How Mountain Gorilla Conservation is saving local communities

It is very captivating and interesting while spending time in the second largest continent in the world. Africa is the best with its myriad landscapes of dunes and desert, endless beaches, vast golden savannah, steep escarpments, dramatic mountains and lush rainforests never fail to take ones breath away. The fascinating wild life which includes the rare mountain gorilla only found in three East African countries of Uganda, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo in the whole world.  The huge herds of elephants, young and old, and prides of lions prowling the plains, the dazzle of zebra and wildebeest in a frenzied rush to cross croc-infested rivers in search of better pastures. Also, the impalas and warthogs, snakes and vultures are all present in Africa making it magical.

Concerning people and local communities, the four national parks that have mountain gorillas Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National park in Uganda, volcanoes national park in Rwanda and virunga national park in the DRC) are surrounded by several local communities.

With over 1 billion people in 54 countries, Africa’s people have different cultures and beliefs, traditional and cultural ceremonies that are all unique, the Rwandans have the kwita iziina ceremony which is the naming of the baby gorilla and it is so interesting, the batwa in Uganda  among others all give memorable moments to the travelers alongside mountain gorilla trekking.

Gorilla tourism and conservation

In contrast to the belief that mountain gorillas are highly endangered and at a high risk of extinction, the number of mountain gorillas has been increasing since 1963 when gorilla tours were introduced as a conservation income generating mechanism in the virunga by Dian Fossey an American primatologist who sacrificed herself to save the then rare mountain gorillas. At present, there are approximately 880 mountain gorillas split in three East African countries of Uganda, Rwanda and the democratic republic of Congo. The population of gorilla is therefore increasing steadily day by day.

Gorilla tourism is believed to be the most interesting tourism activity, gorillas live in families with each family headed by the dominant silver back who acts like daddy in a family defending the entire family against the external attacks, the female gorillas nurse the young ones as real mothers in human life ,so interesting.

Mountain gorillas are the closest relatives of human beings sharing 98% of the human DNA hence making them so susceptible to human diseases. In order to address this, a maximum of 8 people are allowed to interact with one gorilla family for 1 hour maximum keeping a distance of 7 meters away from the gorillas to avoid close interactions.

Gorilla tourism and local communities

Gorilla tourism is deemed expensive due to quite high charges for the permits as compared to other tourism activities. A gorilla permit in Uganda is sold at 600usd, whereas in Rwanda it is sold at 750usd and 450usd in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

 This revenue goes to the respective governments and is used for further development such as rehabilitating roads connecting to the national parks which have these apes. The roads and other facilities such as hospitals and schools are so important to the surrounding local people; this is an indirect benefit of gorilla conservation and tourism to the local communities.

For the nearest local communities to the gorilla national parks such as Musanze in Rwanda and Buhoma in Uganda among others, 20% of the total revenues earned from tourism are given to the local people. This money is used to by locals to support their families and improve their standards of living.

Concerning employment opportunities, gorilla conservation and tourism in Africa has done a great job in providing employment to the local people. Although most locals still lack qualifications and skills to serve as international guides, they have been hired as local guides, porters, mobilizers among others which has resolved natural resource conflicts between local people and managements of gorilla national perks over participation.

In Uganda, the batwa cultural trail in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest national park is of great help to the batwa. These people had their permanent settlements in the forest before it was garzeted into the national park. They tell stories of how they lived peacefully in the forest, demonstrate their traditions all which are interesting to the travelers who end up supporting these people through charity and donations.

In Rwanda, there is the iby’iwacu Cultural Village which has improved the lives of reformed poachers and communities around Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. This has been done through the provision of conservation incentives, supporting community enterprise development and livelihood based projects. Travelers to this village help in promoting education facilitation, agricultural support, healthy advisory, clean water and providing market for the local arts, crafts and baskets for the local people. This in turn improves the standards of living for the local community people.

In both countries, there are local community based projects that provide accommodation facilities to the travelers, and are mostly funded by gorilla conservation forums in the respective countries. Therefore in the whole of Africa, local communities have been great beneficiaries from gorilla conservation programs, sensitization, education and support that have improved livelihoods of the local people in areas with mountain gorillas.

