Lion tracking research is an off beaten experience in Queen Elizabeth National Park. It’s an exceptional encounter with the kings of the jungle in their natural habitat. The experience rewards you with an up close encounter with lions unlike in mere game drives. Lion tracking is almost similar to mountain gorilla habituation experience in Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. The experience is all about in depth research about lions, their feeding habits, social habitats, and lifestyle of lions in the wilderness. The experience is managed by the Uganda Carnivore project aimed at educating local people on how they can live in harmony and close proximity with lions. A limited number of travelers are allowed to take part in this experience unlike in regular game drives where there is no limit on the number of participants. Lions are one the most sought after animals in Uganda that every traveler yearns to see on his/her Uganda safari. Lions rank second after mountain gorillas in attracting the highest number of traveler to the Pearl of Africa. Interestingly, lion population has steadily increased day by day which give hope for sustainable lion tracking in Uganda. A new pride of 11 lions recently spotted near Hamukungu in Queen Elizabeth national park a clear indication that the population of lions in Uganda is steadily increasing.

When to book for lion tracking experience
You are advised to book for lion tracking experience as early as possible. High demand for this experience is a reason why interested travelers are advised to book as early as possible.

How is it done?
To trace lion’s movements, Park management set radio callers in the jungle to trace the movement of lions. Whenever a pride of lions pass by the radio caller, it automatically alerts the team of researchers on which side are the lions. Researchers together with travelers will then follow the movement of lions as alerted by the radio call.

How much is lion tracking?
Lion tracking experience costs $50 for foreign residents and UGX 100,000 for Ugandan residents and members of east African community. Bookings and Payment are made to Uganda wildlife Authority a government body responsible for tourism and wildlife conservation in Uganda. Alternatively, you can book through Africa Adventure safaris, the number of travel agent in offering memorable Uganda safaris and other wildlife experience in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo. $10 of all money collected from lion tracking is given to Uganda Carnivores project to ensure continuous conservation of lions in Queen Elizabeth national park.

Where to do lion tracking in Uganda
Lion tracking is only done in Queen Elizabeth national park; Uganda’s second largest and oldest national park. The experience is done in Kasenyi plains which also has a high concentration of animals like elephants, buffalos, and antelopes among others. These together give travelers reward travelers with memorable Uganda safari experience. The experience lasts for 2-3 hours leaving travelers with a memorable experience.

When to do lion tracking
Lion tracking is all done all year round. Travelers can therefore book a lion-tracking safari any time of the year with no fear. Regarding the time, the experience is done in the morning at 8:00am and early evening to catch-up with lions hunting before they retire to day and night rests.

Why limited number of participants?
Like said before, few people take part in the exceptional lion tracking experience. The activity is done on first come forest serve basis with no compromise. The reason for the limited number of participants is to ensure accurate research with no congestion. Also, crowds of travelers often stress and disrupt animals forcing them to behave wildly. Few travelers therefore allow lions to keep calm hence accurate research and information. Travelers also have enough space and time to capture nice photos and videos unlike in mere game drives.

How to trace lions’ movements?
Besides following the radio calls, travelers follow the movements of lions by different signals. Travelers are always reminded to listen to nocturnal vocals with loud roars of lions and hyenas laughing loud. Also, look out for the bent grasses in the plains.

How do lions make their territories?
Each pride of lion (25-30) members ha a territory where it belongs. One king who does not allow any other king around his territory leads the pride. To garzete his territory, the male lion rubs his hind feet in the ground to mark his territory. Also the king of the ride urinates on the tree stems, bushes and trails to inform other kings that the territory belongs to him. Male lions have black manes that make them different from other lions.

Other activities o do in queen Elizabeth national park
Queen Elizabeth national park is rich in activities and attractions. The park has a high concentration of wildlife in Uganda and hence on the most visited parks in the pear of Africa. Among other activities to do in Queen Elizabeth national park include:
• Game viewing
This is key activity in Queen Elizabeth national park. The savannah plains of the park shelter various animals including elephants, buffalos, Uganda kobs, warthogs water bucks, leopards, ands, hippos and hyenas among others. Morning and evening game drives reward travelers with spectacular views of animals browsing and hunting in the open savannahs. Donot miss driving through ishasha sector a spot for tree climbing lions seen resting lazily in acacia trees.
• Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge
• Birding watching
• Local community visits
• Boat cruise at kazinga channel
• Mongoose tracking
• Visiting crate lakes (Katwe salt lake, and Munyanyange for flamingoes) among others.
• Bat watching
• Forest/nature walks
In general, Queen Elizabeth national pack has it all to meet, satisfy and exceed your travel expectations on your Uganda safari. Go lion tracking in kasenyi plains, track chimpanzees in Kyambura gorge, enjoy a boat ride at kazinga channel and visit local communities for a rich cultural encounters with Africa Adventure Safaris.

