News | Mezzanine

Pondering Over Primates

Stella Neethling — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 15:25:53 +0000

Why not a Primate Travel Bucket List?

By Elsabeth Muller

Keen travellers always have a bucket list, something to look forward to, a new adventure in the planning. Be it to visit all the World Heritage sites or crossing the world’s greatest deserts, doing luxury train journeys, setting foot on each continent, hot air balloon rides in special places… never-ending lists, determined by individual tastes and interests.

Ever thought of creating a checklist for visiting some of the world’s most endangered primates in their natural habitats? Poaching and deforestation are some of the main reasons primate numbers in the wild are declining at an alarming rate. There is thus no better time than the present to compile this travel list and take your travel experiences to another level.

Let’s get started! The great primates are orangutans, gorillas and chimpanzees, but we would also like to add geladas and lemurs to this list.

Orangutans

Jet off to southeast Asia, particularly Borneo and Sumatra, as these are the only two places on earth where you can still find orangutans. According to the WWF there were approximately 230 000 orangutans still in the wild a century ago. It is now estimated that in Borneo there are currently 104 700 left, putting them on the endangered list, and in Sumatra about 7 500, which means they are critically endangered.

Borneo is the world’s third largest island. The rainforests on the island are 140 million years old and are the habitat for orangutans, the ‘Men of the Jungle’. Visit the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary in Sabah, Borneo. Most of the wildlife viewing will be done from a boat as you cruise along the Kinabatangan River and its tributaries. Encounters with orangutans are reasonably frequent and if you spot a large tree in fruit you will definitely find orangutans that took up residence nearby. An extra bonus will be spotting proboscis monkeys as this sanctuary is the best place in the world to spot them.

The best time to visit Borneo is from March to October during the dry season.

Mountain Gorillas

The habitat of mountain gorillas is the Virunga Mountains, a range of extinct volcanoes bordering the DRC, Rwanda, Uganda and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda. About 1 000 of these gentle giants are still roaming the wild, but are under constant threat owing to wars, hunting, diseases and loss of habitat.

From Johannesburg you can touch down in Kigali or Entebbe within four hours. Then one of the most rewarding travel experiences awaits. No need to be Comrades-marathon-fit to do gorilla trekking, but it will be good if you could keep a slow but steady pace for three to four hours on an uneven path at high altitude. The going is slow as the trackers first need to locate the gorillas’ nest from the previous night and then track them from there. Observing their family life for an hour is an overwhelming experience. They are in the wild, but you can recognise many human characteristics: affection, teasing, anger, leadership, caring, sadness, joy and jealousy. This hour of your life will be engraved in your memory forever.

The best time to visit Rwanda or Uganda is mid-December to February or June to September.

Chimpanzees

Once in Rwanda or Uganda for gorilla tracking, you might as well add a chimp tracking experience. The best place in Uganda to do this is in the Kibale Forest National Park with 1500 habituated chimps and 12 other primate species. Nyungwe Forest in Rwanda has about 60 chimps. Chimpanzee tracking is different from gorilla tracking as the chimps are on the move the whole time and sometimes at high speed. They are also a noisy bunch with deafening screams, loud hoots and your hair will raise when they start hitting the tree trunks. The challenge is to keep up with them when they jump from one tree to the next, high up in the forest canopy. Chimpanzee tracking is definitely rewarding, but also exhausting.

Gelada Baboons

Did you know Gelada baboons are grass eaters and the last surviving species of ancient grazing primates? They are endemic to Ethiopia and live in the high mountain meadows of the Simien Mountains. Due to a distinctive red heart on their chest they are often referred to as the bleeding-heart baboons. They are found in herds of several hundred, even a thousand, sitting in the grass grazing. Their distinctive canine teeth are not for eating, but to show dominance or for fighting. A visit to the Simien Mountains can be combined with a historical tour including towns like Gondar, Axum and Lalibela, well-known for the group of 11 rock-hewn churches near the town.

Ethiopia is a great destination all year round. Visits can also be combined with one of the many festivals and ceremonies taking place throughout the year.

