Recent tourist arrival statistics and reports from the Rwanda Development Board, which is in the office of Rwanda Tourism and coservation has released a report indicating a growth in the number of gorilla safari tourist to Rwanda just in the first quarter of this year.

The Statistics Offer Joel Rudasingwa noted that its because of the improvement in the financial state of the world, e.s the global financial crisis and later on its trend towards recovery that has led to this increase.

But we cannot underestimate the fact that Rwanda intensively markets the mountain gorillas as an option for African holidays since its one of the highest source of foreign income in this small country.

The visitors to Rwanda to see the mountain gorillas in the first quarter are said to be about 4,000 visitors which is close to about 1.2 billion Rwandese francs.

Rwanda shares the mountain gorilla population with Uganda with about 280 of these endangered species in Rwanda. Only 700 mountain gorillas are left in the whole world.

Uganda has started work on habituating another mountain gorilla group to humans in order to expand uganda safaris in its famous Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Habituation involves gradually exposing gorillas to humans in order for the highly territorial groups to get accustomed to human presence. Once the gorilla groups become used to humans being around, they are much less likely to get frightened or aggressive when safari tours show up.

Safaris are big business in Uganda and those that track gorillas constitutes about half of the country’s tourism revenue.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, located in southwest Uganda, is made up of 331 square kilometers of thick jungle. Visitors have to travel through it on foot. It’s a tough journey but allows adventure travelers the chance to see one of the richest varieties of wildlife of any East African park. About 340 endangered mountain gorillas live in the park; sadly that constitutes half of the total population in the world. Because of its importance in protecting the gorillas and other plant and animal life, Bwindi is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Ngamba Island chimpanzee sanctuary is partly composed of a rainforest situated  just about 23kms from Entebbe. It supports a rich diversity  of natural wildlife, mainly orphaned chimpanzees, more still over 120 species of birds. For safaris to Ngamba and an extension to gorilla safari in Bwindi, Visit our main page of gorilla trekking in Uganda.

The sanctuary gives a very conducive environment for orphaned chimpanzees that have been confiscated, harassed in the wild Furthermore  providing a high quality educational experience for visitors about chimpanzee behavior.  The most exciting is that Visitors have an enjoyable experience as they watch the chimpanzees being fed by the staff twice a day

Good enough the Sanctuary is a non-profit organization which is co-ordinated as well as  managed by the Chimpanzee Sanctuary & Wildlife conservation Trust.Lately the santuary is managed by seven trustees namely; the uganda wildlife Authority, uganda  wildlife sociaty, Enviroment conservation Trust, the Born free foundation-uk, International fund for Animal welfare and the jane Goodall institute. Each of the organisations or represented on the board by a trustee.

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KAMPALA, UGANDA – Uganda has set its eyes to cash in on virtual gorilla tracking.

And come September 26, 2009, the virtual network to track the gorillas will be launched in Kampala and will be witnessed by world leaders and local and international superstars.
This was revealed by Ms. Eunice Mahoro, the Director of Tourism Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in an interview with East African Business Week.

Mahoro explained virtual gorilla tracking will involve stationing of cameras within Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and trackers will only be able to track gorillas with the help of Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates.

“All this will be possible by one logging on website www.friendagorilla.org which will work in the same way as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. Once you befriend a gorilla or gorillas, you will be interacting with your gorilla friend on a weekly basis and you will get updates on the movement of your gorilla friend(s) in Bwindi. And all you do is paying just one dollar or an equivalent in Uganda shillings to any of the mobile telephone networks and you will get yourself a gorilla friend,” Mahoro said.

She said once one ‘buys’ or rather befriends a gorilla; one becomes able to follow births, new relationships and genealogy of your friend, all life long.

“But you do not have to be on the social network site, you can track your gorilla friend on www.friendagorilla.org site by going to the web page Geotrack,” Mahoro said.

She explained that come September 24, the Nshongi gorilla family in Kisoro will be officially launched by tracking this biggest family of gorillas with 34 individual members which has been habituated for tracking recently.

“This is the year of the gorilla and we want to get everyone on board. We shall have many campaigns starting August 31 with gorilla road shows; culminating in a fundraising corporate gala at Kampala Serena Hotel. With the website connection and the gala, we hope to raise about US$2 billion (US$1 million),” Mahoro said. She explained that tourism last year contributed $600m and the biggest chunk came from gorilla tracking and currently, the tourism sector contributes 4% of the country’s GDP.

Lilian Nsubuga, the Communication and Public Relations Manager UWA, said the money raised will mostly be used for constructing fully operational clinics around the national park and one project that will be initiated by the community.