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Did you know that you could visit and track mountain gorillas in Mgahinga gorilla national park from Kigali? YES, Uganda gorilla treks in Mgahinga are now easily done through Kigali. In fact, flying to Kigali and then crossing via Cyanika border to Mgahinga is the easiest option to visit gorillas in Mgahinga gorilla national park. The 4 hours drive through the rolling hills and endless valleys of Kisoro district make your gorilla trips in Mgahinga more enjoyable and fun. Mgahinga is one of the two gorilla destinations in Uganda together with Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. The park covers Uganda’s share of the Virunga conservation area bordered by Volcanoes national park in Rwanda and Virunga national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Why trek gorillas in Mgahinga through Rwanda?
The close location of Mgahinga Park to Kigali Rwanda makes it easy to connect between the two destinations. Reaching Mgahinga from Kigali takes roughly 4 hours drive compared to 10 hours from Entebbe international airport in Uganda. Short time travelers are therefore advised to fly into Kigali and cross over to kisoro through Cyanika border. Those doing a 1-Day gorilla trek in Uganda leave Kigali at 3:00 am reaching Mgahinga at 7:00 am to catch up with the pre trekking briefing. Interestingly, a single east African visa allows you to travel within Uganda and Rwanda with no limitation.

How to get a permit
Like in other gorilla trips, you require a valid gorilla permit to be allowed to trek mountain gorillas in Mgahinga gorilla national park. A gorilla permit costs $600 for foreign non-residents, $500 for foreign residents and shs 2500,000 for East African residents. Africa Adventure safaris help you book and reserve gorilla permits saving you the hustle associated with booking permits. Alternatively, you can book for permits direct with Uganda Wildlife Authority a government body responsible for gorilla tourism and wildlife conservation I Uganda.

Gorilla family in Mgahinga
Mgahinga national park has only one habituated gorilla family named Nyakagyezi. This family was initially known for crossing over to the neighboring Rwanda and Congo, which hindered Uganda gorilla tours in this park. However Nyakagyezi has presently settled in Mgahinga and is available for trekking every day. Eight gorilla permits are available in Mgahinga each day. Travelers are advised to book for gorilla permits to Mgahinga as early as 5 months before the trekking date since permits tend to sell out quickly in this park.

What is included in a gorilla cost from Rwanda to Mgahinga?
Upon your confirmation, we give you a quote for the price you are to pay. The inclusions in the gorilla quote include among others:
• Gorilla Permit
• Ground transport
• Full-time English speaking guide
• Meals and accommodation
• Bottled drinking water
• Park entrance fee
Exclusions
The things and payments not included in the gorilla tour quote include among others:
• Alcoholic drinks
• Flight fares
• Driver tips
• Telephone calls
• Porters fee

What to carry
Endeavor to carry appropriate essential’s to ensure enjoyable gorilla trekking tours. Among the things you must carry include
• Hiking boots for easy hiking
• Garden gloves to avoid touching mud
• Rain jacket for cold forest weather
• Longsleeved shirts/blouses to avoid scratches by thorny bushes
• Energy giving snacks to keep you strong
• Hat and sun glasses to protect from direct sun
• Pair of binoculars
• No flight light cameras
• Enough drinking water
• Porters to help you carry baggage and hold your hand in the jungle

Gorilla trekking dos and don’ts
While in the pre trekking briefing, travelers are introduced to the dos and don’ts while in the presence of the endangered gorillas. These rules and regulation are put to ensure good health of gorillas and travelers. The gorilla trekking dos and don’ts include among others:
• Keep a distance of seven meters away from gorillas
• Do not through rubbish in the bush
• Keep within your groups
• Do not touch the gorillas
• Avoid flash light cameras
• Keep your voices low
• Donot trek gorillas when sick
• Avoid direct eye contact with gorillas
• Spend an hour with gorillas
In general, transferring from Kigali to Mgahinga gorilla national park offer travelers with the easiest Uganda gorilla trips in the shortest time possible. Fly into Kigali, cross over to Mgahinga and meet Nyakagyezi gorilla family with Africa Adventure Safaris your number one travel company.

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After four days of sleepless night searches, Uganda’s joint security effort successfully rescued the abducted American tourist together with her driver guide. Kimberly Sue and Jean Paul (driver guide) were on 2nd April 2019 evening abducted by unknown gunmen. This was during evening game drive in ishasha sector south of Queen Elizabeth national park along the Edward track between Katoke gate and Wilderness camp in Kanungu district. The other elderly couple (Julius Martin and his wife Barbel) that had traveled with Kimberly was left stuck in the wilderness. The news of their rescue was a relief from stress and fears to Uganda tourism fraternity which had put potential travelers on tension Some travelers had started canceling their safaris to Uganda something that put Uganda tour operators in panic for loss of business. However, Uganda the Pearl of Africa has been and still remains safe for tourism offering travelers with top gorilla safaris and other wildlife experiences at affordable rates. Great thanks go to Uganda tourism police and Uganda People’s Defense Force that worked tirelessly to rescue the traveler and her driver guide.

