Dwelling on the slopes of Mount Bisoke, Amahoro gorilla group is the most peaceful and calm gorilla family in Volcanoes National Park. Amahoro is locally translated as “peaceful” in Kinyarwanda meaning that the gorilla family is peaceful at all times. Ubumwe is the leading silverback of Amahoro gorilla family known to have never engaged in any physical fight with other silverbacks. The peaceful nature of the Amahoro gorilla family has cost it many numbers especially to those aggressive silverbacks from other gorilla families who fight to expand the size of their families. Amahoro gorilla family comprise 17 members which include Ubumwe silverback, 2 black backs, 5 adult males, 5 juveniles, 2 infants, and 2 blackbacks. Travelers have often liked trekking Amahoro gorilla group due to its peaceful nature. On seeing travelers come near them, members of Amahoro gorilla family stay calm giving a good spot for photography.

How to book permits for Amahoro gorilla group

If you are interested in trekking Amahoro gorilla family, emphasize it in your gorilla safari bookings. When inquiring about Rwanda gorilla safaris, specify to your travel agent that you want to trek Amahoro family. Africa Adventures Safaris will help you secure a permit in time. During pre gorilla trekking briefing at Kinigi park headquarters, your driver-guide will inform park rangers that you want to trek Amahoro gorilla family and you will be allocated to it with other 7 members.

Gorilla permits to trek Amahoro gorilla family

A valid gorilla trekking permit is a MUST have for everyone visiting to see Amahoro gorilla family. Each Rwanda gorilla permit costs $1500. You can book for a permit directly with Rwanda Development Board (RDB) or though Africa Adventure Safaris. Booking is recommended at least 5 months in advance due to the high demand for gorilla permits in Rwanda. When going for pre gorilla trekking briefing, remember to carry your permit. However, a gorilla permit in all gorilla destinations (Uganda, Rwanda or Congo) remains property of the respective governments. After registration and briefing, travelers are asked to submit gorilla permits to the rangers.

What if I fail to see gorillas?

In rare cases where travelers fail to see mountain gorillas after full day of searching, they are given another chance to trek the next day without paying again. However, if you fail to see gorillas due to failure to hike, you will lose the money. No refund and no other chance will be given to you. Therefore travelers are advised to be physically fit and mentally ready not to miss on seeing the endangered gorillas.

Other gorilla families in Volcanoes National Park

Besides Amahoro gorilla group, Rwanda is home to other 9 gorilla families. These include Hirwa currently living in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park Uganda, Karisimbi, Susa A, Sabyinyo, Bwenge, Ugenda, Umubano, Titus and Agashya gorilla groups. Each gorilla family is visited by a group of eight travelers everyday for an hour’s interaction.

What to pack for Amahoro gorilla trekking

Remember to pack the right attire to ensure a peaceful and enjoyable gorilla trek to see Amahoro gorilla family. Among the things to carry for Rwanda gorilla trekking include hiking shoes/boots, gardening gloves, hats, sunglasses, scarf, long pants, long-sleeved shirts/blouses, rain jackets, sweaters, insect repellants energy giving snacks and bottled drinking water. A walking stick is very helpful in climbing up and downhills.

In general, Amahoro is an interesting gorilla family to visit. Contact Africa Adventure Safaris today, book your Rwanda gorilla tour and trek to see Amahoro gorilla family.

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Yes, even after the increase of Uganda gorilla permits to $700, the pearl of Africa still ranks as the best and leading gorilla tour destination in Africa and the whole world. Uganda is one of the three destinations to see and trek the endangered mountain gorillas besides Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Nowadays, Uganda gorilla safaris have increasingly improved compared to past years. Uganda is apparently the first stop gorilla trekking destination, which receives the highest number of travelers coming to see gorillas. At times, some travelers have questioned what makes Uganda the best gorilla destination. Others have gone beyond to compare gorilla trekking experiences in Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. Africa Adventure Safaris brings you reasons why Uganda is the best destination for gorilla trekking

Low-cost gorilla permits
Even after the hike of gorilla permit costs from &600 to &700, Uganda gorilla permits are still cheap and affordable compared to the neighboring Rwanda where a single gorilla permit costs $1500. The low-cost gorilla permit in Uganda make it a favorite gorilla destination for most travelers especially those traveling on a budget. The cost of gorilla permits in Uganda is categorized based on travelers’ nationality. it costs $700 for foreign non-residents, $600 for foreign residents and UGX 250,000 for East African residents. Gorilla permit booking can be done directly with Uganda Wildlife Authority or through us at Africa Adventure Safaris.

