Got a thing for great apes? This is what you need to know if you want to track gorillas and chimpanzees in Uganda in 2024 and beyond

There are now at least SIX* more great reasons to track gorillas in Uganda!

Did you hear that five more gorilla families are now available for tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest? Scroll down for full information.

And to make gorilla tracking even more appealing, we’ve just heard that another baby has been born in Rushaga, to the south of the forest.

*5 more gorilla families + 1 new baby = 6

Is there anything cuter than a baby gorilla?

This week brought exciting news from the Uganda Wildlife Authority: a fluffy addition to the Bikingi mountain gorilla family! The newest family member is the offspring of mother Mucecuru and fathered by Silverback Kaharata.

Five more gorilla families available for tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

With the habituation programme complete, UWA has confirmed that permits can now be booked to see the following gorilla families:

• Buhoma [northern Bwindi] – Binyindo + Muyambi families
• Nkuringo [southwest Bwindi] – Posho family
• Rushaga [southern Bwindi] – Rwigi + Tindatine families

During the course of habituation, which has taken up to four years for some gorilla families, visitors from around the world have accompanied rangers and researchers on their daily monitoring. The process of habituation gradually acclimatises wildlife to the presence of humans. It means we can safely spend time in each other’s company safely without impacting the great apes’ behaviour.

With another five habituated gorilla families, Uganda now has 194 gorilla tracking permits available every day. In addition, there are four permits available for the gorilla habituation experience.

What’s the catch?

Simultaneously, Uganda Wildlife Authority have announced price increases* to primate tracking fees, and a number of other activities, to take effect on July 1 2024. Still, with a gorilla permit in Rwanda costing a hefty $1500, Uganda’s gorilla permits continue to get snapped up very quickly, particularly during peak seasons of summer and Christmas. If you’re planning a gorilla tracking safari, you may even need to reserve permits a year in advance.

*These are the key fee changes, but scroll down for the full list.

Mountain gorilla tracking permits

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks: $800 (currently $700)

Chimp tracking permits

Kibale Forest: $250 (currently $200)
Kyambura Gorge, Queen Elizabeth National Park: $100 (currently $50)

Chimpanzee habituation permits

Kibale Forest: $300 (currently $250)

Gorilla tracking discounts for African passport holders:

Gorilla tracking permit: $500

Gorilla habituation experience: $1000

Uganda Wildlife Authority revised CONSERVATION TARIFF from July 2024

Click here to download Uganda Wildlife Authority’s 2024 tariff for all permits and National Parks. Note that unless stated in the letter above, other prices will not increase after July 1 2024 (as far as the muzungu is aware!)

What’s it like to track gorillas and chimpanzees?

I’ve tracked gorillas, chimps and golden monkeys numerous times in Uganda and Rwanda and written extensively about gorilla tracking for international publications. I also work closely with gorilla and chimpanzee conservation NGOs, guides and tour operators. Got a question? Send me a message

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It’s amazing what interests people: one of my British friends is planning to visit me in Uganda. This is the very thing that she wants to see!

Sadly, this particular beetle was attacked by a black and white casqued hornbill. (You can see the damage to its wing).

Did you know the giant goliath beetle is the world’s heaviest beetle?

We see them occasionally at Sunbird Hill, on the edge of Kibale Forest. They love tree sap. In fact I have seen them fighting with butterflies for it. They all get drunk! Yes! Imagine this big drunken beetle flying through the air.

The Sunbird Hill team specialise in immersive nature experiences, conservation and citizen science focusing on the smaller creatures: butterflies, moths, insects, birds and snakes. I’ve written dozens of stories about our extraordinary life here.

Sign up to be the first to be notified when we go live.

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An amazing feat! (Or should I say feet?)

Jim campaigns tirelessly to protect elephants. He’s walked 1000s of miles / km and this is his 16th Campaign Walk for Elephants. His aim: to encourage African nations to work closely to protect this species that knows no borders. 

Jim Justus Nyamu, *OGW, is the Founder and Executive Director of the Elephant Neighbors Center, a non-profit whose mission is “to protect the African Elephant and secure landscapes for elephants outside protected areas.” The brand Ivory Belongs to Elephants focuses on raising awareness locally, nationally, and internationally of the plight of African Elephants, primarily through their advocacy walks.

