Looking for a simple but memorable volcano hiking experience? No worries, Mgahinga gorilla national park offers the simplest but wonderful hiking experiences. With 3 dormant volcanoes within its heart, Mgahinga gorilla national park is a center for short hiking adventures done in one day guided by Africa Adventure Safaris. Much as most people know the park for mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and Batwa experience, Uganda safaris to Mgahinga gorilla national park is much more than primates. A Uganda tour to this park goes beyond to hiking experiences. A hike to the summit of any Volcano in Mgahinga national park leaves with a lifetime experience.

Mt Gahinga
This is the easiest and lowest Virunga volcano in Mgahinga gorilla national park.

Mount Gahinga – Mgahinga National Park

The summit of Mount Gahinga elevates at 3474 meters above the seas level. Mt Gahinga is locally translated as a pile of rocks which are seen almost everywhere in Kisoro and Mgahinga region. Hiking to the summit of Mt Gahinga takes roughly 6-7 hours via the bamboo forest and different vegetation zones. Initially, the summit of Mt Gahinga housed a crater lake but has overtime disappeared into a swamp.

Mt Sabyinyo
Standing at 3669 meters above the sea level, Mt Sabyinyo is the second highest volcano in Mgahinga Gorilla national park.

Mt Sabyinyo – Mgahinga Gorilla National park

Sabyinyo is locally translated as “old man; teeth” due to its shape. The volcano has three peaks shared by Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. A hike to the summit of Mt Sabyinyo, therefore, give travelers the chance to step in Congo, Uganda an Rwanda at the same time. No visa, no passport no any travel document to be in the three counties, only a hike t the summit of Sabyinyo volcano is enough. The hike to the summit takes roughly 8 hours to and from. Travelers must be physically fit and emotionally stable to succeed with this strenuous but wonderful experience. Expect to pass via steep rugged terrain-crawling on hand made ladders which turn out to be slippery especially in rains. Much the summit of the volcano is shared by Rwanda, Uganda, and Congo; hiking is only de from Uganda. On a good day, you may meet the endangered golden monkeys, which live in the bamboo forest between 2400 – 2800m. Rwenzori Turaco may be spotted in the subalpine zone at 3200 meters above sea level. The summit offers you stunning views of Rwanda, Uganda, and Congo plus a whole chain of Virunga Volcanoes.

Mount Muhabura
Translated as “the guide”, Mt Muhabura is the tallest Volcano

The peak of Mount Muhabura in Mgahinga

in Mgahinga gorilla national park standing at 4127 meters above the sea level. Mt Muhabura can be seen from a far distance and that’s why it was called a guide. Hiking to the summit of Mt Muhabura takes roughly 10 hours via different vegetation zones on Mgahinga gorilla national park. Travelers are therefore reminded to reach the starting pint as early as 7:00 am to start up the hike. Hiking Mount Muhabura is undeniably strenuous but the excitement you get after reaching the summit is worth the effort. Muhabura volcano summit offers you exceptional views of other Virunga Volcanoes, Rwenzori mountain ranges, Queen Elizabeth National park, and Lake Edward.

Sabyinyo gorge trail
Be part of this 6 kilometers walk through thick rests at the bottom f Mount Sabyinyo. Above you will be the rugged peaks of Mount Sabyinyo. Expect to see numerous primates, which include the endangered golden monkeys, forest elephants, and duikers that live in the Afro-montane forest. Trails are normally wet and slippery, physical fitness and mental preparedness is a key to the success of this hike.

Volcano hiking tips, packing list
Before every hiking, travelers are taken through a session of briefing about the hiking guide, tips, and safety advice.
• You must wear hiking boots, DO NOT hike in sandals
• Hire porters, He /she carries your baggage making hiking easier for you
• Carry enough drinking water
• Carry enough energy snacks and packed lunch
• Wear gardening gloves
• Pace your self, hiking at a very high speed will exhaust you
• Pack as lightly as possible
• Do physical exercises before the trip

Other activities to do in Mgahinga gorilla national park
Besides volcano climbing, travelers to Mgahinga gorilla national park have a variety of travel activities to take part in. These include among others:

Mountain gorilla trekking
The national park is home to Nyakagyezi gorilla family available for trekking. Every day, Mgahinga has 8 gorilla permits for the first time comers to trek and spend time with the one and only Nyakagyezi gorilla family. Fortunately, a gorilla permit to visit Nyakagyezi family cost $600 which is quite cheap and affordable compared o $1500 in neighboring Rwanda.

Golden monkey trekking
Mgahinga gorilla national park is home to the highest population of the endangered golden monkeys. Enjoy a magical encounter with golden monkeys, which play tireless jumping across tree branches. A single permit to trek golden monkeys costs $100 affordable for all travelers even those on budget.