Lemurs

To complete this bucket list, we cross the Mozambique Channel to arrive in Madagascar. Here you will find the cutest primates. They are small, have a pointed snout, large eyes and a long tail... lemurs. There are about 105 species and they are native to Madagascar. Lemurs are found across the island as they occupy various habitats: dry deciduous forests, spiny forests, rain forests, wetlands and mountains. While walking in search of lemurs you will become aware of the uniqueness of the island’s fauna and flora. Interestingly, 80% of the plants are endemic, as well as 95% of the mammals, 90% of the reptiles and 50% of bird species. Although the island has beautiful beaches, most tourists visit Madagascar to see all of its unique natural features.

The best time to visit is from April to November.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Tick one (or all) of these primate species off your travel list with Live the Journey. We offer a range of private, guided tours to these destinations for groups or individual travellers.

Contact Us directly to plan a bucket list primate adventure of your own!

Pondering Over Primates

Stella Neethling — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 15:25:53 +0000

Why not a Primate Travel Bucket List?

By Elsabeth Muller

Let’s get started! The great primates are orangutans, gorillas and chimpanzees, but we would also like to add geladas and lemurs to this list.

Orangutans

The best time to visit Borneo is from March to October during the dry season.

Mountain Gorillas

The best time to visit Rwanda or Uganda is mid-December to February or June to September.

Chimpanzees

Gelada Baboons

Ethiopia is a great destination all year round. Visits can also be combined with one of the many festivals and ceremonies taking place throughout the year.

Lemurs

The best time to visit is from April to November.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Tick one (or all) of these primate species off your travel list with Live the Journey. We offer a range of private, guided tours to these destinations for groups or individual travellers.

Contact Us directly to plan a bucket list primate adventure of your own!

Pondering Over Primates

Stella Neethling — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 15:25:53 +0000

Why not a Primate Travel Bucket List?

By Elsabeth Muller

Let’s get started! The great primates are orangutans, gorillas and chimpanzees, but we would also like to add geladas and lemurs to this list.

Orangutans

The best time to visit Borneo is from March to October during the dry season.

Mountain Gorillas

The best time to visit Rwanda or Uganda is mid-December to February or June to September.

Chimpanzees

Gelada Baboons

Ethiopia is a great destination all year round. Visits can also be combined with one of the many festivals and ceremonies taking place throughout the year.

Lemurs

The best time to visit is from April to November.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Tick one (or all) of these primate species off your travel list with Live the Journey. We offer a range of private, guided tours to these destinations for groups or individual travellers.

Contact Us directly to plan a bucket list primate adventure of your own!

Pondering Over Primates

Stella Neethling — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 15:25:53 +0000

Why not a Primate Travel Bucket List?

By Elsabeth Muller

Let’s get started! The great primates are orangutans, gorillas and chimpanzees, but we would also like to add geladas and lemurs to this list.

Orangutans

The best time to visit Borneo is from March to October during the dry season.

Mountain Gorillas

The best time to visit Rwanda or Uganda is mid-December to February or June to September.

Chimpanzees

Gelada Baboons

Ethiopia is a great destination all year round. Visits can also be combined with one of the many festivals and ceremonies taking place throughout the year.

Lemurs

The best time to visit is from April to November.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Tick one (or all) of these primate species off your travel list with Live the Journey. We offer a range of private, guided tours to these destinations for groups or individual travellers.

Contact Us directly to plan a bucket list primate adventure of your own!

Pondering Over Primates

Stella Neethling — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 15:25:53 +0000

Why not a Primate Travel Bucket List?

By Elsabeth Muller

Let’s get started! The great primates are orangutans, gorillas and chimpanzees, but we would also like to add geladas and lemurs to this list.

Orangutans

The best time to visit Borneo is from March to October during the dry season.

Mountain Gorillas

The best time to visit Rwanda or Uganda is mid-December to February or June to September.

