Gorilla Tracking Safari News and Uganda Tours

Tourism is one of the vehicles of development for the east African countries of Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania. In Kenya the recent political turmoil cost the country billions of dollars in tourism and negatively impacted its neighboring countries. However, there has been a resurgence int the number of tourists coming into the country and the locals have begun to see an increase in terms of earnings. This is especially so in the hospitality industry such as hotels, safari lodges and those involved in the airline industry.

In Rwanda which was a add-on destination to the major tourist destinations of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, there has been such an increase in the number of tourists visiting the country in the recent years further boosting its economy. Rwanda has seen an increase in the number of available rooms to 3,282 from a mere 2,391 in 2007. The ORTPN, which is the body charged with overseeing the tourism industry in Rwanda intends to partner with the private sector and further increase the number of rooms available by 416 before the end of this year.

Rwanda’s major tourist attraction are the mountain gorillas which are found only in the three Great Lakes countries of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Gorilla tour is Rwanda’s major tour activity and a visit to this tiny landlocked country without gorilla trekking is a real waste to say the least. As a result the ORTPN, organizes an annual ceremony, the “Kwita Izina”, in which the new born baby gorillas are CHRISTEN, attracting thousands of locals and international celebrities from as far as Hollywood. Last year alone, Rwanda earned 42.3 million USD from tourism. Early this month, Rwanda saw its tourism revenues sky rocket beyond its expectations of 68 million USD to 80 million USD, that is a whooping 12 million USD extra. This accounts for about 3.7% of Rwanda’s Gross Domestic Product. This figure which was announced by the ORTPN means tourism is Rwanda’s leading foreign exchange earner. The tradition top foreign exchange earners such as coffee and cotton which grossed 35.6M USD and 31.5M USD respectively in 2007 have been leapfrogged.
The influx of tourists to Rwanda has increased by 3.4% and it is expected that in 2009 the country will earn over 148 million USD with about 884,220 tourist coming into the country in the next six months.

This increase in the tourism revenue is mainly attributed to gorilla tours. Mountain gorilla tracking is the main tour attraction in this tiny country which is now Africa’s most densely populated. Annually, thousands of tourists flock this tiny landlocked country to do gorilla trekking in Parc des Volcanoes and also during the baby gorilla naming ceremonies which is usually graced by international celebrities from across the globe.
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• Rwanda tour
• Uganda Safari
• Uganda gorilla tour

IUCN - International Union for Conservation of Nature announced that the population of primates, which are mankind’s closest relatives are faced with a huge threat of extinction from the face of the Earth. Apes, monkeys and primates are disappearing at an alarming rate from the face of the earth. There are currently 634 species of primates living in the world and of these the International Union of Conservation of Nature and of these 50 percent are faced with extinction in regard to the criteria that is used to determine the Red List of species that are Threatened.

This was a chilling pronouncement on the state of primates which was released by the International Primatological Society during its twenty second congress held in Edinburgh. The major threat coming from the destruction of forests which are the habitats.

The destruction of the primates’ habitat such as the tropical rain forests majorly through clearing and burning which also negatively affects the atmosphere through the of greenhouse gases ( accounting for 20 percent ) possess the greatest threat these primates. This coupled with the need for bushmeat by the local hunting communities as well as the trafficking ot wildlife are causing great danger to the population of apes.

Jean Vie ChristopheI the deputy head of International Union of Conservationists Network species programme said that what is transpiring in southest Asia is horrifiing with over 90 percent of the primates species facing extinction especially in Cambodia and Vietnamn. Almost 70 percent of primates in Asia are classified as endangered, critical or vulnerable in the endangered list of species, implying they could face extinction soon.

Hunting for bushmeat as food and the trade in animals in Asia especially in China as pets and sources of medicine has only worsened the situation with the numbers of leaf monkeys, gibbons, golden monkeys, langurs and other species deminishing at a high rate.

In Africa for example, out of the 13 subspecies of red colobus monkeys, 11 subspecies are already enlisted as critically endangered whereas about 2 are presumed extinct. In other parts of the world, the situation is getting worse for primates with mountain gorillas, mouse lemurs are struggling to avoid extinction.

The president of conservation International, Russel Mittermeier A. said that they have solid data to prove that the situation is getting quite severe than they had previously imagined with reports that primates like Procolobus Badius waldroni that is Miss Waldron’s Red Colobus and the Procolobus pennantii bouvieri also known as Bouvier’s Red colobus monkey have not been seen for 20 and 25 years respectively.

