Reasons for Visiting Community Projects while in Ruhija on a Gorilla Trekking Adventure. Gorilla trekking combined with community projects enables you to explore and experience the other rural countryside of Uganda, where most of the people live a simple life depending on agriculture for food and all necessities of living. The common community projects that you can engage in include healthcare services, water projects, education support programs, road maintenance, and sensitizing communities about conservation.
Community projects while in the Ruhija sector will help to improve the lives of the locals who are still living below the poverty line.
The Ruhija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is found in the eastern part of the forest, most secluded, and is home to four habituated gorilla families, including Bitukura, Oruzogo, Mukiza, and Kyaguriro. For birding enthusiasts, the Ruhija region is the place to be, with over 100 bird species, hence a double opportunity.
Community-based Projects and Experiences in Ruhija Sector
Batwa community-based experience
The Batwa are an indigenous tribe that used to call the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest home however, the gorilla conservation program since the 1990s, has affected them, and they lost control over the forest. The Batwa pygmies’ history still lives on in the forest, and most of them are still settled on the forest edges.
Enjoy the demonstrations about how the Batwa lived and survived in the forest, their hunting skills, amazing traditional folk songs and dances, all will be presented during your visit to the Batwa community.
Ruhija Community-based walking experience
The Ruhija community walk is arranged by the locals, who are recognized by the Uganda Wildlife Authority to ensure that the locals are involved and get to benefit from the wildlife conservation in their community.
During the Ruhija community walking adventure, you will visit homesteads, get to be entertained through dance and local music, taste the local banana beers, participate in harvesting produces, and much more, getting immersed in the local lives of the Batwa.
School visitation experiences in Ruhija
The presence of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park has led to development around the Ruhija sector, which has increased education. However, most of the schools in the area are in a bad state, hard to access, and a lot of support like scholastic materials and water supply is still needed.
As a gorilla trekking client on a honeymoon safari in the Ruhija sector, your visit to one of these schools during your stay will be appreciated. Any support rendered goes through the authorities, which return it to the community as support for the conservation practices going on in the region.
Recommendations during Community Projects in Ruhija
The topography of Ruhija sector requires fitness. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is requires hiking during navigation and the roads of the Ruhija region are as well not in a good condition. It is good to put on waterproof hiking boots due to the nature of soil in the region and the unexpected rain that can come anytime.
In case you want to make any physical material donations, it is better you buy all the necessary items before reaching Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park since there are few shopping centres with little products and are closed most of the times.
Most importantly, seek permission from the local authorities before engaging in any community based projects and experiences in Ruhija to avoid misunderstandings.
Lastly, to avoid language barriers it is advised to walk along with the guidance of a local guide who can help you communicate as well as interpreting.
Best time to go Gorilla Trekking and Community project visit in Ruhija sector
The Ruhija sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is open all year round and you can book during any season according to your interests and availability.
The dry season from December to Feb and June to August is the tourism peak season, the trails are dry and passable, and the gorillas come closer to the ground due to food scarcity and competition and less thick vegetation which is penetrable making the season the best for gorilla trekking. During this season the hiking and participating in community projects is easier.
The wet season from March-May and October to November is considered low season due to the characters that makes trekking harder. The roads are slipper and hard to maneuver, wet hiking trails and the gorillas keep sheltered spots. However, the season comes with thick and greener vegetation creating green scenery, birdwatching is at its best and discounts are on from accommodations to permits.
Expectations while on Gorilla Trekking and Ruhija community projects
Encountering mountain gorillas during the gorilla trekking and Ruhija community projects adventure is at 99%. Early in the morning you will head to the park headquarters for briefing and then you will be allocated one of the four gorilla families within Ruhija region, since gorilla trekking is not an individual activity, you will be grouped in groups of 8 people. Delve into the forest and start the search, on finding these gentle giants, you will have one hour enjoying them in their natural habitat.
Ruhija region is a haven to over 100 bird species and is known to be the birding haven of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Birding is mostly done from Mubwindi swamp and expect to encounter various forest birds and Albertine rift endemics.
Active hiking will be the order of the day since Ruhija area is steeper due to high ridges and plateaus.
Be prepared for language barriers, as many people in the area may have limited literacy skills and primarily speak their local language.
Is the Ruhija community safe?
Uganda is generally safe. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park has well-trained armed ranger guides who are always on the ground to ensure safety in case of any security emergency. The ranger guides are trained and provided by Uganda Wildlife Authority and are required to always patrol the forest. Besides the ranger guides, on the ground, there are also other security organs for extra protection. Tourists are encouraged to always communicate and walk around with a local guide.
To ensure safety during gorilla trekking, the Uganda Wildlife Authority put in place a briefing before the gorilla trekking experience starts, and during the briefing, tourists are taken through the dos and don’ts of gorilla trekking and the latest forest updates.