Chimpanzees

Gelada Baboons

Ethiopia is a great destination all year round. Visits can also be combined with one of the many festivals and ceremonies taking place throughout the year.

Lemurs

The best time to visit is from April to November.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Tick one (or all) of these primate species off your travel list with Live the Journey. We offer a range of private, guided tours to these destinations for groups or individual travellers.

Contact Us directly to plan a bucket list primate adventure of your own!

Pondering Over Primates

Stella Neethling — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 15:25:53 +0000

Why not a Primate Travel Bucket List?

By Elsabeth Muller

Let’s get started! The great primates are orangutans, gorillas and chimpanzees, but we would also like to add geladas and lemurs to this list.

Orangutans

The best time to visit Borneo is from March to October during the dry season.

Mountain Gorillas

The best time to visit Rwanda or Uganda is mid-December to February or June to September.

Chimpanzees

Gelada Baboons

Ethiopia is a great destination all year round. Visits can also be combined with one of the many festivals and ceremonies taking place throughout the year.

Lemurs

The best time to visit is from April to November.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Tick one (or all) of these primate species off your travel list with Live the Journey. We offer a range of private, guided tours to these destinations for groups or individual travellers.

Contact Us directly to plan a bucket list primate adventure of your own!

Pondering Over Primates

Stella Neethling — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 15:25:53 +0000

Why not a Primate Travel Bucket List?

By Elsabeth Muller

Let’s get started! The great primates are orangutans, gorillas and chimpanzees, but we would also like to add geladas and lemurs to this list.

Orangutans

The best time to visit Borneo is from March to October during the dry season.

Mountain Gorillas

The best time to visit Rwanda or Uganda is mid-December to February or June to September.

Chimpanzees

Gelada Baboons

Ethiopia is a great destination all year round. Visits can also be combined with one of the many festivals and ceremonies taking place throughout the year.

Lemurs

The best time to visit is from April to November.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Tick one (or all) of these primate species off your travel list with Live the Journey. We offer a range of private, guided tours to these destinations for groups or individual travellers.

Contact Us directly to plan a bucket list primate adventure of your own!

Pondering Over Primates

Stella Neethling — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 15:25:53 +0000

Why not a Primate Travel Bucket List?

By Elsabeth Muller

Let’s get started! The great primates are orangutans, gorillas and chimpanzees, but we would also like to add geladas and lemurs to this list.

Orangutans

The best time to visit Borneo is from March to October during the dry season.

Mountain Gorillas

The best time to visit Rwanda or Uganda is mid-December to February or June to September.

Chimpanzees

Gelada Baboons

Ethiopia is a great destination all year round. Visits can also be combined with one of the many festivals and ceremonies taking place throughout the year.

Lemurs

The best time to visit is from April to November.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Tick one (or all) of these primate species off your travel list with Live the Journey. We offer a range of private, guided tours to these destinations for groups or individual travellers.

Contact Us directly to plan a bucket list primate adventure of your own!

Pondering Over Primates

Stella Neethling — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 15:25:53 +0000

Why not a Primate Travel Bucket List?

By Elsabeth Muller

Let’s get started! The great primates are orangutans, gorillas and chimpanzees, but we would also like to add geladas and lemurs to this list.

Orangutans

The best time to visit Borneo is from March to October during the dry season.

Mountain Gorillas

The best time to visit Rwanda or Uganda is mid-December to February or June to September.

Chimpanzees

Gelada Baboons

Ethiopia is a great destination all year round. Visits can also be combined with one of the many festivals and ceremonies taking place throughout the year.

Lemurs

The best time to visit is from April to November.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Tick one (or all) of these primate species off your travel list with Live the Journey. We offer a range of private, guided tours to these destinations for groups or individual travellers.

Contact Us directly to plan a bucket list primate adventure of your own!

Pondering Over Primates

Stella Neethling — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 15:25:53 +0000

Why not a Primate Travel Bucket List?

By Elsabeth Muller

Let’s get started! The great primates are orangutans, gorillas and chimpanzees, but we would also like to add geladas and lemurs to this list.