The East-Central Africa walk started in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 29th and passed through Nakuru, Mau Forest, Tinderet, Kakamega and Malaba (Mount Elgon). In Uganda, Jim walked through Mabira Forest, Kampala, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Mbarara, Lake Mburo and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest; now in Rwanda, Jim will visit Kigali, and Akagera National Park; and onto Goma, Virunga National Park, Okapi Wildlife Reserve, and Garamba National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This four-month walk will cover approximately 3,200 km. The walks offer solutions to mitigating human-wildlife conflict and highlight the direct importance of wildlife to affected communities.

This most iconic of African species is being pushed towards extinction – slaughtered by poachers to supply a worldwide ivory trade worth up to US$20 billion a year. Despite a ban in many countries, the killing is only getting worse. There are now estimated to be only 350,000 elephants left in Africa, with approximately 20,000 being killed every year. African elephants will be extinct in our lifetime if this rate of loss continues.

Ivory belongs to elephants press release

Elephants are crucial in:

• dispersing seeds +
• keeping the habitat open for grazing animals +
• fighting climate change by contributing to natural carbon capture +
• attracting millions of tourists who make substantial contributions to sub-Saharan Africa’s economies +
• so much more!

Jim and his team have been walking to raise awareness since 2013. By the end of the current campaign, they will have walked almost 20,000 km across Africa, the United States, and the UK, connecting with over 16,000 schools, and holding over 900 community meetings along the the campaign walks.

Jim also walks in the US and Europe to raise awareness in international communities that are still trading in ivory. For example, despite the 2018 announcement of the UK government’s plans to ban sale and export of most ivory items, the trade in ivory and live elephants is still legal in several countries.

If you see Jim, why not join the walk for an hour or even a day?

Better still, you can support the team on the ground by making a donation. (I know how grim it is to try and sleep in a soggy tent!)

You can send directly to Jim Justus Nyamu via Momo +256 784755115 or Mpesa +254 713353060 or donate on the Ivory belongs to elephants gofundme page. Find out more on the Ivory belongs to elephants on Facebook.

(*OGW is the Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya is an award presented to individuals in recognition of an outstanding service rendered to the country).

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Recently, the grainy photo [below] from a wildlife ranger’s phone went viral on Uganda’s conservation and tourism WhatsApp groups. There’s no mistaking the dog’s lollop and it’s smudged tricolour coat: African wild dogs have been recorded in Uganda for the first time since the 1980s! Reports say that two individual dogs were seen.

The wild dog sightings were in Narus Valley in Uganda’s most north-easterly protected area, bordering South Sudan. What brought the wild dogs to the Narus Valley? And will Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers see them again? This amazing animal was widely believed to be extinct in Uganda – until now.

It’s exciting to add a new species to my blog and I immediately turned to ‘the wildlife bible’, Richard D. Estes’ The Safari companion: guide to watching African mammals.

What do we know about wild dogs?

• African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) are also known as painted dogs or painted wolves.
• “Their conspicuous colour testifies to their hunting prowess: here is a predator that doesn’t need to sneak up on its prey.” WOW.
• They are “a lean-long legged canid built for speed and endurance.” They are Africa’s largest dogs.
• African wild dogs are “the most carnivorous and one of the most specialised hunters.”
• Known in East Africa as a plains animal, their range is through all types of bush and montane habitats.
• African wild dogs are highly susceptible to canine diseases. Disease is the main suspect in their demise (they can infected by domestic dogs).

How will the rangers find wild dogs in Uganda?

According to Chris and Tilde Stuart, authors of Field Guide Mammals of South Africa “Wild dogs do not establish territories but have very large home ranges.” (This suggests that the dogs were likely to just be visiting Kidepo).

• Animals live in packs of 10, 20 or even 30. Packs of 20 dogs are common although bigger numbers have been recorded in southern Africa.
• Large packs tend to split. (Are these two individuals splitting to form a new pack?)
• “A strong smell is characteristic of the species.” Imagine!
• Wild dogs make a range of sounds, from a deep rough bark, to a “birdlike twittering” when they are excited, and ultrasonic calls (which are inaudible to humans).
• “The only sure way to see wild dogs is when they are denning” [in their den].

I’ve had so much fun researching this topic! And I hope that the African wild dogs are here to stay in Uganda. You never know what you will see – or smell – when you go on safari. I can’t wait to visit Kidepo Valley National Park later this year (can you guess what I’ll be sniffing around for?)

