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Netflix, Attenborough and Dian Fossey Connection

Learn About and Watch our Recent Gorilla Trek

Greetings from East Africa!

This month, the mountain gorillas have gone global. Sir David Attenborough’s latest masterpiece, A Gorilla Story, has surged into the Netflix Top 10. For us, this isn't just a documentary; it is personal. In 1978, our very own Tour Leader, Ian Redmond, was the man who introduced Sir David to the gorillas for that iconic Life on Earth sequence. Watching Sir David return nearly 50 years later to sit with the descendants of those same gorilla families is a moving testament to the conservation success story Ian helped write:

While wildlife elsewhere faces decline, the gorillas of the Virungas are flourishing. This miracle was forged with the grit of pioneers like Dian Fossey and perfected by experts like Ian. At Travulous, we don’t just book trips; we invite you into this living legacy. Imagine finishing a trek and settling by a crackling fire as the mist rolls in, listening to first-hand accounts from our tour leaders who worked directly with Fossey at the original Karisoke Research Centre.

In this month’s newsletter, you can watch footage taken by Richard, our co-founder, during one of our recent gorilla treks. You can learn about our connection to Dian Fossey, find out how you can retrace her footsteps, and understand the differences between the three gorilla parks we feature. You can also watch videos of our favourite lodges and catch up with our dedicated Rwanda and Uganda webinars.

We also want to share some exciting news. Eight months ago, we introduced our four core product categories. Today, we officially unveil the new flagship name for our luxury mobile tented camps: Hideaways by Travulous. This brand evolution brings our high-end accommodation under a unified identity. If you would like to experience this for yourself, we invite you to join our FAM trip this November in Kenya; you can view the itinerary here.

The mountain gorilla recovery proves that tourism can change the world for the better. The fire is lit, the mist is rising, and our experts are ready. Will you join us?

BEYOND THE SCREEN: OUR PERSONAL GORILLA STORY

Our Co-Founder, Richard, first started working in Rwanda and Uganda in 2003, operating group and tailor-made tours across East Africa with a special focus on mountain gorillas. Back then, the mountain gorilla population was estimated at fewer than 700 individuals. Today, thanks to relentless conservation efforts, that number has flourished to over 1,000.


Since 2018, Travulous has specialised in organizing mountain gorilla safaris for our travel advisors worldwide. Below, you can watch exclusive footage filmed by Richard during one of our recent gorilla treks with customers:

What is our Connection to Dian Fossey?

In 2006, Richard was appointed as the Travel Consultant and Head of Tour Operations for the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund in Rwanda, a role he held until 2013. You can read the original announcement here to see how this landmark partnership began.

When we launched Travulous in 2018, with offices in Rwanda and Uganda, we reached out to the very researchers who worked alongside Dian Fossey at the original Karisoke Research Center in the 1970s and 80s. These experts include Ian Redmond, Craig Sholley, John Fowler, and Peter Veit. Read about their incredible profiles below:

How can I retrace the footsteps of Dian Fossey?

For those seeking a deeper connection to the history of gorilla conservation, our In the Footsteps of Dian Fossey itinerary offers a profound, 5-day journey into the heart of the Virungas.

This curated experience begins in Kigali before heading to Volcanoes National Park, where the legacy of Dian Fossey truly comes to life. Highlights include:

• The Ellen DeGeneres Campus: A behind-the-scenes tour of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund’s state-of-the-art research facility.
• The Karisoke Hike: A trek to the ruins of the Karisoke Research Centre, located between Mt. Karisimbi and Mt. Bisoke, where you can pay your respects at Dian’s grave and that of her favorite gorilla, Digit.
• The Ultimate Encounter: An unforgettable morning spent tracking the majestic mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

This program can be enjoyed as a standalone trip or seamlessly integrated into a longer East African safari. To tailor the experience to your needs, this journey can be accompanied by one of our specialist tour leaders for deep historical insight, or led by our expert driver guides.

Where is the best place to go gorilla tracking?

We operate across the three premier destinations for mountain gorilla encounters: Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda.


To ensure you have the most accurate information, every detail we publish, from the number of habituated gorilla groups to permit availability, is thoroughly verified directly with the respective Tourist Boards and permit booking offices. We believe that expert planning begins with precise data.

*A percentage of the gorilla permit fee goes to supporting the communities living around the gorilla parks, in addition to funding conservation and management of the national parks.

The Comparison: Volcanoes vs. Bwindi vs. Mgahinga

While we verify the technical data for all three parks, the "on-the-ground" experience varies significantly between them.

To help you navigate the differences in terrain, travel time, and luxury offerings, we have compiled a comprehensive comparison of Volcanoes, Bwindi, and Mgahinga. 

Where to stay: Our favourite lodges in Rwanda and Uganda

This section features a selection of our customers’ favourite lodges and camps in Volcanoes, Bwindi, and Mgahinga. Simply click on each property link to watch the exclusive lodge videos we have personally created for you. Let us know if you have an alternative property in mind, as we contract with a vast array of Rwandan and Ugandan accommodation providers.

Deepen Your Knowledge: Our Rwanda & Uganda Webinars

If you missed our live sessions, you can watch our comprehensive Rwanda and Uganda webinars at your convenience to master the logistics and highlights of these remarkable regions.

OUR OFFICES

Anglican Business Centre,

KK 18 Avenue,

Giporoso,

Kigali,

Rwanda



+250 786 415 499
(Wholly Owned & Operated)

2nd & 6th Floor,

Arie Towers,

Mackinnon Road

Kampala,

Uganda

+256 742 037 702
(Wholly Owned & Operated)

3rd Floor,

Westside Towers,

Westlands

Nairobi,

Kenya

+254 20 3893850
(Representative Office)

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