The high number of mountain gorillas
Uganda is home to the highest number of mountain gorillas counting to half of the world’s total gorilla population. The 2029 gorilla census results show that Uganda is home to over 500 mountain gorillas habituated into 18 gorilla families. 17 gorilla groups live in Bwindi impenetrable forest National Park while Mgahinga park is home to 1 Nyakagyezi gorilla family. The high number of gorillas guarantee the availability of gorilla permit compared to Rwanda and Congo who have limited gorillas. Each day, Uganda has 144 gorilla permits available for issuing. This gives last time travelers a chance to also trek gorillas after making a last-minute booking.

Gorilla Habituation experience
Uganda is the only destination to do gorilla habituation experience in which wild mountain gorillas are trained to make them familiar with human presence. The four hours gorilla ensures is an experimental activity, which gives travelers an in-depth understanding of gorillas, behavior, and lifestyles unlike in gorilla trekking where time is limited to an hour. Gorilla habituation experience costs $1500 but the magical feeling that comes with spending four hours with gorillas is worth the cost.

Gorilla trekking add on activities
Yes, gorilla trekking in Uganda is complemented by a variety of travel activities to make it more fun and enjoyable. Among the gorilla trekking add on activities in Uganda include game viewing especially in the nearby Queen Elizabeth National Park, golden monkey trekking, boat cruise on Lake Bunyonyi, bird watching nature walks and cultural tours to the neighboring Batwa communities. Uganda is naturally gifted by nature, the reasons why it’s called the “Pearl of Africa”. The combination of rolling hills, Lakes, Rivers, hospitable people, game safaris, birds; mountains and valleys make Uganda an exceptional destination.

Ease of access
Despite the many kilometers from Kampala to Bwindi Forest, the home to the famous mountain gorillas can be easily accessed within the shortest time possible. Uganda flying safaris from kajjansi to Kihihi airstrip is the best and quickest way to trek Bwindi gorillas starting from Kampala Uganda. Also, Kigali Bwindi gorilla trekking has presently become popular. Travelers fly into Kigali Rwanda and cross gorillas in Uganda through Cyanika and Katuna borders. Travelers doing a 1 Day Uganda gorilla tour from Kigali set off at 3:00 am to catch-up with the pre gorilla trekking briefing in Bwindi at 7:00 am.

Pre gorilla trekking experience
A full day drive from Entebbe international airport to Bwindi forest offers you the best pre gorilla trekking experience. The scenic drive through Ankole cattle farms, banana plantations, kigezi rolling hills and a stop at Uganda equator is a good start for gorilla trekking.
Uganda is the world’s leading gorilla safari destination with the highest number of mountain gorillas, cheap gorilla permits and gorilla add on activities to offer y a memorable Uganda gorilla safari package.

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Mountain gorillas, exclusively found in the Virunga Mountains of Rwanda, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo and in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park of Southwestern Uganda were recently regarded as critically endangered species.

However, in 2018, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) declared that mountain gorillas were no longer critically endangered and were placed in the endangered category. The organization also removed mountain gorillas from its Red List of Threatened Species to confirm that these great apes are no longer critically endangered, thanks to the combined conservation efforts directed to save these giant primates.

Over the past few decades, the population of mountain gorillas has been steadily growing. In the late 70s and early 80s, the global population of mountain gorillas was estimated to be around 250 individuals. It is really very impressive to see that this number has multiplied four times with the latest figures indicating there are 1,063 mountain gorillas in the wild today.

But such impressive numbers of mountain gorillas have not just come out of the blue, there is a lot of being done in the background by several conservation stakeholders to ensure that our cousins continue to thrive in their natural habitat. Here are some of the major factors that have helped to ensure the growth and increase in the global population of mountain gorillas.

Conservation partners
Conservation organizations like the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund are some of the major key players in gorilla conservation. The Gorilla Fund, based in one of the homes of mountain gorillas of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda basically undertakes gorilla protection, scientific research about gorillas and educating several groups of people about gorilla conservation all aimed at ensuring the well-being of these primates. The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is the largest and longest-running organization fully dedicated to gorilla conservation. The organization directs its efforts towards protecting gorilla families, studying how they live, and teaching local communities and future scientists to do the same. They also carry out various campaigns in which they mobilize for funds from individual contributions that are used to support gorilla protection programs.

Local authorities

Respective governments of countries with mountain gorillas have put in place various agencies to help protect mountain gorillas. For example, the Uganda Wildlife Authority and the Rwanda Development Board of Uganda and Rwanda respectively are the major conservation enforcers on behalf of governments in their countries. Such authorities have helped to put up guidelines that govern all wildlife activities including gorilla trekking in order to protect the animals. For instance, concerning gorilla trekking, all trekkers are restricted to spending only one hour in the presence of gorillas while each gorilla group is also visited once a day by a group of only 8 trekkers. Such guidelines have helped to ensure that the gorillas continue to thrive in their habitat with limited human interference. The authorities also train and deploy rangers who monitor the gorillas on a daily basis and also fight against poachers. They also ensure that local communities don’t destroy or encroach on gorilla habitats through resettling them and educating them to leave in harmony with the animals.

