Safari to Africa

27/10/2010

WORLD TOURISM DAY CELEBRATIONS

As the world came together to celebrate World Tourism Day on 27th September, Uganda did not intend to let this day pass by unnoticed either.

Bujagali Falls, JinjaThis year the celebrations were held under the theme "Tourism and Biodiversity", as proposed by the World Tourism Organization. The purpose of the day is to increase awareness about the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic values.

In light of this, Uganda called upon its residents and tourists to attend the celebrations for a full weekend at the shores of the river Nile in Jinja. The celebrations aimed to preserve both plant and animal life in and around Jinja. In cooperation with tourism organizations and other stakeholders, Jinja's attractions were well visited, such as the Source of the Nile, Bujagali Falls, Jinja Golf Club, Sailing Club and the Hotel & Tourism Training Institute. A wide offer of activities could be enjoyed, including horse riding, white water rafting and quad biking. But also "Clean Up Jinja", whereby the public participated in cleaning the city environments, a golf tournament, traditional dances and corporate dinners were part of the celebrations.

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27/10/2010

NGAMBA: MORE THAN AN ISLAND
http://www.primatewatchsafaris.com/uganda/safari/ngamba-island-chimpanzee.html

Whoever thinks that Ngamba is just another island in Lake Victoria is wrong. First of all, Ngamba is largely forested with 98 acres of lush tropical rainforest. Secondly, unlike many other islands, the main residents on Ngamba are formed by... chimps!

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is part of the Koome group of islands and is located 23 km southeast of Entebbe. The island is managedOne-on-one interactive experience with the chimps by CSWCT (Chimpanzee Sanctuary & Wildlife Conservation Trust) who is dedicated to providing a safe home and excellent care of rescued chimpanzees.

Still being a premier primate destination, Uganda has lost 90% of her chimpanzees in the last 500 years. Only 4,950 chimpanzees are left in the wild.
The sanctuary currently cares for 44 orphaned and confiscated chimpanzees. Here you can meet Sunday, who spent years in a Moscow circus, a female chimp named Peace who lived in a hotel in Mukono, or Kalema who was confiscated from the UPDF. Apart from caring for the chimps, CSWCT is also involved in conservation education and benefits local communities.

Are you interested in visiting Ngamba Island in person? CSWCT has developed a variety of programs to offer you unforgettable encounters with the chimps of Ngamba. Board on the speedboat for a (half) day trip to view the feeding of the chimpanzees. Even better, spend a night on the island and go for a Chimp Walk with the young chimpanzees in their forested habitat. Or be a Chimp Caregiver for a day and assist the staff with their daily activities. And why not becoming a forest parent to one or more of the orphaned chimpanzees?

Have a close-up Chimpanzee Encounter - and make a difference in the lives of chimpanzees!

And do not forget to read our next newsletter with a new exciting Chimp Safari Package!
http://www.primatewatchsafaris.com/uganda/safari/ngamba-island-chimpanzee.html

27/10/2010

GORILLA FAMILIES IN UGANDA
http://www.primatewatchsafaris.com/uganda/aboutuganda.html

Roughly half of the population of mountain gorillas lives Uganda, including six
habituation families. The gorilla groups are found in different areas
of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park:

MUBARE Gorilla Family

Family size: 5 members including 1 silverback
Location: Buhoma
Mubare is the oldest habituated gorilla group in Uganda. It was found in the Mubare hills, deep in Bwindi forest, and was fully habituated in 1993. The group started with 12 family members, led by the dominant silverback Ruhondeza. In a few years the group grew to 18 individuals. Unfortunately, due to fights with wild gorilla groups and loss of members, Mubare has lessened to a family of 5 individuals.


HABINYANJA Gorilla Family

Family size: 15 members including 2 silverbacks
Location: Buhoma
The Habinyanja group was first visited by tourists in 1999. The name comes from "Nyanja" which is the local word for 'body of water'. It refers to the swamp in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest where the group was first sighted. Habinyanja is a fascinating family with a lot of drama and commotion. This is caused by the power struggles between the dominant silverbacks and fights for the family leadership. The adult females are led by the shrewd alpha female called Kisho.


