Why did Uganda Airlines collapse

Why did Uganda Airlines collapse.

Uganda Airlines was dissolved in 3001, and all activities were effectively ended then. It had no aircraft to operate by that time, but it was employing about two thousand people. One of the two boeings, 707, was judged trash and hence unable to operate; the other had smashed in Rome. Staff members were cut from two thousand to four hundred and new aircraft leased from Australia and Air Zimbabwe but were insufficient to run on all routes most particularly to Europe in an attempt to salvage Uganda Airlines.

Although Uganda Airlines was crucial in terms of getting passengers to and from Uganda, today we examine the likely causes of its demise. Many have shed tears for its restoration to facilitate the movement of people and commodities as well as for increasing tourism in Uganda, which government has designated as a major industry of the country.

Earlier initiatives had seen the government of Uganda join with a private investor to launch Air Uganda, but it was rather unfortunate that same firm folded last year as it did not meet to international safety and flying requirements.

It has been shown that government officials did not understand the value of a national carrier at the time of collapse, so financing was not being received and numerous people—mostly suggested by government officials—were still being recruited. Government did not understand that establishing an anational carrier will not only encourage tourism and visitor influx to Uganda but also help to smooth the flow of people and products. This finally made Uganda Airlines weaker till it sank in 3001.

Uganda Airlines was not shielded from rivalry from other airlines like Kenya Airways and other foreign businesses. Uganda Airlines had cut its debt by 1994; all it needed to bounce back from was protection from other rivals. While other countries, like Kenya, were defending their businesses and pumping additional money, Uganda’s government just laid back and let Uganda Airlines fail.

While the government of Kenya and other governments were waiving off taxes and other charges on Kenya Airways, Uganda did not thereby leaving it with lots of bills and numerous workers. certain believe that there were certain insiders whose aim was to kill off Uganda Airlines.

Companies like Swiss Air, Lufthansa, Sabena seeking to save Uganda and Airlines were turned away by Uganda’s government. One wonders why government turned down this aid even though it was not infusing in any dime to manage Uganda Airlines. And as such wows persisted throughout Uganda Airlines’ ultimate demise.

Uganda Airlines therefore had nothing left, and when Air Uganda was launched, many were rather eager to see what it would bring on board. This failed and in 2014 it ceased business leaving Uganda without a National carrier under name. Many individuals are now pushing the government to pursue restoring Uganda Airlines as they believe it has a role in this century.

bakers lodge in Murchison falls national park

Bakers lodge in Murchison falls national park – Murchison falls safari – Whitewater rafting.

Friday, June 19, 2015 we headed to Murchison Falls National Park for a sales familiarization trip with the following in mind. To visit Murchison Falls National Park in order to acquaint ourselves with lodging establishments (mostly Bakers Lodges) and activities that visitors could engage in while at Murchison.

Specific goals were to visit other Accommodation properties in Murchison Falls National Park, To visit Bakers to experience the degree of service and hospitality at the lodge, To participate in tourist activities in Murchison Falls National Park so that we have a fill and a better knowledge while packaging and selling them to individual clients and agents and,

Our search for Baker’s Lodge aimed to pinpoint the precise southern bank position with respect to other lodges and the main offices/ferry terminal. Indeed it was found that in that sequence Red Chilli, Baker’s Lodge is the nearest followed by Kabalega Wilderness Lodge, Murchison River Lodge and Nile Safari Lodge. One advantage and a wonderful selling point for the lodges on the southern bank is that one can drive from the resort to the park headquarters in less than 15 minutes.

Like all the other lodges under Uganda Exclusive Camps and Lodges, we found that Baker’s Lodge is certainly rather distinctive from all other lodges nearby and cannot be matched with any. Its original design and created utilizing locally sourced materials combining with nature and consistent with conservation ideas highlight a real African experience in the woods.

If someone requires a triple, the rooms are big enough, well-designed, and roomy to even house three beds. Another great selling feature is their wonderful and clear perspective of the river, even though one is within another. Trails to every room are made so that they pass behind rather than the front, therefore causing disturbance and noise if they were in front of the cottages.

Every meal we ate at the resort really pleased me. Excellent cuisine, great taste, daily menus vary. No dinner was delayed at any one moment, hence the chef and all those in attendance are professionals. The only thing I noticed is that sometimes they offered too much food validating comments I often hear from customers who own Ugandan Lodges.