10 Facts about Rwanda's Tourism

Like its counterpart Uganda, Rwanda is also a landlocked with neighbor countries like Democratic Republic of Congo in the West, Tanzania to the East, Uganda to the north, , and Burundi in the south. Rwanda occupy an area of about 26,338 sq km (10,169sqmiles), with a total population of about 13 million (UN estimates 2013 and it’s Africa's most densely populated country. Rwanda is divided by great peaks of up to 3,000m (9,842ft) which run across the county from north to south. Rwanda is a very beautiful county with a moderate climate. The majority of the people in Rwanda speak Kinyarwanda, French, English, and Kiswahili.

Fact 1

Rwanda’s capital and its largest city is Kigali. It is located within the heart of Rwanda, just about 7kms from Kanombe international airport. it’s a very attractive small city with a fantastic variety of flowering trees and plants from various points on the edge, there are outstanding views over the intensively cultivated and terraced countryside. The capital Kigali is a center to very many tourist attractions like the genocide memorial center, national museum, cultural sites, international business, market center. It’s really very difficult to come on a safari to Rwanda without going for a Kigali city tour. Rwanda’s national currency is the Rwandan franc (Rwf.) 

Fact 2

Rwanda obtained its independence on July 1, 1962 from Belgium. It has a presidential system of government and Paul Kagame is currently the president of Rwanda

Fact 3

The climate of Rwanda is made up of two wet seasons and two dry seasons. The short wet season lasts from October to November and the main rainy season lasting from mid-march to the end of May. The dry season lasts from December to mid-march and from June to end of August. Rwanda has deep valleys and steep mountains and sometimes Rwanda is referred to as a country of ‘’a thousand hills’’

Fact 4

Rwanda is known as one of the three countries in the whole world that houses the few remaining endangered mountain gorillas. Today a Rwanda gorilla trekking safari is the most adventurous experience especially to real nature lovers. It’s a home to over 350 primates and it’s known as the leading mountain gorilla safari destination in the world.  Many visitors whole over the world come to this small African country to spend at least 1-2 hours with these endangered apes in their natural habitat.

Your gorilla safari in Rwanda will be a memorable adventure as you are privileged to explore more about these Rwanda facts.

Fact 5

Rwanda's dreadful genocide which took place in 1994 has not been forgotten; over 1 million people were killed within 90 days. The memorial museum in Kigali is a "must-see". This terrible war took place between two ethnic groups that live in Rwanda, the Hutus and the Tutsis and this happened after the murder of the Presidents of Burundi (Cyprien Ntaryamira) and Rwanda (Juvénal Habyarimana) in a plane crash caused by a rocket attack On 6 April 1994. The killings started immediately since the Hutu thought that the Tutsi where accountable for the tragic. The killings where herd in each and every town of Rwanda, people used pang, stick, stone and guns to kill each other. As a way of remembering the incidence, memorial sites were built, and there about 7 memorial genocide sites with in Rwanda these include Murambi Genocide Memorial Site, Gisozi Memorial site, Gisenyi, Bisesero, Nyamata, Ntarama Memorial sites. This day is celebrated every year. Many visitors can’t leave Rwanda without visiting one of these memorial sites; it’s a life-changing experience to hear testimonies from the survivors of this horrific war which claimed million lives.

Fact 6

Roman Catholics dominate other religions in Rwanda. Half the people are Roman Catholics while 26% are Protestants, 11% are Adventists and 4.6% are Muslims.

Fact 7

 Nyungwe Forest National Park is the only park not only in Rwanda but also in world hosting over 13 species of primates. Nyungwe forest national park has a huge montane forest and it’s located in the south western part of Rwanda just about 5-7 hours’ drive from Kigali Rwanda’s capital and its largest city. For primate lovers the park is a home to the close relative of man the chimps which shares almost a half of the 98% of human genes, chimp tracking is the most done tourist activity at the park.  Other primates include baboons, black and white colobus monkey, silver monkeys, civet monkeys, red tailed monkey to mention but a few. It is also a home to over 300 species of birds. It’s also a home to mammal species which include civets, leopards, several cats, and other animals.

