Tuesday 25 April 2017

VISIT MGAHINGA GORILLA NATIONAL PARK-THE ULTIMATE GORILLA EXPERIENCE!


Have you ever heard about the golden monkeys or mountain gorillas in Uganda? Or ever imagined of ultimate gorilla experiences in the world? Come and explore Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for the Ultimate Mountain Gorilla experiences in a life time. Mgahinga Gorilla Park is regarded as the smallest national park in Uganda but comes with incredible tourist attractions and activities that visitors need not to miss out in South Western, Uganda.  Like China boasts of the Golden Sichuan monkeys, well Mgahinga Gorilla Park as well comes with fascinating wild creatures-the mountain gorillas and the rare golden monkeys. Probably if you have anxiety for astonishing primate experiences that enlivens travel spirits, then Mgahinga Gorilla Park is the perfect destination for you!

These golden primates are all enlisted as endangered species. Although the golden monkeys are not as famous as the rare primates like the rare mountain gorillas and chimpanzees, currently they count to over 5000 species that can be sighted at the Virunga Volcanoes. However, these figures shouldn’t be relied on because the census has taken time without being conducted! The golden monkeys form another incredible primate species but unfortunately they do not have high reproduction rate as the numbers might suggest. These primates are endemic to Albertine Rift Valley and they live about 10000 feet.

THE GOLDEN MONKEY
With this information at hand, we believe you can make the best choice at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. We are also very glad to bring to your attention the highlight of exciting things that can make your stay memorable in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park  as it is explained below.

In most cases, when tourists land into Uganda the first thing to ask is where are the mountain gorillas. No need to hurry! Cool down the anxiety with Gorilla trekking or tracking one of your breathtaking adventures that won’t leave you regretting in life. Remember a handful of these magnificent destinations exist in the world for you to see these majestic mountain gorillas! Lucky enough, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park give Uganda that pride with astonishing humble primates that count 900 in a whole world, with over 480 of them in Uganda. Make your choice now and enjoy 80 of the rare mountain gorillas that are confined in Mgahinga Gorilla Park. You have only one habituated gorilla family (Nyakagezi gorilla family) to achieve your dreams!

GORILLA TREKKING
Further more, have you ever thought of Golden Monkey tracking or Golden Monkey Habituation Experience? At Mgahinga Gorilla Park there is no need to be stranded with limited activities to be enjoyed. Come for delightful golden monkey tracking and stimulate your travel spirit in Mgahinga Gorilla Park. Did you know that Golden Monkeys are a sub species of the blue monkeys? Probably it is yes or no. well, come and explore on these amazing primates that are blended with golden bodies, cheeks and tails but with black limbs. As well, you can also check out the blend of golden hair and the dense vegetation of Mgahinga Gorilla Park. It is just fun being here!

GOLDEN MONKEY TRACKING
Further more, explore the Golden Monkey Habituation Experience at the Bamboo Forest zones of the Virunga Volcanoes. This adventure is only offered at Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. There is only one Habituated Golden Monkey family available for this experience and you will spend all the 4 hours with the Golden Monkeys but note that only 6 visitors are allowed per day. To go for this experience, the tourist has to pay $100 including park entrance some thing which is different from gorilla trekking or Chimpanzee Habituation Experience (CHEX). What else would you wait for if it is not to grab your light hiking boots, jeans, rain jacket, day pack, long sleeved shirt, one liter of water, some lunch, as well as cameras?

Besides enjoying the mountain gorillas, you can also incorporate your safaris with birding, over 76 mammal species, hiking, climbing experiences and the Batwa Trail Experiences. Don’t be left out of choice! Despite its being the smallest park in Uganda, Mgahinga Gorilla Park is a remarkable destination that provides refuge to three Virunga Volcanoes commonly called the Mufumbiro Mountains-“The Mountains which Cook.” If you are a good hiker or climber, then count Mgahinga Gorilla National Park the perfect destination.

GOLDEN MONKEY HABITUATION EXPERIENCE
Have you ever thought about authentic cultural experiences in Africa? If so then the Batwa Trail Experience is the perfect experience that you should never miss out in Mgahinga Gorilla Park. If you have ever read or heard about this experience, we encourage you to join us and we explore the life style of these fascinating pygmies. Did you know that “Batwa people” were the first forest dwellers? It is through the Batwa Trail Experience where you can enrich your senses with the ancient lifestyle in the forest, authentic dances and Garama cave exploration. Visit Mgahinga and you will never regret exploring these ancient pygmies who found refuge in the montane rain forest with mountain gorillas for a thousand centuries. If you have ever thought about authentic cultural experiences, Mgahinga would be one of the must tourist destinations to visit.