Tour operators

Tour operators in gorilla trekking destinations especially Uganda and Rwanda are also very instrumental as far as gorilla protection is concerned. Together with the travelers who come to see the mountain gorillas, tour operators are the ones at the receiving end of the tour regulations from the wildlife authorities and therefore they are responsible to follow and implement them, something they have done very well. In fact, it’s the tour operators who transmit these gorilla trekking rules and regulations to the travelers who book gorilla safaris through their companies so that they come when they are ready. Tour operators also market wildlife activities like gorilla trekking to international travelers who in the end bring income through gorilla safaris that is used by wildlife authorities to strengthen gorilla conservation.

Tourists

Money brought in by tourists who come to see mountain gorillas maybe described as the end product of all the efforts undertaken by both governments and tour operators ensuring hence benefiting the economy through gorilla protection. Gorilla trekking is one of the most expensive wildlife activities though it is worth it hence fetching governments millions of dollars that can be used to develop even other sectors of the economy. Perhaps Rwanda may be the biggest beneficiary of gorilla trekking since the country has the most expensive gorilla permit in the region at $1,500 per person. Uganda’s gorilla permit is sold at $600 per person and will be increased to $700 from July 2020. Democratic Republic of Congo has the cheapest gorilla permit at $450 though political instabilities in the eastern part of the country where gorillas are found have limited the number of tourists who go there to trek mountain gorillas. It is the money brought in by gorilla trekkers that have helped to ensure that gorilla protection is successful by as it is used to fund all the projects undertaken in gorilla conservation.

Local communities

In the past, the people living around gorilla habitats were a very big threat to the apes since they used to poach them for trophies while others were killed as they were found eating crops in people’s gardens. As gorilla conservation efforts were intensified, the locals were sensitized about the importance of protecting these animals and some were even hired to be part of the conservation work as guides, porters, and rangers. Getting involved in gorilla conservation activities has helped these reformed and former poachers to earn income and therefore they are no longer considering killing animals to earn a living. Cultural villages like the Batwa communities have been organized around gorilla habits where the local people interact with the travelers through cultural performances and selling their hand-made products like crafts to them to earn income. All this has helped to harmonize the relationship between the local people and the gorillas hence ensuring that they are safe from poaching.

Fast facts about mountain gorillas

• Gorillas share about 98 percent of the human DNA

• Mountain gorillas are only found in 3 countries in the world, that is Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo

• Gorillas in the Virunga Mountains usually switch habitats most commonly crossing to and back between Uganda and Rwanda’s borders

• The global population of mountain gorillas is currently (2020) 1,063 individuals

• Uganda has more than half of the global population of mountain gorillas with the majority found in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and some in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

• Mountain gorillas live in groups or families and each family is led by a strong male known as a silverback. The average number of gorillas in a group is about 15 individuals

• Rwanda hosts an annual gorilla-naming ceremony known as “Kwita Izina”, in which newborn gorillas are given names

• Gorilla safaris in Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo take place throughout the year through the dry season of June to September and December to February is more conducive for gorilla trekking

Click here to inquire more about mountain gorillas or book a safari to see gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda

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Gorillas and humans do share about 98 percent of their DNA in common and this explains why almost everything these gentle giants do has got some resemblance of their human counterparts behavior. Of all primates, gorillas are the ones with more closely related behavior to humans. Some of the common practices between gorillas and humans include living in social groups, having family heads who are strong males, leadership hierarchy in their families, constructing shelter, mourning their dead, and many more.

With such evidence, it is not a surprise to find out that gorillas do practice affection to each other like humans do in several ways. Here are five amazing ways how relationships are practiced by gorillas;

1 Gorillas use grooming to create bonds

Grooming among gorillas is used for several purposes one of which is to clean themselves. However, it is also a strong tools used in primate societies to form and strengthen strong bonds between individuals. For purposes of bond creation, grooming can be equated to holding hands among humans. Most of the grooming among gorillas take place between mothers and infants and male females.

2 Gorillas do not score high on the social interaction scale

Unlike other primates like chimps who love to embrace, hold hands and even kiss, gorillas are much more socially reserved when it comes to such interactions. This has been evidenced by the proximity patterns that have been witnessed among gorillas whereby its situations that determine who sits near who. You can observe a unique network of social relationships by looking at how gorillas distribute themselves, especially during resting periods. Sometimes gorillas use proximity patterns for reconciliation between individuals, usually after a fight, gorillas are more likely to sit near their former opponent to reestablish their relationship.

