Saving the Gorilla, One Tourist At a Time

Saving the Gorilla, One Tourist At a Time
Kampala, Uganda—It’s astounding to think that although there are six billion human beings living on our crowded planet, there are only some seven hundred mountain gorillas left on the borders of Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo. Volcanoes Safaris, a company that specializes in mountain gorilla safaris, was at the forefront of opening tourism around the Ugandan gorilla parks a decade ago and in 2000 became the first international up-market safari company to take clients to see gorillas in post-conflict Rwanda, a vital step in relaunching international tourism in this area. Volcanoes Safaris is the only company that has created and built their own eco-lodges that are near gorilla parks, with a fourth lodge on the way that is near a threatened community of chimpanzees. Through their safari programs, eco-lodges, and conservation partnerships, they have built an organization that promotes tourism but also respects the fragility of the environment and the culture of the local communities. Through their partnerships, like the Volcanoes BLCF project, their new Kyambura Gorge Ecotourism Partnership project, and their eco lodges, they support gorilla, wildlife, and primate conservation and ensure that local people get a stake in tourism in the areas in which Volcanoes Safaris works. Tourists have a direct impact on both the wildlife and the communities in the area: Volcanoes Safaris helps fund a multitude of conservation and community projects such as primate conservation, schools, roads, clinics, and community centers, which in turn encourages local communities to understand the value of the primates continued survival. Media Contact: Stephanie Moreland, stephanie@atmstravelnews.com , 832-755-7661, www.volcanoessafaris.com . Photos Available. Click Here for Media Kit.