Fact 8

Akagera National Park is the only protected Rwanda national park where game drives to meet the big five species can be done from. Wildlife species expected to see includes elephants, hippos, lion, elephant, buffaloes, crocodiles, warthog, and antelopes among others.

Fact 9

Rwanda’s natural resources are gold, cassiterite (tin ore), wolframite, (tungsten ore) methane, hydropower and arable land. The industries include cement, agricultural products, soap, small-scale beverages, furniture, plastic goods, textiles, shoes and cigarettes, all these generates the country a lot of revenue that in turn used to improve people’s standards of living.

Fact 10

Rwanda highest point is mountain Karisimbi, 4,519 m and lowest point is Rusizi River, 950m. Lake Kivu is Rwanda’s freshest water body and the sixth largest lake in Africa, Very good for relaxing and many activities can be carried out at the lake like swimming, beach volleyball & exploring the lake on the boat to the nearby island.

A Uganda Tour offers Incredible Nature Experiences

Uganda is landlocked country located in east Africa and popularly known as the pearl of Africa. Uganda is very endowed and very gifted with a number of natural resources and tourist attraction offering unique safari experiences to adventurous tourists.  While in Uganda, it’s always hard to get a starting point for tour and safari expeditions because all of the attractions in the country are very unique.

Firstly, one cannot over look Murchison falls national park that stretches from mid western covering the southern parts of west Nile and northern Uganda. This national park is a home to a number of wildlife species and the only place where the big five can be viewed. The big five includes the lions, cape buffaloes, giraffes, leopards and rhinos at the Zziwa rhino sanctuary.  These are called big five mainly because of the difficulty the rangers would go through while tracking and hunting them. While at Murchison falls national park, one can get a chance of exploring the Nile viewing the great Murchison falls where the Nile water falls over a hard rock in a great sound forming a permanent mist and rain ball. Game drives and boat trips in Murchison falls can never be a regrettable idea as one will not miss viewing a number of savanna wild animals in the park.

The western part of Uganda introduces tourists to the glaciers along the equator in the snow- capped Rwenzori Block Mountains. The Rwenzori area is blessed with many wild life species that include the rare three-horned Johnston’s chameleon, a number of birds endemic to the Albertine region plus various mammals featuring forest elephants. Most of these can be seen along the Rwenzori hike to discover the snow capped peaks.

While in the west, one can explore a number of tourist attractions including the unique wildlife species in queen Elizabeth national park which has four of the big five mammals (elephants, leopards, buffaloes and lions), the highest hippo population in east Africa along the Kazinga channel that can be best viewed by tourists on game drives, crocodiles, birds, major savanna wild herbivores (impalas, Uganda kobs, giraffes most of which can be viewed by tourists on game drives and hot air balloon safaris.

The southwestern parts of Uganda are very unique and take wildlife safaris in Uganda to a whole new level with mountain gorilla trekking. The south western parts of Bwindi impenetrable forest and Mgahinga gorilla national parks are homes to half of the mountain gorillas on the planet with 13 habituated mountain gorilla families. 12 of the mountain gorilla families inhabit the Bwindi impenetrable ecosystem while 1 lives in Mgahinga gorilla national park. Each of the mountain family can be trekked by strictly 8 tourists a day spending with it an hour. Mountain gorilla trekking permits for Uganda are sold at only $600 during the peak season (dry season) and at $350 during the low season.

Mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi and Mgahinga is usually supplemented by great sightings of many other wildlife species in the forest for example monkeys, birds, tree and vegetation species and a visit to the unique Batwa community who usually teach and tell stories to the tourists about their unique cultures.