Orangutans

The best time to visit Borneo is from March to October during the dry season.

Mountain Gorillas

The best time to visit Rwanda or Uganda is mid-December to February or June to September.

Chimpanzees

Gelada Baboons

Ethiopia is a great destination all year round. Visits can also be combined with one of the many festivals and ceremonies taking place throughout the year.

Lemurs

The best time to visit is from April to November.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Tick one (or all) of these primate species off your travel list with Live the Journey. We offer a range of private, guided tours to these destinations for groups or individual travellers.

Contact Us directly to plan a bucket list primate adventure of your own!

Pondering Over Primates

Stella Neethling — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 15:25:53 +0000

Why not a Primate Travel Bucket List?

By Elsabeth Muller

Let’s get started! The great primates are orangutans, gorillas and chimpanzees, but we would also like to add geladas and lemurs to this list.

Orangutans

The best time to visit Borneo is from March to October during the dry season.

Mountain Gorillas

The best time to visit Rwanda or Uganda is mid-December to February or June to September.

Chimpanzees

Gelada Baboons

Ethiopia is a great destination all year round. Visits can also be combined with one of the many festivals and ceremonies taking place throughout the year.

Lemurs

The best time to visit is from April to November.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Tick one (or all) of these primate species off your travel list with Live the Journey. We offer a range of private, guided tours to these destinations for groups or individual travellers.

Contact Us directly to plan a bucket list primate adventure of your own!

Pondering Over Primates

Stella Neethling — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 15:25:53 +0000

Why not a Primate Travel Bucket List?

By Elsabeth Muller

Let’s get started! The great primates are orangutans, gorillas and chimpanzees, but we would also like to add geladas and lemurs to this list.

Orangutans

The best time to visit Borneo is from March to October during the dry season.

Mountain Gorillas

The best time to visit Rwanda or Uganda is mid-December to February or June to September.

Chimpanzees

Gelada Baboons

Ethiopia is a great destination all year round. Visits can also be combined with one of the many festivals and ceremonies taking place throughout the year.

Lemurs

The best time to visit is from April to November.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Tick one (or all) of these primate species off your travel list with Live the Journey. We offer a range of private, guided tours to these destinations for groups or individual travellers.

Contact Us directly to plan a bucket list primate adventure of your own!

Pondering Over Primates

Stella Neethling — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 15:25:53 +0000

Why not a Primate Travel Bucket List?

By Elsabeth Muller

Let’s get started! The great primates are orangutans, gorillas and chimpanzees, but we would also like to add geladas and lemurs to this list.

Orangutans

The best time to visit Borneo is from March to October during the dry season.

Mountain Gorillas

The best time to visit Rwanda or Uganda is mid-December to February or June to September.

Chimpanzees

Gelada Baboons

Ethiopia is a great destination all year round. Visits can also be combined with one of the many festivals and ceremonies taking place throughout the year.

Lemurs

The best time to visit is from April to November.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Tick one (or all) of these primate species off your travel list with Live the Journey. We offer a range of private, guided tours to these destinations for groups or individual travellers.

Contact Us directly to plan a bucket list primate adventure of your own!

Pondering Over Primates

Stella Neethling — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 15:25:53 +0000

Why not a Primate Travel Bucket List?

By Elsabeth Muller

Let’s get started! The great primates are orangutans, gorillas and chimpanzees, but we would also like to add geladas and lemurs to this list.

Orangutans

The best time to visit Borneo is from March to October during the dry season.

Mountain Gorillas

The best time to visit Rwanda or Uganda is mid-December to February or June to September.

Chimpanzees

Gelada Baboons

Ethiopia is a great destination all year round. Visits can also be combined with one of the many festivals and ceremonies taking place throughout the year.

Lemurs

The best time to visit is from April to November.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Tick one (or all) of these primate species off your travel list with Live the Journey. We offer a range of private, guided tours to these destinations for groups or individual travellers.

Contact Us directly to plan a bucket list primate adventure of your own!

