Face-to-face with apes

Let's talk apes. Chimps. Gorillas. Great and stunning animals, and not so unlike us humans. Despite one exception: They're dissapearing at an alarming rate. One might think then, that tourism revolving around the idea of ape-gawking is counterproductive. Not so, says Vocanoes Safaris, who specializes in ecotourism services that introduce travelers to the sensitive species via ecolodge tracking.

Organized within Bwindi and Mgahinga (Uganda) or Parc National des Volcans (Rwanda), globetrotters are able to view Mountain Gorillas in their natural habitat, where a dwindling 700 are still active. Besides the awe-inspiring experience of witnessing these marvelous mammels at play, guests that visit parks and stay in the stunning ecolodges are helping to fund conservation and community projects, while helping the local communities understand the value of the ape's continued survival.

Seven day safari - Gorilla, Wildlife and Chimp - Bwindi and Kibale, starts at $3,378.00, based on double occupancy.

According to Volcanoes Safaris:

In post-conflict Rwanda, the Volcanoes Safaris BLCF Project, backed by the
British government, has helped improve hotel infrastructure, train local people
in hospitality and guiding, increase income and develop new skills. The project
has brought over 1.5 million US dollars to the Rwandese economy. In Uganda, the company is setting up a partnership project near Kyambura Gorge, home to a group of threatened chimpanzees. The team at Volcanoes Safaris believes that long-term partnerships between ecotourism companies, local communities, conservation organizations, governments and donors are essential for the survival of primates.