How did it happen?
From the reports, the duo was kidnapped during an evening game drive in Ishasha sector. The group of four rebel men attacked and stopped the safari vehicle that had Kimberly and her colleagues forcing her out of the car together with Jean-Paul the driver. They were then taken to the unknown place leaving her elderly couple in the jungle but untouched. The next day, kidnappers started using Kimberly’s phone to demand $500,000, which is roughly 1.8 billion shillings as a ransom to release the two parties. However, it’s not clear whether this ransom was paid since the US government rejected giving in to kidnappers demands. The United States has a policy of not paying any money o kidnappers something they believe would encourage more abduction. Some sources say that it’s the wild frontiers the travel Agency that arranged this trip that paid the ransom. The two parties i.e Kimberly and Jean-Paul, the driver guide were dropped at the border of Uganda with the Democratic Republic of Congo with no harm.

Message to the upcoming travelers
Uganda the Pearl of Africa has been and still remains safe for tourism. The government deployed armed tourism police and other defense forces to patrol all national parks and other tourism spots day and night to ensure safety during their stay in Uganda. There are rare cases of tourist kidnap in Uganda, which make the pearl of Africa one of the safe places to visit and stay.

About Queen Elizabeth National Park
Situated in Kasese district, Queen Elizabeth national park is Uganda’s second largest national park after Murchison Falls NP spreading over 1,970 square kilometers. QENP is known for having a high concentration of wild animals and birds hence one of the most visited travel destinations on most Uganda safaris to southwestern Uganda. The most done tourism activities in Queen Elizabeth national park include game viewing, boat cruising at kazinga channel, visit the katwe salt lakes and other crater lakes, bird watching, community tours, fishing and Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge. Among the wild animals to see during your Uganda tour to Queen Elizabeth national park include elephants, lions, waterbucks, bushbucks, warthogs, leopards, Buffalos, hippos, Oribis, giant forest hogs, bush pigs and Uganda kobs among others. Also, the equator crosses the park, which makes it one of the interesting travel destinations in the pearl of Africa.

Where to sleep in queen Elizabeth national park
A variety of accommodation facilities have been established in QENP to provide travelers with comfortable and safe food and sleeping services. The accommodation in Queen Elizabeth National Park is categorized into, luxury, midrange, and budget depending on traveler’s choice and money. The top lodges in QENP include Mweya safari lodge, jacana lodge, Ishasha wilderness camp, Katara lodge, Kyambura lodge, Savannah resort hotel, Simba lodge, Buffalo safari lodge and park view lodge among others. All these lodges have well trained and kid staff to serve all your needs all day and night.

How to get to Queen Elizabeth national park
QENP can be accessed by road and air depending on the available time and budget. The park is located 381.7 kilometers from Kampala via Masaka Mbarara route taking roughly 6 hours and 38 minutes. If you are combing gorillas with wildlife, Queen Elizabeth national park is close to Buhoma sector north of Bwindi Forest national park home to half of the world’s mountain gorillas. Travelers can also fly from kajjansi airstrip to Kayonza airfield and the connecting to the park.

Much as Queen Elizabeth National Park shares borders with Democratic Republic of Congo home to various rebel groups that threaten tourists, Uganda’s side is safe for tourism. The Uganda tourism police ensure the safety of travelers and the smooth operation of all tourism activities in Queen Elizabeth national park.

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East Africa is one of the richest regions in wildlife in the world with the region boosting a huge number of mammals, primates, birds and other beautiful sceneries including stunning volcanoes, Lakes, Rivers and Mountains. The region is a home to some of the world’s most amazing features and attractions including the longest River in the world, the Nile, the second largest fresh water lake in the world, Lake Victoria, the endangered mountain gorillas found in Uganda and Rwanda and the annual wildebeest migration in Tanzania and Kenya. Each of the East African nations namely; Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda has got something special to offer to the travelers and below is the breakdown of each country’s tourist package.

Tanzania
Perhaps most known for her incredible annual game migration that features the movement of the million-strong herds of wildebeest and zebra across its grassy plains of Serengeti national park. The park was recently voted as the best of all the 50 parks ranked the Africa Travel Magazine. Serengeti is simply African finest reserve hosting thousands of game species ranging from angulates to predators. Common game in the park includes lion, leopard, buffalo, cheetah, serval, spotted hyena, bat-eared fox plus a couple of jackal and mongoose species. The park is so vast in size that you hardly come into congestion with any group of tourists. The only place where you can encounter that form of overcrowding in the park is at the southern plains around Seronera lodge, a suitable site for leopard.

Another stunning site for the tree-climbing in East Africa in addition to the famous Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth national park in Western Uganda is in Lake Manyara national park. Lake Manyara lies on the Rift Valley floor and together withits resultant park, they occupy 330sq. km area with incredible game drives that lead you to thousands of elephants before you finally encounter the breathtaking tree-climbing lions.