Pondering Over Primates

Stella Neethling — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 15:25:53 +0000

Why not a Primate Travel Bucket List?

By Elsabeth Muller

Let’s get started! The great primates are orangutans, gorillas and chimpanzees, but we would also like to add geladas and lemurs to this list.

Orangutans

The best time to visit Borneo is from March to October during the dry season.

Mountain Gorillas

The best time to visit Rwanda or Uganda is mid-December to February or June to September.

Chimpanzees

Gelada Baboons

Ethiopia is a great destination all year round. Visits can also be combined with one of the many festivals and ceremonies taking place throughout the year.

Lemurs

The best time to visit is from April to November.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Tick one (or all) of these primate species off your travel list with Live the Journey. We offer a range of private, guided tours to these destinations for groups or individual travellers.

Contact Us directly to plan a bucket list primate adventure of your own!

Pondering Over Primates

Stella Neethling — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 15:25:53 +0000

Why not a Primate Travel Bucket List?

By Elsabeth Muller

Let’s get started! The great primates are orangutans, gorillas and chimpanzees, but we would also like to add geladas and lemurs to this list.

Orangutans

The best time to visit Borneo is from March to October during the dry season.

Mountain Gorillas

The best time to visit Rwanda or Uganda is mid-December to February or June to September.

Chimpanzees

Gelada Baboons

Ethiopia is a great destination all year round. Visits can also be combined with one of the many festivals and ceremonies taking place throughout the year.

Lemurs

The best time to visit is from April to November.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Tick one (or all) of these primate species off your travel list with Live the Journey. We offer a range of private, guided tours to these destinations for groups or individual travellers.

Contact Us directly to plan a bucket list primate adventure of your own!

Pondering Over Primates

Stella Neethling — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 15:25:53 +0000

Why not a Primate Travel Bucket List?

By Elsabeth Muller

Let’s get started! The great primates are orangutans, gorillas and chimpanzees, but we would also like to add geladas and lemurs to this list.

Orangutans

The best time to visit Borneo is from March to October during the dry season.

Mountain Gorillas

The best time to visit Rwanda or Uganda is mid-December to February or June to September.

Chimpanzees

Gelada Baboons

Ethiopia is a great destination all year round. Visits can also be combined with one of the many festivals and ceremonies taking place throughout the year.

Lemurs

The best time to visit is from April to November.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Tick one (or all) of these primate species off your travel list with Live the Journey. We offer a range of private, guided tours to these destinations for groups or individual travellers.

Contact Us directly to plan a bucket list primate adventure of your own!

Pondering Over Primates

Stella Neethling — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 15:25:53 +0000

Why not a Primate Travel Bucket List?

By Elsabeth Muller

Let’s get started! The great primates are orangutans, gorillas and chimpanzees, but we would also like to add geladas and lemurs to this list.

Orangutans

The best time to visit Borneo is from March to October during the dry season.

Mountain Gorillas

The best time to visit Rwanda or Uganda is mid-December to February or June to September.

Chimpanzees

Gelada Baboons

Ethiopia is a great destination all year round. Visits can also be combined with one of the many festivals and ceremonies taking place throughout the year.

Lemurs

The best time to visit is from April to November.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Tick one (or all) of these primate species off your travel list with Live the Journey. We offer a range of private, guided tours to these destinations for groups or individual travellers.

Contact Us directly to plan a bucket list primate adventure of your own!

Pondering Over Primates

Stella Neethling — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 15:25:53 +0000

Why not a Primate Travel Bucket List?

By Elsabeth Muller

Let’s get started! The great primates are orangutans, gorillas and chimpanzees, but we would also like to add geladas and lemurs to this list.

Orangutans

The best time to visit Borneo is from March to October during the dry season.

Mountain Gorillas

The best time to visit Rwanda or Uganda is mid-December to February or June to September.

Chimpanzees

Gelada Baboons

Ethiopia is a great destination all year round. Visits can also be combined with one of the many festivals and ceremonies taking place throughout the year.