I have to urge management and staff members at Baker’s who saw us like guests rather than fellow employees. They went all the way to treat us the way any reputable Lodge would have you anticipate. They greeted us with a drink of juice the day we arrived, guided us through briefing, and continuously reminded us of important concerns such menus, if we needed a wake-up call, etc.

Operations managers made sure Godfrey, Chris, and Liz were always helpful and checked on how the day went. Therefore, to me staff and management is exactly like that of Buhoma and Ishasha Wilderness camp; this was very nice as guests who reserve special camps and lodges want the same degree of standards and professionalism from staff.

Safari Activities at Murchison Falls National Park.

I was out observing and experiencing popular tourist activities at Murchison Falls National park as a safari consultant.

Our evening delta cruise began with our guide pointing out that we were quite lucky folks. Our captain Kenneth guided us about Murchison Falls National Park’s history, discussed safety issues and what we should anticipate to see on our voyage.

We established all the resorts on this voyage and found out their distances from the ferry station. We were fortunate to see elephants flying in water moving from one side to the other. We came onto two shoebill stocks among the abundance of hippos and crocodiles.

Having Jean Paul as our guide made us lucky. He drove us early for a game trip that was very successful by any measure. Most of the species seen at Murchison Falls National Park—including a pride of lions and hyenas very near to the trail—were controlled. Jean Paul was very adept at identifying new creatures and suitable paths of travel.

Although “Top of the Falls visit and hike” is one of the most underappreciated activities among consultants, it is very crucial if you want to get a whole accurate view of the falls.

Driven to the top of the falls, we subsequently slopped downhill and were fetched by a boat back to Wild Frontiers Boat headquarters. Given that the climb is not very difficult, it was reasonable and should be advised to visitors heading to Murchison Falls National Park.

If and when customers have time and can afford, as top of the falls highlights a real image of the falls rather than providing a boat excursion to the base, as tour advisors we should be able to promote more delta visits in our packages.

More interested in determining the degree of service, location, travel times from the ferry area and of course comparing them with the Standards at Baker’s Lodge, we set out some time to see other Lodges in Murchison Falls National Park.

Lodges visited include Murchison River Lodge, Nile Safari Lodge, Pakuba Safari lodge, Fort Murchison Lodge, Kabalega Wilderness Camp. These lodges were not expecting us, however.

Why Igongo is a better stopover to the gorillas.

From Kampala, the trip to the mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park takes nine to ten hours. In between visitors have to make a stopover for relaxation, stretching, and smokers can take use of this opportunity to smoke a stick of cigarettes. Usually leaving Kampala for gorillas around seven am, tourists go to Mbarara town, which offers few choices we should discuss in this post.

Igongo Cultural Center

Agip Motel has been the top spot in Between Kampala and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where visitors stop for lunch breaks and to ease themselves till recently. Most tourist vehicles are now split on whether to stop at Agip Motel or Igongo Cultural Centre with the opening of the latter.

One benefit of the Igongo Cultural Center stop for the gorillas is the abundance of sights to observe. If not in Uganda, Igoongo has a museum that is by far the finest in south western Uganda. This museum is very orderly, and the interpreters at Igongo are quite knowledgeable about the anthropological items there. Walking around this museum during lunch break is rather fulfilling.

Visitors may buy curios from various artisan stores run by Igongo. This makes lunch, shopping, and leisure one stop shop for everybody. These stores show shirts, purses, and so many curios for purchase.

For the Banyankole, Igongo Cultural Center usually holds traditional celebrations every weekend. There are gardens there where rituals are conducted and tents are set. If one wants to see wedding or give away ceremonies, Igongo offers numerous options for you as long as you have adequate time.

The government is building a bypass branching off from igongo culture to link the Mbarara-Kasese major route with the Mbarara-Kabale high way. Therefore, tourists who want to escape traffic congestion in mbarara town would choose to have lunch in Igongo cultural center and then utilize the bypass to go either Kabale or Kasese. This so puts Igongo cultural center a head of Agip Motel and other dining places when it comes to visitors heading to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and other National Parks situated in the west and southwest Uganda.

