April 11, 2023

Gorilla Ecotourism with Praveen Moman | Episode 37

1 hour 2 minutes

Mountain gorilla tourism owes its legacy to one man - Praveen Moman. A visionary conservationist and entrepreneur, Praveen is also called the father of great ape ecotourism in Rwanda's Virunga Mountains and the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest of Uganda.

Praveen grew up surrounded by Uganda's natural beauty so his passion for conservation was sparked at an early age. After graduating university, he worked for several years in conservation projects in Africa, including as a researcher in Rwanda’s Virunga National Park, which is home to endangered mountain gorillas.

"When you see a gorilla, there's a recognition of some deep connection between you."

In 1997, he founded Volcanoes Safaris with the goal of promoting sustainable tourism in Uganda and Rwanda. The company’s mission is to provide unique and authentic travel experiences while supporting local communities and protecting the environment. Volcanoes Safaris operates several luxury lodges and camps, including the award-winning Virunga Lodge, which offers stunning views of the Virunga Mountains and the nearby gorilla habitats.

"Our priority should be to look after the local people. People have got to be part of the conservation chain."

Volcanoes Safaris has become a model for sustainable tourism, and the company’s efforts have contributed to the growth of Rwanda’s tourism industry. The ethos is based around community conservation - working closely with local communities to ensure that they benefit from conservation efforts. Volcanoes Safaris works with several local community groups, including women’s cooperatives and youth groups, to provide training and employment opportunities in the tourism industry. Volcanoes also supports several conservation initiatives, such as the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project, which provides medical care to gorillas in the wild.