Lemurs

The best time to visit is from April to November.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Tick one (or all) of these primate species off your travel list with Live the Journey. We offer a range of private, guided tours to these destinations for groups or individual travellers.

Contact Us directly to plan a bucket list primate adventure of your own!

Ethiopian Myths & Legends

Stella Neethling — Tue, 24 Jul 2018 15:51:53 +0000

Once upon a time in a country far, far away, there lived a beautiful queen. She reigned over a kingdom that was prosperous and covered an area that forms part of modern day northern Ethiopia. She was known as the Queen of Sheba. Her subjects were renowned for their distinct craftsmanship and skills. Evidence of this fine workmanship can still be seen today… the Stelae of Axum… monolithic madness! The obelisks were carved out of one piece of rock and stands 82 feet tall.

The Queen of Sheba thought her Axumite Kingdom was rich and powerful. However, one day a merchant called Tamrin told her about the wisdom of King Solomon of Israel. He also described the beautiful great Temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem.

Queen Sheba decided to visit King Solomon and arrived with an abundance of gifts. Her purpose was to try and corner him with difficult questions all of which Solomon answered to her satisfaction. She stayed a while before returning to her kingdom. Upon her return she discovered that she was pregnant with Solomon’s child. A handsome boy was born and she named him Menelik.

When Menelik grew up he wanted to know who his father was and was told that it was King Solomon. Menelik wanted to meet his father and went to Jerusalem for a visit. Upon his return he was accompanied by extra servants and people, of which one was a priest. The priest stole the Ark of the Covenant and only told Menelik about this once they left Israel. King Solomon also found out that the Ark was stolen, he chased after Menelik, but could not overtake him. Menelik kept the Ark of the Covenant in a special place. Legend has it that the Ark is still in Axum today and kept in the Saint Mary of Zion church. Only the High Priest of Axum, an elderly holy monk can see and take care of it. He cannot leave the small yard that surrounds the chapel, and he is expected to name his successor on his deathbed.

Axum has many archaeological remains of which some are the palace of the Queen of Sheba, her bath and the magnificent Stelae.

In the 12^th century another Ethiopian prince was born. He was named Lalibela. As he was born amidst a swarm of bees, but not stung by one, it was seen as a sign that he will one day become King. As a boy he visited the Holy Land and followed the footsteps of Jesus. His elder brother was jealous of him forging a plot with a servant to poison Lalibela. The poison was weak and did not kill him, instead he fell into a deep sleep while his spirit was whisked to heaven.

In heaven Lalibela heard God’s voice who instructed him to build a New Jerusalem. He told Lalibela how to carve the churches out of solid rock. After 3-days Lalibela woke up and told his family of his godly mission to build churches.

Lalibela send for the best stone masons. He forbid them to use any wood, mortar, bricks or dressed stone. He informed them that each church should be sculpted from a solid rock. The workers thought he was crazy. This could not be done… impossible!

The masons wanted to please their king and started to work. They started to cut rectangular trenches into the red volcanic hills to get a sold piece of free standing rock. Then they started to chisel out the exterior of the church. The outside was shaped from the top down and then the inside was carved out… the rock was in actual fact hollowed out with precision. It was a tiring process and while the workers were sleeping at night the angles continued their work.

In 12-years Lalibela never slept. He wanted to oversee everything to ensure all was done with perfection. When he finally fell asleep he had a dream. He saw Saint George, who asked him why there was no house built for him. Lalibela promised St George he would built the most beautiful church for him. The cross-shaped church of St George is for many the most gorgeous of the 11 churches in Lalibela.

The 11 rock hewn churches chiselled from red volcanic rock can still be seen in a small town, Lalibela, high in the mountains of Ethiopia. They represent the New Jerusalem as they are divided in a northern and southern group by a rock channel (river) called the River Jordan. The churches are connected by narrow passages and tunnels taking you on a journey from one beautiful church to the next.

These churches are there for you to visit and admire. What are you waiting for?

Explore all of our Global Destinations much like this incredible country, and all Upcoming Tours Dates.