THE BATWA DANCE
In conclusion, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is the smallest national park among 10 parks in Uganda. It stands as one of the few best tourist destinations that reward visitors with a range of fascinating attractions and adventures that include gorilla tracking, golden monkey tracking, golden monkey habituation experiences, birding, hiking, climbing and the Batwa Trail Experience. Come and experience the authentic culture and discover the golden primates only at the ultimate Gorilla national park!!



Tuesday 18 April 2017

FACTS ON MOUNTAIN GORILLAS IN UGANDA


Globally, a handful of wildlife species have stimulated the intellect and enliven the spirit of travelers as intense as the world’s humble primates, the bulkiest living Apes in the world. These humble creatures live only within 3 landlocked countries of East Africa, and they include Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). These astonishing primates are enlisted in the IUCN Red Data Book as endangered species and they are never seen in any zoo in the world or even live in captivity except in the wild. 900 of these spectacular Giant Apes still exist around the globe and incredibly over half (480) of them can be seen in the jungles of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, East Africa. However, such tremendous numbers are based explained by the sound conservation and protection measures that have been invested on mountain gorillas as well as support from local communities.
THE MOUNTAIN GORILLAS
Previously, no body had imagined that these impressive creatures would live in higher altitude than West Africa but after the news had circulated world wide, several hunters were seen around Congo where shooting became rampant. Notably, Prince Wilhelm of Sweden captured 14 mountain gorillas in 1920 to 1921. Shortly, the Belgians developed mountain gorilla preservation program and hence the English in Uganda-the pearl of Africa. Seeing the giant apes in Uganda was never allowed, apart from Walter Baumgartel in Kisoro who was allowed to take visitors to his Travelers Rest Hotel and currently if you visited Uganda, you would still consider it for accommodation. Famously, Baumgartel, is credited for his book “Up among the mountain gorillas”, as well, the famous primatologist Dian Fossey frequently live in the same place as George Schaller did. If you have ever seen gorillas at the zoo, they are the lowlands of Western Africa and the critically endangered mountain gorillas are the sub species known as “Gorilla beringei.”
At the pearl of Africa the world star attraction found their refuge at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park just at 48 kilometers away from each other. For visitors intending to track these rare Apes, well no worries because it is easier and safer to do it at remarkable Rwanda and Uganda as compared to DRC which affected by insecurity.
Description of the mountain gorillas
A mature gorilla is famously known as a silverback and its size doubles the one of the females, approximately 6 foot tall and weighs about 350-500 pounds. These apes have muscular bodies and long arms. The arms of the silverbacks can stretch up to 7 feet! The young adult mountain gorillas are called the black back due to the dark hair on their backs and they live up to 40-50 years. However, these impressive creatures share 98% of genes with humans and staring into eyes these creatures is as humbling as it is thrilling!
MUSCULAR MOUNTAIN GORILLA
Habitat and Diet
No where else in Uganda do visitors frequent to except, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park “The Ultimate Gorilla Experience” and the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park “Where Gold meets Silver” for such spectacular primate experiences in a life time. Looking for incredible gorilla experience? Explore Bwindi Impenetrable Forest “The place of darkness” for tremendous world primates! The jungle lies within an altitude of 1160 to 2607 meters above sea level. The gorilla trek is full day adventure and visitors go with their lunch because these humble creatures roam around to different places to spend a night in newly made nests.
These outstanding creatures need food like humans do, and vegetation here is unexceptional. They eat plants but mostly circulate plant species which provide enough moisture and hence the critically endangered mountain gorillas need less water.
BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST
The behavior of the mountain gorillas
Mountain gorillas are some of the humble and shy primates that to less dangerous to humans unless threatened or irritated. Mountain gorilla trekking is best done in habituated gorilla families that are designated to visitors. In Uganda, there are 12 habituated families for visitors to track the mountain gorillas. This means that the Giant Apes are only accustomed to human presence and the habituation process takes around 2 years. Just like humans live in families, these impressive creatures on other hand also live in families of 2-30-40 individuals but mostly they live in groups of 10. Note that the mountain gorillas do not have mating season and babies can be born all the year round. At 15 years, the males begin breeding and the females give birth from 10-12 years and this means that the females give birth after 2-3 years hence 4-6 offspring within lifespan. At 11 years the male gorilla is supposed to leave the family and over half of the females on other hand also leave their family. In terms of communication, these creatures use over 25 different sounds like grunts, shouts and roar but each mean pass a different message.
The predators
Mountain gorillas need maximum protection to reduce cases of extinction and one of the biggest threats to the life the endangered species is encroachment by adjacent communities to the gorilla habitat. However, authorities have taken initiative to provide support incentives to the communities through gorilla tourism. Another critical threat is spread of human disease to the Apes, a reason why there visitors are required to observe the rules and regulars during gorilla trekking.
Mountain gorilla safaris in Uganda
For perfect gorilla safaris in East Africa, you either visit Uganda or Rwanda. Spend 4 solid hours only at Rushanga gorilla family while enjoying your Gorilla Habituation Experience-Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. There are also gorilla treks from Rwanda-the Volcanoes National Park to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. What you need to do is get in touch with Maranatha Tours and Travel and our gorilla dreams will be achieved! However, get a gorilla permit at $600 for gorilla tracking and $1500 for gorilla habituation experience in Rushanga area, Uganda. While in Rwanda you will pay $750 for gorilla trekking. With gorilla permit at hand, a visitor gets 95% chances to track the Giant Apes!
In conclusion, to discover more about the mountain gorillas is beyond reading the written documents but to travel to encounter them physically. If gorilla trekking offers a life time experiences then it is worth visiting Uganda for gorilla habituation experience; imagine spending 4 hours with humble creatures. Discover Uganda and be rewarded with remarkable experiences beyond expectation!!