From the west, a visit to the eastern part of Uganda offers other remarkable experiences. From the far north eastern part is Kidepo valley national park a place with typical African wilderness and a home to one of the groups of people the Karamojongs who still subscribe to their typical cultural traditions. Kidepo valley national park has a number of wildlife species including buffaloes, lions, zebras a number of bird species. Below Kidepo valley national park is mount Elgon national park a home to the volcanic mountain with the largest mountain base in the world. The major attractions here include a number of wildlife species, Sipi falls and the unique Imbalu traditions of the Bagishu people.

Generally speaking, Uganda is very gifted naturally and no one can dispute the fact that it’s the pearl of Africa. All those seeking for remarkable tourism experiences should just visit the country.

What Makes Rwanda a Magical destination?

Although Rwanda is a landlocked small country, today it’s become a popular holiday destination for numerous travelers offering a number of tourism attractions with the Virunga Volcanoes mountain gorillas standing out. Also known as the land of a thousand hills, the country is geographically is made up of a central plateau comprising of steep mountains and deep valleys. Among the attraction the country offers is the Parc National des Volcans in the Virunga volcanoes is home to the mountain gorillas which the primatologist Dian Fossey dedicated her life. Nyungwe Forest, one of the largest montane forests in Central Africa, is renowned for its large troops of chimpanzees,  colobus monkeys and amazing canopy walk. Akagera National Park is a savannah park with the newly introduces lions, others include the elephants, hippo and crocodile. Lake Kivu is a beautiful inland sea enclosed by steep terraced hillsides. There are a large variety of birds. Rwanda has a rich culture with its second city, Butare, having one of the finest cultural museums in Africa. Lets checkout the beautiful activities within the land of a thousand hills

Beautiful Mountainous views
The country comprises of 3 cities including Gisenyi,  Kibuye and Cyangungu, from which one can have stunning views of the breathtaking Lake Kivu. For anyone who has had the chance to visit Rwanda with vote that calling her the "Land of thousand hills" is simply an understatement. A visit to Gisenyi town, takes you to cross the Rwanda Congo border and visit the city of the Nyiaragongo volcano situated within Goma city, an active Virunga volcano on the Congo side, which recently erupted 2002 and offers great views and totally worthy a visit

Primates
Primates can be seen largely in Nyungwe National Park an Albertine rift montane rainforest. The rainforest has a large number of primates species including over 450 troops of chimpanzees, more than 300 colobus monkeys moving around in trees and L’Hoest monkey can be tracked in the jungles of Nyungwe and volcanoes national parks.

The mountain gorillas
Its important to know that gorilla tours in Rwanda can be done  in Parc National des Volcans which is located in the Virunga mountain ranges and is joined with Mgahinga National Park  in Uganda and Virunga National Park in Congo.

The Volcanoes national park is managed and run by a Rwandan government Office for Tourism and National Parks (ORTPN). In the district of Musanze formerly called Ruhengeri is were the park is located  and the base of the park entrance point. The gorilla Virubga rages region is made up of a number of mountain ranges including mt. Karisimbi, mt. Bisoke, mt. Mikeno, mt. Sabyinyo, mt. Mgahinga and mt. Muhabura volcanoes

The park currently comprises of 10 habituated mountain gorilla families hence 80 gorilla permits are sold out on each single day.  Gorilla groups include the Titus groups, Susa group, Karisimbi family, Amahoro group, Umubano group, Sabyinyo group, Kwitonda Group, Hirwa Family, Ugenda group and lastly Bwenge family.

Wildlife in Rwanda
Wildlife which can be spotted in Rwanda’s Akagera national park includes the newly introduces lions, giraffes, leopards, elephants, impalas, buffaloes, zebras, antelopes, hyenas, rhinos and many others. Akagera national park is the country’s major savannah national park where one can do a game drive to view wildlife in the jungle

Birding
The Land of a thousand hills is a haven for birds and is one of the most interesting birding destinations worldwide. This is mostly owed to its equatorial climate. Most birds in Rwanda are in her three major national parks, which are; volcanoes national park, Nyungwe national park and Akagera national park. These parks harbor over 1,500 bird species and 27 Albertine endemic species. The most outstanding bird species you can’t miss to see include the shoebill stork, Miombo wren-warbler and Bennett’s woodpecker. Birding can be done at any time of the year however it’s better around December-February in order to catch the migrating birds.