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The #FOMO [Fear Of Missing Out] is real this week as Rwanda hosts a week-long celebration of conservation and tourism, most visible at the 19^th edition of Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony on Friday 1^st September. It’s a brilliantly organised event that attracts people from near and far: locals attend for the free performances by local artistes; international ambassadors jet in to name baby gorillas; the rest of us love networking with tourism and conservation colleagues from across Africa as we tour the country and experience The Land of a Thousand Hills‘ growing list of attractions.

What is Kwita Izina?

Kwita Izina is modelled on a tradition in which Rwandans come together as a community to name their children. Since 2005 this has become an official, public event and a global celebration of nature and Rwanda’s commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism. It’s no accident that the Chief Guest is President Kagame and many of his supporters; but you have to hand it to him, this is a really slick show.

374 mountain gorillas have been named over the last 18 years of Kwita Izina.

Rwanda works hard to thank the vets, conservationists, wildlife rangers, donors, tourism experts, international influencers and of course the local community. Media from all nations are in abundance at every event. But this is far more than a free day out for the local community; it’s a public celebration of Rwanda itself too.

What happens at the gorilla naming ceremony?

I’ve been hosted media at Kwita Izina on a number of occasions, courtesy of Rwanda Development Board and The Gorilla Organization. These were great opportunities to research my updates for Horizon Guides and for the Rwanda chapter of Fodor’s Travel’s “The Complete Guide to the African Safari” (and Diary of a Muzungu too of course!)

In 2013 I wrote BINGO! Rwanda’s Kwita Izina, gorilla naming ceremony. That year I was a guest of The Gorilla Organization NGO, thanks to Jillian Miller and TGO Chair Ian Redmond. It was an honour to interview Kwita Izina‘s creator Rosette Rugamba at Hotel Muhabura, made famous by Dian Fossey.

Who gets to name Rwanda’s gorilla babies? What do the given names mean? And what is the format of the Kwita Izina event?

You’ll be amazed at the diversity of the attendees! Read more in Celebrating gorillas at “the best Kwita Izina ever!” my account from 2018.

Who will name the gorillas at Kwita Izina in 2023?

• Bukola Elemide, known as Asa, French singer, songwriter, and recording artist
• Danai Gurira, Actress, activist and playwright
• Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Al-Missned, Co-Founder and Chairperson, Qatar Foundation
• Bernard Lama, SG Legend
• Sol Campbell, Arsenal Legend
• Idrissa Akuna “Idris” Elba OBE and Sabrina Dhowre Elba
• British actor, producer, and musician. Sabrina is a Canadian model and spouse to Idris Elba
• Cyrille Bolloré, CEO, Bolloré
• H.E. Hazza AlQahtani, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the Republic of Rwanda
• Rt. Hon. Andrew Mitchell MP, Member of Parliament of the United Kingdom
• Joakim Noah, Former professional basketball player
• Kevin Hart, Comedian and Actor
• Winston Duke, Actor and Producer
• Jonathan Ledgard, Novelist
• Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organizations
• Audrey Azoulay, Director General of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation
• Anders Holch Povlsen, CEO of Bestseller retail clothing chain
• Larry Green, Trustee, African Wildlife Foundation Board
• Joe Schoendorf, Silicon Valley Pioneer
• Nick Stone, Lead director of Wilderness Safaris
• Innocent Dusabeyezu
• Ineza Umuhoza Grace, Founder and CEO of the Green Protector
• Elvine Ineza, Primary Six Student at Regina Pacis School in Musanze District
• Queen Kalimpinya, Rwandan Rally Car Driver and Gender Equality Advocate

The post Do Rwanda’s baby gorillas attend Kwita Izina? appeared first on Diary of a Muzungu.

We’re immensely proud that our very own Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka has published her memoir. I can’t wait to pick up my copy of her book next week in the UK.

“I recommend this book to everyone interested in conservation, alleviating poverty, and the role of women in society. But perhaps most importantly it is a truly inspiring story of how one determined and dedicated woman overcame many setbacks and faced many dangers to follow and realize her dream.”

Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE and UN Messenger of Peace, from the foreword to “Walking with Gorillas”

Dr Gladys is Uganda’s leading, award-winning wildlife vet and gorilla conservation expert. She is the country’s first ever wildlife vet. In 2017, we collaborated on an ecotourism guide to tracking gorillas for Horizon Guides. For many years, she has been calling on us to all wear masks when tracking the great apes (gorillas and chimpanzees). During the pandemic, I often recalled her words about the threat of disease spread between species:

Humans and gorillas share over 98% genetic material and can easily make each other sick. This means that we have to “tread lightly” when visiting gorillas and take precautionary measures such as not tracking when you are sick, maintaining a distance and in the future going an extra step further by wearing masks to further reduce human disease threats to the critically endangered mountain gorillas.

Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka

This uplifting debut by conservationist Kalema-Zikusoka reflects on her upbringing in Uganda and career as a wildlife veterinarian. Born in Kampala, Uganda, in 1970, the author was two years old when her father, a former cabinet minister, was abducted and murdered by the forces of then-president Idi Amin. She recounts devoting herself to her education and enrolling at the University of London Royal Veterinary College, becoming at age 26 Uganda’s first veterinarian specializing in wild animals. Vivid anecdotes detail the sometimes gritty nature of her work with endangered mountain gorillas, as when she describes using sugar to help reduce swelling around a gorilla’s prolapse. Through her work, she became “convinced that you couldn’t keep the gorillas healthy without improving the health and well-being of the people with whom they shared their fragile habitats” and began studying disease transmission between humans and primates. That research, she relates, enabled her to successfully advocate for Uganda’s adoption of the “One Health” approach to conservation, which recognizes that human hygiene and health lead to better welfare for plants and animals. The heartwarming narrative testifies to the good that one person can achieve and illuminates the complex interdependence between humans and their environments. Admirers of Jane Goodall will love this.

A summary of “Walking with gorillas” from the publisher

Read more about Gorilla Conservation Coffee, a clever conservation initiative, a sustainably produced coffee and a great cafe too!

Her zeal for animals and gorillas in particular, as witnessed in this book, have lead Gladys to ground breaking innovations in conservation winning her global awards. This is an awe-inspiring walk by a remarkable lady who stands to be counted among women of incredible determination and purpose.

HRH Nnabagereka, Sylvia Nagginda Luswata, Queen of Buganda Kingdom, Uganda

Dr Gladys is an incredible lady. She’s an inspiring role model for Ugandan women – and women everywhere. I can’t wait to read her book!

Have you read Walking with gorillas yet? Write a comment here. I’d love to read your views.

The post More acclaim for Uganda’s trailblazing gorilla vet, Dr Gladys! appeared first on Diary of a Muzungu.

Would you like to learn a few words of Kinyarwanda? Fancy taking part in a cooking demonstration? Do you LOVE dancing? Scroll down for the 2023 programme.

If you’re heading to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda to track the gorillas or to attend Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony, then make sure you don’t miss the 11th Red Rocks Cultural Festival which takes place in Musanze in Rwanda’s Northern Province.

Which activities are taking place during the 2023 Red Rocks Cultural Festival?

• Traditional Rwandan cultural music and dance.
• Drumming!
• Exhibition of Rwandan cultural artwork (baskets, table mats, bamboo cups, pottery) and more, made by youth and women cooperatives.
• Around the campfire: Red Rocks Twataramye (music featuring all types of cultural musical instruments, story-telling, theater and poems).
• Cooking demonstrations and language workshops.
• Birdwatching and nature trails.
• The festival culminates with the Gorilla naming ceremony (Kwita Izina) Kinigi on slopes of Virunga mountains and the “Crazy night of the Gorillas” party at Mukungwa river side, Musanze Town.
• The programme includes talks, workshops, tree-planting, sports activities and a talent contest!

Highlights from 10 years of Red Rocks Cultural Festivals in Rwanda

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Red Rocks logo. Diary of a Muzungu. Musanze Rwanda

Red Rocks Art with local artist. Musanze Rwanda

Red Rocks food culture. peeling matooke. Musanze Rwanda

Red Rocks Culture. Musanze Rwanda

Red Rocks cultural performance Musanze Rwanda

Red Rocks women's associations Musanze Rwanda

Red Rocks Initiatives demonstration garden Musanze Rwanda

Red Rocks Initiatives tour with Kamana. demonstration garden Musanze Rwanda

Red Rocks Campsite biker guests. Musanze Rwanda

Red Rocks Rwanda. Bisoke volcano hike

Red Rocks guests eating dinner. Musanze Rwanda

Red Rocks Initiatives logo. Diary of a Muzungu. Musanze Rwanda

Where is the Cultural Festival taking place? What are the dates for 2023?