3 Opposite sex relationships are the pillar of gorilla society

Unlike in other primate species where very strong bonds can be observed between individuals of the same sex, especially in females, among gorillas it is the opposite. Male-female relationships are stronger than same sex relationships among gorillas. The main reason for this may be that female gorillas tend to get attracted to males because they deem them to be good defenders who can protect them and their infants. Female gorillas also generally don’t meet until later when they are old or when they decide to transfer groups which weakens their relationships. Amazingly, female gorillas will leave a group whose leading male has died and join other groups hence separating in the process.

4 To gorillas, it’s family first

study has found out that females belonging to a particular group will decide to spend more time together when given the opportunity to live in a big social group that has got other unrelated females. Whether its an average gorilla group of about 10 individuals or in larger groups of over 60 members, this behavior remains the same which shows that gorillas attach much more importance and affection to their relatives compared to other primates.

5 Female gorillas can switch partners

There is nothing like permanent marriage among gorillas! Females gorillas always transfer groups on several occasions throughout their lives which makes them have offspring with several males. Adult males and females may spend long periods of life together but they don’t mate forever. There is a big variation in this behavior of gorillas as some individuals have been observed staying together for a bigger part of their productive theirs. Female Tuck and male Titus are the perfect example of this having stayed together for 21 years.

For more information about mountain gorillas and booking safaris to trek these endangered species, get in touch with Africa Adventure Safaris. Our team has all the info you want on gorillas and general booking guide!

In most cases, when we talk about great apes, many people tend to think about gorillas and maybe chimps, but in total there are 5 different types of great apes in the world. Check for gorilla facts with Africa Adventure Safaris the number one gorilla safari company

What are the five different types of apes?

1 Gorilla

Gorillas are one of the most famous great apes given the fact that they are closely related to humans sharing about 98% of our DNA. There are two broad species of gorillas, the eastern gorilla and the western gorilla. Each of these two gorilla species has got two subspecies including; mountain gorillas and eastern lowland gorillas under the eastern gorilla and western lowland gorillas and cross-river gorillas under the western gorilla.

Gorillas originate from east central and equatorial west Africa with all the subspecies living within this region but in different environments. Mountain gorillas live in the montane forests of east-central Africa in DR Congo, Rwanda and Uganda while the east lowland gorillas are found in lowland forests in eastern DR Congo.

Like humans, gorillas also live in families with a harem structure with one male dominant male and multiple females with their offspring. However, the case is a bit different among mountain gorillas who have more than one adult male in a single group but with a leading silverback.

In terms of feeding, gorillas are herbivores eating mostly vegetation like bamboo shoots and some fruits. Although gorillas are always related to humans in so many ways, but in terms of energy, they are about ten times stronger than the average adult human male.

2 Chimpanzee

Chimps are even more closely related to humans than gorillas with their DNA roughly 99% in common with ours. There is only one species of chimpanzee, the common chimpanzee though they are divided into four subspecies that are divided by location. Their population can be found in central Africa, and in the north, east and west of the River Congo.

Chimpanzees are highly social in nature forming very large groups that are divided into smaller sections when traveling and foraging especially in periods when food is limited. Unlike gorillas which are largely vegetarians, chimps are known to occasionally eat meat and insects and sometimes they hunt down smaller mammals for food including monkeys. However, chimps mainly consume fruit as their main diet and they are considered as omnivorous frugivores.
Amazingly, the research found that chimps and bonobos are more closely related to humans than to gorillas and other apes.

3 Orangutan

Orangutans are the only non-human great native to Asia. Their name is translated as “person of the forest”, and they share about 97% of the human DNA. There are 3 species of orangutans including Bornean (with 3 subspecies), Sumatran, and the recently discovered species of Tapanui. All three species of orangutans are found in Indonesia with both the Sumatran and Tapanui located on the Island of Sumatran while the Bornean is located on the Island of Borneo.

Unlike other great apes, orangutans are less social and they are semi-solitary as they only meet for mating though sometimes they may forage in the same trees. Orangutan infants stay with their moms for about 8 years before they depart to become solitary. Orangutans are also considered frugivores like chimps however they don’t hunt and consume meat like their counterparts. Apart from mammals, orangutans have the longest childhood among all land mammals.

4 Bonobo

The bonobos were previously known as the pygmy chimpanzees and they share about 99% DNA with humans. They look very similar to common chimpanzees but bonobos can be distinguished by their slender build and light-colored lips. Bonobos don’t have any subspecies and they are only found in DR Congo, south of the Congo river. The social structure of the bonobos is similar to that of chimps only that in the latter’s societies, females lead the group. Their diet is majorly made up of fruits and they are also considered omnivorous frugivores and like chimps, they sometimes consume meat including that of small primates though they don’t actively hunt them.

5 Human

Humans are referred to as “Homo sapiens”, translating to “wise man”, and is the only surviving human species currently. Humans diverged from other great apes between 5 and 7 million years ago and from Homo erectus, the most closely related human species about 500,000 years ago.