Kenya
A Kenya safari introduces to her wildlife variety that makes the country a compelling travel destination. Kenya’s South-central circuit that combines the country’s most popular reserve Maasai-Mara tend to attract the attention of most first-time visitors. Maasai-Mara carries the heaviest tourist traffic compared to any other game reserve in the region largely due to its large game densities that no other East African park holds. To curious travelers, the best time to visit the park is between July and October when you can watch live the wildebeest migration where game crosses over from Tanzania into Maasai-Mara. The migration offers visitors unforgettable sightings of the magically braying, croc-dodging beasts as they cross the Mara River. Among the profusion of wildlife supported in the reserve throughout the year include large numbers of buffalo, zebra, antelopes, elephant and black rhinos. The park is also a fantastic home for predators particularly the cheetah, spotted hyena and a group of lion that are easy to watch and photograph given their high degree of habituation.

Lake Nakuru National Park is another great wildlife spot that you shouldn’t miss while on your Kenya safari. The Park covers Kenya’s most famous of the Rift Valley lakes that have attracted a huge concentration of up to two million flamingos that act as an equal match to the wildebeest migration of Maasai Mara. Nakauru pauses such a beautiful view especially when seen from its surrounding cliffs where the flamingos can be spotted. Lake Nakuru National Park is also an important relocation site for the area’s endangered animals and a sight where both species of rhinos (black & white) and the Rothschild’s giraffe.

Uganda
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is the highlight of most visits to Uganda. The park is a home to more than half of the global population of these endangered gentle giants. However, Bwindi has got much more to offer to her visitors than the mountain gorillas. There is superb forest birding in the park’s dense forests that protect 20 Albertine Rift endemics, dozens of butterfly species, localized forest mammals including the outsized yellow-backed duiker and handsome L’Hoest monkey. The Mubwindi Swamp found deeper into the park that hosts the eagerly sought African green broadbill and it is a hideout for the park’s small population of forest elephant.
Queen Elizabeth National Park located approximately 132km North of Bwindi is arguably the most ecologically diverse reserve in Africa with a checklist of more than 600 wildlife species. To explore the park fully you need not less than a week to see its popular highlights that include the launch trip to the hippo hub of Kazinga Channel, chimpanzee tracking in Forested Chambura Gorge while a game drive to the Southerly Ishasha sector introduces you to the breathtaking tree-climbing lions. Lastly you can visit the rush crater lakes and the Maramagambo forest where you can meet millions of bats in their forested colony.

Rwanda
Volcanoes National Park, the site of Dian Fossey’s famous gorilla habituation is Rwanda’s most popular tourist destination. It is also the site for Fossey’s anti-poaching project and the origin of the film, “Gorillas in the Mist”. The Park represents Rwanda’s share of the Virunga conservation area famous for mountain gorillas, which also extends into Congo (DRC) and one of the only four parks with this popular primate specie. The other 3 parks with mountain gorillas include Virunga National Park (DRC), and Uganda’s two destinations of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The park is a home to five of the eight volcano summits of the Virunga Mountains including Karisimbi, Bisoke, Muhabura, Gahinga and Sabyinyo and this is great news to hikers and adventurous travelers in addition to trekking the gorillas and other safari activities in the park.
Gorilla trekking, arguably the most popular and breathtaking wildlife experience in the world, is the major tourist activity in the park with the Park issuing 96 gorilla permits daily to 12 groups of eight trekkers for the 12 gorilla families available in the park. Volcanoes’ gorilla photography is the best of all trekking destinations where the gorillas often hang out in the open bamboo zone unlike the murky forest depths in other areas.

Away from Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda’s must visit destination is Nyungwe Forest National Park located in the South towards Burundi. The park is outstanding in terms of primates’ diversity that include troops of over 400 Rwenzori colobus that surround the park headquarters. Other common primate species in the forest include over 500 chimpanzees, several monkey species including L’hoest, red-tailed, Dent’s and silver monkey. The bird count in the forest goes beyond 310 species and they include 27 Albertine Rift Endemics and the delightful great blue turaco. Nyungwe is also very rich in floral diversity that includes over 200 species of orchid.

Travel with Africa Adventure Safaris, the leading tours and travel in East Africa to explore the best wildlife spots in Uganda, Rwanda, Congo, Kenya & Tanzania

YES, you can do as many gorilla trips as possible if you have time and money. Gorilla trekking is the best wildlife experience, which attract thousands for travelers from all over the world to come and enjoy this once in a lifetime experience. The possibility of doing multiple gorilla trips on a single trip is one of the frequently asked questions about gorilla trekking. Most travelers often ask if they can be allowed to visit gorillas more than once on a single trip. YES, its very possible, a traveler can visit and track mountain gorillas multiple times if he/she has enough time and money. Which ever gorilla destination you choose to visit whether volcanoes national park Rwanda, Virunga national par in Congo, Bwindi forest and Mgahinga gorilla national parks in Uganda, its possible to trek gorillas more than once. For those visiting Bwindi forest, You can choose to trek gorillas in all the four sectors of Buhoma, Nkuringo, Rushaga and Ruhija that make up Bwindi impenetrable forest national park. Alternatively you can do cross border gorilla tours in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo

How is it done?
For you to trek gorillas more than once, you must buy gorilla permits for each trekking session. A single permit allows you see gorillas only once and is expired at the end of an hour. Travelers who want to do multiple gorilla tours are therefore advised to buy many permits depending on the number of times they want to see gorillas. A traveler can also choose to trek gorilla in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo on different sessions. The 18 days safari to Uganda, Rwanda and Congo combines safari help you trek gorillas in all the three countries on a single trip regarding you with a magical experience.