Wednesday 5 April 2017

GORILLA HABITUATION EXPERIENCE IN UGANDA


Mountain gorilla adventure is one of the astonishing experiences that rewards the efforts being put to travel as far as South Western, Uganda. If you want to get inspired with remarkable experiences in life time, visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for incredible mountain gorilla safaris. While at Uganda, regrets about the Experiential Mountain Gorilla safaris should never be part of your travel because there are over 480 species of Giant Apes that are inhabited in this beautiful destination out of 900 species that exist in the world. To trek for the world’s star attractions in the pearl of Africa, it is only best done either in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable forest

More still, if you are looking for authentic experiential gorilla safaris in Africa, Uganda is the perfect destination to offer such an incredible Mountain Gorilla Habituation Experience beyond regrets. This experiential safari is one of the magical experiences that one can best do only in Rushanga sector, Bwindi Impenetrable forest where visitors spend 4 hours with the mountain gorilla group which is undergoing habituation process. The Gorilla Habituation Experience is the whole day trek for the mountain gorilla family!

Enjoy the habituation experience together!

Never wait any more, book for your habituation experience or combine it with wildlife safari in any park in Uganda as soon as you can because the park management recommends only 8 persons, 4 per family and you have only 2 gorilla families undergoing habitation process. What is exciting and non regretful about this experiential adventure is that, you have  longer time encounter with the world’s star attractions some thing that is unique from gorilla trekking where you spend an hour with the Gentle Giants. There is nothing incredible like familiarizing yourself with the Giant’s family with research team. Do not bury your dreams because Maranatha Tours and Travel is a dully authorized tour operator to help you book for your gorilla safaris either in Uganda or Rwanda!! Why not reward our senses with the outstanding experiences and achieve value for money? If you have been in gorilla trek, at end of the Experiential Gorilla Habituation Experience you will agree that gorilla trekking is just life time experience and the encounter during the Habituation Experience in deed rewards beyond expectations!! Imagine spending 4 hours with the Gentle Giants as you prove your 95% DNA with these impressive creatures. Please note that you won’t find Gorilla Habituation Experience in either Rwanda or the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) but only in Uganda.
Mountain Gorilla Habituation Experience

Where  to go for Gorilla Habituation Experience?
Enjoy your Gorilla Habituation safari only in the Rushanga sector, southern part of Bwindi Impenetrable forest, Uganda.

The cost of gorilla habituation permit
Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) the managing body for all the national parks in Uganda, recommends persons above 15 years to engage in this experience and the permit costs $1500 each person. The cost caters for other expenses like park entrance and better if you come with your passport as well like it is done in gorilla trekking. Please contact Maranatha Tours and Travel so that your permit is booked in advance because the numbers are restricted during this experience.

Accessibility to Rushanga sector
You can access Rushanga on road from Kampala to Kabale district South Western Uganda or alternatively fly from Entebbe using the Aerolink Airlines to Kisoro and if you are Rwanda, connect from Kigali a 3 hour drive to Rushanga.

The difference between Gorilla Habituation Experience and Gorilla trekking.
Several differences exist between the two adventures which include;
The Gorilla Habituation Experience allows 4 hour encounter with the Gentle Giants as compared to 1 hour during trekking. For your 2017 Gorilla Habituation Experiences, you will be at the Biking and Bushaho gorilla group. While at the experiential adventure, there are only 4 people recommended as compared to 8 persons per gorilla family during the gorilla trekking however the same rules and regulations apply for both adventures.


In conclusion, the Gorilla Habituation Experience is one of the incredible adventures you can think about to be included in your safari while in Uganda. The Experiential adventure is still untapped and most importantly, the authentic gorilla experiences can be discovered in this beautiful destination. What an exciting safari to combine or book for the Gorilla Habituation Experiences in the pearl of Africa!!