Today humans are scattered across several continents worldwide but we all originated from the African continent. Humans are highly social primates associated with a variety of complex social structures and mating systems, ranging from monogamy to polyandry. Human skulls are built to process many different types of food matter and they are true omnivores. Unlike other great apes, humans walk bipedally to allow for better support of our heavy brains while hands can handle tool usage. Whereas all other species of great apes are endangered, humans are not.

Click here for more information about gorillas or to inquire about gorilla safaris in Rwanda, Uganda, and Congo

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Uganda Wildlife Authority has started an initiative to build water dams for wild animals in Uganda’s national parks and other protected areas. The new initiative of building dams is aimed at preventing wild animals from dying of drought and also helps to boost tourism in National parks. These water dams will serve as a source of drinking water for wild animals during the dry season. It was discovered that a high number of wild animals would be lost in dry seasons due to a shortage of drinking water. Animals would move for long distances in search of drinking water. Just like domestic animals, wild animals need drinking water to thrive through dry seasons.

How will it work?

Water dams will be constructed in valley areas of savannah parks and wit for rain. In the wet season, these dams will be filled with water, which will be reserved to sustain wild animals during the dry season. This will prevent wild animals from moving long distances looking for drinking water.

Already constructed dams

So far, Uganda Wildlife Authority has finished constructing 3 water dams in Tooro Semliki Valley national park. The dams were constructed in areas strategic for high concentration. Travelers will find it easy to see wild animals gathered at water dams for drinking water. The common seen wild animals on these water dams are Elephants, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, hippos and buffalos among others. The dams were constructed after President Museveni’s visit to Ntoroko district. The president appealed to the district administrators urging them to dig up dams for cattle keepers living in areas neighboring National parks. Building locally owned water dams for domestic animals will leave enough water for wild animals in national parks. Wit no doubt; the construction of water dams will reduce the death rate of wild animals in Kidepo Valley, Tooro Semilki and Lake Mburo National Parks. Each dam is worth 20 millions Uganda shilling measuring 20 by 80 meters wide and 3 to 4 meters deep. If filled to the capacity, a single water dam is enough to sustain wildlife through the dry season. Apparently, Uganda wildlife Authority is constructing water das for domestic animals and local people in Ntoroko district.

Which are the affected National parks

National parks mostly affected by drought are those located in cattle corridor areas. These are Kidepo Valley National park in Karamoja northeastern Uganda, Lake Mburo National park in Kiruhuura district and Tooro Semliki game reserve in Ntoroko district. These parks are shared between Uganda Wildlife Authority and local communities who use some portion of the national parks for cattle rearing. During dry season wild animals compete for the little water available with domestic animals, which leads to water shortage in a short time.

Local people grazing domestic animals in National Parks

Lake Mburo, Tooro Semilki and Kidepo Valley national parks are located in cattle corridors where local cattle keepers sneak and graze their cattle in National parks. Cattle enter national parks illegally to look for fresh pastures and water hence leading to scarcity of resources (pasture and water) meant for wild animals. Also, the coexistence of domestic animal and wild animals in national parks lead to the exchange and spread of diseases between wild and domestic animals. The practice of grazing domestic animals in national parks and any other protected area is against the Uganda Wildlife Authority Act 2000 which states that “No domestic animal should be grazed in the gazetted area”.

Water dams for local communities

In a bid to help local communities adjacent to National parks Uganda Wildlife Authority has initiated a water project to supply local people with water. The water project in Tooro Semilki Valley National park is tapping water from River Wassa to Ntoroko, Kanara and Rwebisengo. This will serve local people and their cattle with drinking water hence preventing the interference of domestic animals in national parks.

Conflicts between local people and park management

There have been conflicts between local communities and management of Tooro Semilki, Kidepo Valleys, and Lake Mburo National Park all attributed to illegal grazing of domestic animals in national parks. In March 2019, 4 cattle keepers were arrested for illegally grazing more than 600 cows in Tooro Semliki Wildlife reserve. Local people have continuously killed wild animals especially lions who eat their cattle.

About Tooro Semliki National park

Shared between districts of Kabarole, Ntoroko and Bundibugyo, Tooro Semilki National Park is one of Uganda’s 10 national parks. The park was established in 1926 with a major aim of protecting wild animals especially the dominant Uganda kobs and diversifies tourism in the Pearl of Africa. Tooro Semilki Valley National Park spreads over 542 square kilometers is he east visited park in Uganda. Bird watching and a tour to sempaya hot springs are highlights in Semilki Valley National

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Gorillas are one of the most playful primates and this has been witnessed by trekkers who have got a chance to watch them in their joyous moods. Just like among other animals including humans, play is commonly associated in young gorillas though sometimes adult gorillas can also play among themselves to share some light moments. Here are five amazing facts associated with playing among gorillas.

