(EMAILWIRE.COM, April 02, 2009 ) Kampala, Uganda—Volcanoes Safaris is a unique great ape ecotourism business specializing in mountain gorilla safaris to Uganda and Rwanda that was founded in 1997. The company organizes tracking expeditions in Bwindi and Mgahinga in Uganda or in Parc National des Volcans in Rwanda, housing guests at unique eco-lodges that the company has developed in these parks. No other company in the world has invested so heavily in the area around the mountain gorilla parks in these two countries. Over the last decade, Volcanoes Safaris has taken over 5,000 clients on gorilla safaris and they currently employ over 100 people globally. The company 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 re-launching its international tourism.

Volcanoes Safaris has created an unrivalled and integrated set of ecotourism services to share the great apes of Africa with their clients while protecting the great ape species whose habitat is under threat of destruction. The company founders Praveen Moman and Yusuf Mulima Muburu have developed a responsible ecotourism vision with three central principles: First they believe ecotourism is essential to the survival of the great apes but needs to be carefully controlled. Second, they feel that local people need to earn a livelihood if they are to appreciate the importance of protecting our nearest cousins as well as their habitats. Third, tourism income should also help conservation of the apes and their habitats. The private sector is the “missing link” in creating sustainable great ape ecotourism and must play an increasing part if the future of the great apes is to be safeguarded.

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. 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 will bring over 1.5 million US dollars to the Rwandese economy. In Uganda, the company has successfully set up a partnership project near the Kyambura Gorge chimpanzee sanctuary.

While providing high levels of comfort and elegance at the Volcanoes Safaris ecolodges, the company has remained committed to ecofriendly principles. They believe that providing western standards of comfort in remote areas of Africa needs to be balanced with the impact that international travelers generally have on the environment. The company makes their contribution to minimizing environmental disturbance by using a variety of natural energy sources- especially solar power- reducing water consumption, and controlling waste disposal. Most of all they respect and work with local populations and recruit staff from their communities to manage the properties.

The people at Volcanoes Safaris believe that it is essential in post-conflict societies that the private sector undertakes its core business- in this case tourism- and also participates in partnership projects that not only boost business but also help rebuild the economy, morale, and standards of living in these countries. This unique approach is central to the business ethics that have made Volcanoes Safaris successful. Their ecotourism partnership programs with communities create jobs and give local communities a sense of hope and solidarity. The partnerships with conservation organizations give communities a stake in the development of eco-tourism and have a positive impact on great ape populations and their habitats, and they provide great ape ecotourism advisory services for governments and donors.

Volcanoes Safaris
CONTACT: Jane Behrend
TEL: 866-599-APES (2737)
E-MAIL: salesus@volcanoessafaris.com
WEB: www.volcanoessafaris.com
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Volcanoes Safaris
Stephanie Moreland
Tel: 832-755-7661
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