Aglip Motel

For visitors driving from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Queen Elizabeth National Park, this is the customary halt for coffee or lunch. Their quality of service right now is and has been really excellent. Agip is in town, hence it is strategically adjacent to Shell petro station where cars can refuel.

It is also easily accessible for visitors to visit banks and shopping centers at the entrance of Mbarara town. The only benefit is that the bypass under development could lose some customers as well as competition from what to view during your lunch break.

On way to mountain gorillas, one stops at numerous points. The first one is at Mpambire Royal drum manufacturers to see how locally built drums from animal skins and tress. If time permits, you will be able to view this on your Kampala-Masaka route; many visitors have never seen anything like this.

Uganda National parks in top 50 best Africa Parks

Uganda National parks in top 50 best Africa Parks – Africa Safari destinations.

Things are looking positive for tourism in Uganda as three of her national parks have been ranked among Africas finest fifty National parks to be visited in 2015 by safari bookings, an internet port with huge readership all over the globe. Among the National Parks shown are Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, and Kidepo National Park.

The Holland’s based safari booking service conducted this poll and rating wherein Murchison Falls National Park came in 39th position in Africa, Queen Elizabeth National Park came in 34th, and Kidepo Valley National Park came in 14th.

Although mountain gorilla trekking and chimpanzee tracking respectively make Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Kibale National Parks the most popular and visited National parks in Uganda, they were not mentioned in this poll since only national parks providing classic wildlife viewing were the only ones considered.

Located in northern Uganda, Kidepo Valley National Park was last year ranked as the greatest National park in Africa where chances of viewing predators like lions are very high. The only national park you can find the uncommon cheaters in is Kidepo National Park. One of the greatest places to visit Kidepo National Park in Uganda is among the big herds of buffaloes, Elephants and antelopes. Another addition for everyone visiting Kidepo National Park is the karamajongo culture.

The Kajongo would welcome you to attend and experience their dances and manyata. The disarming program wherein all fighters who used to undermine peace in the area were disarmed is helping Kidepo national park to enjoy relative calm. Now the government is working on roads as well as pushing private companies to run planned and charter flights to the Park, thereby enhancing accessibility.

Murchison Falls national park is the biggest conservation area in Uganda and is well-known for boat rides to the foot of the tremendous falls and to the delta, wildlife drives along the northern bank of the Nile, and sports fishing, which is fast becoming popular. There is no introduction needed here. Visitors to this national park may also make a very difficult climb to the top of the waterfall or trek chimpanzees in Budongo woodland.

Located on the floor of the vast western arm of the East African rift Valley, Queen Elizabeth National Park is in western Uganda. One’s stay is amazing when one takes a boat tour in the Kazinga waterway with the greatest hippo concentration overall. Reaching any crater lake like Katwe is fulfilling; game drives in Kasenyi provide amazing vistas of the moon’s highlands. Improved accommodation and accessibility has resulted in a very good stay and experience.

Uganda is always gaining from such honors since she was selected as the top travel destination in 2015. Should such things go on, we will see more visitors visiting Uganda as long as the nation has relative peace and stability.

allotted funding have now quadrupled from what the ministry used to receive, the tourism industry was allotted thirty billion shillings for promoting Uganda as a tourist destination in the recently finished budget reading. We believe this will go a long way to achieve anything. (Based on only sixteen billion shillings)

Giraffes to be introduced in Lake Mburo National Park

Giraffes to be introduced in Lake Mburo National Park.

The fresh ideas at Uganda Wildlife Authority of moving animals from one area would help Mburo National Park. Public relations of Uganda Wildlife Authority Mr. Jossy Muhangi said that this year a starting project of twelve giraffes would be moved from Murchison Falls National Park to lake Mburo National Park. Like Queen Elizabeth National Park and Murchison Falls National Park, this is aimed to increase domestic and international tourism as well as make lake Mburo a popular national park.

Because of the presence of impalas that cannot be found in any other Ugandan National Parks as well as Zebras and the addition of giraffes to this small national park, the number of visitors both domestic and international is expected to increase and most likely the number of days spent in lake Mburo National Park by individual tourists will also increase since the park will be more appealing than it has been before.

Remembering that the establishment of Lake Mburo National Park was a forceful one whereby the government forcefully gazatted communal land into a national park, the local community who used to benefit from grazing their animals in this area never loved the idea something that resulted in the poisoning and killing of all lions in the park.

