The Mountain Gorilla

The mountain gorilla  (Gorilla beringei beringei) is one of the two sub species of the eastern gorilla, found in the Viruga Volcanic Mountains of central Africa and Bwindi impenetrable national park in Uganda

The mountain gorilla is a critically endangered species discovered in 1902 its population has endured years of war, uncontrolled hunting, capture for the illegal pet trade, habitat destruction and diseases that it was once  thought that the species would become extinct in the same year it was discovered. Through conservation measures put in place and intense monitoring of the creatures since the 1950's the numbers are believed to be slowly increasing from an estimate of 600 individuals in 1980's to just over 880 individuals in the present day.

The fur of the mountain Gorilla is normally thicker and longer than that of other Gorilla species, this is a trait that enables it to live in much colder areas. It also has longer jaws and teeth but with slightly shorter arms than the lowland gorilla. One can identify different gorillas through there nose prints which are unique to every individual. Adult male gorillas have an average weight of 200 kgs  and usually weigh half as much as the females with an average weight of 100 kgs. At about 13 years of age male mountain gorillas start growing there distinctive silver colored hair on there back. The mountain gorillas are most active from 0600 hrs to 1800 hrs and most of its time is spent feeding, they feed on fruits, leaves, roots and vines. Every evening they makes a new nest from the surrounding vegetation to sleep in, only infants sleep in the same nests as there mothers.

They are highly social with groups of form 5 to 30 individuals, there groups are known as troops. About 60% of the groups are lead by one dominant silver back with several females,  about 36% contain several adult males and the remainder is composed of lone males and exclusive male groups. The dominant silverback determine the movement of the group leading them to appropriate feeding sites, settling disputes in the group, protecting the group from any external threats. If a mother dies in a group the silverback takes care of the offspring that the mother has left. Some silverbacks are well experienced and are capable of removing snare traps from feet and hands of there group members. Although strong and powerful gorillas are generally gentle and shy except when disturbed. The have 25 distinct vocalizations that are used to communicate among est groups. Gorillas are also known for there fear of certain reptiles.

This magnificent creatures still face serious threats like poaching, destruction of there habitats and diseases. You can join in conservation activities through buying the gorilla permits any time you travel and other efforts by various organization that are about conservation and support the activities like Abana safaris.   See some exciting Rwanda and Uganda gorilla tracking itineraries and Special offers. 

 

                                          

The Mountain Bongo in Kenya

The mountain Bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci) is one of the largest forest antelopes found in Africa. The Mountain Bongo is found in Kenya in the Abadares forest reserve, Mt Kenya forest and the Mau forest. It is one of the most endangered of the antelope species with a high number in captivity as compared to the wild. This is due to destruction of its habitat through human encroachment illegal logging, poaching, predators like the Leopards, spotted hyenas and pythons. 

The mountain Bongo normally lives in high altitude forested areas. It is a herbivorous browser, feeds on tree and bush leaves, tree barks. The mountain bongo has been noted to feed on charcoal from burnt trees. This has been attributed to the need of salt in its diet. It is also known to visit natural salt licks in search of salt. In the Aberdares National park, its frequents the watering holes and salt lick around Treetops Lodge, Serena Mountain Lodge and the Ark Lodge.  

The bongo is chestnut brown,  with a series of white flank stripes. It has a poor sense of smell hence its distinctive bright coat color helps the Bongos identify one another in the dark forest environment. Its large ears sharpen its hearing ability and has long twisted permanent horns in both males and females. The horns can grow to about a meter long with the female horns being smaller than those of the male. It runs gracefully at full speed through dense vegetation with its horns laying on its back so as not to get tangled in the vegetation and impend its flight. Despite its bold appearance the bongo is a very shy creature that stays out of sight in the cover of the forest during the day. The female adult Bongo ways an average of 200kgs while the adult male can way up to 400kgs.

Bongos rarely stay in group. The male bongo (bull) tends to be solitary while the females with there young live in groups of 6 - 8. has a gestation period of about 9.5 months gives birth to a single calf. Once it gives birth the calf stays hidden for a week or more while the mother pays it visits so as to suckle.it reaches maturity at 24-27 months of age. 

The rare species is near extinction. Lets join hands and save this critically endangered  antelope. Every time you travel with Abana Safaris you help save wonderful antelope. Lets join hands and conserve it for the future! 

Facts About Abana Safaris

Thinking of Abana Safaris and am sure you are wondering who are they, what do they know, how do they do it and stuff like that. We are here to off load all the info that you need to  know about us or on safari. keep on checking this wonderful page to give you interesting updates about the travel world.
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Why do we use the bongo as our symbol animal?
 The Mountain bongo is rare to find in the wild and can only be found in Kenya. Its critically endangered. This means the kind of services we offer are rare to find with other travel agencies. We know it and we do it the best and in the most professional way!

Why the name Abana?
Its Biblical! Abana is a river in Damascus Israel. What better way to describe us than reading
2 Kings 5:12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel?

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Simplifying travel while growing a populace of travelers mindful of sustainable tourism!

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To serve the world through tours and travels, that focuses on the future, making maximum benefits today.

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