African Travel, Inc. Supports Earth Day Awareness for Endangered Uganda Gorillas and Chimpanzees

GLENDALE, Calif., Apr 19, 2012 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) -- On April 22, more than one billion people around the world will participate in the 42nd annual Earth Day to help raise awareness of global environmental concerns. For Earth Day and every day, African Travel, Inc. works to bring more awareness to the plight of Gorillas and Chimpanzees in the wild; as part of their efforts they offer special packages to see these incredible creatures in their natural habitats while simultaneously working to protect them.

Mountain gorillas are among the most famous of all endangered animals. These majestic animals are lately finding it very hard to survive, and as recently as 2006, they were at the brink of extinction. Fortunately, recent conservation efforts have been quite successful, the primary factor responsible for this positive trend being an effort by organizations in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda to protect the gorillas and their habitat. Another significant contributor towards protection of the Mountain Gorillas is tourism! When travelers visit Africa using a knowledgeable company such as African Travel, they are making a huge contribution to the conservation of Mountain Gorillas. Despite these positive efforts, Mountain Gorillas are still under threat of extinction, and more conservation efforts will be necessary to remove gorillas from the endangered animals list. Now is an excellent time to visit these magnificent animals in their natural habitat.

Chimpanzee tracking is even more limited in its opportunities than gorilla tracking, and viewing locations are further to reach. Thus it is a great privilege to observe these engaging creatures in their forest home. Chimps are extremely vocal and quite active, which means treks may continue for quite a while as the chimps continue to move as they feed. Mahale Mountains National Park is home to one of Africa's most studied chimpanzee populations. Mahale has sightings virtually every day and the chimps, accustomed to being watched, continue their daily activities in the company of their human observers.

According to Jim Holden, President of African Travel, Inc., "By joining an African Travel safari to view Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees, Americans traveling to Africa are directly contributing to the conservation of these magnificent animals, as the income derived from Park and Game Lodge fees goes towards maintaining their habitat and educating the local people as to the inherent value to their livelihoods."

Two African Travel, Inc . safaris where you can see these beautiful animals in the wild:

The Pearl Of Africa--8 days. Uganda, Rwanda. Renowned for its physical beauty, Uganda offers a variety of wildlife viewing experiences in the Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi . The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a sanctuary for 13 different species of primate, colobus monkeys, chimpanzees and many birds (such as hornbills and turacos). It is perhaps most notable for the approximately 300 Bwindi Mountain Gorillas, half the world's population of the critically endangered Mountain Gorillas. The region around Ishasha is noted for its tree-climbing lions, often seen lounging in old fig trees. The photographic opportunities are plentiful as you experience Uganda, a country considered to be a source of the Nile River. Priced from $4,995 per person land only, based on double occupancy.

Remote Tanzania: Katavi and Mahale--9 days. Tanzania is one of the most spectacular places for wildlife viewing in Africa, and African Travel Inc.'s unforgettable adventure to Remote Tanzania: Katavi and Mahale will surpass your wildest expectations. Wildlife viewing in Katavi can be nothing short of breathtaking, especially the huge herds of buffalo and amazing numbers of hippo. Almost everywhere you look there is something grazing, bellowing, fighting, mating or hunting. Further north, on the western border and the edge of Lake Tanganyika (the world's second largest and deepest lake), is Mahale Mountain, another region where the clock seems to have stopped. The forested mountain slopes are home to the world's largest known population of chimpanzees and eight other primate species. Mahale is considered by many to be the best place in the world to track wild chimpanzees. Observe them as they groom, wrestle and forage across the leafy floor. Priced from $5,695 per person land only, based on double occupancy.

Arnelle Kendall,
Vice President of Public Relations
The Travel Corporation USA