Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Rebels Hampering Gorilla Conservation in The Congo

Mountain gorillas are an endangered species with just over 750 left in the wilds of the region bordering Uganda, Congo and Rwanda. These 3 countries have greatly tried to increase conservation efforts to protect these primates, however, the Democratic Republic of Congo's efforts are being hampered by the take over of the Virunga national park since september last year. This is home of approximately half of the mountain gorilla population left in the wild.

Early this month a group of the Mai Mai rebels set ambush on a vehicle carrying conservationists killing 2 and wounding three. This on the heels of the murder of 5 mountain gorillas last year. This a very huge number of gorillas considering their population. These rebels do not only kill these mountain gorillas but have also started taking naive tourists gorilla tracking. This is not only financing the rebels but also paying the very same people who kill these primates for meat. Besides they do not follow the rules associated with gorilla tracking tours.

For Bwindi gorilla tracking in Uganda and Rwanda gorilla tour visit the gorilla tracking company.
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Thursday, July 10, 2008

Mountain Gorilla Tracking Tours and Human Contacts

Mountain gorillas are an endangered species of primates. These primates live in close knit family groups. These mountain gorilla family groups are only found in the three countries of Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC ( Democratic Republic of Congo ). There’s one of the last surviving families in Rwanda called the Amahoro which means Peace in the English language. In this family there’s a mountain gorilla named Ghahinga which has the habit of sneaking up on those doing gorilla tracking ( gorilla tours ) and pulling their sleeves or even pinching them. Weird as this might sound, people doing gorilla tracking safaris are not allowed to go within 15m (some 7m depending on where you are doing the tracking ) of these endangered mountain gorilla species for fear of making the gorillas catch a human communicable disease. It is however clear from these experiences that some of the rangers are not adhering to these park rules and are allowing contact between humans and gorillas.
These mountain gorillas in Rwanda are found in the misty shrouded mountains of the Virunga straddling the borders of Rwanda, Uganda and Congo. The game rangers help tourist track these mountain gorillas whose movements are very unpredictable and may cross over from any one of these three countries into another. Unlike humans, gorillas don’t need passports to cross from one country to another. This depending on which family and where you are tracking can be very frustrating especially if the rangers in other country deny you the permission to track in their country.
For those of you who might be wondering how a gorilla in the wild can have a name, in Rwanda gorilla naming has been turned into a world renown conservation event to raise awareness about the plight of these endangered primate species who share over 90% of our genes. This year’s conference, namely Kwita Izina was held on 1st July with a concert by Oliver Ngoma an International music artist to raise funds for the conservation of these mountain gorillas. The naming of these mountain gorillas is to help in tracking individual gorillas as sometimes these apes fall prey to some selfish poachers wishing to make a quick buck. It is obvious that much as the communities surrounding these conservation areas that have been turned into habitats for the gorillas, there are those who have never appreciated the importance of conserving these great apes for future generations.
To arrange for mountain gorilla tracking you can contact gorilla tour, Uganda gorilla tour, Uganda gorilla safari and Bwindi gorilla safari

THE KENYAN MAASAI MARKET.

AFRICAS LARGEST MARKET (BY TRONY V.INGATI

Growing up as young girl in Kenya, I thought it good to be able to acquire little pieces of handy-crafts that I could call my own. Bangles, black dolls, rings, anklets, weaved baskets, a parrot house and so forth.
To me these things expressed the African way of life and failure to have them meant that I was not such a happy girl at the end of the day. In order to keep this feel good attitude, my mother took me to trips across Africa to get whatever it is that would make me happy.
But of all the African countries that I visited none seemed to be resourceful as the Massai Market, (Africa’s largest handy-craft market.)
The Maasai market is situated in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi. Operating three times a week, in different locations (Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday). It provides a good shopping experience for anyone who wants to get everything African.
Carvings of all sorts can be found in this place. Long legged giraffes and Maasai morans (Warriors) carvings fly whisks, crockery, cutlery, and pottery, thousands of batiks to pick form, jewelry and antiques. Whatever it is you are looking for you will find in this market.
An interesting aspect that I have discovered is that every time I spent shopping with my mother in the market for accessories there were always new designs that would make me stand in awe while shopping. So every time you shop you are bound to find something new again and again.
As for other small curio shops you are not unlikely to find plenty of versatility. The creations maybe well selected but not an adequate variety to pick from when it comes to making a choice that will make you fully satisfied at the end of the day.
When looking for good bargains in the Maasai markets, it would do you good to look through very carefully. Get the personal contact of the dealer or the maker of what you are buying, in case you need more supply, a repair on damaged goods and so forth.
The Maasai market traders are very friendly and it will be easy to communicate with them as you carry out with your purchases. However be very careful not to let your friendly nature take toll for they might end up selling their curios at a high price that might not be very pleasing to you as a tourist. If you happen to visit the Maasai market with a local guide and have difficulty throughout your communication while trying to buy something you like, you could ask for assistance from the guide and have them negotiate a good price for you.
Once in the Maasai market grub all you can for it is bountiful with Africa’s finest handy-works. The ‘A Must Buy’ would be the sandals. With a wide variety to pick from you will find yourself getting accustomed to the Kenyan way of life. The fabric painted batiks is another in the category hence worth retaining. Mostly, colorful and well painted they will be great looking on a frame up your wall when you return back home.
It has been years and indeed my mind has eaten up enough dust all around in my travels through Africa. No matter where I go or how far I am from home (Kenya) nothing beats the inspiration for creative hands in artistry of sorts that tends to fill me up to completeness with the variety that the Maasai market offers.
For all your Kenya safari, Uganda safari, and Rwanda safari visit http://www.ugandagorillasafaritours.com.