Batwa cultural trail
Join the Batwa cultural trail

Batwa Pygmies hunting in Mgahinga

to learn about Batwa pygmies’ traditional forest life. You will be guided into Mgahinga forest to hunt, pick medical hers, collect honey and visit Ngarama cave where Batwa pygmies performed the cultural ritual and offered sacrifices to their gods. Enjoy the traditional dances, songs and stories of Batwa which all tell about their forest life and how they lived harmoniously with wild animals.

To book a volcano-hiking trip, Contact Africa Adventure Safaris for a tailor-made volcano hiking package at affordable rates.

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With gorilla adoption, the animals are not removed from the wild to be taken home like pets by those who adopt them. Gorillas are wild animals and they cannot be domesticated. Adopting a gorilla is symbolic, it means giving funds that are directed towards protecting the lives of gorillas in the wild. Gorillas are adopted through the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Organization that is dedicated to gorilla conservation. Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is the world’s largest and longest-running organization for gorilla conservation.

The organization is dedicated to the conservation of gorillas through protecting gorilla families, study how they live, and they also make an effort to teach local communities and future leaders to do the same.

How did gorilla adoption come about?

The Dian Fossey Fund originated from 1967 when American primatologist Dian Fossey founded the Karisoke Research Center in Rwanda’s Virunga Mountains which is today Volcanoes National park to protect and study the mountain gorillas.

The move to save these species was carried on even after the death of Dian Fossey in 1985 growing into an internationally recognized organization that is dedicated to saving gorillas and helping people around the gorilla community.

What is involved in adopting a gorilla?

According to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, when you adopt a gorilla you or your gift recipient will immediately receive the following packages via email

• A personalized, ready-to-display adoption certificate with a full-color color photo of the gorilla you have adopted

• A profile with beautiful images of your gorilla along with detailed information from the field

• A digital subscription to the Gorilla journal, the Fossey Fund’s quarterly newsletter

• A special video of your adopted gorilla, and a gorilla coloring page.

The organization states that when people adopt gorillas symbolically, through the Fund, you help ensure that they are protected together with their wildness for the generation to come.

The gorillas that are monitored and protected everyday are truly wild and they are not under captivity in a sanctuary. However, today the gorilla habitat is also shared with some humans. This means that there is some effort that needs to be taken to ensure that the two live in harmony without posing any threat to the existence of mountain gorillas.

Why should you adopt a gorilla?

According to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund organization, the experts in saving, conservation only happens when individuals join with organizations to protect and save vulnerable species so that we can all thrive together.

The intensive gorilla protection program that began 51 years ago with Dian Fossey herself has helped mountain gorillas to reach a historic milestone. Their number has steadily increased in the past 30 years to about 1,000 that are living in the wild today.

However, if the conservation efforts are not upheld and intensified, the status of mountain gorillas could easily change due to poaching, habitat loss, disease, climate change and several other threats.

Through gorilla adoption, you help ensure that these endangered species remain protected and you can do this from anywhere on the planet. Gorilla adoption makes a direct significant impact in the lives of these endangered animals as well as the communities that live around them.

Every donation saves a gorilla and changes lives and the recipient of such funds work hard to ensure that every dollar received to its fullest potential to conserve the endangered wildlife and their habitat.

About mountain gorillas

There are about 1,000 mountain gorillas in the wild today living in just two isolated locations though within the same region in the whole world. The two regions are; Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda and the Virunga Mountains that consist three different national parks with gorillas including Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda.

Mountain gorillas live in high-altitude montane bamboo forests with bamboo shoots and leave acting as the main foodstuff for the gorillas.

mountain gorillas live in groups or troops of between 15-35 individuals comprised of several females and young ones under the leadership of one dominant male known as a silverback.
Gorillas are the largest living primates and they share 98% of the human DNA.

gorilla tourism through gorilla safaris and gorilla tours has greatly contributed and boosted the development of the tourism sectors of Rwanda, Uganda and Congo and the sector is currently the highest foreign exchange earner in both Uganda and Rwanda. This has resulted in economic growth in these countries through the creation of jobs, infrastructure development in terms of roads, hotels, and lodges among others.

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It is now 25 years since the genocide that claimed over a million lives in Rwanda ended and the celebration to ark this big milestone are in high gear in the capital Kigali and across the country.

The major celebrations have been organized in Amahoro National Stadium in Kigali and all roads are heading there. The Liberation Anniversary is running under the theme, “Together, We Prosper”.

About seven foreign Heads of State across the continent and other high profile international diplomats are expected to attend the celebrations.

