RWANDA PARTNERS WITH PARIS ST GERMAIN TO PROMOTE TOURISM

Rwanda has partnered with the Paris Saint Germain to boost her tourism sector. According to Rwanda Development Board (RDB), this partnership will help showcase Rwanda’s outstanding beauty, unique culture and its exceptional locally made products both within the PSG fans and globally. The 3-year deal will be of great benefit the fact that the ‘Visit Rwanda’ branding will be displayed on the sleeves of PSG women’s team, on the back of their training kits and the stadiums Parc des Princes. In the long run, this will also open doors for more business partnerships from France and the world at large. On the other hand, the tea and coffee that will be served in the stadium will be Rwandan sourced. Currently, about 142000 Rwandans are directly employed in the tourism sector compared to about 90000 in 2017. In 2018 alone, over 1.7 million tourists visited Rwanda and the number is expected to increase this year. About $2 billion was earned from investments and with this partnership, more is expected than ever before. 

According to PSG chief partnership officer-Marc Armstrong, the partnership will help deepen their engagement with fans in African continent. The RDB Chief Executive Officer-Clare Akamanzi added that the deal is intended to allure more visitors, enhance the country’s export products and create more employment opportunities for the Rwandan nationals. The PSG team players and former players will pay a visit to Rwanda and their experiences will then be shared via the PSG digital platforms and PSG will arrange training programs for the Rwandan coaches and young footballers. This partnership comes second after the Arsenal deal that in a short period has had positive impact towards Rwanda’s tourism sector.

The Paris Saint Germain also popular as the Paris Saint Germain Football Club is a French professional football club in Paris. It was established in 1970 and compared to most of the football clubs, PSG is a young club. In just a short period of time, the Paris Saint Germain Football Club has been successful, registering a win Ligue 1 titles, league cups and French cups. They are one of only two French sides to win the European trophy. For a long period of time, Paris never had a football club that belonged to the elites until 1970 when Paris Saint Germain was founded.

Rwanda is situated in East Central Africa and it is a famous home to endangered mountain gorillas. It is comprised of 4 national parks where most of Rwanda safaris are conducted and they include Volcanoes National Park in the Northwest-a home to some of the mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, over 200 bird species; Nyungwe Forest National Park where 13 primate species are inhabited including over 500 chimpanzees, Akagera National Park the only savanna national park in Rwanda where you can find a big five African game, Gishwati Mukura National Park a newly founded park in Rwanda where you can visit to have fresh experiences.

The popular safari activities offered to visitors on Rwanda safari include mountain gorilla trekking, golden monkey tracking, game drives, boat cruise, bird watching, guided nature walks, cultural encounters and many others. 

MUBARE GORILLA FAMILY GETS NEWBORN BABY GORILLA

Mubare gorilla family gets newborn baby gorilla just in the middle of the month. The baby gorilla was born on 16^th October, 2019 by Businza the mother gorilla in Mubare gorilla family, Buhoma region of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Mubare gorilla group features as the oldest and first ever gorilla group to be habituated and also to open to tourists on Uganda gorilla trekking safari in 1993. This great news was confirmed by Mr. Peter Mbwebwe the Uganda Wildlife Authority warden in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and both the baby and mother are fine. 

Mubare gorilla group derives its name from Mubare hills where it was first spotted. Originally, it comprised of 18 individuals under the leadership of Ruhondeza silverback. As time went on, its members left to join other gorilla family, a common behavior in gorilla habitat. With the new member already welcomed, it is of no doubt remarkable news and ideally great success of gorilla conservation.

How to trek Mubare gorilla family

To explore Mubare gorilla group, trekkers will be required to book gorilla permits for Buhoma region, the northern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Trekking mountain gorillas in this region gives trekkers insight into the history of gorilla trekking safaris in Uganda. Each gorilla trekking permit is obtainable at $600 although from 1^st July, 2020, you will need $700 to secure a gorilla permit in Uganda.

other gorilla families to trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park include Kutu, Rwigi, Mucunguzi, Nshongi, Mishaya, Busingye, Kahungye, Bushaho, Bikingi, Habinyanja, Bitukura, Oruzogo, Kyaguriro, Katwe, Christmas, Nkuringo, Rushegura and Mukiza.

Where to see mountain gorillas in Africa

Mountain gorillas exist only in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and they remain not more than 1004 on earth today. Half of all these large apes thrive in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and about 20 gorilla families have been habituated and set for gorilla trekking

In summary, Mubare gorilla group remains an exceptional gorilla group to trek and explore while you are on Uganda gorilla safari in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

WHEN TO PICK A GORILLA PERMIT FROM RDB OR UWA

A gorilla permit is an essential tool that allows trekkers to track one habituated family in Uganda or Rwanda but when should you pick your gorilla permit from Rwanda Development Board (RDB) or Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) after making reservation? For starters, Maranatha Tours and Travel is your trusted gorilla safari company and it is readily available to guide you when to pick your gorilla permit from UWA or RDB. In case you reserved your gorilla safari personally then you will pick your gorilla permit from a respective government agency prior the actual trek. Not to stress yourself that much and given the stressful process, the best is for you to get in touch with our reservation team and we shall be of great help.