1 play is mostly among juveniles and young gorillas as they begin to make their first steps away from their moms

Young gorillas in some large groups like the Pablo group are always seen changing play partners given the presence of many ones around and their playing sessions always last longer. The style of play taken up by these youngsters range from hanging from branches and vines to chasing each other around trees and rolling down hills. While enjoying their playing time, these youngsters can be heard producing loud and long vocalizations which can be described as laughter. Although play is mostly common among juveniles, this doesn’t stop the adults from joining in to share the fun! Occasionally adults are seen playing with the youngsters and sometimes with fellow adults.

2 Play is an important part of a young gorilla’s day

Play contributes an important role in gorilla development and it is such a healthy behavior for youngsters. They learn how to interact with others through playing creating a great social value for them as they bond with others. Through playing the young gorillas learn how to navigate their environment as they grow and also discover how to use their increasing energy. Adult gorillas value playing highly to the extent that when their young one doesn’t have any playmates in the group, they step themselves to engage him/her. When youngsters completely fail to find playmates, they engage in self-play using tree branches, vines and other objects just like how human babies use toys.

3 Sometimes gorillas may decide to play alone

Young gorillas are not fans of rest-breaks and they are always seen try to engage themselves when the rest of the group members are trying to take a midday nap. This is when the youngsters decide to play alone and they do this while spinning, leaping off branches and rolling down hills.

4 Gorillas love to play wrestle!

Young gorillas are fond of wrestling each other during bouts of play just like some human children. During this kind of play, infants are seen rolling around, jumping over other individuals including their moms and other adults who are not playing. Sometimes they even play while biting and hitting their playmates.

5 Gorilla play is always mistaken as aggression by people

gorillas are far stronger than the average human and this is truly depicted in their style of play. Because of this, people who watch gorillas play tend to think that some of them are getting hurt but it is not so. In fact, gorillas can be heard laughing while playing even though it may appear as if they are fighting. The gorilla style of play tends to be a bit different from that of humans and you can see their play faces with the mouth open, lower lip hanging and no teeth showing.

Gorilla play is just one of the many amazing behaviors of these giant primates who share up to 98 percent of the human DNA. You can get a chance of watching these great apes live as they exhibit their breathtaking behavior through a gorilla safari to one of their habitat in Uganda and Rwanda.

Africa Adventure safaris organize customized gorilla safaris in both Uganda and Rwanda and give you a chance to trek mountain gorillas in some of their favorite homes of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, and Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.

All you need to do to see mountain gorillas is to contact us and book your gorilla safari and we shall go on and prepare your gorilla permit, comfortable accommodation and safe transport that will give you a lifetime experience.

Boat cruise/riding is one of the exciting safari activities in Uganda. The experience gives travelers a fresh feeling of cool breezes and air with admiration of the beautiful surroundings. Over time, the interest in boat cruising has increased among travelers visiting Uganda. Travel operators have experienced increased boat cruise bookings by travelers who want to experience waters in different parts of the country. Unlike other strenuous tourism experiences such as gorilla trekking, boat cruise safaris are kind of relaxing. Travelers do not put in any energy to make this dream come true. The experience is all about sitting back to enjoy a ride on the cool calm waters. The top destinations for boat safaris in Uganda include:

Kazinga Channel – Queen Elizabeth National Park

Boat Cruise at Kazinga Channel

Located in the heart of Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kazinga channel offers you the very best boat cruise experience. Enjoy a 3 hours cruise from Lake George to Lake Edward on a 40 kilometers long water channel. The banks of the river shelter numerous hippos, crocodiles, buffalos, and bird species which include Hammerk, African Kingfisher, African Fish Eagle, Ibises, Yellow-billed stork and white egrets among theirs. Also, the cruise offers you great views of the neighboring fishing villages and other wild animals in the park. Experienced guides will help you spot different birds and explain the unique features of each spotted bird. Boat cruise at Kazinga channel complements other tourism activities in Queen Elizabeth National Park such as game viewing, lion tracking, and Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura gorge. A combination of these makes a complete Uganda tour package to QENP meetings, satisfying and e ceding every traveler’s expectations.

Murchison Falls National Park

A boat cruise to the bottom of the mighty Murchison Falls is a must-do for every traveler on Uganda safari to Murchison Falls National Park. This boat cruise gives you the chance to witness the permanent rainbow at the bottom of the falls and also how the strong river waters squeeze through a narrow gorge to drop down like a waterfall. Expect to see numerous birds and wild water animals resting lazily on the riverbanks. This experience is done along with game viewing, hike to the top of the falls, community visits and chimpanzee trekking in Budongo Forest. Murchison falls National Park is Uganda’s oldest and largest National park with a high concentration of wildlife.