President Paul Kagame who was one of the key figures in the Liberation struggle will address the audience at the event and performances from several other groups including the army will follow thereafter.

This week has been marked off as a liberation week with two liberation concerts to take place in Kigali in the later hours while the movie “The 600”, that depicts the heroes of the struggle will be premiered on Friday.

The movie depicts the bravery and heroism of the 600 soldiers of the liberation army the RPA who provided cover for the RPF politicians during the negotiations for a unity government from the Arusha Accords.

The same group was then faced with rescuing people from the emerging genocide that was being organized after the peace deal had collapsed.

They are celebration points that have been organized across the country where citizens are expected to gather to reflect on the liberation struggle, the recovery and discuss views of how they can consolidate the achievements and handle how to handle the challenges.

Globally, the Liberation Day will be marked with events in different parts of the world especially in areas with a good number of Rwandans.

The Rwanda Liberation Day marks the day when the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) under the leadership of current president Paul Kagame successfully defeated the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide hence bringing it to and end on July 4 1994.

There were 100 days of gruesome bloodshed across the country before it was finally stopped by the RPF forces and the country every year marks these days between April and July with the Liberation Day marking the end.

The genocide that was perpetrated and backed by the then government under former President Juvenile Habyarimana claimed over a million people. The government used its militia group FAR and Interahamwe to mobilize and inspire the genocide against the Tutsi, the minority tribe who were massacred by the majority Hutu whose government was in power.

It is reported that some of the remnants of the Interahamwe who perpetrated the genocide against the Tutsi are still living in hideouts in the neighboring DR Congo and they are under various small militia groups including FDLR as the main one.

However, apart from those still at large, most of the perpetrators have been brought to justice and tried through Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda set by the United Nations. Others were also tried locally through the country’s semi-traditional justice system known as Gacaca.

Despite this dark history of Rwanda, the country has taken significant strides of development and today the country is ranked high among the fastest growing economies in Africa.

Rwanda has made tremendous progress in the areas of security, peace, unity, reconciliation and reconstruction in these 25 years thanks to the great effort from president Kagame who launched the “Never again”, campaign calling upon citizens never to allow genocide to happen in Rwanda again.

Tourism is one of the key sectors that Rwanda has really developed making it the highest foreign exchange earner for the country currently and in the previous few years.

The political stability in Rwanda has encouraged thousands of tourists to visit Rwanda for her thrilling wildlife safaris like gorilla trekking, game viewing, birding, mountain hiking, cultural and historical tours, among others.

Recently the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) signed a deal with English football club Arsenal to market Rwanda’s tourism potentials under the “Visit Rwanda” campaign. This and more explains how determined the country is to ensure they reach the very top in terms of development and put all the dark history of the genocide aside.

For more information about Rwanda or booking a safari to Rwanda click here.

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Five black Rhinos have been translocated from Czech Republic to Rwanda to boost the population of these critically endangered animals in Akagera national park.

The rhinos include three females and two males aged between two and nine years. Jasiri, Jasmina and Manny were born in Dvur Kralove in Czech Republic; Olmoti was raised from Flamingo Land in the UK while Mandela comes from Ree Park Safari in Denmark.

The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) had announced the translocation of these rhinos from Europe last week.

The rhinos have been donated by to the Rwanda Development Board by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) to boost the population of black rhinos in Akagera National Park.

Africa has got fewer than 5,000 wild black rhinos due to the threat of poaching that claimed the lives of many rhinos in previous years.

The transportation of animals for over 3,700 miles (6,000km) is the longest ever transportation of rhinos from Europe to Africa.

In 2017, Akagera national park also received 18 rhinos that were brought from South Africa following the extinction of these species in Rwanda due to poaching.

All the five rhinos had been kept at Safari Park Dvur Kralove in order to be trained to live in the wild before they could be flown to Rwanda.
They have undergone several months of training as a way of their preparation for the 30-hour long journey from Czech Republic to Rwanda.

The animals were put in custom-made crates in which they were transported to Kigali International Airport in Rwanda.

There have been great to eliminate poaching in Akagera national park in recent years which has allowed the reintroduction of several species including lions that were brought in 2015 and their population is blossoming in the park since then.

Lions in Akagera National Park

The park’s management which is under African Parks has ensured the restoration of wildlife and the reintroduction of several species to boost ecotourism.

The new rhinos will be under study as they get used to their new environment and they are expected to be a huge boost to the ecosystem in the area.

Speaking about the arrival of the rhinos, the CEO of RDB Clare Akamanzi said that it will enhance the ecosystem in the park.

“The translocation of five rhinos from European zoos to Rwanda will further enhance the natural ecosystem in Akagera National Park. Today poaching is almost non-existent in our four national parks, and we are confident that these rhinos will thrive in their natural habitat. They are a positive addition to Akagera, a park where tourists can now visit to see the African Big Five.” Said Akamanzi.