Activities will take place next to Volcanoes National Park venue in Kinigi and at the Red Rocks Cultural Center, 8 km from Musanze. In 2023, the Red Rocks Festival will be from August 25th to September 1st.

Is there a cost to take part in the Red Rocks Cultural Festival?

Most activities are FREE OF CHARGE. Since its launch 11 years ago, the Red Rocks Cultural Festival has brought positive gains to communities. The week enhances the connections between tourism, conservation and community development. Be part of it!

Do you have any questions about the Red Rocks Cultural Festival 2023?

If you’re looking for somewhere to stay near Musanze, check out the popular Red Rocks Campsite. I feature Red Rocks in my blog “The land of 1000 – surprises! A solo exploration of Rwanda.”

You can also contact Red Rocks directly on +250 784685285 or info@redrocksrwanda.com and www.redrocksrwanda.com

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If you’ve been following Diary of a Muzungu for a while, you’ll know how passionate I am about conservation. I was therefore delighted to be invited to help document Volcanoes Safaris’ conservation retreat at their fabulous Mount Gahinga Lodge. This is the first in a series of posts and podcasts I’ll be publishing about the weekend’s fascinating conversations.

Volcanoes Safaris was honoured to host the “Retreat on The Albertine Rift Ecosystems and Great Apes: Conservation Challenges 2022 to 2050” at Mount Gahinga Lodge in the Ugandan foothills of the Virunga volcanoes. The retreat was the culmination of a series of events in 2022 to celebrate Volcanoes Safaris’ 25th anniversary.

Welcome to Mount Gahinga, Volcanoes Safaris’ first lodge, by Praveen Moman

Praveen Moman, founder of Volcanoes Safaris welcomed everyone to Mgahinga “the playground of Volcanoes Safaris” an area that Praveen has been visiting with his family since the age of 12 and the location for Volcanoes Safaris’ first lodge: Mount Gahinga. Praveen took the opportunity to thank the assembled gathering for the collaboration, partnership and perseverance and to make an impassioned plea to find solutions.

Participants acknowledged that big strides have been made in conservation. Johannes Refisch (UN Great Apes Program / UNEP Nairobi) pointed out that mountain gorillas are the only great ape species whose numbers have increased in the past decades. Dr Gladys Zikusoka-Kalema of Conservation Through Public Health noted that mountain gorillas are important to government revenue, commenting “We have a gorilla on a Ugandan banknote.” However, the growing human population, climate change, risk of disease, regional insecurity and other factors will continue to exacerbate environmental challenges.

“Welcome to Uganda’s smallest National Park” by Uganda Wildlife Authority

The weekend’s events started with a short walk in the National Park led by Praveen Moman and Richard Muhabwe, Senior Warden, Uganda Wildlife Authority. Muhabwe welcomed everyone to the 33.7 km square Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (MGNP), part of the greater Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Area. This transboundary Park, contiguous with Volcanoes National Park in DRC and Rwanda, is popular for tracking the Nyakagezi family of nine mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, nature walks and volcano hiking of Mount Muhabura, Mount Gahinga and Mount Sabyinyo, borders the three countries.

Muhabwe’s welcome speech highlighted many of the environmental challenges that were to be discussed over the coming days. Climate change has led to flooding: mudslides on Mount Muhabura killed ten people and damaged property earlier in 2022. Climate change exacerbates the presence of invasive (plant) species that replace foliage that should feed wildlife. Human wildlife conflict is another local challenge: a 16 km long stone wall along MGNP’s boundary stretches from the border of the DRC to the border of Rwanda and prevents buffaloes straying from the National Park to destroy crops.

One of the highlights of the retreat was an exuberant song and dance display by the villagers who reside in the Batwa Village built on land purchased by Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust and other well-wishers. Jane Nyirangano, chairperson of the Gahinga Batwa Village, thanked VSPT for their interventions.