Can I trek gorillas more than once in one day?
NO, mountain gorillas are trekked once a day. Each gorilla family is visited by a group of eight travelers a day and no other people can be allowed to s visit a gorilla family that has been visited already. A traveler who wants to trek gorillas several times therefore must do it on different days. Travelers trekking more than once are also advised to try different areas for comparisons and diversity. For example if the first trek is done in Rushaga, let the next trekking be done in Buhoma or Ruhija from a diverse greater experience.

How to book for multiple gorilla treks?
Are you wondering how you can book for multiple gorilla tours? No worries, we are at your service. Gorilla Trek Africa helps you book and arrange multiple gorilla trips depending on where and when a traveler wants to see the gorillas. We book and reserve gorilla permits for our clients saving them the hustle and bustle of bookings for themselves. If you want two gorilla trips, you must buy two gorilla permits on different days.

When should I book?
You area advised to book for gorilla permits as early as six months prior to the trekking date. For a traveler booking multiple gorilla treks, permit bookings should be as possible to ensure timely planning and reservation of gorilla permits.

What’s the best starting point for multiple gorilla trips?
Depending on which gorilla destination you want to visit, multiple gorilla trips can commence from anywhere. If you want to start with Uganda, fly to Entebbe international airport and then drive to Bwindi/Mgahinga gorilla national parks. If you want to trek differently in Uganda and Rwanda, the best option is to fly into Kigali Rwanda, do the first gorilla trek in volcanoes national park, the next day cross over to Uganda ad you the next gorilla trek in Bwindi forest or Mgahinga gorilla national park depending on where you want. Interestingly a traveler doing an East African trip can use a single east African visa which allow him/her the task to apply for different visas.

How will I book for accommodation if am doing multiple gorilla treks?
Your choice of accommodation should be in relation to where you are trekking gorillas from. A traveler trekking gorillas in Rushaga is advised to choose accommodation in that specific sector. If you are trekking in different sectors, book different lodges in the respective sectors to avoid long hours of early driving to catch up with briefing.

Is there any discount if i book multiple gorilla trips?
No, there are no discounts in gorilla tour bookings. Whether you book multiple gorilla trips or a single trip, the cost of a gorilla permits remains the same. A single gorilla permit in Uganda costs $600 for foreign non-residents, $500 for foreign residents and 250000 for east African residents. In Rwanda a single gorilla permit costs $1500 paid by all travelers.

Trekking mountain gorillas multiple times is the best thing to do if you have money and time. Book multiple gorilla treks in Uganda, Rwanda and Congo, spend more time with gorillas, learn about them and embrace their human like characters that make them exceptional creatures.

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There is a likelihood that the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) will increase gorilla safari permit costs in 2020. Since the double increment of Rwanda gorilla permits from $750 to $1500 in 2017, many people have similarly proposed a hike of gorilla permit costs in Uganda if the country is to reap big in terms of foreign income from gorilla tourism. However, in response to Rwanda’s act, Uganda maintained her permit costs at $600 for East foreign non-residents, $500 for foreign residents and 250,000shs for East African residents. Over time, veteran conservationists have urged UWA to increase the price of trekking gorillas in Uganda to generate more money for gorilla conservation as well as improving the standards of living for people living adjacent to these gorilla national parks. It has been realized that other service providers mainly airlines and hotels/lodges are the ones reaping big from tourism instead of the government.

Comparing air ticket prices with gorilla permits, a flight is much more expensive than a permit. This should be Vice Versa. A person booking a flight from London to Uganda pays £800 to £3000 to the airline (KLM) similar to a visitor paying over $700 for one night in a luxury lodge. Much money, therefore, goes to service providers yet the government gets a smaller portion. Airlines, therefore, earn double or triple compared to what Uganda Wildlife Authority earns. Also, local people adjacent to Bwindi Impenetrable forest/Mgahinga gorilla national parks are given 20% of the total revenue earned from gorilla tourism in the park which money is little to give local people descent standards of living.

What happened In Rwanda?
In May 2017, Rwanda Development Board doubled the cost of a single gorilla permit from $750 to $1500. This was with immediate effect and paid by all travelers including Rwanda nationals. Travelers, travel operators, and service providers were left in shock but later carried on. The major objective of Rwanda’s hiked gorilla prices was to earn raised money for gorilla conservation and improving the standards of local people through gorilla tourism. The sudden rise of Rwanda gorilla permit costs diverted the many would have been Rwanda clients to Uganda creating high demand for Uganda gorilla permits. Since then, most travelers opted for Rwanda Uganda gorilla tours, which start and end in Kigali but trekking gorillas in Uganda. Most travelers now fly to Rwanda and then cross over to Uganda to do a 3 days Uganda gorilla tour starting from Kigali to Bwindi forest/Mgahinga gorilla national parks in southwestern Uganda. Concerned veteran conservationists propose that if only Uganda could increase gorilla permits to at least $1000, the country will earn high from tourism. Tourism is a top foreign exchange earner. In 2018, Uganda earned $1.4b (SHS 5 trillion) from the sector according to statistics from Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), agency that markets the country.