In addition to boosting the ecosystem, Rwanda will be hoping that the arrival of these new critically endangered animals will add to the revenues fetched from the tourism industry and other related activities at large.

Of recent, Rwanda has started fetching revenue from meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE tourism) in addition to that collected from wildlife tourism activities like gorilla trekking, game viewing, birding, among others.

The completion of the Kigali Convention Center in 2016 has greatly boosted MICE tourism in Rwanda. In 2018 the city of Kigali was ranked second to Cape Town in South Africa as the most popular destination for international conferences and events by the International Congress and Convention Association.

What else to see at Akagera National Park

Akagera National Park lies in the relatively low-lying plains of Eastern Rwanda made of several vegetation zones including savanna, woodland, wetland with several lakes.

Akagera is Rwanda’s only savanna park ideal for wildlife safari encounters like game viewing with all Africa’s big five game present including lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopard, and the rhinos. Other common game in the park include antelopes, zebras, giraffes, among others.

The park also hosts several other species including primates like monkeys, baboons and over 490 species of birds which include some Albertine Rift endemics.

A herd of buffaloes in Akagera National Park

A boat cruise on Lake Ihema within the park takes you close to some of the aquatic species of the park that include large pods of hippos, Nile crocodiles and several water birds

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Unless when you are doing a 1-day Rwanda gorilla trek, you will definitely need an overnight stay near Volcanoes National park. Its undeniable that night stay at a safe, comfortable and convenient lodge is the first step for an enjoyable gorilla trekking safari. Endeavor to book lodges, which guarantee you a peaceful night, and sleep that makes you wake up fresh and happy. Interestingly, numerous lodges and camps have been established near the Volcanoes national park to offer you excellent food and sleeping services. These lodges offer luxury, midrange and budget accommodation services depending on a traveler choice and budget. Africa Adventure Safaris offers you the best gorilla trekking lodges in Volcanoes National park. These include among others:

Mountain gorilla View Lodge
This 5-star lodge is located on the foothills of Mt Karisimbi at the edge of Volcanoes National park. Mountain Gorilla View Lodge is only 10 minutes drive to the park headquarters in Kinigi hence your best lodge to stay for gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National park. The structure of the lodge is eco-friendly made of local materials. MGVL comprises of 30 spacious rooms each with a private balcony, seating area, clear views of the Virunga volcanoes and are all self-contained. The arrangement can be single, double, twin, triple and family depending on the number of travelers received and their choice of sleeping arrangements. The lodge provides a ready market for farm produce by the neighboring communities, which has helped to improve the standards of living for local people. The 3B group of hotels in Rwanda who also manage Frame Tree Village and Kivu Lodge manages mountain Gorilla View Lodge.

Da Vinci Gorilla Lodge
Lying in the shadows of Mt Karisimbi, Da Vinci lodge is your ultimate place to stay on your gorilla safari to Volcanoes National park. The lodge is located 20 minutes drive to the park headquarters in Kiningi, which ease clients transfers to and from the park. The specular natural and well-designed rooms overlooking the Virunga volcanoes and the park guarantee you a comfortable and enjoyable stay. Room arrangement is single, double, twin and triple depending on the travelers’ choice. The bar and restaurant serve all types of local and international foods/drinks all day and night as requested by a client. The staff at Da Vinci Lodge is hospitable, kind and sensitive to travelers needs all times. Among the activities you can do while staying at Da Vinci gorilla lodge include mountain gorilla trekking, Mount Karisimbi Hiking, cycling, village tours, and Mt Bisoke hiking.

Bisate Lodge
Officially launched in 2017, Bisate lodge is Rwanda’s newest lodge, which offers exclusive sleeping, and food services. The lodge is run by Wilderness Safaris located in the natural amphitheater of an eroded volcanic cone overlooking Bisoke and Karisimbi Volcanoes. The lodge has six luxury villas each with a private balcony, self-contained, enough seating area and spectacular views. The short distance from Bisate lodge to the park headquarters make a transfer for gorilla trekking easier and time-saving. The activities o do at the lodge include guided forest walks, gorilla tracking on foot, cultural tours and massage treatment at a less cost.

Sabyinyo Silverback gorilla Lodge
This five-star lodge is situated in Musanze few meters from the headquarters of Volcanoes National park overlooking the Virunga volcanoes in Uganda and Rwanda. The lodge comprises of 8 self-contained cottages each with a private balcony, seating area, dressing room, charging area, fireplace and clear views of the surrounding areas. Rooms are arranged as singles, twins, doubles, triples and family cottage for family tours. The lodge also has a library with all conservation books and travel magazines plus a game room.

Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge
If you are looking for mid-range accommodation services, Le Bambou Gorilla Lodge is your best place to stay. The lodge comprises of 23 self-contained cottages made of bamboo materials. The services at the lodge include free Wi-Fi, airport transfers, bar, restaurant, seating area, parking, and all room services as requested. The lodge is located a short distance to the park headquarters which ease transfer to and from the park.

Contact Africa Adventure Safaris today, book a comfortable gorilla trekking lodge at affordable rates and enjoy your Rwanda safari to Volcanoes National Park.

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A Rwanda-Uganda safari tour has got more than enough to offer with plenty of exciting items on the menu including gorilla trekking, safari drive, primates tour, volcano hike, cultural and historical tour, community visits, among others. Africa Adventure Safaris offers you tailormade Uganda and Rwanda combined safaris  to help you discover and experience the gem in each country

The tour starts in Rwanda with a Kigali city tour that includes visiting several places in the city including the Nyamirambo Women’s Center, Genocide Memorials, and local market, among others as time may allow you.

From Kigali, you proceed northwards to Volcanoes national park for the rest of your safari activities in Rwanda.

Your detailed itinerary

Upon your arrival, you can take some time to explore the city of Kigali, one of the most beautiful cities on the African continent. The city is well known for its pleasant, friendly and clean environment.
There are several interesting and historical sites within and outside the city.

From Kigali, you can now head northwards to Volcanoes national park. The park shares a border with other two national parks though each of the three is located in a different country but gazetted within one major conservation region known as the Virunga Conservation Area or the Virunga Mountains. The other two parks in the area include Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. The major uniting factor for all these three parks are the mountain gorillas that are found in each of the parks.

The Rwanda side where Volcanoes National Park is found has also got five of the eight volcanoes of the Virunga Mountains. The park is covered by mountain forests with bamboo which is a favorite snack for the gorillas.

In addition to mountain gorillas, there are several other wildlife species that can be seen within Volcanoes National Park. they include; golden monkeys, numerous bird species, buffaloes, bushbucks, hyenas, and forest elephants, among others.

Golden Monkey-trekking and Karisoke hike

Some of the Golden Monkeys in Volcanoes National Park

The afternoon arrival at the park may subject you to lighter activities like golden monkey tracking where you can watch these playful and lively primates enjoying their natural habitat. A visit to Karisoke Research Center, founded by American Primatologist Dr. Dian Fossey in 1967. At this point, a resident researcher takes you on a tour to learn about the ongoing work in the protection and conservation of mountain gorillas.

Later in the evening, you can expand your knowledge of mountain gorillas by attending an in-depth lecture about the life of mountain gorillas by one of the wardens of Volcanoes National Park.

Note that golden monkeys are also found in the same jungle as mountain gorillas and therefore proper hiking attire must be worn. The trekking takes place in a rainforest with dense vegetation, nettles, and undergrowth and sometimes in muddy terrain.

Just like with mountain gorillas, one is spent with the golden monkeys as park the trekking rules and regulations to ensure their protection and conservation. Visitors with any contagious infection including common colds are not allowed to trek the golden monkeys to ensure their safety.

Mountain Gorilla Trekking

Trekkers photographing Mountain Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park

There are currently approximately 1000 mountain gorillas that live within their habitats in Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC. The gorillas found within this area are known as highland gorillas.

There are up to ten habituated gorilla families that can be visited at Volcanoes National Park. Each habituated gorilla family is visited once per day by a group of 8 trekkers who must be above 15 years each.

Trekkers are allowed to spend a maximum of 1 hour in the presence of gorillas for conservation reasons and also to enable these apes to enjoy their natural habitat without any human interference.

Gorilla trekkers are always advised to be well prepared in terms of hiking gear, snacks, and drinking water as treks to the gorilla family may take between 2-4 hours depending on where the gorillas may be.

Some of the major gorilla trekking dos and don’ts include not touching the gorillas however nearer they come towards you, avoid making noise and sudden movements. Keeping a distance of at least 7 meters away from the gorillas is always recommended and you are advised to move away slowly as a gorilla may try to get close.

Elderly and less energetic trekkers are advised to hire a porter who is available at $15-$20. A porter can help you not only carry your day pack but also can help you with a helping hand where the trek may get difficult.
Hiring a porter also a source of employment and support to the local community.

Mountain gorillas share 98% of the human DNA and therefore they can easily catch human infections. Due to this, trekkers who are unwell with contagious illnesses like a common cold are not allowed to trek as a way of protecting the mountain gorillas.