The purpose of the retreat

Participants at the informal conservation retreat discussed the successes and challenges of the past 25 years of conservation in the Albertine Rift and brainstormed ideas and solutions for ensuring the habitats, parks and wildlife, including the endangered great apes, survive for the next 25 years.

The aim of the retreat was to stimulate new ways of collaboration. It was an opportunity to speak openly about participants’ perspectives, fears and ambitions for this fragile region. By having a longer-term goal, participants were free to imagine a range of scenarios (in contrast to most meetings which tend to focus on the more immediate future). The fundamental questions revolved around: what are we doing right? What else are need to do? Is it a question of scaling up current interventions? Or do we need to adopt new approaches?

We cannot just put wilderness on a pedestal; we need to put bread on the table of local people. We need to use the private sector to be the engine of growth, to deliver business plans, to organise service delivery. We need Protected Area managers and conservationists to look after our species, and veterinarian and disease specialists to safeguard species’ health and protect them for the future. We need to join what’s happening outside a park with what’s happening inside a park. We need to make people part of the conservation chain. We need to make this the beginning of the campaign to save the Albertine Rift.

Praveen Moman, Founder, Volcanoes Safaris

Who attended the retreat

Participants came from across the region: wildlife vets, primatologists, researchers, safari guides, wildlife rangers, National Park law enforcement and tourism wardens, foresters, and other conservationists; hospitality consultants, tour operators, development experts, private financiers, community outreach (Herbert) and media.

The retreat was co-moderated by Conservation Consultant Alastair McNeilage and Johannes Refisch of UN Great Apes Program / UNEP Nairobi.

Participants were invited to make short, simple presentations on topics of relevance to conservation in the Albertine Rift.

Volcanoes Safaris Retreat, Mount Gahinga Lodge Uganda 2022

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Praveen Moman. Volcanoes Safaris. PHOTO Black Bean Productions

 

Praveen Moman, Dr Gladys Kalema Zikusoka, Jean Paul Hirwa. Mgahinga 2022

 

Volcanoes Safaris Retreat Uganda 2022. PHOTO Black Bean Productions

 

Volcanoes Safaris Retreat 2022 brought together regional conservation experts and international consultants

Key conclusions of the retreat

1. It’s important for stakeholders to consider the Albertine Rift – Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC – as one region and to have a long-term vision for addressing the area’s various challenges.
2. Concrete steps must be taken to maintain connectivity between small, isolated islands of habitat. This will help make ecosystems more resilient to the impacts of climate change.
3. The threat of more human diseases affecting great apes is significant so veterinary care and technology will remain critical.
4. Conservation needs to be part of the economic mainstream for governments and communities to support the continued presence of protected areas in regions where human populations continue to rise.
5. Local communities must benefit from conservation and tourism. They have a stake in the future of great apes and protected areas and must be involved in development plans.
6. Tourism can bring significant revenue, but the pandemic has taught us that conservation and communities cannot rely on one sole source of funding. New business models for protected area management must be actively considered. Innovative models have been successfully implemented across Africa. Public-private partnerships, for example, approach conservation management as a business that can cover the protected area’s operational costs and directly benefit communities involved.
7. Collaboration between conservation organisations and the private sector needs to be developed further. Long-term involvement of researchers, new investment in parks, and application of private sector skills such as ‘business thinking’ and service delivery are important in sensitively developing natural resources and creating ‘professional tourism products’ for sale to visitors.
8. Gorilla and chimpanzee tourism must be sensitive and controlled in line with the established protocols so that it does not negatively impact the species or habitat. Tourism protocols need to be strictly followed by park authorities, tourism intermediaries and visitors.
9. Investment in conservation education for the next generation of young Africans is critical, to ensure that young people are educated and inspired to support conservation and tourism. The need for quality education is particularly important for the indigenous Batwa population. Forcibly removed from their forest home, these conservation refugees need a direct benefit from tourism in order to lift their communities out of poverty and help find peaceful human / wildlife co-existence. Conservation education should be an integral part of all stakeholders’ activities.
10. The retreat agreed to create an informal group: The Albertine Rift Conservation and Tourism Group whose aim is to become a long-term advocacy and information network for those involved in this subject area. The focus of the group is to take collaborative action to deal with specific policy issues, threat to a particular species or a habitat or community issue. The group should maintain regular contact, either as a whole or in sub-groups, possibly every quarter through written exchanges, Zoom calls or physical meetings.