About gorilla trekking in Uganda
Visiting Uganda to see mountain gorillas is a focus for most travelers to the pearl of Africa. Uganda is naturally blessed to shelter over 50% of the world’s mountain gorillas which make it the best place to visit and track mountain gorillas in the jungles. To make trekking easy, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has habituated 17 gorilla families split into four sectors of Bwindi forest and 1 group in Mgahinga gorilla national park. Each gorilla family is visited by eight people every day hence 136 gorillas permits available every day. The high numbers of gorilla permits in Uganda give many travelers a chance to trek mountain gorillas.

How and when to book for Uganda gorilla permits
Uganda gorilla permits can be booked online or on ground at Uganda wildlife Authority headquarters. Alternatively, Uganda gorilla permits can be booked via any trusted and recognized travel operator offering gorilla packages. Travelers coming to see mountain gorillas are advised to book for permits as early as 6 months prior to the trekking date to avoid any inconveniences at last.

About gorilla habituation experience
In addition to gorilla tracking, Uganda offers travelers a chance to habituate wild gorillas. Gorilla habituation is a 2-3 years training of wild mountain gorillas to make them familiar with human presence before they are open to travelers for trekking. Two gorilla families are currently undergoing habituation in Rushaga sector south of Bwindi each visited by four people. 8 gorilla habituation permits are therefore available every day each costing $1500 allowing travelers to spend four hours with gorillas. Spending extended time in the company of endangered gorillas gives travelers a deep understanding of these creatures embracing the human like characters of mountain gorillas.

Increasing gorilla permit costs in Uganda will be a big deal to earn the government increased foreign exchange and improve the standards of living for the local people. Book a Uganda gorilla tour to Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park and Mgahinga Gorilla Parks for a memorable experience.

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Insecurity remains a great hindrance to gorilla tourism in Virunga National Park 3 weeks after the reopening of Virunga Park to gorilla trekking, the park mourns the killing of another ranger guide. The lost guide Freddy Mahamba Muliro was assassinated on 7th May 2019 in a crash between the Mai Mai militia group and the park rangers in the central point of the park. Freddy becomes the 176th ranger to be killed by rebel groups in Virunga national park. The park had been closed for 8 months since May 2018 following the killing of ranger guide and kidnap of British travelers within the park. The major reason for the closure of the national park was to ensure accurate security investigations. However, the latest killing of Freddy tells that Virunga national is not safe and visitors who travel there at high risk.

About Virunga national park
Situated in Kivu, north of Congo. Virunga national park is Africa’s oldest national park established in 1925. Its one of the four national parks to see mountain gorillas covering Congo’s share of the Virunga Massif. The other population of mountain gorillas lives in volcanoes national park and Mgahinga gorilla/Bwindi Impenetrable forest national park in Uganda.

Major threats in Virunga national park
Tourism in Virunga National Park is threatened by various factors, which continue to discourage visitors from visiting the park. The major threats in Virunga Park include smuggling, illegal charcoal burning, Ebola epidermis, poaching and killing of park rangers by the Mai Mai militia. Virunga national park is with no doubt the most dangerous conservation projects in the world. The park was greatly hit by a military attack in 1997, which reduced the population of mountain gorillas to less than 300 individuals. Fortunately, the gorilla population has risen to over 1000 at present, which is a great achievement; great thanks go to park rangers who have sacrificed their lives to save these gorillas.

Top activities in the park
When we talk about tourism in Virunga national park, we major talk about the popular activities that attract tourists to this tropical forest. These include among others:

Gorilla trekking safaris
Gorilla trekking is a highlight for all Congo safaris to Virunga national park. The park is home to endangered mountain gorillas, which have been habituated into 8 groups for trekking. Just like in other gorilla destinations, each gorilla family in Virunga Park visited by 8 people hence 64 gorilla permits available every day. Also, gorilla tours in Congo are much cheaper at a cost of $450, which make it the best place to see gorillas especially for those traveling on a budget. Gorilla families in Virunga Park are Rugendo gorilla family, Munyaga gorilla family, Mapuwa family, Lulengo family, Kabirizi group, Bageni gorilla family and Nyakamwe gorilla family.

Nyiragongo volcano hiking
Hiking to the top of Nyiragongo volcano is one of the must do activities in Virunga national park. The top of Nyiragongo is home to the largest lava lake, which produces bubbling flames throughout day and night. Nyiragongo is an active volcano, which last, erupted in 2005, and signs of new eruptions are showing already meaning it will erupt again any time. Travelers to hike Nyiragongo need at least three days of hiking and descending. Bandas at the top of the Volcano provide travelers with comfortable and safe sleeping services. Also, travelers to hike Nyiragongo are required to be physically fit to avoid difficulty in hiking.

