Uganda: Free "Gorilla Highlands Pocket Guide"

If you are planning to visit southwestern Uganda, famous for the endangered mountain gorilla, take a look through the free "Gorilla Highlands Pocket Guide". The 16-page pocket guide is available online (pdf) and is packed with essential travel information (including 5 pages of classified accommodation and activity ads). All content of the guide book is based on the "Gorilla Highlands Interactive eBook", one of the five best global electronic products in the field of culture and tourism (World Summit Award 2013). The eBook is a combination of world-class photography, graphic design, illustration, audio, video and advice. It is available on Apple's iBooks in 50 countries ($14.99). An extension to other platforms is planned for 2014. Enjoy!

via Gorilla Highlands

DR Congo: Rangers rescue baby gorilla in undercover operation

Representatives of the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo have rescued a baby gorilla from poachers in an undercover operation. The team of five Virunga representatives, all Rangers in the National Park, posed as potential buyers of the baby gorilla, of which they heard of being for sale via a tip coming from the Lubero territory and the town of Kayna in eastern DR Congo. The poachers, who kept the infant in a small backpack, asked for USD40,000 for the baby. The three poachers  were arrested once the undercover rangers had possession of the gorilla.



The baby gorilla, an Eastern Lowland Gorilla, got named Shamavu after the leader of the undercover operation, Ranger Christian Shamavu. The baby is now under the care of experienced gorilla handlers at the Virunga National Park.

Mountain Gorilla Tours and Treks in Uganda >>

Uganda Wildlife Authority lowers gorilla tracking fees

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has lowered gorilla permits during "low season" for local and foreign tourists visiting their National Parks to see the famous mountain gorilla.
Foreign tourists will now pay USD$350(75) instead of USD$500(25) during the month of October, November, March, April & May.

High Season: USD$525 / AUD$500 /NZD$765 / GBP£350 / EUR€400 / CAD$515 / ZAR4040
Low Season: USD$375 / AUD$360 /NZD$545 / GBP£250 / EUR€285 / CAD$370 / ZAR2885

Through lowering the fees the Uganda Wildlife Authority is targeting to increase the sale of the permits from an average of 70% to 100% during low tourism seasons.



About 64 gorilla permits are available for sale daily and the viewing of the mountain gorillas is restricted to 6-8 people per day per family. The number of daily permits will be raised to 80 per day as soon as two new families of the primates are set to join six others late this year in Bwindi Forest. The animals, in a group of 10-15, are currently undergoing habituation to adapt to human presence in the forest.
The total world population of mountain gorillas is currently 786 individuals (Dec 2010). Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda is believed to be home to at least 302 mountain gorillas, while another 480 mountain gorillas were counted in in the Virunga Massif, which includes three contiguous national parks: Parc National des Virunga in the DR Congo, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda. The remaining four (orphaned) mountain gorillas are in a sanctuary in DR Congo.

Mountain Gorilla Tours and Treks in Uganda >>

Brussels Airlines offers 10% "gorilla rebate"

Accoring to several reports, Brussels Airlines, member of the Lufthansa Group, will with immediate effect offer a 10 percent "gorilla rebate" for passengers flying to Entebbe (Uganda) and Kigali (Rwanda), against proof of having purchased a gorilla tracking permit in either of the countries.
The rebate of 10% is applicable to the airfare only. The discount will be reviewed in three months time to assess what assistance the airline had been able to provide to the tourism sectors in Uganda and Rwanda.

Mountain Gorilla census reveals increase in population >>

Gorilla Trek (3 days, ex Kampala) >>
Gorilla & Volcano Trek (4 days), ex Kampala) >>
Uganda Gorillas and Game (5 days, ex Entebbe) >>

Gorilla walks like a man in a UK animal park

Videos of a silverback gorilla walking upright like a man is currently becoming a smash hit on the internet/youtube.. The male, called Ambam, is part of a group of endangered Western lowland gorillas at Port Lympne Wild Animal Park, Kent (UK).



Ambam's father already used to display the same behaviour if he had handfuls of food to carry, one of the zoo's keeper told the media. Even his sister and half-sister are sometimes showing the same behaviour. Evolultion par excellence?!)

Mountain Gorilla census reveals increase in population >>

Gorilla Trek (3 days, ex Kampala) >>
Gorilla & Volcano Trek (4 days), ex Kampala) >>
Uganda Gorillas and Game (5 days, ex Entebbe) >>

Hostelworld got its first hostel signup from Rwanda!

Hostelworld got its first signup from a hostel/backpackers in Rwanda. The Discover Rwanda Youth Hostel is located in the country’s capital city, Kigali. It is just off the Boulevard de L’umuganda in the Kacyiru area of the city. The hostel boasts internet access, a comfy common room, an outdoor barbeque area and plenty more. Breakfast is included in the price.


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The Kacyiru area is populated by many of the Rwandan Government's Ministries, different hotels, banks, restaurants, clubs and is a quiet and secure area. The property has a large garden with views overlooking the green hills of Rwanda at the end of the golf course and views of the city. Kacyiru is also home to many of the high commissions and embassies in Rwanda.
The hostel has excellent transport links by foot, bus, car or motorbike. The property is a short ride away from the centre of town via different forms of public transport. Public transport to anywhere in the city is easily sourced at any time and is cheap. Information about transport in Kigali and around the country is available at the hostel.

