By Will Bolsover, Managing Director, Natural World Safaris
Will Bolsover set up the first ever gorilla tracking safari in Gabon in combination with Emmanuel de Merode (now the Chief Warden of Virunga National Park in Democratic Republic of Congo). He also worked for a niche gorilla safari company based in Uganda and Rwanda and was one of the first people to lead safaris to track some of the first habituated groups of lowland gorillas. Will is recognised as one of the world’s leading authorities on gorilla tourism.
One of the most controversial topics associated with wildlife conservation is tourism. Who does it benefit – the wildlife or the tourists (or both)?
The main threats to gorillas are poaching, habitat loss through mining or deforestation and regional conflicts. In some areas, the effects of these are devastating to the local gorilla population, in particular illegal mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
90% of locals within these destinations make their living from cash crops, so they see gorillas as direct competition to their livelihood.
Areas which would have been pristine forest and prime gorilla habitat a few years ago are now fields of potato crops.
The key to protecting the gorillas is to teach the locals that it is in their best interests to conserve and protect them, so that they receive additional income or gain quality of life from their co-existence.
Mountain gorillas have been highly endangered for a number of years and live in one of the most restricted habitats left on the planet today. In recent years they have defied all odds and their population has increased.
Of course the dedicated work of researchers, forest staff and conservation organisations is a major contributor, but undoubtedly so is tourism.
The mountain gorillas of Rwanda are living, breathing proof of tourism and conservation working together in unity.
Mountain gorilla tourism is big business for the East African countries of Rwanda and Uganda, both of which are reaping the benefits.
Vast sums of money are required on a daily, monthly and annual basis in order to protect and conserve this endangered species, and the money from gorilla tracking permits goes towards this. It contributes towards the maintenance of the park boundaries, medical assistance for both the gorillas and the local population and also to support the local residents, who are now not permitted to make use of the resources of the local forest.
Importantly, it is also used to pay the salaries of the park staff and rangers who patrol this region on a daily basis, monitoring the gorillas and ensuring that those people who are not meant to be in the park are not there.
To put this in a very simple context, over 100 park rangers in the last 10 years have lost their lives whilst protecting mountain gorillas. For this reason alone, the finance that the sale of these gorilla permits generates is essential in order to continue to support the various conservation initiatives and local communities of this region, all of which contribute to the survival of these gentle giants.
It is fair to say that money is a powerful motivator and as a result of the success of eco-tourism and conservation working together, these affable apes are a major contributor to one of the fastest growing economies in Africa, that of Rwanda. A country that has been through more than we can imagine, Rwanda – also known as the Land of a Thousand Hills – is hospitable beyond comprehension and offers a unique wildlife experience that is at the top of the list for most enthusiasts.
By visiting the mountain gorillas, you are making a positive contribution to their conservation and also ensuring that local communities benefit too.
It is essential you book through a reputable tour operator who uses eco-friendly lodges that support communities and employ local guides. Natural World Safaris does just that, ensuring that your contribution to the gorillas through tourism is positive in every way.
Check out Natural World Safaris’ full range of mountain gorilla trekking holidays.
* All images courtesy of Richard Denyer, a Natural World Safaris client.