Lake Victoria

Lake Victoria in central Uganda is yet another boat cruise destination in the Pearl of Africa. Ranked as the African biggest freshwater body, Lake Victoria offers you the best boat cruising experiences to different points. Join a cruise to Ngamba Island, a sanctuary for chimpanzees, cruise to Ssese Island for a holiday, and some other islands which make up this big lake. A sunset cruise on Lake Victoria is a not-miss.

Lake Bunyonyi

Lake Bunyonyi Boat cruise

Do not miss a cruise on the calm waters of Africa’s second-deepest Lake. Located in Kabale district southwestern Uganda, Lake Bunyonyi is a hidden gem. It’s one of the best relaxing places to chill after tiresome adventures especially gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. A boat cruise at Lake Bunyonyi takes you to explore different islands such as the punishment island where unmarried pregnant Bakiga girls would be taken and left to die in isolation. Other islands on Lake Bunyonyi include Bugara Island, Bushara Island, Akampene and Bwama Island among others. Each island has a different history and is worth visiting. If you now swimming, take chance and dive into the fresh cold waters of Lake Bunyonyi. You will feel a difference!

Lake Mburo

Enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Mburo for exceptional views of birds, neighboring local communities and numerous water animals, especially crocodiles which rest lazily on the lakeshores. A boat cruise is one of the most doe tourist activities in Lake Mburo National park done along nature walks, game viewing, milking experience, and horse riding to make a complete safari package.

Source of the Nile

Visit Jinja and cruise to the source of River Nile, the world’s longest river for a memorable experience. Other safari activities done at the Nile river include white water rafting and bungee jumping among others.

In conclusion, therefore, Uganda safaris are much more than wildlife. Take part in a boat cruising safari today; enjoy the beauty of the natural waters of Uganda with Africa Adventure Safaris.

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The world has an endless list of travel destinations that offer memorable travel experiences. These destinations offer exceptional attractions and travel activities, which never leave travelers the same again. However, some places are undeniably unusual and no traveler should miss visiting them in 2020. These destinations have stood out to be exceptional in terms of offering memorable travel experiences. A visit to any of these places offers travelers off beaten kind of experience. Africa Adventure Safaris offer a list of 8 unusual travel destinations for 2020. The 8 unusual travel destinations every traveler must visit in 2020 include among others:

Quebec City, Canada

Visit Quebec City, one of North America’s best-kept secrets which have inventive food stores, cobblestone streets and a stroll of North America’s oldest streets in old Quebec. Quebec is one of the world‘s United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organizations UNESCO. The city has fortified walls surrounded by the glacial valleys of Jacques Cartier National Park and the thundering waterfalls of Montmorency falls Park.

Madhya Pradesh, India

Do you want to see some of the world’s best nature reserves? Madhya Pradesh in India. The place has unique features such as Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, Tadoba National park and Pench National park. Madya Pradesh is the best place to visit some endangered, elusive and exotic wild animals especially the rare Bengal tigers, leopards, Wild dogs, Sloths, Wolves and Pangolins among others. The unique experiences this place offers make it a must-visit destination for travelers who want to have a lifetime experience.

Puglia, Italy

A tour to Puglia (also announced as “g”) in Italy guarantees you a lifetime experience with authentic exploration. Puglia is a must-visit destination in Italy with quick access to both Adriatic and Ionian seas. Travelers to Puglia have easy access to timeless art and a mish-mash of weather-worn architectural styles which date back to pre-roman times. More so, Puglia is a center of first-class hotels such as Rocco Forte’s Rustic Luxe Masseria Torre Maizza, Bohemian and family-owned Palazzo Presta. These hotels offer first-class food and sleeping services ensuring travelers’ safety, comfort and peace.

Raja Ampat Islands, Indonesia

Ranked as the world’s most beautiful tropical archipelago, Raja Ampat is yet another unusual travel destination no traveler should miss visiting in 2020. The island rises from the sea set in the fames coral triangle and is one of the most diverse habitats on earth, home to a high number of staggering corals. Enjoy wildlife, lush landscapes and also swimming in the marine lake with millions of non-stinging golden medusa jellyfish.

Kakheti, Georgia

Do you want to have a taste of natural wines, Kakheti is the best place for you. For many centuries now, Kaheti has been known to make the very best natural wines in the whole world. Kakheti is also called Georgia’s atmospheric wine region making all kinds of wines such as Ruby red Velvety Saperavi among others. The variety of high-quality wines makes it the best place for partying.

Uganda

The pearl of Africa could not miss this list of must-visit travel destinations in 2020. Being home to the native population if the endangered mountain gorilla (half of the world’s gorillas), Uganda is worth visiting. More so, Uganda gorilla tours are quite cheap costing $700 hence affordable for almost all travelers to Africa. 18 gorilla families have been habituated in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks to offer travelers with an up-close encounter with the endangered gorillas at a close range. Also, the Bwindi forest is a center of mountain gorilla habituation experience, which gives travelers a chance to take part in training wild gorillas to make them familiar with human presence. More so, a variety of luxury lodges have been established in Bwindi Forest/Mgahinga Gorilla National Park to serve travelers with first-class food and sleeping services.

