Premier Safaris, specialist in intimate safari experiences in East Africa, has formed an exclusive partnership with Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, Ugandan veterinarian, resident gorilla expert and founder of Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH) to offer unique Gorilla Research and Gorilla Health safaris in tandem with CTPH. Rates start at $3300 per person sharing for a four-day Gorilla Research Safari in the company of a gorilla field researcher. Rates start at $4500 per person sharing for a four-day Gorilla Health Safari in the company of Dr. Gladys, as she is known to the legion of fans who have watched her BBC shows. To those on her home turf, she is known as the Dian Fossey of Uganda.
The Gorilla Research and the Gorilla Health safaris take place on the southern border of Uganda in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), inhabited by more than 400 of the world’s 850 extant mountain gorillas. Safari-goers will have two options: to go mountain gorilla trekking with a field researcher from CTPH or, for a premium, to spend a day of their safari tracking with Dr. Gladys. She will impart her in-depth knowledge of these compelling creatures (who share 98.4% of human’s genetic make-up) in a highly involving and intimate gorilla experience.
Premier Safaris’ and Dr. Gladys’ goal is to ensure not only an informative gorilla tracking experience, but to provide profound insight into gorillas, their health and other conservation aspects that impact their survival. For instance, gorilla dung collected from the nests of the previous days’ track will be analyzed to establish the health of the family, and frontline communities that come in direct contact with gorilla families will be visited.
According to the CTPH, the heartbeat of gorilla conservation is rooted in earning the support of the local communities that share a backyard with these critically endangered animals. As Dr. Gladys says, “You can’t protect the gorillas if you don’t think about the people living around the park. The only long-term and sustainable method to improve gorillas’ health is by improving the health of the people living around the park, and not just the people, but their livestock as well.”
This approach to gorilla safaris is only available to Premier Safaris tour operators. For more information or bookings contact: gm@premiersafaris.com or visit www.premiersafaris.com
