Enjoy Your Africa Holiday Vacation With Uganda’s Gentle Giants, the Gorillas of Uganda
Author: Twinomugisha Charles
It is estimated that there are less than 800 of these Gorillas’ in the wild. And half of these giants are in Uganda.
Uganda has more 400 Gorillas that live in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in south west Uganda and about 460 inhabit the Virunga mountains of Rwanda and Congo (Zaire). It is believed that none of these giants are to be found in captivity.
The future of these giants is still very uncertain with the threat of poaching, habitat encroachment by humans and regional instability constantly hanging over them.
So if you are planning to see these magical creatures outside of history books and photographs, there is no time like the present, because soon they may be gone forever……….Just joking the neighboring countries are now stable and these giants have enough peace of mind to move from Uganda to Rwanda and Congo then back to Uganda.
All the participants who have ever been to these giants agree that it is undoubtedly one of the best wildlife experiences that they have gone through.
Apart from these giants, there are also three other Uganda safari wildlife areas that are well worth your time to visit: Queen Elizabeth National Park for its unique resident tree climbing lions never to be found anywhere in the world and its bird life.
And the good thing is that there are neighbours together with Mt. Rwenzori national park, where you can experience the most breathtaking action in mountaineering.
By following these rules and through the purchase of the permit, YOU too are contributing to the conservation of the mountain gorilla. Uganda Wildlife Authority uses the funds generated from the sale of this permit for the management of the National Parks.
A percentage of the funds raised from Park entrance fees are also donated to local communities living adjacent to the parks to contribute to their development and improve natural resource management in the region.
Before departing on your giants trek
Always wash your hands before you head out to the tracking.
On the way to the gorillas
a) A maximum number of 6 visitors (8 in DR Congo and if trekking one of the larger groups in Rwanda) may visit a group of habituated ones in a day. This minimizes behavioral disturbance to the gorillas and the risk of their exposure to human-borne diseases.
b) Please always keep your voices low. You will then also be able to observe the great bird life and other wildlife in the forest.
c) Do not leave rubbish in the park. Whatever you bring into the forest should be carried back out with you.
d) You will be taken to where the guides observed them the day before. From there you will follow their trail to find them. Look out for the gorilla's nesting sites along the way!
e) When you approach them, the guides will inform you to get ready.
When you are with the gorillas
a) A 5 meter distance should try to be observed at all times (15 feet) from them. This is to protect them from catching human diseases.
b) You must stay in tight group whey you are near them .
c) Keep your voices down at all times. However, it is OK to ask the guide questions.
d) Do not eat or drink while you are near them. Eating or drinking inevitably will increase the risk of food/drink morsels/droplets falling, which could increase the risk of transmission of diseasese) Sometimes they charge. Follow the guides example (crouch down slowly, do not look at them directly in the eyes and wait for the animals to pass). Do not try and take pictures and do not attempt to run away. Running away will increase the risk.
f) Flash photography is not permitted! When taking pictures move, slowly and carefully.
g) Do not touch them. They are wild animals. They might look cuddly but!!.
h) The maximum time you can spend with them is one hour. However, if they become agitated or nervous, the guide will finish the visit early.
i) After the visit keep your voices down until you are 200 metres from them.
General Health Rules:
The following are ways to minimize the risk your visit might poses to our gentle giants:
a) Remember they are very susceptible to human diseases.
b) Respect the limits imposed on the number of visitors allowed with the gorillas each day. This minimizes the risk of disease transmission and stress to the group.
c) If you are feeling ill, or you are carrying a contagious disease, volunteer to stay behind. An alternate visit will be arranged for you, or you will be refunded your money.
d) If you feel the urge to cough or sneeze when you are near the gorillas, please turn your head away and cover your nose and mouth in order to minimize the spread of bacteria or viruses.
e) Always stay 5 metres (15 feet) away form the gorillas. The further back you are, the more relaxed the group will be.
f) Do not attempt to touch them.
