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  • Where to Go Gorilla Trekking this Year

    Where to Go Gorilla Trekking this Year

    Gorilla trekking is one of the most captivating wildlife experiences in the world, offering an up-close encounter with one of our closest relatives. This adventure is primarily available in East Africa, where the dense forests and high altitudes provide a perfect habitat for mountain gorillas. In East Africa, gorilla trekking is offered in three countries: Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Each country provides a unique experience, with varying landscapes, gorilla populations, and trekking conditions. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore gorilla trekking in these three East African countries.

    Uganda

    Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

    The world known Bwindi Impenetrable Park, located in southwestern Uganda, is the most famous destination for gorilla trekking in the country. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population, with an estimated 459 gorillas.

    Trekking Experience

    Trekking in Bwindi is challenging due to its steep terrain and dense vegetation. The experience starts early in the morning with a briefing at the park headquarters. Small groups of trekkers, usually limited to eight people, are then assigned to different gorilla families. The trek can last from a few hours to a full day, depending on the location of the gorillas. Once the gorillas are located, visitors are allowed to spend one hour observing and photographing them.

    Best Time to Visit

    The best time to visit Bwindi for gorilla trekking is during the dry seasons, which run from June to September and December to February. During these periods, the trails are less muddy and easier to navigate.

    Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

    Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, located in the Virunga Mountains, is another destination for gorilla trekking in Uganda. The park is smaller than Bwindi but offers a unique experience with its scenic volcanic landscapes.

    Trekking Experience

    Similar to Bwindi, the trekking experience in Mgahinga begins with a briefing at the park headquarters. Treks can be strenuous due to the high altitudes and rugged terrain. However, the reward of encountering a gorilla family in their natural habitat is well worth the effort.

    Best Time to Visit

    The best times to visit Mgahinga are the same as Bwindi, during the dry seasons from June to September and December to February.

    Rwanda

    Volcanoes National Park

    Volcanoes National Park in northwestern Rwanda is one of the most renowned gorilla trekking destinations in the world. The park is part of the larger Virunga Massif, which spans three countries: Rwanda, Uganda, and the DRC. The Volcanoes Park Rwanda is home to several habituated gorilla families, making it an excellent choice for gorilla trekking.

    Trekking Experience

    The trekking experience in Volcanoes National Park is well-organized, with a maximum of eight trekkers per gorilla family. The trek begins with a briefing at the park headquarters in Kinigi, where visitors are assigned to different gorilla groups. The duration of the trek varies, but once the gorillas are found, trekkers spend one magical hour with them.

    Best Time to Visit

    The best time to visit Volcanoes National Park is during the dry seasons from June to September and December to February. During these months, the trails are more manageable, and the weather is more predictable.

    DR Congo

    Virunga National Park

    Virunga National Park, located in the eastern part of the DRC, is one of Africa’s oldest and most diverse national parks. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to a significant population of mountain gorillas. Virunga offers a more adventurous and less crowded gorilla trekking experience compared to Uganda and Rwanda.

    Trekking Experience

    Gorilla trekking in Virunga starts with a briefing at the park headquarters. Trekkers are then divided into small groups and assigned to different gorilla families. The trek can be challenging due to the park’s rugged terrain and dense forest, but the experience of encountering a gorilla family in such a remote and pristine environment is truly unforgettable.

    Best Time to Visit

    The best time to visit Virunga National Park is during the dry seasons from June to September and December to February. These periods offer better trekking conditions and a lower risk of heavy rains.

    Kahuzi-Biega National Park

    Kahuzi-Biega National Park, located in the eastern part of the DRC, offers a unique gorilla trekking experience with its population of eastern lowland gorillas. Although not as well-known as mountain gorillas, eastern lowland gorillas are equally fascinating and offer a different perspective on gorilla trekking.

    Trekking Experience

    The trekking experience in Kahuzi-Biega is similar to other parks, with a briefing at the park headquarters followed by a guided trek into the forest. Trekkers spend an hour with the gorillas once they are located. The terrain in Kahuzi-Biega is less rugged than in the Virunga Mountains, making it a slightly easier trek.

    Best Time to Visit

    The best time to visit Kahuzi-Biega is during the dry seasons from June to September and December to February, when the trails are more accessible. 

    Conclusion: Gorilla trekking in East Africa offers a unique and unforgettable experience, providing a rare opportunity to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo each offer distinct trekking experiences, with varying landscapes, gorilla populations, and challenges. As one of the most impactful wildlife experiences, gorilla trekking also plays a crucial role in conservation efforts, supporting the protection of these endangered animals and their habitats.

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  • Trump’s Travel Ban on 12 Countries Goes Into Effect Early Monday

    U.S. President Donald Trump’s order banning citizens of 12 countries from entering the United States goes into effect at 12:01 am ET (0401 GMT) on Monday, a move the president promulgated to protect the country from “foreign terrorists.”

    The countries affected by the latest travel ban are Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

    The entry of people from seven other countries – Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela – will be partially restricted.

    Trump, a Republican, said the countries subject to the most severe restrictions were determined to harbor a “large-scale presence of terrorists,” fail to cooperate on visa security, have an inability to verify travelers’ identities, as well as inadequate record-keeping of criminal histories and high rates of visa overstays in the United States.

    He cited last Sunday’s incident in Boulder, Colorado, in which an Egyptian national tossed a gasoline bomb into a crowd of pro-Israel demonstrators as an example of why the new curbs are needed. But Egypt is not part of the travel ban.

    The travel ban forms part of Trump’s policy to restrict immigration into the United States and is reminiscent of a similar move in his first term when he barred travelers from seven Muslim-majority nations.