Where this project will work of fail remains a question to be answered by you and me. Consultations with the surrounding people were so undertaken and subsequently decided that portion of the National Park property might be used for grazing.

Uganda Wildlife Authority considered adding a pride of lions to draw more visitors to Lake Mburo National Park last year, however people who visit the National Park said they have never had any opportunity to see them on any game drive.

Though they hide and are rather timid, you may hear roaring at night. Though time will tell if they will embrace the new environment, this appears like a failed attempt. There will be questions over the survival of these giraffes as Lake Mburo National Park has a limited area for such species and we still have to see how the nearby population will respond.

The closest to Kampala city is Lake Mburo National Park; if such ideas prove successful, then we should expect many visitors to this national park with justification stating that there is less to see and that the park serves as a stop over to break the long drives to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park gorillas will long be gone.

Through park admission fees, boat cruises, walking safaris, and more bed nights for National Park lodges like Mihingo, Mpono, Lake Mburo Safari Lodge, Arcadia cottages, Rwonyo camp among other lodges, more visitors imply more income. National parks will also be competitive as, while originally each national park has been highly special and unlike others, if this idea is overlooked we are likely to see more national parks neglected.

Lake Mburo National Park Community Benefits

Lake Mburo National Park Community Benefits – Lake Mburo Safaris – Horse riding.

Uganda Wildlife authorities have kept their promise to provide some money or income back-off to the nearby Ugandan towns around National Parks. Three areas around Lake Mburo National Park of Isingiro, Mbarara, and Kiruhura have received more than two hundred and fifty million Uganda shillings, according to The Weekly observer.

These money will be used for initiatives chosen by local governments in these areas, including building healthy centers, road and many others as judged necessary. Uganda Wildlife Authority launched the income sharing scheme in order to strengthen her links with the nearby villages surrounding Uganda National Park.

Local communities used to use National parks directly for hunting, gathering firewood, herbs, honey among others but lost out on all these direct benefits something that drove a conflict between protected areas and the local communities around before they were gazzetted.

With regard to Lake Mburo National Park, the situation was not different. Originally communalally owned, the hea pastoralists utilized this area—which subsequently became a National Park—for grazing their Ankole long-horned cattle; however, their access to the park was blocked when it was gazzatted.

This culminated in a major confrontation between the hima and the park officials that ended in the death of every lion in Lake Mburo National Park. All pride of lions were poisoned to extinction, which led to a desire for people to sit and talk about with the nearby national parks.

From these conversations, it was decided that the local people most particularly impacted by the establishment of these National Parks should get a set proportion from gate collecting. Since then, this has been carried out as one of the plans to enhance parks and neighborhoods.

Among other creatures, lake Mburo National Park is well-known for its zebras and impalas. One may have a safari walk in the wild or a wildlife drive in addition to a boat tour on the lake. Popular for birdwatching is also Lake Mburo National Park; some resorts, like Mihingo, provide horseback riding as well.

Mihingo Lodge, Mantana Tented Camp, Rwakobo Rock, Arcadia Cottages, Lake Mburo Safari Lodge, Rwonyo Camp and many more such lodges dotting Lake Mburo National Park.

Of all the National Parks around Kampala, Lake Mburo National Park is the closest. From Capital City Kampala, it is around 4 hours’ trip via the stunning country side of Uganda adorned with road side shops offering fresh vegetables and fruits, drums like those at Mpambire royal drum manufacturers.

You also have a chance to stop over near the equator for basic experiments and pictures. If time allows, you might pause and enjoy the experience with the hima grazing their Ankole long horned cattle.

For all those visiting Uganda for gorillas who have some additional time, we advise spending at least one night in Lake Mburo National Park to experience this lovely national park as well as break the lengthy travel from Kampala to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Budget lodges and camps in Queen Elizabeth NP

September 22, 2024 September 22, 2024
Katland Safaris
Accommodation and lodges, Travel guide, Uganda safaris

Budget lodges and camps in Queen Elizabeth NP – Wildlife and safari drives – Boat cruise.

Among Uganda’s three national parks, the western-most Queen Elizabeth National Park is among the most popular destinations for tourists. In addition to the aforementioned parks, visitors often visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to see gorillas and birds, Kibale National Park to walk habituated chimpanzees, and Murchison Falls National Park to embark on game drives and Nile boat excursions.