Volcanoes Safaris Retreat, Mount Gahinga Lodge Uganda 2022

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Praveen Moman. Volcanoes Safaris. PHOTO Black Bean Productions

 

Praveen Moman, Dr Gladys Kalema Zikusoka, Jean Paul Hirwa. Mgahinga 2022

 

Volcanoes Safaris Retreat Uganda 2022. PHOTO Black Bean Productions

 

Volcanoes Safaris Retreat 2022 brought together regional conservation experts and international consultants

Outputs of the retreat

• The Albertine Rift Conservation and Tourism Group is led by Conservation through Public Health and Volcanoes Safaris. The inaugural meeting was held 22nd November 2022 in Kampala.
• The stakeholders agreed to meet every year, bringing in other partners as appropriate, to review progress. The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund offered to host the next meeting at their Ellen DeGeneres Campus, at Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda.
• The Albertine Rift Conservation and Tourism Group has proposed some informal groupings to support action in specific areas; each participant should decide whether they wish to participate in a sub-group.
• Responsible gorilla tourism. Topics include: conservation; disease; the gorilla-friendly pledge; adherence to IUCN and GRASP best practice guidelines; enhancing habitat connectivity.

Lead organisations: Conservation Through Public Health and Gorilla Doctors.

• Responsible chimpanzee tourism. Topics include: conservation; disease; enhancing habitat connectivity.

Lead organisation: Jane Goodall Institute.

• Friends of a National Park group. A group of stakeholders around each park could be created to:
• Enhance Community Livelihoods from tourism and conservation.
• Invest in the Next Generation: improving conservation education in communities, visits by school children to National Parks, creation of scholarships.
• Financing of conservation and raising awareness of conservation issues within the Albertine Rift. Pursue opportunities for developing PPPs or reviewing the cost/ benefit of restructuring park management.
• Raise issues with appropriate regional and international organisations and events including:
  • Greater Virunga Transboundary Collaboration Secretariat
  • Great Apes Survival Partnership (GRASP) Council meeting
  • African Primatological Society conference in 2024 in Gabon
  • Congo Basin Forest Partnership
  • International Congress for Conservation Biology (ICCB 2023), July 2023 in Kigali, Rwanda
  • Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
  • World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

About the Albertine Rift

The Albertine Rift stretches from Murchison Falls in northern Uganda to Kahuzi-Biega in the DRC. It is one of the richest areas of biodiversity in the world and one of the most densely populated areas of Africa.

About Volcanoes Safaris and the Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust

For 25 years, Volcanoes Safaris has been at the forefront of reviving tourism in Uganda and Rwanda and is recognized as the region’s leader in gorilla and chimpanzee ecotourism. Volcanoes Safaris was the first company to set up simple camps in the areas around Uganda’s gorilla parks. Today Volcanoes Safaris has three lodges in Uganda: Mount Gahinga Lodge at Mgahinga National Park; Bwindi Lodge, bordering Bwindi Impenetrable Forest; and Kyambura Gorge Lodge, overlooking Queen Elizabeth National Park, neighbouring a gorge with a community of threatened chimpanzees.

In 2000, Volcanoes Safaris became the first international safari company to take clients to Rwanda and in 2004 opened Virunga Lodge, the first international company to build a lodge near the gorilla park after the war. Virunga Lodge is winner of Condé Nast Traveler readers’ choice awards 2017, 2021 and 2022.

Volcanoes Safaris: recognised leaders in great ape tourism

Volcanoes Safaris helped kick-start gorilla tourism in Rwanda after the genocide through the Volcanoes BLCF Partnership Project. In 2005 the company become a charter signatory to the UN Kinshasa Declaration on Saving the Great Apes, the only private sector company to do so. In 2009, the Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust (VSPT), a non-profit organisation that aims to create long-term, self-sustaining projects that enrich the livelihoods of local communities and promote the conservation of the great apes, was established.

In 2013, Praveen Moman, the founder was asked to join the Congo Basin Forest Partnership, which promotes sensitive economic development of the forests of Central Africa. Praveen has been described as a ‘visionary conservationist’ by the Financial Times and as ‘one of top twenty-five conservation-philanthropists’ in Africa by Departures Magazine. In 2021 Praveen was named winner of the Newsweek Future of Travel Awards.

