RWANDA ~ Gorilla Twins - Volcanoes National Park ~

... A FanTasTic postcard... and a true little gem💚 for my National Park collection... Rwanda, "the land of a thousand hills" is one of the only places in the world where these primates can be seen in the wild, and where humans can get up close to them... gorillas are some of the most powerful and striking animals, not only for their size and force, but also for their gentle human like behavior...  Mountain Gorilla trekking is one of the most moving wildlife experiences in the world... although they remain among the most critically endangered animals on the planet (poaching was once a big problem)... the country has worked hard to stop it... because the gorillas are a better long-term economic opportunity for the country when they’re alive... Thanks a million Karen!! (✿ ♥‿♥)

"There is more meaning and mutual understanding in exchanging a glance with a gorilla than with any other animal I know."                                                             Sir David Attenborough

Rwanda’s Volcanoes national park today has a number of 10 habituated gorilla groups for visitors to see. Gorillas do not stay in the same spot, they usually climb higher up the mountain in the dry season, and descend in the wet season. Adult males weigh up to 200kg, with females around half this size. Can reach a height of 1.2-1.7 meters when standing on 2 feet.

Volcanoes National Park runs along the border with the DRC and Uganda, in northwestern Rwanda covering an area of about 125sq km area and is the oldest national park in Africa.

This National Park is home to Mountain Gorilla, golden monkeys, Spotted Hyena, buffaloes, elephants, black-fronted duiker and bushbuck. The park also harbors 178 bird species including at least 29 endemics to Rwenzori mountains and the Virungas.

Stamp:

 Folklore
 (Issued 15-11-2010)

RWANDA ~ Coffee Field ~

... Great new African country off my "missing" list ヅ... situated almost literally at the heart of the African continent... one of the smallest and most densely populated... it has one of the most interesting East African coffee histories... while Rwanda is still a very poor country, coffee is proving to be one reliable way out of poverty, giving many the chance to participate in the global economy... it also produces Fair Trade Coffees...Thanks a lot Deo and Mike!!【ツ】

The Republic of Rwanda is a small land-locked country located in central Africa. It is bordered by the Democratic Republic Congo, Uganda, Tanzania and Burundi. Kigali is the capital city in the center of the country.

Coffee was introduced to Rwanda in 1903 by German missionaries. Most of the coffee in Rwanda is grown in the country’s central region near Kigali and in western Rwanda, at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 1,800 meters above sea level.  450,000 farmers depend on coffee farming for their livelihood. There are currently around 229 coffee washing stations across the country.

 Flowering takes place between September and October and the harvest runs from March to July with shipments starting in late May to early June. The coffee is often quite delicate tasting with a pleasant sweet, caramel aroma and hints of citrus.


Stamp:

Folklore
(Issued 15-11-2010)