Travel tips to Congo
It’s undeniable that Virunga national park and Congo in general is not safe for tourism. Travelers are advised to be fully responsible for their lives and their properties. Avoid moving alone an in the night hours. If you are going to trek gorillas or hike Nyiragongo, ensure to carry hiking boots, gardening gloves, energy giving snacks, sleeping gear, rain jackets and enough drinking water among others.
Traveling to Virunga national park or tourism remains a great risk given the continuous killing and rebel threats. We hope the situation to stabilize soon so travelers can visit the park and enjoy the beauties of the park without any fear or disruption.

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Uganda the pearl of Africa is naturally blessed with endless remarkable features, which make it a must-visit destination on your African safari. With 10 national parks and various other tourism spots scattered in all parts of the country, Uganda offers it all to meet and exceed every traveler’s expectations. However, despite the many attractions, some tourist spots in Uganda are ranked exceptional than the others. The United Nations Educational. Scientific and Cultural organizations categorized three sites as world heritage sites legally protected by international treaties. These sites are believed to have exceptional cultural, historical, scientific and other forms of significance, which make them outstanding. The experience obtained from visiting such sites is long lasting and once in a lifetime. UNESCO reserved three tourism spots two of which are national parks and the other one a cultural site: These are:

Bwindi forest national park
Located in southwestern Uganda, Bwindi impenetrable forest national park is one of Uganda’s oldest natural forests that outlived the platonic and volcanic eruptions of the Virunga volcanoes leading to the formation of the western rift valley. This impenetrable forest is home to half of the world’s mountain gorilla’s and is, therefore, a first stop center for all Uganda gorilla tours in East and Central Africa. Besides gorillas, Bwindi forest is a refuge to over 120 mammals including elephants, leopards, chimpanzees, monkeys, over 200 butterflies and roughly 350 bird species some of which are endemic to this region. The forest comprises of over 200 tree species and roughly 100 ferns some of which are believed to have lived for thousands of years, the diverse vegetation in Bwindi favor the habitation and feeding of numerous animal and bird species. The most done tourism activities in Bwindi include gorilla trekking, forest walks, waterfall hiking, bird watching and a visit to the Batwa pygmies. The forest was initially a permanent home for the Batwa pygmies who were evicted to the forest borders in 1991 when gorilla tourism and conservation was introduced. Travelers to trek gorillas in Bwindi are required to buy gorilla permits costing $600 each for an hours’ interaction with these endangered species. So far 17 gorilla families have been habituated in Bwindi and are available for trekking every day. Wild animals in Bwindi forest national park include the common mountain gorillas, red-tailed monkeys, blue tailed monkeys, white colobus monkeys, forest elephants, baboons, forest duiker antelopes, bushbucks and L’hoests among others.

Rwenzori mountains national park
This block mountain whose slopes is a national park is one of its own kind. Mt Rwenzori was formed by the uplifting of the earth crust by tectonic movements and is the third tallest mountain in Africa. The strenuous hikes to Margherita peak at 5,109 meters above sea level (roughly 8 days) have limited visits to Mount Rwenzori national park. It’s only the adventurous travelers that make it to the top to the mountain. Besides, hiking to the top of Mt Rwenzori require lots of hiking equipment’s without which travelers cannot make it. The peak of the mountain is covered with snow, which makes it more interesting. Travelers who make it to the top enjoy magnificent giant heathers, ground-sells, Erica’s and lobelias among others. The mountain is covered by 5 different vegetation zones, which change depending on the altitude. About wildlife, Rwenzori mountains national park is home to over 80 bird species., 4 species of primates and over 15 butterfly species. The most seen animals include elephants, chimpanzees, L’Hoest monkeys and buffalos among others. you will also interact with the traditional bakonjo who live in the foothills of the mountain.

Kasubi Tombs
This is the traditional royal burial ground for the former four kabakas of Buganda Kingdom. Located on the kasubi hill a few meters from Kampala town, Kasubi tombs are a center for cultural safaris in Uganda. a visit to kasubi tombs rewards you with extensive knowledge about the traditions, norms, histories, and beliefs of Buganda kingdom. The circular nature of the hats topped by grass and fibers and reed s make the outlook of kasubi tombs stunning. It’s the center of belief, spiritual, identity, culture, ways, traditions and expertise of Buganda kingdom and its people. Expect to find traditional objects like arrows, spears, shield, and drums which all symbolize kingship in Buganda kingdom.

A visit to any of the three UNESCO heritage sites in Uganda guarantees you an exceptional experience. Book a Uganda safari to Bwindi impenetrable forest national park, hike the Rwenzori mountains and learn more about Buganda kingdom’s traditions, beliefs and culture at kasubi tombs for a memorable Uganda safari.

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It is now 40 years since the film that opened people’s eyes to mountain gorillas in Sir David Attenborough’s Life on Earth series was screened on the BBC. Previously it was only through King Kong that people related to mountain gorillas than the wildlife reality including the presenter himself before he filmed them.