    Officials and residents in countries whose citizens will soon be banned expressed dismay and disbelief.

    Chad President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno said he had instructed his government to stop granting visas to U.S. citizens in response to Trump’s action.

    “Chad has neither planes to offer nor billions of dollars to give, but Chad has its dignity and its pride,” he said in a Facebook post, referring to countries such as Qatar, which gifted the U.S. a luxury airplane for Trump’s use and promised to invest billions of dollars in the U.S.

    Afghans who worked for the U.S. or U.S.-funded projects and were hoping to resettle in the U.S. expressed fear that the travel ban would force them to return to their country, where they could face reprisal from the Taliban.

    Democratic U.S. lawmakers also voiced concern about the policies.

    “Trump’s travel ban on citizens from over 12 countries is draconian and unconstitutional,” said U.S. Representative Ro Khanna on social media late on Thursday. “People have a right to seek asylum.”

    (Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; Writing by Mary Milliken Editing by Sandra Maler)

  • Uganda Airlines Launches First Ever Flight to London

    Uganda Airlines has made a historic return to Europe, successfully completing its first flight to the United Kingdom in decades. On Sunday, the airline’s Airbus A330-800neo touched down at London Gatwick Airport after taking off from Entebbe International Airport at 10:05 a.m., marking the start of direct flights between Uganda and the UK.

    This is not the first time Uganda Airlines has flown to London. During the days of former president Idi Amin, the airline operated flights to London Gatwick. However, in 1989, those flights stopped as the country went through a period of political and economic instability. The recent revival of this route is not just a new development—it is a return to the skies and a powerful symbol of progress for Uganda.

    Leading the inaugural flight was the Minister of Works and Transport, General Edward Katumba Wamala, along with a high-level delegation of Ugandan government officials. These included Minister of Trade Francis Mwebesa, officials from the Uganda Tourism Board, Kampala Capital City Authority, and the Presidential Advisory Committee on Exports and Industrial Development. The team is in the UK to strengthen ties, attract investment, and promote Uganda as a destination for tourism and trade.

    UK High Commissioner to Uganda Kate Airey was also aboard the flight. She praised the new route as an exciting opportunity for both countries. According to her, this direct flight comes at the right time, when Uganda and the UK are looking to deepen their trade and economic relationship. She noted that members of the British Chamber of Commerce were already on board, eager to explore business prospects in Uganda.

    General Wamala made it clear that the mission is about encouraging partnerships and economic growth. “We are not going to London to ask for donations,” he said. “We are going to seek investment. We will speak directly with people who can bring their businesses to Uganda. You are going out there to promote trade. We have what the UK and the world need—you must not come back empty-handed.”

    The flight was piloted by Senior Captain Sam Masaba and Captain Clive Okoth. Upon arriving in London, the delegation received a warm and emotional welcome from the Ugandan community living in the UK. Many wore traditional outfits, waved national flags, and greeted the delegation with open arms and heartfelt joy.

    The direct route from Entebbe to London is expected to significantly boost the number of travelers and goods flowing between the two countries. The convenience of flying directly between the UK and Uganda will make it easier for tourists, investors, and business people to connect with Uganda, supporting the growth of tourism and trade.

    Ramathan Ggoobi, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, emphasized how important this new route is for Uganda’s development. He said the flight will not only grow tourism and business but also help Uganda access new knowledge and technologies. He added that more international destinations are being considered for future Uganda Airlines routes.

    Uganda Airlines CEO Jenifer Bamuturaki expressed her gratitude to everyone who played a role in making this launch successful. She invited travelers to consider flying with Uganda Airlines between Uganda and the UK, promising quality service and a reliable connection.

    The airline will now operate four flights a week to London Gatwick. With this direct route, Uganda is once again opening itself up to the world and showing that it is ready to grow, connect, and thrive on the global stage.

  • Regional Efforts to Tackle Human-wildlife Conflicts

    Mountain Gorillas, hippos and various bird species are some of the most common tourist attractions in Rwanda’s Volcanoes Park. The well protected Agashya family of mountain Gorillas frolick in dense undergrowth at the Virunga National park.

    The park covers approximately790, 000 hectares of forest in the three countries of Rwanda, Uganda the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

    According to figures from Rwanda Development Board (RDB), last year tourism sector generated US$253 million. The population in the vicinity of the national park has over the years closely worked together to conserve it. But stray animals that destroy crops pose a major threat to the communities.

    Recently residents living around the park, in Rwanda and DRC, built 2 kilometres parameter of stones and a trench to deter stray buffaloes and other wild animals which destroy crops whenever they come out of the park.

    “It is a way of ensuring that residents do not lose their harvests as a result of wildlife,” says Sam Mwandha, the Executive Secretary of Greater Virunga Trans-boundary Collaboration (GVTC).

    A mechanism to coordinate joint conservation efforts in the park is underway under which the government engages other partners both at the national and regional levels.

    Under the arrangement, a team of conservation managers, including park wardens, is constantly in the field, assessing and conducting patrols. The team also shares basic intelligence information.

    Rica Rwigamba, the Head of Tourism at RDB, says the institution has established a regional monitoring body in collaboration with the Uganda Wild Life Authority and the Congolese Institute for Conservation.

    “There is already an existing agreement which stipulates specific areas of collaboration where a team holds regular meetings to share ideas on how to address challenges regarding conservation,” she said.

    According to Rwigamba, some of the existing benefits include the revenue sharing policy where each of the countries has equal access to collected revenue depending on the origin of the wild animals.