Adventure in the Pearl takes you through a magical journey and you will appreciate nature, people, culture, food and excitement. The safari will take you through the wonders of the Pearl of Africa starting at the Nile River source, Bujagali falls, the Sipi falls, Murchison falls, Kibaale, Semuliki, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi Impenetrable National parks, Lake Bunyonyi sceneries, Lake Mburo, and Ssese Islands in Lake Victoria. You will marvel at the vast beauty of Uganda, the flora and fauna, the local people, the food and the sceneries. This safari can be undertaken all year with Gorilla tracking being a challenge in the wet seasons. Activities like white water rafting, Gorilla tracking, launch cruises, game drives, bird watching, nature guided walks, and canoeing on Lake Buyonyi among others may be done. The following is the possible itinerary but can be tailor made to suite your budget and needs as any one can engage in the safari although Gorilla tracking may be challenging if not ready and fit enough for the long walks involved.

The Source of the Nile
In the morning hours embark on the breath taking adventure on the Nile that will see you experience white water rafting on the River Nile along Bujagali falls. A group of professionals have been assembled and with up-to-date equipment and will make your rafting safe and memorable. Alternatively proceed for a tour around Jinja town and may appreciate the once industrial town of Uganda, its Asian architectural building designs and to cap it up visit the source of the mighty River Nile and the Ghandy monument. Have lunch break drive to Mbale arriving late evening. Check in at Mount Elgon Hotel to dinner and overnight.

The majestic Sipi Falls
Proceed after early morning breakfast to the Crow’s nest and engage in a guided nature walk to the Sipi River that originates from Mt. Elgon numerous caves, coffee plantations, bananas as well as homesteads may be seen. Have packed lunch and later in the evening return to Mbale, at Mount Elgon Hotel to dinner and overnight.

The untamed Murchison Falls (3,877sq km)
Proceed to Murchison Falls National Park early morning via Kampala through the historical Luwero triangle enjoying the sceneries. It will be along travel distance but one rewarding given the numerous sights and sounds enroute. Have a lunch break then Proceed to Kaniyo Pabidi to the Top of the falls

The game
Early morning, ferry cross the River Nile to the northern bank for game viewing and expect to see elephants, lions, leopards and a heaven of antelopes. Have a lunch break then head for an afternoon Launch Cruise on the Nile where numerous birds like the African fish eagle, variety of king fishers among others may be seen. Have dinner and over night at Red Chilli Rest Camp/ Paraa/ Nile safari Lodge.

The Royal Town of Fort Portal
After sun rise break fast drive west to Fort Portal for Kibaale National Park enroute view scenery of rolling hills, escarpments, Lake Albert and some primates like baboons among others. Lunch break enroute as we proceed to Fort Portal. Check in, dinner and over night at Ndali/ Kanyanchu.

The Chimps and birds in Kibale Forest
After breakfast, head to Kibale forest in pursuit of chimpanzees and other primates such as the black and white Colobus monkey vervets, and la’hoest monkeys. These delightful creatures (chimps) more closely related to humans than to any other living creature, are tremendous fun to watch as they squabble and play in fruiting trees then have packed lunch. The National Park is about 795sqkm engulfing a dense and intense green vegetation that has a network of forest paths providing much joy to nature lovers and especially botanists and birders. The NP is home to over 250 species of birds, over 110species of forest tree species and over 15species of primate. Proceed back to mountain of the moon hotel to dinner and overnight.

The undiscovered Treasure
Drive to Semuliki National Park and marvel at the Sempaya hot springs as well as the winding escarpments of Mt. Rwenzori. Have packed lunch then proceed to Fort Portal check in at Mountains of the moon hotel to dinner and over night.

The Perfect game
Proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park enroute view the scenery ranges of Mt. Rwenzori on your right, farm lands Hima cement factory among others. Lunch break at Kasese town then head to Queen Elizabeth National Park with a stop over on the Equator for photography. Check in at Mweya or Jacana Safari Lodges / Albertine hostels to dinner and over night.

The mating Grounds
Head to the Kasenyi area, the mating ground for the kobs and look out for lions in pursuit of their prey, buffaloes, hyenas among others. Proceed to the crater section for scenic viewing, lunch break at Mweya. Proceed to the elegant Kazinga Channel for a launch cruise and expect view numerous bird species like king fishers, pelicans, cormorants, animals like hippos, elephants and crocodiles basking along the banks. Head back to Mweya or Jacana Safari Lodges / Albertine hostels to dinner and over night.