By the time of this first filming, there were very few mountain gorillas in the world, numbering to under 250 apes that were predicted to be extinct by the end of the century.

Today the story has changed, with the latest gorilla census estimates indicating that there are more than 1,004 mountain gorillas in the world, making them the second ape to humans to be increasing in number. Although mountain gorillas are still endangered, their increase in number points at a conservation success story, thanks to conservationist, promoters like Sir David and the unforgettable effort of Dian Fossey, a primatologist who sacrificed her life in 1970s for conservation of mountain gorillas.

Mountain gorilla trekkers can visit Dian Fossey’s grave, which is situated in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda where she did most of her work trying to save the then critically endangered mountain gorillas.

Sir David’s tremendous work is clearly visible and you can appreciate it when you visit Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and you will also find the descendants of the cheeky gorillas he filmed.

Back in the70s, gorillas were a vulnerable target to poachers, they stole baby gorillas for sell and also cut off their hands and feet as trophies.

According to the recent census exclusively carried out for the mirror, sisters, Poppy Puck and Tuck the three female gorillas that in David’s film, have 26 children, 17 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Poppy was the last of the bunch alive until last year before she went missing when she was 42. She is thought to have died of natural causes but her daughter Ururabo is so much alive with her family always entertaining guests.

Mountain gorillas were prey in 1970s and this was evident when a male christened Digit was speared to death and his hands and feet were hacked off by poachers. Later, six months after David had left, two more gorillas, a male and female were shot dead leaving behind a daughter, Kweli, who also later died.

Sir David’s incredible work of unveiling mountain gorillas as a hidden treasure had an instant impact as the first habituated gorilla was created for structured visits of tourists. Improvements in gorilla conservation continued and in 1986, the park introduced full time veterinary care where gorilla doctors regularly check the apes for life-threatening wounds and diseases.

The conservation efforts have curbed direct poaching in Rwanda and Uganda though the vice is still going on in the remaining part of the Virunga mountains majorly in DRC due to political instabilities.

Rwanda in particular has taken conservation of mountain gorillas to another level as the government took a decision last year to add 4,000 hectares to Volcanoes national park where the gorillas are protected.

Mountain gorillas and the threat of poaching

Recently the rangers in Volcanoes national park came across a trapped baby gorilla stuck in the snare. She was gripped around the wrist and hung terrified from a branch as she was separated from her family.

According to vet Dr Jean Bosco Noheli, one of the gorilla doctors in charge of the welfare of mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda and DRC, the rangers were shocked and upset and some even cried after seeing this infant gorilla undergoing the pain and calling for help. He says that they were able to release the trapped baby gorilla from the snare and carried her back to her family. This incident is a highlight of the threats from poachers faced by the endangered mountain gorillas of the Virunga mountains.

The snares are laid by the desperate poachers who stay around park, trapped by poverty with the hope of capturing bush animals like antelopes for meat. Unfortunately, the unsuspecting and innocent gorillas also fall prey.

Dr Jean explains that poachers tie snares to bamboo poles, with the loop hidden in the leaves on the ground connected to a twig that acts like a trigger once the animal steps on it. He says that the young gorilla’s attempt to get free could have resulted into serious wounds and infections which may have led to amputation in order to save her from a slow, painful death.

Dr Jean says “I have carried out many amputations. Afterwards, females can live a fairly normal life, but silverbacks can’t fight and lead their groups, and they become lone. Living alone, they waste the chance to reproduce”.

The same tragedy happened on the Uganda side of the same forest when the gorilla doctors found a 20-year old female gorilla trapped in a snare. She was also rescued quickly unharmed thanks to those who closely monitor the apes. The forest is regularly patrolled by anti-poaching teams removing traps in a continuous fight ensure a safe environment for wildlife. This effort saw the removal of around 600 snares last year, a number which is down from more than 1,000 snares that were removed four years ago. The number of gorillas that get caught has also tremendously reduced.

Dr Jean advises that the only way poaching in the park can cease is by providing people who live on the fringes of these forests with other means to feed their families.

Several means have been devised to give these people alternatives including initiatives like the Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, popularly referred to as Guardians of the Gorillas outside the Volcanoes national park.

The project involves performances of traditional music, dance and crafts for tourists by reformed poachers enabling them to earn a living to cater for their families without doing at the expense of the lives of gorillas.

Nonprofit Organizations have also come out to sponsor projects for the same cause including setting up co-operatives like weaving and potato farming that have employed almost 3,000 locals.
The forest lake has also been preserved by setting up a water pump that provides water to over 4,000 people.

It is fair to say that Sir David’s breathtaking gorilla film soared their profile. It led to the introduction of sensitive eco-tourism, daily monitoring of the gorillas and stepping up veterinary care for the animals. The effort has successfully contributed to the increase in gorilla numbers to more than 1,000 from less than 250 in the past four decades. Although mountain gorillas are still categorized as endangered, they are no longer described as critically endangered due to this impressive rise in their population.

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