Securing a gorilla permit from UWA allows you trek mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga National Park where nearly half of all the 1004 mountain gorillas thrive. Uganda is composed of 21 habituated families which translate into 168 gorilla permits which are available for booking by visitors on gorilla trekking safari in the pearl of Africa. In Rwanda, gorilla trekking safaris are conducted in Volcanoes National Park which consists of 10 habituated gorilla groups. About 80 gorilla permits are available for booking in Rwanda by visitors on Rwanda gorilla trekking safari. 

To pick a gorilla permit from UWA or RDB takes a process. Usually, you can do so after you have fully cleared fee to zero balance prior picking it. Normally, when booking, the tour operator or visitor are required to pay 30 percent of total gorilla permit fee as deposit but this doesn’t mean you can pick the permit. Till you make 100 percent payment on gorilla permit that you stand a chance to pick your gorilla permit from UWA or RDB

Whether you own a gorilla permit or not is one area that is frequently asked by most trekkers. However, you don’t own a gorilla permit and even after you have picked it, it remains the property of Uganda Wildlife Authority or Rwanda Development Board. On actual trek, trekkers will be required to present their permits to park officials and you won’t go to trek mountain gorillas with them. There are also receipts that come together with gorilla permits containing your names and date for trekking.

Note, after clients have made a deposit of 30 percent for a gorilla permit, UWA or RDB reservation team can remove it from available gorilla permits. However, failure to make full payment within 3 months, the permit is placed back to the system for resale. Due to high demand for gorilla permits, we advise all our clients to secure their permits early enough at least 3-6 months prior actual trek

For cases of gorilla permit cancellation policy at UWA, 75 percent refund applies to 91 days; 46 to 90 attracts 10 percent refund; 8 to 45 days attracts 25 percent refund then from 0 to 8 days, there is no refund. Note, refund only applies to clients who made full payment for their gorilla permits.

In summary, gorilla permits are a must-have when it comes to gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda. You can pick your permit from UWA or RDB prior actual date of trekking and provided that you have fully cleared for it 

WATERFALLS IN BWINDI NATIONAL PARK?

Hiking or nature walk in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park doesn’t only reward hikers with astonishing sights at variety of primates, birds but a magical view at the scenic waterfalls-the hidden treasures. Waterfalls in Bwindi National Park have not been fully explored and hikers on Uganda safari get a reward of authentic experiences

Discover Bwindi Impenetrable National Park while on hiking or nature walk and explore the magical Muyanga and Bayenda waterfalls. The trails to these waterfalls come with amazing sights at variety of primates, birds and floral species. Bwindi National Park is found in Kisoro, Kabale and Kanungu in southwestern Uganda just at the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This park inhabits several species of mammals including half of all the 1004 mountain gorillas that thrive on earth, chimpanzees, black and white colobus monkeys, olive baboons; over 350 birds including the African broadbill, about 400 plants among others

Muyanga waterfall

Muyanga waterfalls are hidden treasures within Buhoma sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This region is in the northern side of this pristine park and it is not only popular for thrilling gorilla trekking experiences but also rewarding hikes that lead hikers to such magical sites especially the Muyanga waterfalls. Exploring these waterfalls can be best done after gorilla trek

Hikers to Muyanga waterfalls wind through the lush montane rain-forest and bush track with log bridges at river crossings. It is 9kms hike which also comes with astonishing sights along the way including the unique flora and variety of species. The park rangers take hikers on Uganda safari through their hike to this scenic site. Hikes always begin from Buhoma region via River Ivi Nkuringo trail. Muyanga waterfalls consist of 3 levels and come with picturesque view especially, as they plummet 33 meters. A hike to these waterfalls comes with incredible sights at variety of primates, birds and flora.

Bayenda waterfalls

Bayenda waterfalls offer picturesque view to hikers on Uganda safari. These waterfalls are found in Rushaga region of Bwindi National Park and little is known about them. They strategically set between the large trees and rocks thus offering the best scenic view to hikers with a feel of water drops while enjoying the strong roar and the fresh air.

Trekkers on gorilla safari in Rushaga area are at an added advantage as they can also hike to explore these magical waterfalls. This means, you will be in position to trek habituated families in the southern sector of Bwindi National Park; Kutu, Mucunguzi, Nshongi, Mishaya, Busingye, Kahungye, Bweza, Bikingi and Rwingi group. 

Visitors who wish to explore Bayenda waterfalls can spend a night in the nearby gorilla lodges like Rushaga Gorilla Havens Lodge, Rushaga Gorilla Camp, Nshongi Gorilla Camp and Gorilla Safari Lodge.

Best time to visit Bwindi National Park

Bwindi National Park is open to hikers all year round. However, the dry season is preferably the best to hike to these scenic waterfalls. This season begins from June-September and December-February. It is also fine to visit this park during the wet months of the year. The wet or rainy season in Bwindi National Park is experienced in the months of March, April, May and October, November. During this season, the vegetation is greenish offering you that feel of nature

Getting to Bwindi National Park

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is accessible by road, 8-9 hours’ drive and from Kigali, it is 4 hours’ drive. Visitors who start their journey from Kigali will cross Katuna or Chanika border. If you wish to save time, then fly from Entebbe International Airport or Kajjansi airfield to Kayonza airfield.