RUSHEGURA Gorilla Family

Family size: 19 members including 1 silverback
Location: Buhoma
The Rushegura gorilla family was brought together in 2002, after one of the silverbacks from the Habinyanja group decided to break away. They started with 12 individuals including 5 females. This "Habinyanya 2 group" quickly received a new name, that derives from "Ebishegura" - a tree specie that was abundant in the home area of the new family. The Rushegura group is a calm family. In the past they used to cross the border to neighboring DRC every now and than but always returned to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. They are usually not far from Buhoma Village and sometimes even wander through the gardens of the lodges...


BITUKURA Gorilla Family

Family size: 12 members including 4 silverbacks
Location: Ruhija
The Bitukura group was named after a river where the family members were first sighted. The habituation that started in July 2007 was a relatively easy process as the gorillas were already frequently encountered by the UWA rangers. Although the habituation process normally takes a minimum of two years, this group could already be visited by tourists within 15 months after the start. Bitukura is a peaceful family including 4 silver backs and some playful juveniles. They share a close bond and often have 'group meetings' or get-together s.


NKURINGO Gorilla Family

Family size: 19 members including 2 silverbacks
Location: Nkuringo
The Nkuringo group was named after the Rukiga word for "round hill" and was launched in 2004. One of the most important reasons for their habituation were the problems they created for the local communities by destroying crops and other products. By opening up the gorilla family for visitors, the community could directly benefit from tourism and it formed a protection for the gorillas as well. The family was led by the silverback Nkuringo who died in 2008, leaving behind 2 silverbacks in the group. In November 2008, the Nkuringo family expanded thanks to the special birth of a twin - Katungi and Muhozi - though Katungi unfortunately died at the age of 1.5 years.


NSHONGI Gorilla Family

Family size: 36 members including 5 silverbacks
Location: Nshongi
Nshongi is the largest group ever habituated and was officially launched in September 2009. It was named after the river Nshongi, close to the place where the gorilla family was first seen. Although most gorilla families usually consist of 25 members with one or two silverbacks, this family is a rare excemption. Another remarkable fact is that the group is led by Nshongi, who is not even the oldest silverback in the family.


Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the provided information is accurate and up-to-date, the statistics may change any time.

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27/10/2010

MEET THE RUSHEGURA GORILLA FAMILY

Since a few weeks, another gorilla family has been added to Friend a Gorilla. Despite that the members of this family liked to move and cross the border with Congo, they seem to have settled now in Bwindi. In fact, they love to wander around in Buhoma Village and are often seen at Gorilla Forest Camp.

The Rushegura family was opened for tourism in 2002 and is led by the Silverback Mwirima. The family consists of 2 blackbacks, 5 adult females and a number of juveniles and infants.



Friend your favorite gorilla of the Rushegura family now...

Contact BRIAN B at ;- http://www.primatewatchsafaris.com/contactus.html


Especially for the gorilla lovers, we recently opened http://www.primatewatchsafaris.com/index.html A website that is full of information about gorillas, their lifestyle, details about gorilla tracking, how to purchase a gorilla permit and of course a wide variety of sample itineraries to visit the Mountain Gorillas in person.


Visit our Primate Watch Safari website, read more about the Rushegura family or contact us for more information.
http://www.primatewatchsafaris.com/contactus.html

27/10/2010

CONTRIBUTORS "One of The Greatest threats to Conservation To Day"

One may say The Rapidly growing human population and the associated transformation of natural areas;

FACTS that must be acknowledged and accommodated if conservation polices are to succeed,' says BENJAMIN MUSISI whose regular guiding column, Signing off is well known to Most tourists who have visited to East Africa (UGANDA/RWANDA). BENJAMIN a professional tourist guide by training, has 20 years' experience in Conservation management and research in several East African countries. Despite a high- profile career that includes positions as diverse as Director of Primate Watch Safaris, and Tourist driver guidein Classic African Safaris
BEN is still a passionate and optimistic conservationist and plans to retire to remote area in the mountains of Bwindi impentrable forest in Western Uganda', where he will spend more time writing and travelling to out -of -the way parts of Africa

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24/08/2010

For special interest travelers,

Uganda safaris and tours with Primate watch safaris , tours and trips to Africa.

24/08/2010

Visit the mountain gorillas in Bwindi

Uganda safaris and tours with Primate watch safaris , tours and trips to Africa.