Chimps in the gorge
Visit Kyambura gorge for chimp tracking early morning, lunch break at Mweya Safari lodge, head for Katwe salt lake works and an evening game viewing enroute to Mweya, dinner and over night.

The kept secret
Proceed to Maramagambo Forest for nature guided walk, view birds, rock pythons, bat hawks, the giant fruit bats and bat caves among others. Overnight at Jacana lodge, watch the sun set and enjoy dinner on the Sun downer on Lake Nyamsikiri.

The Lions in the trees
After break fast drive south west to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park game viewing in Ishasha sector enroute. View the astonishing tree climbing lions, variety of antelopes in the rolling savannah. Lunch enroute, then proceed to Buhoma and check in at Gorilla Resort

The fascinating Mountain Gorillas
Up relatively early for a hearty breakfast to give you the energy needed for your Gorilla trek, you then get a briefing from the park authorities and depart for Gorilla tracking in the tropical rain forest in pursuit of these habituated Gorilla families through the undergrowth and parting thick creepers. Ensure that you have lunch packed for you with bottled water as well. A reasonable degree of fitness is required as well as a sturdy pair of walking shoes. Once up close to the group, a memorable whole one hour is allowed to be with these gentle giants. Sit in the forest among the Gorillas, listen to them grumble to each other and marvel at the sheer size of the dominant male-the Silverback. It’s an extra-ordinary feeling sitting in the dense rainforest knowing you are with a few of these last remaining mountain Gorillas-sadly enough there are only about 650 of these beautiful creatures left. Have packed lunch and return at leisure to Gorilla Resort to dinner and overnight.

The beautiful Lake Bunyonyi
Proceed to Lake Bunyonyi in Kabale a lava damned lake and one of the deepest in East Africa, lunch break in kabala then proceed to Lake Bunyonyi Overland camp site. On a dug out canoe visit the various Islands on Lake Bunyonyi notably the “Akampene” or “Punishment Island” lunch break. Enjoy as well as the confines on the lake, feel the entertainment by the community culture, dinner and over night at Bushara/ Lake Bunyonyi Overland camp site.

The grazers
Early morning drive to Lake Mburo National Park having lunch enroute. Proceed to the park headquarters viewing game at any opportunity like zebras, topis, buffaloes among others. Check in at Mantana / Rwonyo camp site. Proceed for a boat ride on Lake Mburo, dinner and over night at Mantana / Rwonyo rest camp.

Ssese Islands
Engage in an early morning game drive and may view leopards, buffaloes, hyenas, impalas, bushbucks among others as well as birds like crown cranes, wattled plovers, African Jacana among others. Proceed to kalangala in the Ssese Islands on Lake Victoria with a stop over for refreshment, head to Bukakata landing site in time to catch the ferry. Check in at Pearl Gardens on Ssese Island and you may relax on the white sands of Ssese, Dinner and overnight at Pearl Gardens.

The Scenic Islands
Engage in a Nature guided walk on the Island, back to lunch. May have a boat ride on the mighty Lake Victoria fishing and enjoy sun set on the white sands, dinner and over night at Pearl Gardens.

The Equator
Drive to Kampala having lunch enroute. Proceed to Kampala crossing the equator from the southern hemisphere to the northern hemisphere and may have a stop at the royal drum makers. Check in at Emerald Hotel/ Red Chilli Hide away.

The Treasures of Kampala
Proceed on a tour in and around the kingdom of Buganda the biggest in Uganda. Visit the Lubiri (king’s palace) in mengo, the historical kabaka’s Lake as well as the monarch’s administration building where various Buganda clans will be explained. Proceed to the Kasubi Tombs where the fallen kings of Buganda were laid to rest. Visit the historical religious sites like Bahai temple the one and only temple of its kind Africa, Rubaga cathedral for Catholics, Namirembe cathedral for the Anglicans and the Muslim mosque. All these display unbelievable Roman and unique Arab architectural designs; in addition a visit to the Uganda museum to view Uganda’s artifacts is worthwhile. Check in at hotel Africana, Emerald Hotel/ Red Chili Hide away for dinner and overnight.

Departure
Leave for the Airport in time for your flight.

