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Destinations - www.silversafaris.com

Silver Safaris adventure tours specialise in tracking primates and other charismatic animals in their natural habitat on foot and by pirogue and we take pride in all our trips which are led by guides with enthusiasm and knowledge to give you an unforgettable experience. We visit the Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic , Uganda, Borneo and China. Although our aim is to view and photograph the charismatic animals and smaller wildlife, the local culture and ecology is very much part of the unique experience of these areas.

In the Republic of Congo (also known as Congo-Brazzaville to differentiate from the DRC – Democratic Republic of the Congo) and the Central African Republic we venture into remote rainforests. This adventure is not for the faint-hearted but certainly offers the opportunity to see an exciting variety of animals along with exotic birds in country that is seldom seen by the outside world. This vast region, thinly populated with Bantu tribes and nomadic groups of Pygmies, will enthral the adventurer and wildlife lover. We travel in 4x4 vehicles, motorised pirogues, and on foot into the remotest parts of the forest. You’ll enter a pristine region full of wildlife, including Lowland Gorillas with their striking chestnut-coloured crowns, Chimpanzees, Forest Elephants, Bongos, Forest Buffalo, several species of smaller primates including De Brazza’s Monkey and Black-and-white Colobus, Red River Hog and other interesting small mammals, forest birds, and a wealth of flora. We observe wildlife from elevated hides (miradors) and also track the Lowland Gorillas and the awesome male ‘silverbacks’ on foot with the Pygmy trackers. One of our highlights is photographing the Ba’aka pygmies on a net-hunt in the forest and their gathering of plants for food and medicinal purposes.

Uganda is referred to as 'The Pearl of Africa' because it has such a vast variety of natural attractions including snow-capped peaks, Murchison Falls (the source of the Nile), vast wetlands and reserves with masses of African wildlife. Uganda offers tracking of Mountain Gorillas which differ from the Lowland Gorilla in having a shaggy fur coat: an adaption to their colder environment. Tracking in this country is a fascinating, interesting, but be warned, a highly emotional experience. We have seen our clients overwhelmed with emotion as they come out of the forest having had the great apes nearby. Tracking the gorillas is done only with dedicated guides and a limited number of permits are issued per day. But just being in the forest seeing other primates, including Chimpanzees, Forest Elephants, antelope and the birds is in itself a life-changing experience.

In China we track wild Giant Pandas in the Qinling Mountains of which some 20% (200-300 individuals) of the total wild population is found here. Classified as bears, Giant Pandas have adapted to a diet almost exclusively of bamboo leaves and shoots despite having the digestive system of a carnivore.. Only relatively recently opened to the public we do daily hikes into the mountains to see these Giant Pandas in their wild and natural habitat. The Qinling Mountains with their warm rains on the southern slopes rains are home to an abundant variety of plants and animals. There is also the possibility of seeing a few other enthralling mammals and birds, including Forest Musk Dear, Chinese Muntjac, Mainland Serow, Common Goral, Golden Takin, the extraordinary Red-and-White Flying Squirrel and the Endangered but very beautiful Golden Monkey. For a cultural experience we visit the city of Xi’an, the Terracotta Warrior and Horses museum and the Steele Forest.

Borneo’s lowland rainforests are one of the most biologically diverse regions on this planet and recent evidence suggests thousands of plant and animal species still remain to be discovered on this island. Borneo is home to the Orangutan, the largest tree-living mammal and only great ape found in Asia, the Bornean Gibbon, bizarre Proboscis Monkey with partially webbed hands and feet, flying squirrels and frogs. Interesting birds include a collection of fascinating Hornbills. The island also holds mid- and high-altitude forests on the slopes of the Crocker Range of mountains, with the highest peak being Mount Kinabalu at 4 095 metres (13 435 feet). This is the highest mountain in Asia outside of the Himalayas. Besides rainforests Borneo’s habitat include mangroves, peat swamps and freshwater swamp forest. Although less wildlife occurs here the mountain is definitely worth a visit with some great opportunities for trekking and birdlife that is incredibly tame and photographic. These interesting forests are home to a parasitic plant which produces the world’s largest flower up to one metre in diameter.




see also our previous website
www.gorillaadventures.com



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