Galway, Ireland

If you want to experience the indigenous culture o Europe, Galway is the best for you. Galway is the cultural hub of Europe, which offer travelers a rich cultural performance that they live to remember. Also, travelers to Galway enjoy different festivities such as light installation on the mountains of Connemara by Kari Kola, the renowned light artist. Also, the wild Atlantic women event which features Margaret Atwood is a must-attend on you safari to Galway in 2020.

Oaxaca, Mexico

Oaxaca is one of the world’s leading regions rich in handicraft traditions, which have existed for thousands of years. Visit Oaxaca in 2020 and witness Mezcal, one of the top spirits in the world. More so, Oaxaca is a paradise for food lovers with a variety of foodstuffs on offer. Among the eateries to enjoy in Oaxaca include Alejandro Ruiz’s Casa Oaxaca el Restaurant and Enrique Olvera’s Criollo. Also, The Central Valleys of Oaxaca contain a myriad of thermal springs, which give you a long-lasting experience.

Contact Africa Adventure Safaris today, book a safari to the top 8 unusual places in the world and you will never be the same again.

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There are many wonders surrounding gorillas and research has continued to provide us with many amazing facts that are mind-blowing about these elusive and giant primates.

As we begin the year, we bring you 25 of the most amazing and common facts about gorillas

1. Gorillas live in social groups or families just like humans

2. The number of gorillas each vary from as low as 2 to as many as 65 though the average size of a gorilla family is about 15 members

3. Each gorilla group is made up of several females and their young ones but they are all led by one strong male known as silverback

4. Adult male gorillas can be about six feet when standing on two legs and this is taller than the average height of an adult human

5. Gorillas have opposable digits both on their hands and feet

6. While humans have unique fingerprints, gorillas have unique nose prints

7. Gorillas have a similar respiratory system to that of humans and this is why it is very easy to pass to each other illnesses like flu or common cold

8. Although the oldest gorilla recorded died at 63 years old, the average life expectancy for these apes is in the mid 30s

9. Male gorillas can weigh up to 450 pounds

10. Young gorillas stay close to their moms up to around 3 years while they completely leave their family group at around 10 years of age especially the males

11. Gorillas are completely vegetarian basically feeding on bamboo shoots, wild fruits and tree barks

12. Due to the tannins in their regular diet, mountain gorilla teeth and tongues are stained black

13. Although gorilla hair looks soft, it’s actually a lot more coarse than human hair and mountain gorillas tend to have more of on their body than other gorilla species due to living at a higher altitude which is colder.

14. Gorillas and humans share about 98 percent of DNA, perhaps the most common feature between the two species

15. Gorillas regularly construct their nests in which they sleep at several places where the night finds them

16. Like humans, gorillas also mourn their dead while crying and after try to cover the body with leaves and tree branches

17. At birth, infant gorillas weigh about 4 pounds

18. Silverbacks and blackbacks that have failed to find females to form their own groups end up forming all-male groups known as “bachelor” groups

19. Male gorillas start growing silver hair on their backs around the age of 13, after which they are referred to as “silverbacks” while before this stage they are called “blackbacks “

20. Gorillas cover an average distance of 1 mile as they travel per day

21. Gorillas usually beat their chests and this may be a sign of playing or aggression depending on the circumstance they find themselves

22. Today there are about 1,000 mountain gorillas in the wild, a significant increase from about 250 gorillas that were estimated to be in the wild four decades ago

23. Mountain gorillas are found only in 3 countries in the world, that is Uganda, Rwanda, and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

24. Majority of the mountain gorillas live in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park while the rest live in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (Uganda), Volcanoes National Park (Rwanda), and Virunga National Park (DRC)

25. Some gorilla families switch locations between Uganda and Rwanda in search of food and an increased habitat

26. The Fossey Fund (based in Rwanda and DRC) helps to protect gorillas is the major organization for gorilla conservation and it has played a leading role in helping the gorilla population to rise

27. Karisoke Research Center in Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda is the longest-running gorilla research site in the world, being in existence for over 50 years

28. Trekkers who visit gorillas are allowed to stay with them for only one hour as a measure of promoting their conservation

29. Rwanda holds an annual gorilla-naming ceremony in September each year known as “Kwita Izina” in which newborn gorillas are given names at Volcanoes National Park

30. There are two major species of gorillas namely the Eastern gorilla and the Western gorilla. Each group has got two subspecies including mountain gorillas and lowland gorillas under the eastern gorilla while western lowland gorilla and Cross river gorilla belong to the western gorilla group.

Click here to inquire about a gorilla safari in Uganda, Rwanda, or DR Congo