Every year in September 24th it is “World Gorilla Day”. The world has got various species of gorillas and this include the Mountain Gorilla, Eastern and Western Lowland Gorilla, River Cross Gorilla among others. The Mountain Gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) is one of the two subspecies of the eastern gorilla. It is listed as endangered by the IUCN as of 2018.
The most populations species that are found in East and Central Africa include the Mountain and Eastern Gorillas: The Mountain is found in the Virunga volcanic mountains of Central Africa, within three National Parks: Mgahinga, in southwest Uganda, Volcanoes, in northwest Rwanda; and Virunga, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Then the same species population is found in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Some primatologists speculate the Bwindi population is a separate subspecies, though no description has been finalized. As of June 2018, there were more than 1,000 individuals.
Then the Eastern Lowland Gorilla species is found in Kahuzi Biega National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo and this has made the Democratic Republic of Congo unique in offering combined mountain and lowland gorilla safari adventures in the Central Africa.
Therefore, most of travelers visit the Democratic Republic of Congo do combine the visit to Virunga National Park offering mountain gorilla trekking experience, Mount Nyiragongo hike, Chimpanzee trek at Rumangabo sector of the park. Again travelers access Kahuzi Biega National Park via the Lake Kivu using the boat cruise and on this route you can use one Congo tourist visa.
As we celebrate this day we recognize Dian Fossey for the great work she did to advocate for the mountain gorillas rights in the Virunga Massifs and Bwindi. It was her determination that today we see the Karisoke Researcher Center, that is set between the two known mountains (Karisimbi and Bisoke) and today all local and international safari operators sale this experience (Dian Fossey Hike)to their tourists visiting the Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda.
It is the gorilla tourism that she advocated has promoted more sustainable tourism in Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda in their respective gorilla national parks (Volcanoes National Park, Virunga National Park, Mgahinga and Bwindi Forest National Park).
Then if you are planning to take gorilla tours in any these parks respectively mind about the price of the gorilla permits. If you want to take moderate safari think of Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda as in both countries the gorilla permit still much affordable. It is $400 USD per person in Congo and then $ 700 USD in Uganda and then for luxury tourists it is Rwanda to go as the permit cost $ 1500 USD per person and also they have introduced more exclusivity like visit to particular group of your choice and then behind the scene experience.
More so, regarding the hospitality service providers Rwanda has attracted more premium lodges like Singita Kwitonda Lodge and Kataza House, One & Only Resorts (Gorilla’s Nest Lodge and Nyungwe House), Bisate Lodge and Magash Camp, Virunga Lodge and Sabyinyo Silver Back Lodge. Also we expect that soon other luxury lodges will be opening their luxury spaces in Rwanda and this is none other than the Four Season Lodge.
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