in the countries of Rwanda and Uganda and gorillas can be tracked safely at any time depending on the travelers in interest and time availability.

Gorilla tracking in Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic republic of Congo requires a gorilla permit in order to be considered among the 8 members allowed per group to track gorillas. In Rwanda gorilla permits cost at a fee of USD750 per person per tracking and permits are issued at the Rwanda Tourism Board offices (ORTPN) in Kigali or Ruhengeri (near the PNV).

You can email at reservation@rwandatourism.com. In Uganda permits are at a fee of 700 USD per person per tracking permit in high season and in low seasons they are at a fee of 350 USD during the months March – May and October – November. Permits are obtained from the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) headquarters in Kampala in both Bwindi impenetrable national park and in Mhahinga gorilla forest National Park. In the democratic republic of Congo permits are at a fee of USD 400. When booking you gorilla permit it’s better to book with your tour company since they have clear access to these permits than doing it on your own. Permits are always at a very high demand they are issued at first come first served basis the earlier the better, and it always advised to book at least 3-4 months prior to your safari in order to avoid disappointments.

Gorilla tracking begins very early in the morning after reporting at the park headquarters to receive a short briefing about the dos and don’ts while with gorillas and you are only allowed to stay with them for only one hour observing their behaviors as we’ll as taking photos. Gorilla tracking is a major highlight to very travelers to Rwanda and in Uganda and in order to let the local communities save these species a fee is left to the local communities around the volcanoes national park Bwindi and Mgahinga

Nov

2015

Gorilla Permit Booking Guide in Rwanda

Gorilla trekking safaris requires one to get a gorilla permit before it’s done in the volcanoes of Rwanda and the gorilla permit booking is managed by the Rwanda tourism office this being the governing body of tourism in Rwanda.
The permits should be booked earlier for proper arrangement due to the stiff demand and the quicker the payment the prompt the services. You will get the days permit after payment which are always preferably 6 month earlier during the stiff seasons of June-September and December-February or 1-2 months in the low seasons of October-November and march-may.
The gorilla permits can only be purchased from the board, either directly or through a tour agent. You can get in touch with them through email; reservation@rwandatourism.com. Or direct calling on the office line +252576514.inquire any thing concerning booking like the dates you want, the nearest dates. when payment are made , they will advise you of there banking details, send the money by electronic transfer and send a copy of the transaction voucher receipt to ORPTN. Ensure the bank to take off bank charges from your account other wise the money may be less and the permit not got on that particular day.
After payment and once given the permit, the date cannot be changed except for a cancellation fee of $ 100 per permit and any delays in confirmation and payment will defiantly lead to the changes of your preferred dates.
Price of the Rwanda gorilla permit is $1500 paid by all travelers including Rwanda nationals. Rwanda Development Board is responsible for issuing out all gorilla permits to see gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. Permit bookings is recommended at least 4 months before the trekking date.

Booking through agent.
Booking through a travel agency is another reliable option of obtaining a gorilla permit. There are a number of liable tour operators in Rwanda feel free to check them out. These usually do it at a fee of US $ 25-$ 60 per permit. The procedure is almost similar as above, except that the tour agencies tend to speed up the processes and most likely you will get your gorilla permit confirmation fast.
1. contact and let the office know the dates you want to tour Rwanda with the days you want to see the gorilla permit
2. We let you if the days you want for your gorilla tour are available for gorilla tracking and tentatively book them for you.
3. We send you our bank details for you to send the money for gorilla permits.
4. It takes about 16 hours for us to receive the money from your bank and pay for your permits. We shall send you acknowledgement for the money and the official gorilla permit.[scan and email] please ensure you pay the bank charges when authorizing the transaction. We do not charge any fee for gorilla permit buying if you are booking the rest of the tour with us. In case we do charges, this is to cater for any costs like telephony, transport, etc we incur to get you the permit.
5. Send your passport details to register your gorilla permit that’s your full names, passport number and nationality.
6. Your name will be registered and the gorilla permits got. Scanned copies of the permit will then be sent.
As soon as the payment has been received, the permits for gorilla tracking are purchased. Getting a gorilla permit is not a guarantee of seeing a gorilla however the chances of seeing them are 98%

Refunds & Cancellation Guidelines
There are always cases of cancellation caused by a number of reasons. The t board shall refund 50% of the gorilla tracking fee for any visitor who is ill because any sick visitor shall not be allowed to track the gorilla if declared unfit by the warden in charge. This only applies to visitors who have traveled all the way to the park.

Permit availability
If you are planning to go gorilla tracking in June, august, September, also December the time to book your permits and safaris is now with a wide trekking package options in Rwanda as listed below.
3 days gorilla trekking
4 days gorilla trek [2 trek]
4 day Rwanda gorilla with golden monkey
4 days Rwanda Nyungwe chimps +gorilla trek tour
4 days Rwanda gorilla + cultural village tour.
Rwanda 4 days gorilla trek with hike to Visoke volcanoes.
Rwanda 4 days gorilla trek with relaxing at Lake Kivu.
5 days Rwanda gorilla Nyungwe chimps tracking.
5 days Rwanda gorilla, Visoke hike, golden monkey.
6 days Rwanda gorilla trek [2 treks] and Nyungwe chimps’ tour.
6 days Rwanda gorilla, chimps +other primates.
7 days Rwanda primates’ tour.
9 days Rwanda magical tour.
11 days Rwanda primates’ tour + Akagera + kivu.
13 days Rwanda safari.
20 days Rwanda safaris