Kwita Izina is inspired by the ancient Rwandan tradition of naming a baby soon after its birth. Kwita Izina has been going for 9 years and during this time 161 infant gorillas have been named in a celebration of nature and the communities who protect these incredible animals.  Due to Rwanda’s continued community led conservation efforts, gorilla numbers have increased by 26.3% since 2003, when the ceremony first began.

This year, 12 babies and one newly formed gorilla family will be named. The ceremony will include performances by Rwanda’s famous National Ballet and local musicians.  Kwita Izina is a chance to celebrate the efforts of all those who have contributed to the welfare of Rwanda’s wildlife and conservation.

All are welcome to join in the festivities which will take place in Kinigi, Musanze on Saturday, 22nd June 2013.

Swimming on the edge of Victoria Falls

We are very pleased to inform you that the Livingstone Island Activity will re start as from 02nd June 2013 . Water levels are low enough that this adrenalin packed island activity will begin again.

So if you are visiting Livingstone, Zambia from June onwards, make sure to book on of four different time slots to the island.

Exciting news just in from Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Western Uganda is that the adult female, Nshuti of the Nyakagezi gorilla group has just given birth to an infant.

For much of last year, this gorilla group was on the Rwandan side of the Mgahinga volcano. Its great news that she has given birth to her infant on the Ugandan side of the volcano. This take the number of gorillas in this group up to 10 members.

The flights will begin on days 3, 5 & 7 via Nairobi.

This new route / destination will mainly target tourist traffic to Victoria Falls, Zambia.

Connections are as follows:

KQ 780 02 June 13 / 25 October 13 (Wednesday, Friday, Sunday) NBO -LVI  Depart 12:35 Arrive 14:45

KQ 780 02 June 12 / 25 October 13 (Wednesday, Friday, Sunday) LVI -NBO Depart 15:35 Arrive 16:50

Looking forward to this added routing – thanks Kenya Airways

The re-opening date which is usually around July / August will be communicated to with you at least a week before.

New Customs & Prohibited Goods

For those travelling to and from Botswana, please be aware that in Botswana and Johannesburg so far, customs officials are being more vigilant with regards to animal and plant products that are being brought in or taken out. There has been no official directive although it is probably as a result of the recent scourge of poaching in southern Africa.  If guests purchase curios, we recommend keeping the relevant documentation (invoice) to hand when proceeding through arrivals and departures. We also suggest exercising caution when it comes to the small things that people pick up as mementos – hair bracelets, sea shells, loose seeds/pods, feathers, porcupine quills, anything bone or ivory or horn – as these may be removed/destroyed.

The rare African Green Broadbill bird

Calling all twitchers!!

Fred has just informed me that two nestings sites for the rare African Green Broadbill bird have been located in the Ruhija section of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda.

The first nest was spotted around the 6th February 2013, the second nesting site, a few days later. Both are a good 7 kilometer walk from the UWA park headquarters. Once down the big hill, one crosses over a set of small rivers. The sites are just across these waterways.

Apart from being endemic to this particular rainforest and region, the African Green Broadbill bird is a “lifer” on the list ofmany birder’s list.

http://www.xasafaris.com/newsletter/0213-gorilla-habituation.html

Central African Republic

http://www.xasafaris.com/newsletter/0113-car-forest-elephants.html