NOTE: Arrival accommodation is excluded; This safari can be tailor made to suite you needs

Please click here for tariffs

The package includes:

* Ground transportation by 4WD land cruiser and Fuel
* Air port transfers
* Full board accommodation and a drink at meals
* English speaking Driver/Guide
* Activities in the package

The package excludes any cost of personal nature like:

* Tips
* Laundry
* Souvenirs
* visas
* Personal drinks and cigarettes
* Air ticket and related costs
* Insurance covers

Bwindi National Park, the home of Mountain gorillas in Uganda and Mgahinga national parks Uganda have received equipment worth sh23m from the International Gorillas Conservation Programme.  These parks form the core of gorilla trekking in Uganda or gorilla tracking tours. The programme officer, Dr. Arthur Mugisha, handed over the equipment to the conservation area manager, Charles Atuhe, at their offices in Kabale town on Friday.
Uganda Safari
The consignment included two generators, 10 camping tents, park bags for carrying water and radios, food bags and two video sets. Mugisha said game parks should use the equipment to mobilise the local people to engage in activities that did not threaten the gorillas.

He said Uganda Wild life Authority had a duty to protect gorillas. According to Mugisha, there are 720 gorillas in Uganda, Congo and Rwanda but if the people were mobilised to protect the apes, the number of gorillas could multiply.

THE tourism ministry is to review the gorilla tracking agreement between the Uganda Safari Company (TUSC) and the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), the tourism minister has said.

TUSC signed a contract to market gorilla permits and manage Nkuringo Eco-Lodge in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park on behalf of the local communities about two years ago.

According to tour operators, the agreement granted the firm a monopoly on gorilla permits for the Nkuringo group, which tied tourists to staying at the eco-lodge.

Kahinda Otafiire assured the operators that resolving the issue was among his priorities, adding that he would first enquire from his predecessor, Janat Mukwaya, why the monopoly was created.

“Your complaints about the gorilla tracking monopoly in Bwindi will be solved soon,” Otafiire said during the welcome party hosted for him at the Kampala Serena Hotel last week.

The Uganda Tourist Association president, Amos Wekesa, said the sector was expected to grow at about 2.5% even with the hard-hitting credit crunch.

“The Government should waive taxes and zero-rate all tourism packages for its fast growth,” Henry Okecho, the Association of Uganda Tour Operators chairman, said.

Last year, tour operators petitioned Parliament arguing that the agreement between the Uganda Safari Company and the local communities neighbouring the gorilla sites at the Bwindi park and the Uganda Wildlife Authority, had frustrated their business interests.
The company was also dragged to the High Court by some of the operators, but it is yet make a ruling.

Out of an estimated 720 mountain gorillas left in the world, 340 are found in the jungles of Bwindi in Kisoro district, which is said to have over 32 families of gorillas.
Over 70% of the revenues from tourism come from gorilla tracking.

The continuous flow of tourists to go gorilla tracking has been through a concerted effort from various players in the industry, including tour operators.

Mountain Gorilla View Lodge guarantees you to discover an intimate and intense exciting experience from it’s expertise in terms of the service, variety of tasty meals and not forgetting nature on the slopes of the volcanoes down to the agricultural lowlands. Our policy is, “Deliver the best and ensure customer satisfaction”.

We are customer oriented and ready to work in accordance with your needs, considerations and interests.

As we look forward to offer you the best, you can access our website, make reservations or contact us through the below addresses:

 Mountain Gorilla View Lodge would wish to inform you that it is a new lodge situated in the foothills of the inactive Sabyinyo volcanic Mountain, one of the most impressive of the five volcanoes visible from the site in the Northern Part of “The Land of a Thousand Hills” Rwanda (Approximately 1 kilometer from the Park boundary). It is only minutes away from the Volcanoes National Park Headquarters (App. 3 kilometers from the main entrance to the Park).

It is a 2 hours comfortable drive from central Kigali.

The lodge has spacious and nice looking cottages (10m x 12m), a fire place with a sitting area of two, fridge, dressing table, safe, wardrobe, and an electric coffee kettle. The lodge has 19 cottages with King size beds (1.8m x 2m), 5 cottages with twin beds all have two carpets ( bedside and sitting area) spread over a well varnished flat stones floor and 6 VIP cottages with  a brilliant wooden floor. Their bathrooms are well equipped with towels (including hand and face towels), bath carpets, hair drier, shampoo and soap with company logo.

All cottages have magnificent view of all the volcanoes, have privacy and offer a unique opportunity to close viewing of the natural habitat.

This well equipped cottages are going for reasonable rates of 200$ for single occupancy and 250$ for double occupancy on full board basis.

The Lodge is opening soon (likely 15^th Dec 2008) and would therefore wish to inform you that this is the place to be or to send your clients.

 It is the most convenient Lodge to put-up especially when trekking the Mountain Gorillas or Golden Monkeys.