Coffee  Plantations
Rwanda’s major export is coffee hence while driving in the countryside, expect to tour large coffee plantations which look like they are covering the whole country. These are attractions to students doing research for study purposes. All those interested are taught the whole process the crops go through from planting, harvesting and processing and they are also invited to taste the results especially tea. Most of the plantations are located on the hills and their green color adds to the great scenic beauty the country has.

History & Culture
Rwanda has been marked by the unfortunate history of the genocide which saw thousands killed , this dominated the world's headlines in 1994.The country offers a number of memorial genocide grounds for tourists to learn more about her past.
Those interested can also visit communities around national parks to learn more about the Rwandese ways of life and even take part in the local community activities like cooking, collecting firewood and even milking.

Uganda has a lot to offer than the Famous Mountain Gorillas

The Perl of Africa is home to almost a half of the well-known endangered mountain gorillas remaining in the world. Tour companies in the country promote gorilla tourism with extra ordinarily efforts and the word Gorilla is consolidated into numerous sites or tour companies most of which are selling gorilla tours.

Winston Churchill while voyaging through Uganda named it the Pearl of Africa without even visiting the Mountain Gorillas that inhabit with in the country.  Uganda stands for Mountain Gorillas, which can only be found in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga national park however Uganda – the Pearl of Africa is so much more than Mountain Gorillas – Uganda as per the Lonely Planet is Africa condensed into a small country the size of the State of Oregon.   

Uganda is Authentic Africa as you imagined it to be. It is Raw Africa unlike many other African countries – Uganda is simply more than Mountain Gorillas – it is Africa and according to Winston Churchill and many others it is the Pearl of Africa.

Uganda, rich in wildlife diversity, numerous cultures and ancient societies/ kingdoms, the memorable River Nile, a Birders Paradise, nature in abundance, Scenic views for life, and the hospitality by the people in Africa – Uganda is substantially more that Mountain Gorillas, it is real, authentic Africa.

Uganda’s Rwenzori Mountains also known as the “mountains of the moon”, its Volcanoes, its thick and deep green Rainforests, its scenic landscapes, its Lakes and the River Nile, its Wildlife, Primates, all make it the Pearl of Africa but most of all its people and its children make Uganda such a great country of more than a Gorilla Destination. You can easily spend two weeks in Uganda and there is still so much more to see and do at the end of your time here in the Pearl of Africa.

Uganda is interesting and distinctive, generally offers more than most other African countries can do! Uganda is safe – picked by Lonely Planet as the Best destination to be visited in 2012 and not just because of Mountain Gorillas but Uganda is basically more than that which makes it -  the Pearl of Africa

Article written by Yahaya Kimbowa, an author with a keen interest in  East Africa's growing tourism but majoring in promoting students safaris in Uganda and Rwanda working with - www.studentsugandasafaris.com. which is aimed towards teaching students about Uganda Rwanda wildlife, culture, histry and alot more 

Uganda’s Tilapia to Hit Germany Markets Soon

Uganda’s Tilapia is expected to hit markets in Germany, boosting incomes of commercial fish farmers and local fishermen in Uganda.

Currently Uganda has Nile Perch available in Germany, but demand for Tilapia is on the rise. I am in contact with Germany trading companies to import Tilapia. Not many people know Tilapia in Germany,” said Uganda’s honorary consul to Germany Prof. Nikolaus Schmidt.
This was at a meeting with business leaders at the Kampala Sheraton Hotel recently.

He added that there are plans to link the fisheries sectors of Uganda and Germany to enable the exchange of technical knowledge and strategic investment.

Over 15,500 tonnes of fish were exported mostly to Europe in 2011, earning Uganda about sh212b, with the Nile perch species contributing a larger percentage.

However, demand for the Tilapia species has pushed prices up in recent months.

