The “Year of the Gorilla” began Monday – a U.N. effort to raise money for primates threatened with extinction from disease, hunting and deforestation. It was launched at a ceremony in Rome where Prince Albert II of Monaco and representatives from more than 100 governments gathered to discuss increasing measures for nearly 30 species endangered by pollution, climate change and over hunting.

In related news, rare mountain gorilla twins have been born in Uganda’s Bwindi Forest, home to around half the world’s population of the endangered primates. “It is only the second time in history that we are aware of twins being born in Uganda,” a spokesman for the Uganda Wildlife Authority advised, adding that the twins were healthy. Mountain gorillas are the cornerstone of Uganda’s tourism industry and it is predicted that the twins’ arrival will boost tourist numbers. Bwindi is home to an estimated 340 mountain gorillas, around half the global population, according to the most recent survey conducted between 2006 and 2007.

Goway’s AFRICAExperts offer travellers some programs where they can encounter gorillas up close. One is a 7 day ‘Gorillas, Wildlife & Chimps’ (http://www.goway.com/africa/uganda/gorillas-wildlife-chimps.html) which includes gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda and chimp trekking from $4434. Also on offer is the 3 or 4 day ‘Mountain Gorilla Encounter’ in Rwanda from $2940 (http://www.goway.com/africa/rwanda/index.html) which includes flights from Nairobi, a city tour of Kigali including a visit to the very moving Genocide Memorial & Education Center. Accommodation in the capital is at the first class Intercontinental Hotel or similar. Morning gorilla treks occur on days two and three and you overnight at the Gorilla Nest Lodge. Travel through the beautiful Rwandan countryside is by luxury 4WD. “Before I saw my first mountain gorilla he brushed my shoulder as he bounded from the canopy above and went somersaulting down the track behind me,” says Bruce Hodge, President of 39-year-old Goway. “There was another gorilla in the undergrowth to the left and one to the right and even more in the bamboo canopy above. Wow…were we ever close!” The place was Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, East Africa the region where Dian Fossey became famous. “I feel privileged to be one of the very few travellers who have ever encountered mountain gorillas in their own habitat” continued Hodge.

When you consider that only 8 permits are issued each day in Rwanda to visit each of 5 families habituated for tourists, you will be one of only a few travellers to have encountered mountain gorillas in their own habitat, so early booking is essential.

For more information on these and many other great value Travel ideas, visit www.goway.com or call 1-800-245-0920.

AFRICAExperts…by Goway has today released a number of valuable savings on their safaris and custom vacations for travellers to South Africa.

“This is an ideal time to plan a trip South Africa” commented Christy Fraser, Product & Marketing Manager for AFRICAExperts, “the strength of the Canadian Dollar provides excellent value for visitors to South Africa. When converted from the South African Rand, the average cost of a 3-course dinner for 2 including wine is CA$50.

“We have also lowered the prices for some of our tours, or included special value offerings to make a visit to South Africa more attractive.” Continued Fraser.

The most popular small group touring idea from AFRICAExperts, the 14 day Best of South Africa tour has been reduced by over $500 per couple to $2676 per person, and also includes a free Soweto tour.

Also released is 2nd passenger discount of 25% which equates to savings of up to $761. This promotion applies to some of the most popular tours, including the 14-day ‘World in One Country‘ priced from $3043, the 4-day ‘Magnificent Garden Route‘ priced from $951 and the 3-day ‘Hluhluwe, Zulu Culture and Big Game Safari‘ from $667.

For more information on AFRICAExperts reduced pricing and value added offerings, visit the $uper$pecial pages at Goway.com