About the retreat

The retreat took place at Mount Gahinga Lodge between November 12-14 2022. The next retreat will take place in one to two years’ time.

“We need the wisdom of all you, of your elders, of those who have gone before, of your institutions, to work together.”

Praveen Moman, Founder, Volcanoes Safaris

For further information

If you’re are interested in future meetings, you’re welcome to contact the Great Apes in the Albertine Rift steering committee via email albertineapes@gmail.com.

• Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, Founder, Conservation Through Public Health.
• Jean Paul Hirwa, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund
• James Byamukama, Jane Goodall Institute
• Alastair McNeilage, Conservation consultant
• Johannes Refisch, UN Great Apes Program / UNEP Nairobi
• Nick Radford, Wildlife Conservation Society
• Praveen Moman, Founder, Volcanoes Safaris

The post The Challenge of Protecting the Great Apes and the Albertine Rift appeared first on Diary of a Muzungu.

Where are mountain gorillas in Rwanda?

Rwanda’s mountain gorillas inhabit Volcanoes National Park (Parc National des Volcans or PNV) an area of six volcanoes measuring approximately 125 square km. The Mountain Gorillas live at an altitude of between 2,500 – 4,000 metres. This area was made famous by pioneer American primatologist Dian Fossey, who lived for many years in the park studying gorillas.

How many gorilla families can you track in Rwanda?

Rwanda has seven gorilla families that are fully habituated and available for visits by the public. They are: Agashya, Amahoro, Hirwa, Kwitonda, Sabyinyo, Susa and Umubano.

Each gorilla family consists of at least one male Silverback gorilla, Blackbacks (younger male gorillas), several females and numerous youngsters. The largest family group, Susa, has 38 gorillas. They tend to range high into the mountains so are often the hardest to trek.

With seven gorilla families and a maximum of eight visitors allowed per group, there are a total of 56 permits available to track the gorillas in Rwanda every day.

For gorilla tracking stories and Uganda and Rwanda travel advice, click on the hyperlinks in the
 Ultimate Guide to Mountain Gorilla Tracking. 
Looking for more info? Check out my Travel Directory or Contact the Muzungu.

Back to Introduction

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Uganda’s Mountain Gorillas can be seen in two places in southwestern Uganda: Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park supports just over 50% of the world’s population of Mountain Gorillas and is therefore the most popular place to track the gorillas in the world. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest  – an ancient rainforest and a UNESCO World Heritage site – rises between 1,160 and 2,607 metres above sea level. It is fabulous!

Buhoma on the northern side of the Forest was traditionally the most popular place for tourists. On the southern side of Bwindi, more gorilla families have been habituated over recent years, putting Nkuringo, Rushaga and Ruhija firmly on the would-be tracker’s map of Uganda!

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is Uganda’s smallest national park, measuring just 34 km2. This compact park is home to one habituated gorilla family (and an increasingly popular tracking option). Mgahinga is part of the larger Virunga conservation area which incorporates a total of 434 km2 of volcanic mountains that link Uganda with Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

How many gorilla families are there to track in Uganda?

There are many gorilla families in Uganda but only a small number have been habituated for tourist visits. Habituation means the animals have become used to the presence of humans. This is a process that takes a number of years.

In 2023, Uganda has 23 habituated gorilla families meaning Uganda has more tracking permits available every day than Rwanda has.

• There are three habituated families in Buhoma (northern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest). The Mubare, Habinyanja and Rushagura families live in thick tropical forest and trekking can take 3-10 hours. If you’ve ever watched videos of humans encountering gorillas in the grounds of a lodge, then it is most likely in Buhoma.
• The Oruzogo and Bitukura families are in the Ruhija southern sector of Bwindi.
• In southern Bwindi you will find the Nkuringo family (adjacent to the place of the same name) and the Nshongi, Kahunje, Mishaya and Businge families in Rushaga.
• It’s now possible to track the Nyakagezi family, the one habituated gorilla family in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. The Uganda Wildlife Authority tell us that the Nyakagezi family is one of the most entertaining gorilla families to track. It has a higher than average number of Silverbacks in the group.

For gorilla tracking stories and Uganda and Rwanda travel advice, click on the hyperlinks in the
 Ultimate Guide to Mountain Gorilla Tracking. 
Looking for more info? Check out my Travel Directory or Contact the Muzungu.

Back to Introduction

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