Follow this link to watch a short teaser for a video we are producing to mark this important milestone on our journey.
To celebrate our 25th anniversary I hosted a retreat at Mount Gahinga Lodge in November with twenty-five conservation partners on ‘The Albertine Rift Ecosystems and Great Apes: Conservation Challenges 2022 to 2050′. It reflected on the successes and challenges of the last 25 years of working in the region and discussed collaborative action needed to take to safeguard the great apes and their tiny 'island' ecosystems going forward to 2050. The Albertine Rift Conservation and Tourism group was set up to coordinate ongoing action.
We are proud of the recognition of our work as pioneers of gorilla and chimpanzee ecotourism and for our lodges. A year ago I was humbled to be named winner of the Newsweek Future of Travel Awards, and in 2022 Virunga Lodge, Kyambura Gorge Lodge and Mount Gahinga were recognised by Conde Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards as among the Best Resorts in Africa. Bwindi Lodge was among the Top 10 Best Safaris Lodges in Africa in Travel and Leisure awards. Afar Magazine named Volcanoes Safaris as a Vanguard Honouree and one of the “top visionary companies that are changing the way we travel”.
We are incredibly honoured to receive these awards in the year of our 25th anniversary.
How it all began: One Hundred Years of the Moman Family in East Africa
My extended family has been connected to East Africa since 1905 and were among the pioneers who opened up the region. In 1927 my great-uncle, Churanji Lal Phakey, from the Punjab, India, pitched a tent in the bush, among lions and leopards, some twenty miles east of the Source of the great River Nile in Uganda and became His Majesty King George V’s Postmaster at Iganga. He was the first family member to live in Uganda. (Continue reading >>)
Reimagining Volcanoes Lodges
The Volcanoes Safaris journey of setting up camps began at Mgahinga in 1997 in Uganda.
It has been a challenging, inspiring and uplifting journey.In 2022 the transformation of our properties into the leading gorilla and chimpanzee lodges of Uganda and Rwanda is complete! Today our lodges are world renowned, each one connected to community and conservation projects in its neighbourhood.
A new lodge in Kibale!
We are happy to announce that we are building a new lodge near Kibale Forest in Uganda in 2023. The lodge will focus on chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest, one of the most beautiful in Africa. Guests will be able to visit community projects and walk through the beautiful rolling hills and crater lakes of Kabarole to visit local homesteads.
Kibale Lodge will be located on a ridge facing the snow-covered peaks of the mystical Rwenzori mountains towards the west and the Queen Elizabeth plains and the Kazinga channel in the distance to the south. The lodge will be fully open and join our collection by the end of 2023.
Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust
The Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust, was established in 2009 to connect Volcanoes lodges to communities and conservation activities.
In 2011 I opened Kyambura Gorge Lodge in Uganda, as part of the Kyambura Gorge Ecotourism Project to protect the threatened chimpanzees living in the gorge. A 3 kilometre wildlife buffer zone and a coffee project have been created to support livelihoods. It is rewarding to see the chimp population has increased from about 22 to 30 individuals in the last ten years.
In May 2018, we built a village for the Batwa indigenous people.
For our 25th year, we are increasing and refocusing our conservation and community work to ensure local communities benefit from conservation and tourism and the fragile habitats of gorillas and chimpanzees continue to be protected. (Find out more >>)
Volcanoes Safaris Team
The commitment of our outstanding staff from the different countries of the Great Lakes region has given our lodges a world class reputation. They have worked with quiet dignity and a determined spirit, welcoming our guests with the warmth of their cultures. Today we pay tribute to them for their hard work and dedication and take pride in their achievements. It's heartening to see so many young managers, especially women, making a mark in the company, making our vision of empowerment a reality.
Thank You
We thank our loyal guests, our trade partners, our conservation partners, communities and the government of Rwanda and Uganda for all their support over these years. We look forward to welcoming you at our lodges soon.
With best wishes
Praveen Moman
Founder
Volcanoes Safaris
Write to us on [email protected] or send us a message via the form on our contact page.
Rwanda: +250 (0) 252 502 452
Uganda: +256 (0) 414 346 464
© Volcanoes Safaris 1997 – 2024. All Rights Reserved
Write to us on [email protected] or send us a message via the form on our contact page.
Rwanda: +250 (0) 252 502 452
Uganda: +256 (0) 414 346 464
Tracking chimpanzees in their natural habitat, as they swing from the branches in the canopy high above the forest floor is nothing short of exhilarating. The chimps effortlessly cross and scamper through the trees above the gorge, and visitors on the other hand must cross the river using natural bridges in order to keep up with the chimps. So although the walk usually lasts only 2–3 hours, descending the steep gorge and crossing the log bridges over the river requires some agility and fitness.
Chimpanzee tracking is also available in nearby Kalinzu, a forest reserve 30 minutes drive from Kyambura Gorge Lodge where there is a community of about 40 habituated chimpanzees.