g) Do not smoke, drink or eat when you are with these giants.
h) Do not leave any rubbish (eg. food wrappers) in the Park; foreign items can harbor diseases or other contaminants.
i) If you need to defecate, whilst in the forest, please ask the guide to dig you a hole with his panga. Make sure the hole is 30cms deep and fill it in when you are finished.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/enjoy-your-africa-holiday-vacation-with-ugandas-gentle-giants-the-gorillas-of-uganda-665912.html
About the Author: Twinomugisha Charles is a Retired Tour and Travel Guide in Millennium Tours and Travel Company in Uganda and now works with E-Office Management a company that deals in Computers and Computer Accessories. More of his articles can be found at Uganda Gorillas and their habitat in Uganda and at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park |
What To See On Your Holidays To Zambia
Author: Andrew Gibson
A landlocked country in South Africa, Zambia is flanked by Congo, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Malawi and Angola. With its tropical climate, plateaus, mountains, hills and forests, Zambia is resplendent with natural splendour. Waterfalls, beautiful river basins and lakes, make Zambia a haven for the nature lovers.
For pristine natural beauty, a tourist can visit the Zambezi river basin and Congo River basin. For the adventurous travellers or tourists, canoeing, white water rafting, bungee jumping, tiger fishing and river surfing can be a great way to exhibit their bravado. Zambia comprises of national parks that are full of exotic animals and birds. Amidst untamed nature, a visit to Zambia provides opportunities to enjoy fine safaris.
Lusaka is the capital of Zambia and the capital has an assortment of nightclubs, restaurants, and cinemas. Lusaka is situated on a plateau, in south central Zambia. The capital is buzzing with energy with people thronging the shopping malls and other places. The city is a mix of skyscrapers, malls and ancient colonial buildings.
The Kabwata Cultural Village that preserves indigenous arts and crafts and showcases the traditional dancing is a part of Lusaka. Lusaka is also home to the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, the Munda Wanga Botanical Garderns and Zoo and the National Museum at Lusaka.
There are many national parks in Zambia and Kafue national park is one of the most famous parks in Zambia. Kafue national park is located in the central part, in the southern part of Zambia. The park covers a large area and is a second largest park, in the entire world. A beautiful park, Kafue national park is divided by the Kafue River. The river allows many to indulge in fishing. There are innumerable wildlife species in the park.
A commercial centre that is located about 320 km from the capital is Ndola. It is a significant commercial centre and is a great mineral producing region, in Zambia. The Copperbelt Museum is situated in Ndola. Lake Chilengwa and Lake Kashiba are two of the sunken lakes and the latter one is deal for bird watching. Ndola is situated near Zaire.
The second largest city in the country, Zambia is Kitwe. Kitwe is also a major tourist attraction in Zambia. Kitwe was popular for copper but now, it has become a haven for industries. Kitwe has malls, theatre, cinema and many other facilities, owing to the urbanization and modernization that has uplifted the image of the city. The Mindolo Dam and Makwera Falls and Lake are locate near Kitwe and are popular tourist spots, in Zambia. The Chembe bird sanctuary is also around 30km from Kitwe.
Zambia also has a splendid cascade called Victoria Falls. The Victoria Falls is one of the mightiest gushing waterfalls in the world. The spray that comes from the flowing water can be seen 30 km away. Knife Edge Bridge forms the ideal place for viewing the main falls and the boiling pot. Zambia is the best place to enjoy the beauty of the landscape through walking safaris, bird safaris, river safaris, canoeing safaris and elephant back safaris. Zambia with its lovely landscape with natural beauty offers an enthralling experience to a visitor, to the region.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/what-to-see-on-your-holidays-to-zambia-398080.html
About the Author:
Andrew Gibson is MD of Direct Holiday Bookings. It is one of the fastest growing on line holiday home rental websites.To see an example of why Direct Holiday Bookings is growing so rapidly have a look at Direct holidays in Zambia
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