1

I always contact embassies in such cases. It's none of their business to answer such questions. Therefore I always have to make pressure to answer my question or to mention somebody not working in the embassy who can answer my question.

Always call them on the phone if you want an answer. Never emails. Emails are the work of the devil anyway. People are just never interested to answer emails. The phone.

Happy travelling and have fun. Enjoy the spirit of Africa.

2

wildcat, currently both Parc National des Volcans in Rwanda and Bwindi in Uganda are still open. I did receive an update from the FCO (UK Foreign office) about Uganda mentioning that there was increased security risk in the Kisoro (Bwindi) area of Uganda due to the rebel activity in DRC and that it was a good idea to check the latest information when planning to travel there but did not change their advice on actual travel (i.e. they still currently consider the area ok to travel). I haven't received any updates regarding Rwanda - though their are fears that the rebels are marching on Goma which is right on the border with Gyseni. However Gyseni is not near the gorillas (but is a popular town for people visiting Rwanda beyond the gorillas).

So in short. Still ok at the moment but worth keeping an eye on things.

3

I contacted ORTPN yesterday about a golden moneky permit (they're in the same park as the gorillas) for late August, and in their reply today they didn't mention anything about the park being closed/unsafe/caution needed.

A.

4

Fighting is mainly in North Kivu of DRC and may be the Uganda and Congo boarder Towns in DRC are in the hands of the M23 Rebels.It is Bunagana, Rutshuru ,Ntamugenga and Rubare.
The rebels are less than 10 kilometres away on the road to the provincial capital Goma

Rwanda is safe in spite of the accusations of aiding the rebels.

5

The M23 rebels are not a threat to Rwanda (according to UN, Rwanda even supports them) and the Congolese army is as weak as ever. But fighting is limit to the Kivu. According to Rwanda, this rebellion is a Congolese problem. If Rwanda would suspend the gorilla visits, it would mean they admit they have a problem inside their own borders. Which would be a sign of weakness.
Note that during the previous, similar rebellion (CNDP), gorilla visits in Rwanda also continued like before, it was possible too to trek to the summit of Karisimbi volcano, which is at the Congolese border.