Finding a place to stay is only one of several obstacles that prevent local and foreign travelers from enjoying Queen Elizabeth National Park. Cottages that are inexpensive and reasonable. Several inexpensive lodges have sprung up in and around Queen Elizabeth National Park to accommodate the increasing number of tourists. Guests can stay at these establishments and save money that they can then use toward other park activities, like boat cruises, game drives, and park admission.

The Ecology Institute

Among the park’s more established budget hotels, this one dates back to the early days of Queen Elizabeth National Park. For those seeking affordable choices in Queen Elizabeth National Park, the Institute of Ecology is situated on Mweya Peninsular, near Mweya Safari Lodge. They have both en suite and non-self-contained accommodations.

Thanks to the camp’s convenient location, guests may go to the ecological museum, take a boat ride on Kazinga Channel, and see creatures that frequent the peninsula. Since Mweya Safari Lodge is within walking distance, you may easily go there for meals and remain at this camp if you like. Anyone planning to stay at this lodge should be aware that the service and quality have been declining recently.

Quarters at UWA

Prior to moving their headquarters to Katunguru, the Uganda Wildlife Authority staff had been using these rooms. After undergoing renovations, they now provide as an affordable lodging alternative on the peninsula. While this facility does not offer meals, there is a canteen in the area that serves a variety of dishes. The canteen was formerly owned by the Uganda Wildlife Authority but is now privately managed. Or you might take a stroll to the Mweya Safari resort for some lunch.

Inn at Kazinga Channel

On the other side of Kazinga canal, outside Queen Elizabeth National Park, you may find this. It was founded by the manager of the Institute of Ecology to provide budget-friendly options for travelers. The facility includes both dormitories and en suite rooms.

Simba safari lodge

Another affordable alternative for travelers planning to visit Queen Elizabeth National Park is Simba Safari Camp, which is owned and operated by Uganda Lodges. This camp offers economically priced services to everyone with restricted budgets; it is located outside the park off the Queen-Kasese route.

The Bunyaruguru region and Kasese town are teeming with budget and inexpensive housing options, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to locate one that suits your budget. The Uganda Wildlife Authority also manages a number of campsites in the southern section of the park, in the areas of Mweya and Ishasha, for visitors who would rather bring their own tents.
Feel free to get in touch with Katland Safaris if you would want additional details about reasonably priced lodges in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

On the day of gorilla trekking

September 22, 2024 September 22, 2024
Katland Safaris
Gorilla trekking, Rwanda safaris, Uganda safaris

On the day of gorilla trekking – Gorilla trekking safaris and tours – Gorilla permits.

Travelers from all over the world go to Rwanda and Uganda to gorilla trekking. People go to Uganda to partake in one of the most popular tourist activities in the world, and they come from all over the globe, including the United States, Russia, Britain, Australia, and Europe. In order to get a gorilla permit in Rwanda or Uganda, one must pay either $750 or $650.

Then, with this permission in hand, you may spend an hour in the company of mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable, Mgahinga, or Volcanoes National Parks. Of course, this doesn’t cover the cost of your international flights to Uganda, which may vary depending on your departure country.

This does not include your lodging during your stay in Uganda, ground transportation (which, because to the terrain, requires a four-wheel drive), or internal flights to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (if you would rather not spend eight or nine hours driving there).

So, you’ve made it to one of the lodges in Bwindi Impenetrable or Volcanoes National Park, and tomorrow you’ll be trekking gorillas. We would have thought that a local tour operator in Rwanda or Uganda would have provided you with packing recommendations for your gorilla hike if you had booked via them.

Get to the lodge early enough to have some down time before your trip the next day by getting there early. Getting some rest is crucial since it will provide you tranquility. Get all of your hiking gear ready ahead of time. If you want to avoid a panic in the morning, have your rain gear, gloves, hiking boots, and bug repellents ready the night before. Because of how crucial each thing is, you must not overlook a single one.

You need to know what you’re passionate about. For various reasons, several gorilla families pique the curiosity of certain visitors. The guides from the Uganda Wildlife Authority can better match you with a habituated gorilla family if you let them know what you’re looking for.