The destruction of tropical rain forests and hunting for bushmeat are the major threat to the population of primates although in some parts where the habitats are still in good condition the hunting of primates for food has almost decimated entire colonies.

Mountain gorillas are classified into four different sub species and the mountain gorillas known as Gorilla beringi beringi which have been on the critically endangered list of species are being considered by researchers to be put on the list of as a result of their increased population, thanks to a great conservation effort by the international communities in conjunction with the local governments of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo together with the local communities surrounding the habi.

However, in about March, 2007 a total of eight of these mountain gorillas were killed and unfortunately one of the rangers seemed to have a hand in this and was arrested. This coupled with a the prevailing rebel activities in the region has further setback the conservation efforts in the region.

The review which was financed by the Margot Marsh Biodiversity Foundations, the International Union of Conservationists Network, Conservation International and Disney’s Animal Kingdom was part of the study of the world’s mammals.

To View Primates in Africa

• Gorilla tracking tour
• Gorilla safari
• Primate watching tour
• Uganda safari
• Africa safaris

While the behavior of mourning was once considered uniquely human, Gorilla Gana showed that the gap between us and the animal world is not as wide as many believe!
Gorillas, like humans, are great apes large, tailless primates that can use their hands to gather food and make nests. In fact, gorillas are very like us, 98% genetically like us to be exact. Gorillas usually have a strong attachment to their own kind. Like other apes with a well-developed social structure, gorillas mourn the death of loved ones. They exhibit both care for the dead and sadness at their passing - even keeping the body close until it begins decomposing.
Gana, the 11 year old gorilla at a zoo in the German city of Muenster appeared shocked, puzzled and bewildered by Claudio’s death. Allwetter Zoo spokeswoman Ilona Zuehlke says the 3-month-old male baby died on Saturday but its 11-year-old mother continues to carry its body around.
“On Wednesday he gave the impression to keepers that he wasn’t feeling too well,” said Mr. Adler. “On Friday he wasn’t eating or drinking properly and seemed to be growing weaker. We were keeping a close eye on him but suddenly, on Saturday morning, he died.
Visitors wept as Gana held the lifeless body of her child up in the air, in shock, unable to accept and seeking to restore his life. Hours passed, during which Gana continually prodded and caressed the dead child, to no effect.
By Monday, the zookeepers were still unable to get to the body of Claudio, so fiercely is Gana guarding him. “We will carry out an autopsy on the body when we can,” said Mr. Adler. “Gana doesn’t know it, but the whole of Germany is mourning with her.”
This should be a lesson to all of us and it’s important to know that Gorillas are complex, highly intelligent apes, besieged by threats on all sides, including poachers, and confined to a dwindling habitat that is in constant danger of being further eroded.
We should realize that gorillas are a symbol of national pride and unless you and me have more of an incentive to protect these beautiful creatures, the future of the gorillas will never be secure.

One way this can be effected is by offering gorilla tours to raise awareness about how precious these gentle giant apes are to both the tourists and the local communities that benefit from the tourism. Here are a few tailor made gorilla tour packages coupled with Uganda safari and Rwanda tours which are the home of mountain gorillas in addition the Democratic Republic of Congo

Mountaineering is an awe-inspiring adventure activity, this is much more so for those who eventually get to scale the summit. Hiking safaris take you through different terrains and vegetation as you ascend the different altitudes of the mountain depending on its geographical location. In Uganda the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Industry has gazzetted four mountains for mountain climbing. Mountain Rwenzori in the western region of the country is Africa’s third highest peak and offers great opportunities for tourists. The Rwenzori mountains see an average of over 1000 tourist anually. The other mountains are Mountain Moroto in the north eastern region, Mount Moroto in the east and Mount Muhavura in the south west of Uganda.

Early this month however, a French tourist, Debrisson de Lorach Daniel Patrick a 32 year old young man died while climbing the Rwenzoris. This was just 737 meters shy of the highest peak, Margherita at Kitandara hut.

