I posted an article on my Facebook page from National Geographic last week about young gorillas seen dismantling poachers' snares for the first time. It suggests that the youngsters knew how dangerous the traps were and researchers said they may have done it before, given how quickly they dismantled it. For a critically endangered species with less than 900 left in the wild, this is a good sign because with such low numbers we really can't afford to lose any wild gorillas, especially the next generation.
Baby Mountain Gorilla (photo courtesy of Governors Camps)
Their numbers remain low, but responsible tourism has been key to the fact that gorilla populations are now increasing in the wild. Tourism now accounts for almost 8% of Rwanda's GDP and this gives the government and the local people real incentives to keep the mountain gorillas that sit at the heart of the country's tourism alive. Read more about how responsible tourism is key to the survival of mountain gorillas here.
August 2017 may seem like a long way off but that gives you an idea of the popularity of the highly awarded safari camps I'll be taking two groups to to trek with mountain gorillas in Rwanda's Volcano mountains followed by a week at Ngorogoro crater and the Serengeti in Tanzania. We have to book this far ahead to secure space. I've had a lot of interest already in both trips and I'll be taking a maximum of 10 people on each. I've personally hand picked every element of both safaris - they're going to be amazing!
Mountain Gorilla, Rwanda (photo: Sabinyo Mountain Lodge)
Anyone who's been on one of my group safaris knows how intimate these adventures are. I keep the groups small because I like to get to know people and I find that a small group size also enables firm friendships among like minds to be made. These are wild, adventurous, spiritual experiences that will change your life while benefiting local people and wildlife - not your run of the mill safari! So if you'd like to confirm your place, please get in touch with me now to pay your deposit and make sure you don't miss out! I already have more interest than I have places, so the sooner you confirm your place the better.
Kimondo Camp game drive, Serengeti. Photo: Asilia
Read all about my 2 group safaris in Rwanda and Tanzania by clicking here. Contact me for a full itinerary with all the inclusions (as with all my safaris, almost everything is included in the price other than your international flight).
There's more information on all the safaris we offer at Matson & Ridley Safaris on our new website so click here to learn more. I also have one spot left for a single woman on my Namibian Skeleton Coast safari in May this year and 3 spots left for a couple and a single woman on my Zimbabwean safari in September this year.
Hope to see you on safari soon!