For instance, there are a lot of factors that might pique your interest in gorilla families, such as the number of offspring, proximity to the mother, friendliness, and photographability of the family. If you want to get the most out of your walk, knowing this will help you request it. You need to maximize your one hour with the gorillas since that’s all you got.

It is essential that you get up early, have breakfast at the restaurant, and gather all of your necessary equipment. Make sure you have enough water to drink, your packed lunch, and, if you can, some food that will give you energy. You will have the opportunity to request a specific gorilla family at the general gorilla tracking briefing, which will be held at the park headquarters once you are ready to join others.

If you’re not in the best physical shape, it’s recommended that you bring a porter or assistant along. They can carry your belongings, provide encouragement, and make sure you reach your goal of viewing a habituated gorilla family in Rwanda or Uganda.

observing gorillas at a single time

September 22, 2024 September 22, 2024
Katland Safaris
Gorilla habituation, Gorilla trekking, Rwanda safaris, Uganda safaris

Observing gorillas at a single time – Gorilla trekking permits – Gorilla tours and safaris.

size that allows for the simultaneous observation of gorillas. The exact number wasn’t set in stone, but it was based on Bill’s observations of Groups 11 and 13, where the adult gorillas were far more placid when all the tourists kept their distance. Six was also the maximum number of guests he thought the guides could safely manage without disturbing the gorillas.

Each guest will get a memorable experience thanks to the small group size. Seeing gorillas up close was too invasive for the visitors who had paid thousands of dollars and traveled hundreds of miles to accomplish it. On the other hand, ORTPN was hesitant to set any boundaries. Part of it was driven by greed and stupidity, but it also represented a genuine need for more financial influence in politics. Monsieur Weber, you said that the gorillas may be a source of income. Okay, then, let’s become rich.

Bill overheard the low rumble of two Volkswagen vehicles making their way up the last ascent to Visoke’s base on a December morning in 1979. The only way to know who may turn up each morning was via this aural early warning system. Bill was unprepared for the thirteen visitors that stepped out of the vans, even though there were three overnight campers already planned to go. The two vehicles indicated a likely overflow.

They were all part of an Air France team that had arranged to see gorillas, bought the tickets, and leased the cars. The next day, Bill attempted to convince half of the gang to go back, but they were determined to remain together. Bill was left with little choice but to comply with Benda Lema’s latest directive not to refuse anybody. He gathered the sixteen guests together and ordered them to remain silent, remain in formation, and obey his every command.

Observing gorillas at a single time

Big Nemeye led the way, Bill occupied the center of the caravan, and two porters were in the back as they started off. Not far from where they had left Group 11 the previous day, within half an hour, Nemeye discovered new route from that morning. According to Bill, the gorillas often followed the footprints of the visitors who had departed, which would sometimes make it easier for them to find their way back the next morning.

He wished it marked a positive sign. However, the shortcut that day went directly up the mountain. The group of twenty people gradually spread out over the next fifteen minutes as fatigue and high altitude pushed the last survivors to the back. Bill halted the gathering many times to emphasize the importance of maintaining silence and unity.

The gorillas continued to climb Visoke’s eastern side at a steady pace. A mother and her two young gorillas emerged from the shade of a Hagenia tree, some twenty yards distant, as the group of gorillas drew closer to the forest canopy. As he attempted to identify the gorillas, Bill took the lead and collected five or six people around him.

Observing gorillas at a single time

The Frenchman who had fallen into a little gully and was surrounded by nettles was the one who cried out. He felt dissatisfied. The silverback that let out a single wraaagh in reaction to the Frenchman’s profanities was also not. Bill found himself faced with an unsavory array of choices as the other gorillas scampered away. He would have left the gorillas alone and gone home if he had been with Nemeye or anybody else.

However, visitors muddied the waters. They were ready to continue after renting cars, paying fees, and hiking a great distance. Even though things were tough, most people had handled themselves admirably. Gathered around Nemeye and the porters, Bill ordered the company to sit quietly and wait for him to go forward. After the gorillas had across a gully where they could be seen unimpeded, he would signal for the rest of the troop to come closer. The gorillas would end the game if they displayed any symptoms of panic or flight. Bill went out on his own, and everyone nodded.

Tourists came to see the gorillas.