Tours in Rwanda and surrounding countries >>

Intrepid Travel - 20% off gorilla tours in September 2010

Intrepid Travel is giving you a 20% discount on two tours in September 2010. If you've ever dreamed of seeing Africa's gorillas in their natural habitat, then now is the time to start planning your adventure...

Gorillas, Chimps & Game Parks >>
16 days ex Nairobi    
Departure: between 04 Sep 2010 and 20 Sep 2010
Meet Rwanda's noble mountain gorillas, Track playful chimps in Kibale Forest, Help out the Kariandusi School Trust Project, Spot a shy antelope in acacia woodland, Experience peaceful wilderness in Lake Mburo National Park, Cruise into hippo heaven in the Kazinga Channel, Marvel at swirling rapids near Bujagali Falls, Spot the Big Five in the remarkable Queen Elizabeth National Park, Search out hippos in the Kazinga Channel

Vic Falls to Cape Town >>
22 days Livingstone to Cape Town
Departure: 21 Sep 2010
Encounter iconic wildlife in Chobe National Park, Camp out in the lush Okavango Delta, See animals come to drink at Etosha National Park's waterholes, Experience the San Bushmen's hunter-gatherer traditions, Feel the thunder of Victoria Falls, Slither down a slippery sand dune in the Namib Desert, Put amazing Fish River Canyon in your viewfinder

Serengeti Trail >>
8 days (ex Nairobi)
Departure: 26 Sep 2010
Spot iconic African wildlife in the Serengeti, Shop for local sculptures and textiles at a bustling Musoma market, Camp high above the Ngorongoro Crater, Visit the home of our earliest ancestors, Experience the grandeur of the Great Rift Valley, Safari through the renowned Serengeti, Search out Africa's Big Five

Overland tours in Africa >>

online accommodation booking >>

online flight booking >>

Watching wildlife the responsible way

The thrill of watching animals in the wild has gained widespread popularity, especially in the tourism industry. Inspired by programmes like Planet Earth, many people set out to discover their ‘inner Attenborough’. Our resident Zoologist Holly Foat looks at the impact this may have on wildlife and provides tips on how to watch wildlife the responsible way.

By Holly Foat, responsibletravel.com

Watching wildlife the responsible wayThere is arguably nothing more exciting in life that watching a whale breach in front of your boat or watching a bear hunting in its natural habitat but there is often concern associated with wildlife tourism. Sometimes the animals or the environment can suffer from increasing tourist numbers, habituation and disturbance. However, if wildlife watching is well managed then the animals and the environment can benefit from both the increase in awareness and education among the tourists and the extra finance for conservation projects.

Spectacular experiences available…
There is an amazing array of trips for you to experience the awe inspiring wildlife of the world. These include tracking the endangered tiger, watching whales and dolphins at various locations around the world, Gorilla safaris, polar, grizzly and brown bear watching and a huge number of conservation projects involving big cats, orang-utans, fossa and many others!

What to expect from responsible wildlife tourism operators
Many areas will have a code of conduct in place to protect the species you will be watching. For example, whale and dolphin watching boat trips will have a set distance which they should keep and will not be able to chase or follow the animals. Australia has government guidelines for whale and dolphin watching, Scotland has a dolphin space programme and Wales has the boat users’ code of conduct. If you believe a trip is disturbing the animals, let the operators know your concern.

Some wildlife watching operations use bait to lure the animals to where the tourists are. This can be detrimental to some species, especially predatory species such as shark and monitor lizards that learn to associate humans with food. But others species will benefit from supplementary feeding if it is suited to their diet as long as they don’t become dependent on it.

The key to a good wildlife watching trip is education. Every trip should give the tourist a talk or pamphlet about the ecology and conservation of the species. Ideally they should also be involved in further research or funding of conservation projects.

Tips for a wildlife watching trip

• Wrap up warm! If you’re on a boat or hillside it’s likely to get cold. Even in a hide it can get cold, especially when your sat waiting and not moving. So wear layers of clothing that you can put on or take off depending on the temperature.
• Take a camera, binoculars and lots of spare memory cards or film but try to avoid using your flash.
• If you’re on foot, don’t stray from marked paths and trails.
• Don’t wear perfume or smoke and try to be as still and as quiet as possible so not to disturb the animals. Try to avoid clothing that rustles or anything with noisy Velcro. Don’t take your dog with you as they tend to bark at unfamiliar animals.
• Keep a safe distance from wild animals. Disturbed animals have a tendency to become unpredictable and may attack if they feel threatened. Check out the RSPB’s bird watching code.
• Patience is a virtue and you will need plenty of it if you want to see something special.
• Appreciate what you do see. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed so you might not see that big emotive animal that you were hoping to, but don’t be disappointed, just enjoy what you do see. The chances are that you will see several other animals that you wouldn’t see at home which are equally as exciting but less publicised.

For more information on animal welfare issues in tourism, see our animal wefare section here

Find responsible wildlife holidays here >>