More wildlife experience in Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda

After the gorilla trekking encounter in Volcanoes National Park, you will cross the border into Uganda and head northwest to Queen Elizabeth National Park for another unique wildlife experience.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is dominated by an open savannah plain, a large swamp area around Lakes George and Edward, surrounded by the extensive Maramagambo forest in the southeast and the Kyambura Gorge forest at the border with Kyambura Game Reserve.

Before exploring the wonders of Queen Elizabeth National Park, you may first go chimpanzee tracking in the morning in the primate-rich area of Kalinzu Forest Reserve that hosts thousands of these close relatives.

A Chimpanzee hanging in the tree branches in Kalinzu Forest

After your chimpanzee tracking adventure in Kalizu, you will head straight into Queen Elizabeth National Park for an afternoon game drive. Meet both large and small game that reside in the park including elephants, buffaloes, leopard, lions, hyenas, giant forest hogs, warthogs, and several antelope species.

Don’t miss out on seeing one of the wonders of the park, the tree-climbing lions that spend their day while resting high up in the tree branches in the Ishasha sector of the park

Later in the afternoon go for a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel within the park where you view several hippos, birds, elephants, and some big cats.

The following morning you set off to Entebbe International Airport for your return flight but you will have a stopover at the equator crossing for photographs and lunch.

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World tourism industry is unsure of the sustainability of some animal and bird species that may be lost forever in the near future. These species are greatly lost to poaching and loss of habitats by human encroachment. It’s undeniable that the population of various animals has greatly reduced from time to time with no sign of increasing. In May 2019, the world lost its last male Sumatran rhino leaving behind only one female Sumatran rhino. Similarly, in 2018, world tourism lost its white Rhino that was surviving in Northern Kenya of South Sudan. The tragic loss of these species disrupts the world’s economic growth through foreign exchange earning. The question now is what can be done to reverse the extinction of these endangered species like rhinos to conserve them for sustainable use. Check the list of species consigned to near extinction.

Mountain gorillas
If it were not the efforts of Dian Fossey who lost her life to save them, mountain gorillas would be nowhere by now. Surviving in the jungle forests of Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo, mountain gorillas are one of the world’s endangered species that nearly faced extinction. The world today has 1004 mountain gorillas living in Bwindi forest national park Uganda and the Virunga conservation area shared by Volcanoes, Virunga and Mgahinga gorilla parks in Rwanda, Congo and Uganda respectively. Lowland gorillas in western Central Africa are also facing massive population declines to Ebola. Other animals in Congo facing extinction are Bonobo, chimpanzees and Sumatran Orangutan.

Ethiopian Wolf

With only 500 species surviving in Bale Mountain National park of Ethiopia, Ethiopian wolf is the most endangered carnivore in the world. The wolves are lost to diseases contracted from domestic dogs, and loss of habit by local people to expand land for farming and settlement.

The Pangolin’s
Mainly found in South Africa, pangolin’s population has continued to reduce day by day. Pangolins are massively killed for scales to make some traditional medicine in Asia. Illegal traffickers kill pangolins mercilessly for profitable scales in the black market.

Grey colored black rhinos
With less than 5000 individuals left in the whole world, grey colored black rhinos are at great risk of extinction. The critically endangered species are killed for their profitable horns. The surviving population of grey colored black rhinos lives in protected areas of Tanzania, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.

African Wild Dogs

Roaming in the savannah parks of Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa, African wild dogs may be no more in the near future. The whole world is remaining with less than 5000 species a drop from 500,000 wild. The major threat to wild dogs is limited access to complex hunting areas, which they require for survival. Their habitats have been cleared by people to expand and for settlement and agriculture.

African Penguin

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) confirmed that African Penguins are facing a great risk of extinction. The endemic species in the Cape Peninsula of South Africa are increasingly dying due to lack of food. The exhaustion of their food sources and change in climate are the reasons for the increased loss of African Penguin. The major source of food for African Penguin is fish which are hard to find. The cause in climate has made fish stocks to go farther west hence the scarcity of food for the endemic species.

Rothschild’s Giraffe
With less than 100,000 Rothschild’s giraffes surviving in L.Nakuru Kenya, Murchison falls and L.Mburo national parks in Uganda, Rothschild giraffes may be no more in few years to come. Since 1985, the number of Rothschild’s giraffe has reduced by over 40%, an indication that this species is indeed under threat. Rothschild is one of the nine giraffe species in the world. The broader dividing white lines and lack of spotting below the knees make Rothschild’s giraffe different from other giraffe species.

Sumatran Rhinos

This is the smallest rhino species, which weighs 960 kilograms. The endangered species roam in the jungles of Sumatra Island and Indonesia. At present, the world has less than 100 Sumatran Rhinos a drop from 800 rhinos that lived in 1986. Java Rhino is also greatly greatened with only 291 individuals surviving on the island of Indonesia as of 2012.