September 22, 2024 September 22, 2024
Katland Safaris
Gorilla trekking, Rwanda safaris, Uganda safaris

Tourists came to see the gorillas – Gorilla tours and safaris – Gorilla permits.

With an increasing number of visitors, the gorillas’ attire—or lack thereof—continued to be a delightful source of amusement. Some tourists allegedly felt they could brave the thick underbrush with only an umbrella, while one out of five showed there completely unprepared for the rain. Underneath their rain gear, few travelers wore sweaters or vests to stave against the cold.

Despite our cautions to tour brokers, guests failed to comprehend the cold and wetness of the Equator at ten thousand feet during the rainy sea-son, and there were no guidebooks to Rwanda’s high mountain areas back then. A group of ladies dressed in short skirts and matching shoes with two-inch heels made an appearance.

Despite the nettles and muck, a small group of courageous men and women continued their trek in sandals. Rain gear was mostly worn by individuals who favored brighter colors, such as orange and yellow, which seemed to entice the younger gorillas. This was also true of the wide range of visitors’ looks. According to Bill, the introduction of the white apes meant that the gorillas could now be entertained every day.

Tourists came to see the gorillas

Thank you! The term was constantly yelled out, and guests always got the gist of it. Unfortunately, we discovered the hard way that the bamboo zone had much larger concentrations of driving ants than Karisoke’s higher elevations. They would attack immediately if we stumbled across their bivouacs, which happened many times a week.

While smaller worker ants stayed in formation, soldier ants with enormous heads, measuring half an inch in length, would swarm over any foreign object, their sharp teeth prepared to sting. What’s worse is that they would frequently wait to bite until they had climbed up our legs or fallen into our shirts after we touched an infested branch.

As a consequence, the siafu strip came to be: quickly removing clothing to either brush off the ants or unhook them if they were biting, in order to prevent further harm to the body’s most delicate areas. Wearing fewer clothes might be advantageous at times.

Tourists came to see the gorillas

In order to form bonds with each other, tourists were not required to undress. The common experience of interacting with a group of wild mountain gorillas was enough. As the sun went down, guests sat around the fire with a mug of hot tea and shared tales about the gorillas. After making their way through the muck and across logs, several stated they felt like a gorilla when they reached the group. My thoughts would then go to other memories of their hike in the Virunga forest.

Aromas of greenery and freshly rained dirt. Odorous like the silverback’s fur. The flavor of uncultivated celery, the symphony of invisible beings. Hunting dexterity and the excitement of finding nests in the dark. Knowing the gorillas were in the area when you found warm feces was a sign. The pure delight of playing in muck and mire as a youngster. Climbing and sliding is physically demanding. Not even ants or nettles may hurt.

As Bill had never seen in East Africa, visitors to the Virungas were escorted in zebra-striped minibuses and guarded Land Rovers through the jungle and past animals. Gorilla tourism was a whole new kind of adventure, one that tested one’s physical, sensory, and emotional limits. Even though the phrase “ecotourism” didn’t come out until later in the decade, the appeal of trekking into the Virungas rainforest and interacting with native creatures in their natural habitat was apparent as early as 1979.

Even while Bill enjoyed visitors, he preferred it when they didn’t stay the night at Visoke’s headquarters. The mountains, with their noises and silences, were something he enjoyed being alone with. At 8,800 feet, you may feel your senses sharpen and your mind clear thanks to the combination of cool air and pure air. The mind would sometimes dwell on insurmountable obstacles, while the senses would be consumed by persistent knee pain. But Bill valued the luxury of leisure to contemplate without outside interruptions.

The consistent number of visitors was good news for the MGp. Both in and around the park, in the neighboring town of Ruhengeri, local job opportunities were expanding. Several local eateries and the ancient Hotel Muhavura were refurbished to accommodate travelers as they entered and left the town.

The park service’s fight against the MINAGRI cattle project, which was now on hold but not dead, received political backing and greater funds from an increasing number of international visitors. After spending the day with Group 11, several resident expatriate visitors became vocal champions for gorilla conservation in their subsequent positions as government advisers, technical assistants, and other similar positions. Among the many, they stood out.

those with special access.

However, there was a drawback to greater visiting as well. Bill had advocated for restrictions on the daily influx of visitors, claiming that a group of six would be ideal.