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Ugandan's The Happiest In East Africa

When one asks you where or not you are happy, what would you reply be? I guess that would depend on a number of factors, imagined or real. A recent study done by the University of Michigan's institute of Social Research in over 91 countries uncovered a number of startling revelations although others were obvious.
In this global survey, it was discovered that in more open societies where the powers that be allowed their citizenry to make free choices regarding life, the people were happier.
This was the case with Uganda, where its citizens were found to be more happier than those within the East African region. It was found that on a 1-10 scales, Ugandans scored 5.1 (0.69 ) coming in at position 70 where as Tanzania scored 0.13 at position 78, Rwanda 0.31 at position 81.
This is a statistic that many Ugandans will agree with given that a close survey of the life of most people especially in the urban areas will reveal that Ugandans, especially the fairly well to do middle class are given to "going out" a lot. There are huge number of night clubs, bars and restaurants. In fact in Kampala city all the roads leading out of the city center into the suburbs are lined with bars, with an average of 100m from one another. Bars and restaurants are a thriving business in the country. This is evident in the increase in weight by most Uganda's especially the younger generation.
Psychologists though state that happiness is a state of the mind and is not so much related to how much wealth one has. It is argued that there are those with huge sums of money who are not happy at all. Where as there are those that are broke and quite happy.
Dr Ronald Inglehart who conducted the study shows that there are more happy people in the world today than a decade or so back. He also said the increased happiness is not due to increased wealth.
This study points out Denmark as the happiest nation in the world, with Zimbabwe coming in on the other end. A fact that is evidently due to the political climate in the country at the moment.
This increase in political freedom though still wanting in some respects has led to an increase in the number of tourists coming to Uganda, despite the fact that it is a landlocked country.
Uganda has also seen an increase in the number of international conferences the hugest being CHOGM, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held in 2007, and more recently the IOC the International Islamic Organisation Conference.
Dr Inglehart said that the results prove that it is societies that have and practice the freedom of choice that are the happiest.

For your Uganda safari including gorilla tour, chimpanzee tour and birding safari contact the Uganda gorilla tour company.


Monday, July 7, 2008

Another Royal to Tour Uganda and The Source of The Nile River

Swaziland is one country in Africa that has retained its traditional African identity to a great extent. This small South African country is governed by a king King Mswati III. Swaziland is known for its strong cultural identity and its festivals world wide.
Kinga Mswati III is here in Uganda on a state visit in which he is expected to discuss a number of issues with His Excellence the President of Uganda. Among these is thought to be the fight against the HIV pandemic which has greatly hit this small kingdom, with an estimated 38.8% of the population said to be HIV positive.
Uganda is one country that was greatly devastated by this AIDS scourge which almost wiped out an entire generation. This can be reflected in the fact that Uganda has the youngest population in world, with over 51% of the population being under 15 years of age and 78% under 30 years of age.
However, due to an aggressive AIDS awareness campaign, Uganda managed to stave off this pandemic to just under 6% of the population from a whooping 39% in the early 90’s.
King Mswati is accompanied by his wife Inkhosikati LaMotsa, the UNDP Goodwill Ambassador, his brother, Prince Mabizela, sister, princess Ncengencenga and his four children.

The King just as Prince Charles did during the 2007 CHOGM (Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting ) held here in Kampala is expected to tour the source of the legendary Nile river this morning in Jinja before holding meetings with different government officials.

King Mswati is Africa’s last absolute monarch, appointing his prime ministers and other government officials with over 16 wives and 27 children. He has been on a tour of the world to raise funds for Swazi orphans and there has been a number of renown musicians who have heeded his call for help and joined in this effort, most notably Michael Jackson who recorded an album for the Swazi orphans.

For your Uganda tour and gorilla tour visit African Secrets.

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Chimpanzee Trafficking

In the last two years alone conservationists have managed to reclaim over 10 chimpanzees from animal smugglers. The Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust director, Ajarova Lilian in Ngamba Island on Lake Victoria announced that the smuggling of chimpanzees out of the country has again began at alarming rates. At a workshop, Lilian said that although chimpanzee smuggling had reduced for at least two years with not reported cases there has been over 10 arrests concerning chimpanzee smuggling. This workshop was organized to celebrate the 10th year of the existence of this chimpanzee sanctuary which was established as a home for orphaned chimps as well as those recaptured from animal traffickers. According to the head of the Uganda wildlife Education Centre, Dr. Seguya, the increasing need for forests covered land is the number one threat to chimpanzees.
What was observed was the fact that chimpanzees are very protective of their young ones and for a person to capture just one of these babies, they will have to massacre the whole colony or contend with the others in the community. A case in point was the family of four chimpanzees that was probable murdered in Kibale forest national park.
Of all the primates in the world, mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in Africa are an endangered species and face extinction if nothing is done about their plight. In Africa Chimpanzees, can be found all along the equatorial region from west Africa to Uganda and Kenya in the East of the continent. As for mountain gorillas these are only found in the border areas of Uganda, Rwanda and Congo. In Uganda they are found in the two protected areas of Bwindi impenetrable forest offering mountain gorilla tour, and Mghahinga national park which also offers gorilla safari. In Rwanda, they are found in parc des Volcanes.
In Uganda chimpanzees are found in Murchison falls national park, Queen Elizabeth national park, Kibale national park and Semliki national park.
For those interest in chimpanzee tours, African Secrets offers Murchison falls national park tour, Queen Elizabeth national park safari, Kibale national park tour and semliki national park tour