As honorary consul, Schmidt will also promote Uganda safari adventures and tourism potential in Germany. Ambassador Francis Butagira, a senior presidential advisor, noted that there are many Germans anxious to visit Uganda.

Ambassador James Mugume, the permanent secretary in the foreign affairs ministry, urged Schmidt to link Uganda with German investors in infrastructure, telecoms, agro-processing and energy.

This is one of the successes that Ugandans  should be proud to have and hence should have a positive attitude towards this project and should get involved - For God and my Country

Going Gorilla Trekking in Africa??? Find useful information here.

A gorilla trekking tour is continuously the highlight of any African safari. The number of mountain gorillas is assessed to be 750-850 from the 2011 registration completed. Mountain Gorilla safaris are expensive, exhausting and even exasperating, but also incomparably inspiring and emotional and always uniquely memorable. If you are able to acquire a gorilla permit you have a 95% chance of trekking any of the available mountain gorilla groups/families, you might as well have an good level of fitness because the trek involves moving long distances of trekking through thick forested areas on steep slopes, however certain times, the Gorillas are viewed in actually few minutes of strolling. Whenever booking your gorilla safari, its truly critical to choose if you need a hard trek or a simple one you will need to consult your local tour operator which gorilla trek could best suite your hobbies, a long time and capabilities most straightforward to achieve, and accord the best following background. In Uganda, you will have a say about the family of gorillas you want to trek if you book your gorilla allow early (up to 15 months after your visit). In Rwanda there is less accentuation on promptly gorilla allow reservations and more on promptly entry for the day of following and the impact of your aide with park powers.

Where to Trek Mountain Gorillas and what’s the best time to do the trek

The Gorilla tracking activity for Rwanda and Uganda is done each day all year round. There are many habituated Mountain Gorilla groups for visitor to track from the distinctive nations, and its advisable to secure your gorilla permit early. The Uganda gorilla tracking age is 15 years and above. The present cost of a gorilla trekking permits in Rwanda is $750 and Uganda is $500 for every individual to use one hour with the gorillas, watching them, taking photographs. 

Is Gorilla trekking difficult? How fit should you be?

The trek includes climbing on unpleasant terrain of the thick rainforests and after the weather is unpredictable; it may be too sweltering or may rain heavily throughout the trek. The gorilla trekking experience needs determination and passion to persevere the trek. All the more seasoned individuals have been able to conclusively see the gorillas. Personal assistants can be employed to carry your daypack and assist you in troublesome areas. The local aides will work to make it as easy as conceivable for you to track and photograph the Mountain Gorillas. We have had various customers in their 70's succeed in reaching their target Mountain Gorilla assemblies. In any case many folks return quite exhausted, sloppy and sore provided that they are not utilized to vigorous trekking. Altitude ailment is not usually a situation, nor is creepy crawlies. You will need a pair of gloves and apparel that secures your arms and legs from thorns and vexes. Exceptional balance is supportive in Gorilla trekking as trails may be dangerous.

Rwanda attractions apart from Mountain Gorillas

Rwanda is a beautiful, green, nation, also called the land of a Thousand Slopes. The genocide of 1994 is effectively memorialized in a museum in Kigali and at different posts around the nation. This is a beautiful interaction worth striving for, in addition to touring the Kigali city, the national museum in Butare. While on a Rwanda safari to trek gorillas in Rwanda, travelers can add it with trekking chimps in Nyugwe forest, Natural life tour in Akagera national park, visit Lake Kivu, tour Golden Monkeys as well as trek to Karisoke where Diane Fossey led her pioneering research.

And Uganda

Uganda includes a magnificent societies, great untamed life parks and amazing birding. Uganda may be the best safari nation in Africa for an extensive mixture of fowl species and essential birding safari natural surroundings. Dead set birders frequently see more than 400 species on a 12-14 day Uganda birding safari. There are moreover countless different species of primates and untamed life in Ruler Elizabeth national park, Murchison falls national park, Kibale national park for chimps trekking, Jinja white water rafting and such a variety of alternates. The Rwenzori Mountains welcome more enlarged trekking for a Uganda Tour.