Cats
Among the greatly threatened cats are jaguar, tigers, cheetah, and leopards among others. The great threat to cats is poaching and loss of habitat loss to human activities especially for agriculture and settlement.

Elephants
Highly killed for their ivory and hides, Elephants of Sumatra in Asia and Africa are at a great threat of extinction. Also, elephants are facing a great loss of habitat due to deforestation for expanded settlement and agricultural land.

Sea Turtles

Sea turtles could not miss on this red list of critically endangered species. These species are highly threatened by accidental fishing and water contamination by people living adjacent to lakes. Also, sea turtles are hunted for their eggs, shell, and meat, which has continuously reduced their populations all over the world.

Besides animals, the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s red list shows over 190 bird species, which are at an extremely high risk of extinction. 27 of these dwell in the tropical forests of Africa. The major threats to birds include habitat loss and predators such as Mice, monkeys, and cats among others.

There is great fear by the elders of Batwa pygmies regarding the survival of their traditions and culture for their future generations. Batwa is a minority tribe surviving in forest edges of Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Before the introduction of gorilla tourism and conservation in gorilla national parks, Batwa pygmies were the permanent dwellers of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Mgahinga, Volcanoes Park and Virunga national parks. Batwa depended fully on the forest for a livelihood and appreciated the forest and their God-given resource, which they enjoyed with no limit.

Batwa lived harmoniously with wild animals for thousands of years until 1991 when gorilla tourism was introduced in the two national parks. Batwa were evacuated from the forest and forced to live in the boundaries of the forest. From then, Batwa were restricted from accessing the forest and all its resources, something that negatively affected the lives of the minority Batwa. Unfortunately, Batwa did not own any land hence did not qualify for any compensation from the government. The loss of access to the forest is slowly killing the traditional culture of Batwa pygmies. Elderly Batwa fear the loss of their Batwa identity, culture and language, which they believe their grandchildren will miss.

What happened after eviction from the forest?
After the introduction of gorilla tourism, Batwa were evicted to the boundaries of the forest. Batwa were further scattered into different groups and forced to live in places like Mpunga, Buhoma, Kitalito, Kebiroma, Mgahinga, Ruhija and Kisoro among others. The splitting of Batwa into different groups scattered them to different communities was the start of their disconnection. The Batwa pygmies have failed to adapt to a new life as their numbers and life expectancy reduces day by day. Also, the fact that Batwa had never settled in one location, the nomads had no land to claim hence did not call for any compensation from the government. However, as its role, the government promised to accommodate Batwa and find land for them but he has never happened due to a slow process.

Batwa culture
Batwa culture had and still strongly attached to the forest. The loss of their forest life, therefore, worry them that their culture will eventually disappear in the near future denying the future generation from enjoying their forest life. The restriction of Batwa from accessing the forest denies the young ones a chance to access their school for culture, which is in the forest.

What has been done?
In order to involve Batwa in tourism-related activities in Bwindi/Mgahinga forest national parks, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) with the support of government and other Nongovernmental organizations have come up with Batwa cultural experience”. The activity is all about learning about Batwa forest life. The experience is now done in Mgahinga forest also home to Nyakagyezi gorilla family. Also a local community-based organization “Change a life Bwindi” is setting up a Batwa heritage Centre where Batwa will gather and showcase their traditions to visitors. Also, the center will be a training area for Batwa children about their grandparents’ forest life and how they lived in harmony with wild animals in the jungle.

What does Batwa cultural experience entail?
Also known as Batwa cultural trail, the experience is all about learning Batwa traditional forest life. Here Batwa pygmies lead travelers into the forest to perform different Batwa forest activities. These include hunting, fruit gathering, collecting honey, visiting Ngarama cave and searching medicinal herbs among others. Also in this experience, Batwa perform their traditional dances, songs that make travelers feel like part of the Batwa community. Of recent, Uganda Wildlife authority together with Uganda Tourism Board and the Ministry of Tourism launched another Batwa experience route in Bwindi forest national park. Batwa cultural experience is an add on to gorilla trekking in Bwindi forest and Mgahinga which together make a complete safari package to southwestern Uganda.

How much is a Batwa cultural experience?
Every traveler doing a Batwa cultural trail pays $80 to Uganda Wildlife Authority. This money is entirely given back to Batwa to improve their standards of living. Also, Batwa work as guides and porters in this experience, which earn them extra money.
Visiting and spending time with Batwa pygmies is one form of cultural tourism in Uganda. The involvement of Batwa in tourism activities indicates that the government thinks much of Batwa and wants the best of them.