According to the Public Relations officer of the Uganda Wildlife Authority, anyone wanting to trek any of these mountains needs to show a clean bill of health before they can be allowed to hike. Debrisson’s health report showed that he was in good shape and had no signs of complications. Bonabana Xevier, the guide said Debrisson started complaining of illness at Bujuku camp near Elena hut. He was then advised to discontinue his ascent however, he insisted saying he would get better. However, when his condition deteriorated Debrisson with his porter and the guide had to begin the descent to Kitandara from where things got worse and the Uganda Wildlife Authority rescue team was called in to offer first aid and bring him down the mountains however, he died before they could bring him to hospital. His body was later retrieved from the jungles of the mountains by a team over 80 members of the Rwenzori Mountaineering Services which runs business in the central Rwenzori.
The cause of his death has not yet been ascertained. Police said that the documents found on him showed that he was a French citizen working in China. The public relations officer of the Uganda Wildlife Authority notified the French Embassy who immediately dispatched officials to Kilembe mines hospital in Kasese district where the body of Debrisson was transferred to.

What happened is regrettable, since mountains offer a lot by way of development to the local communities within the region and to the government of Uganda as well.

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Mountain gorillas are some of the most endangered animal species in the world. There are only about 750 left in the wild due to great conservation efforts by the International community and the three countries of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, however, all this is being hampered by the presences of rebels in the protected areas where these gorillas are located. The Nkunda’s militia are in the sector where these mountain gorillas are located and are very aggressive to the international conservation organizations in the region like ICCN have declared that they will kill any conservationists that visit the area. This has been going on since september last year which was probably the worst month for the people involved in the conservation of these rare species of gorillas.
In addition these rebel leaders have trained their own so called tour guides whom they use to take unwitting tourists to track these gorillas. These tourists are mainly from Uganda and the rebel tour guides don’t respect the regulations that have been set to ensure that the mountain gorillas do not contract diseases from humans and are not disturbed.
Also the roads leading to Bukima have been heavily mined by the rebels further complicating the situation for the conservationists in the area.

Another factor affecting the conservation of gorillas is the dealing in charcoal by the local communities in the protected areas. The locals are destroying the habitats of the mountains by cutting down trees to make charcoal which is used as fuel for cooking.
To help protect these gorillas we raise awareness by offering; gorilla tracking tours, Uganda gorilla tour and Rwanda gorilla tour to Bwindi national park and Parc Des Volcanoes

The Uganda Wildlife Authority on the 20th of July had to cut down banana plantations that were in the protected areas of Semuliki wildlife reserve sparking off a row between the residents of the Kabarole district sub-county residents of Hakibaale and the parishes of Kiijura, Kabende and Kituule. This was during the openning of the expansion of the borders of the wildlife game reserve. This was in line with a Uganda Wildlife Authority survey done in 2004 in which wildlife reserves were identified nation-wide. Over fourty nine families had already farmed Tooro-Semuliki wildlife reserve however they had not constructed any buildings in the reserve.

When asked by journalists the Kibaale Conservation Area Chief Warden, Mr. Charles Tumwesigye said the plantations where destroyed because the residents had defied a one ultimatum issued by the Uganda Wildlife Conservation authorities to the people that had encroached on the protected area which was issued in February 2007. Mr. Charles Tumwesigye said that the planting of crops without building houses was indication the people knew they were encroaching on protected land.

For a Semliki national park tour or Uganda national parks tour visit the Uganda safari company.

Uganda is blessed with and abundant amount of natural resources which have yet to be properly utilized. Among these are its mountains. Mountain Rwenzori has the 3^rd highest mountain peak (Margherita summit) in East Africa Uganda after Mountain Kilimanjaro and Kenya respectively. The others are Mount Elgon in eastern Uganda and Mount Moroto in the North Eastern region of the country. The Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Industry in association with Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) have identified four of the countries main mountains to promote tourism in the area of mountain climbing.

The mountains that have been identified are Mountain Rwenzori in the west, Mount Moroto in the north east, Mountain Elgon in the East and Mount Muhabura in the south east. It is through ventures like these that the country is sure to not only protect but also increase the livelihood of the communities around these mountains through the improvement of the infrastructure.

This was announced by the state minister for Tourism, Trade and Industry, Mr Rukundo who became the first government minister to climb the Rwenzoris upto the Nyabitaba camp. It is recommended that it is imperative to have good knowledgeable guides and that the huts and accommodation facilities should be improved upon by the park officials of the four mountains.

Rwenzori mountains the most popular of the four has a bed capacity of 75 with about 1000 tourists visiting every year. However, according to Mr. Guma, the senior warden they intend to open five routes to the mountain and also increase the standards of the huts and facilities so as to see an increase in the number of tourists visiting the park.

For hiking mountain Rwenzori and Uganda Safari visit the Uganda guided tours company.

Mountain gorilla tour, mountain gorillas