Kabale University in Partnership with Rubanda District Tourism Office promotes Domestic Tourism at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

A trip that started on Thursday 2nd of June 2022, at 5:30 am, saw Prof. Joy Kwesiga the Vice-Chancellor of Kabale University lead a team of over fourteen people to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to track Mountain Gorillas. Among other members were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Finance and Administration), Mrs. Anny Bwegye Katabaazi, The Academic Registrar, Mr. Narcicir Tibenderana, The Dean of Students, Mr. Amos Tukamushaba, The University Librarian, Dr. Bernard Bazirakye, the Head of Tourism Department, Dr. Nuwe John Bosco and his Staff, the Communication and Branding Department, and the Senior Tourism Officer, Rubanda District Local Government. The trip that was organized by the Tourism Department Rubanda District Local Government in partnership with the Tourism Department of Kabale University aimed at promoting domestic tourism by attracting citizens to appreciate the beauty that was surrounding them. Many people up to date believe that tourism is only for international visitors -a mindset that needs to be changed if we are to realize an increase in the volume of tourism in Uganda. Uganda abounds in beautiful sceneries, spectacular wildlife, breathtaking water bodies, and rich cultural heritage, however, less than 10% of the national population is aware of such endowments in their proximity.

Gorilla tracking exercise is enjoyable and refreshing right from the entrance of the park where you are welcomed by black and white colobus, L’Hoest, vervet, and red-tailed monkeys. This drive to the briefing point is livened by the amazing vocals from birds such as bee-eaters, black-billed turaco, and Dorherty’s bush shrike among others. At the briefing center, you are welcomed by a group of traditional dancers that once you sit to watch, their dancing can’t leave you sitting, when it comes to the Gorilla tracking guides, they are so amazing with their knowledge about gorillas and their receptiveness while they allow all of you to catch a glance of the rare species of the mountain gorillas at Bwindi.
In order to promote domestic tourism, the entire University Management offered a day off work to go and track Gorillas, an experience that left many excited with unforgettable experiences, one of the trackers was heard saying once you start the tracking exercise you don’t feel like stopping, the tracking is restricted to one hour and each group to track gorillas has a maximum of eight people. While tracking gorillas, you learn about the plants that these gorillas share with human beings for food, and you learn about their feeding practices and also the way they behave as a family.

During the tracking, we learned, that there are several Gorilla families and species in the forest, and the oldest of them in each group is always referred to as a Silver Back, quoting experiences from different individuals that participated in the tracking, it was a worthy trip and the one-hour tracking experience is short compared to the excitement you get while trolling following the Gorillas as they enjoy their natural habitats at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
If you have not been there, it’s your time now to go and explore the gifts of nature that exist in your neighborhood, only a few kilometers outside Kabale Town through Ruhija Town Council and enjoy your day with the Mountain Gorillas at Bwindi.

The Gorilla tracking exercise ended with a closing ceremony that saw all those that had successfully tracked gorillas awarded certificates in a function that was full of cheers since completing the tracking exercise is not easily achieved, it needs resilience to track up to the end amidst the thorns, an experience that brings together the sour-sweet experience. We highly recommend this trip for fitness, team building, and wellness.