There are countless things you can do and see in Africa. However, some travel experiences out stand the other ones. Deciding the best travel activities in Africa is usually hard given the numerous features Africa is naturally blessed with. The continent is highly known for her ultimate and remarkable safari experiences some of which are hardly found elsewhere in the whole world. The combination of endangered species, beautiful sceneries, mountains, rivers, lakes and indigenous cultures make Africa a must visit destination. Depending on your choice, available time and travel interests, Africa offers it all to meet, satisfy and exceed your travel expectations. Do you want to trek the famous mountain gorillas, hike a mountain, see the great wildebeest migration or enjoy the sand beaches? No worries, Africa Adventure Safaris bring you the top experiences to do in Africa for a lifetime experience.

• Gorilla trekking/watching
Visit and track mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and the democratic republic of Congo. With roughly 1004 mountain gorillas surviving in the whole world, mountain gorilla trekking is a must do on your African Safari. The gentle giants reside in the jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable forest/Mgahinga gorilla national park in Uganda, Volcanoes National park in Rwanda and Virunga national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mountain gorillas are habituated into different gorilla families each visited by a group of eight travelers per day. Interestingly, both short and long time travelers can do this once in a lifetime experience. Gorilla trips range from a 1-day gorilla trek in either Rwanda or Uganda to more days depending on the traveler’s available time. A simple briefing about the do’s and don’ts while with mountain gorillas precedes every trekking. Travelers are advised to follow trekking rules and regulation to ensure peaceful and memorable gorilla encounter.

• Bush to Beach Safari
Do not miss the combination of scenic inland wilderness and tropical beaches on your safari to Africa. After stressful adventures like gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tours or even mountain hiking, every traveler needs a bush to beach safari for refreshment. Relaxing at the beaches is the best way to cool off from stress of strenuous activities. Go game viewing in the vast savannahs of Africa, hike to the top of African mountains and enjoy the beauty of nature with no limit. On your visit to the coastal regions, expect to see abundance of marine species, and pristine coral reefs among various aquatic activities. The must do activities on waters include kite surfing, sailing, Scuba diving, Snorkeling, windsurfing and jet skiing among others. Best countries for bush to beach experiences include South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique, Madagascar and Namibia among others. Enjoy the gentle seaside breeze, cool waters and fresh air with no disruption.

• Victoria Falls/ Swimming in the Devil’s pool
Victoria Falls is one of the Seven world’s Wonders, a must visit in Zambia. The mighty falls flow streams from Zambezi River through Zambia and Zimbabwe. Enjoy a boat ride on Zambezi River to the top of the falls rewarding you with a clear over look to the edge. A boat ride is accompanied by other significant activities like kayaking, abseiling and bungee jumping among others. Also, a swim in the devil’s pool is one of the not miss ventures on every African Safari. To ensure safety, 24 people are allowed at a time into the pool. Alternatively, travelers can lie at the edge of the pool overlooking into the falls meters a way. Swimming at in the devils pool is one of the unforgettable experiences, worth bragging though not for the fain hearted.

• Sahara Desert
Spread over 9,200,000 square kilometers, Sahara desert is the third largest desert in the world following Antarctica and the Arctic oceans. Over eleven countries including Libya, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Western Sahara, Mauritania, Chad, Niger, Mali, Sudan and Tunisia share Sahara desert. The desert can be reached by either sailing down the Nile or by riding on a camel. A boat cruise along the Nile River reward you with great view of the Nile, neighboring villages and occasional wildlife. You will sail through ancient Thebes, valleys of the kings, El Amarna and Naga Hammadi among other prominent areas. Enjoy a sunset camel ride for impeded views of the beautiful night star-filled sky. Also, a safari to the Sahara desert is an opportunity to live the lifestyles of Nomads and a chance to see desert animals like mountain sheep, cats, antelopes, rodents, gazelles and lots of bird species. Emi koussi is the highest point in the Sahara desert.

• Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
Located in northeastern Tanzania, Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest mountain standing at 19341ft. Kilimanjaro is also the highest freestanding mountain in the world and was formed by volcanic eruption. Travelers hiking Mount Kilimanjaro have a chance to experience five different ecological zones as elevation increases. Besides hiking, Mount Kilimanjaro is a national park, home to countless wild animals and birds. Expect to see the big five game in the slopes of Mount Rwenzori with numerous animals include elephants, mongoose, buffalos, baboons, leopards, colubus monkeys and bush pigs among others.

Are you ready now? Book an African safari today, meet face to face with the endangered mountain gorillas, cruise at the bottom of victoria falls, enjoy the safari bush and beach safari and hike to the top of Mount Rwenzori for a once in lifetime experience.

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