MOUNTAIN GORILLAS AND THEIR HEALTH FACTS

Mountain Gorillas

 Mist Gorillas in East Africa.

The mountain gorilla is the largest of all the gorillas and is the most endangered. The world’s remaining 820 mountain gorillas live in three different countries in Central Africa: Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda. Mountain gorilla trekking is the most popular tourism activity in these countries and attracts thousands of visitors into these countries. Although this makes their range seem large, the mountain gorillas actually inhabit a small geographic area where the borders of these three countries meet. Over half of the world’s mountain gorillas can be found amidst the Virunga chain of volcanoes and the remaining populations live in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest some 75 km to the north.

Unlike their lowland counterparts, the mountain gorillas have long hair, which helps them handle the temperature extremes found at altitude. Mountain gorillas live in large family units led by a single dominant adult male, known as the “Silverback” — a name derived from the grey hair that develops on male’s back as it reaches adulthood. The Silverback is responsible for protecting the family from predators or other threats, including solitary Silverbacks intent on claiming females as their own. The dominant Silverback also takes on the role of mediator when disputes arise in the family. Some families contain more than one Silverback, but only one is dominant and that male alone is responsible for mating with the adult females of the group.

The sub-adult males of the family are known as “Blackbacks”. Adult females are generally half the size of the males and it is their responsibility to initiate mating with the dominant male, as well as care for the infants.

In general they are very peaceful creatures. Most days are spent foraging for food, playing, and grooming. The mountain gorilla’s fierceness has been seen protecting its young from illegal animal trafficker’s intent on capturing baby gorillas. For every mountain gorilla baby that is found in the marketplace, an entire family of gorillas has died trying to protect it.

Gorillas get sick.

Because mountain gorillas share approximately 97% of our DNA, they are susceptible to the same diseases as humans. Unlike humans, however, their resistance is much lower. Sicknesses that the average human can beat with bed rest and antibiotics can prove fatal to the mountain gorilla. More serious outbreaks, such as Ebola or virulent strains of influenza could take the few remaining mountain gorilla populations beyond the point of return.

However it is advisable that tourists only visit gorillas when healthy and keep a minimum distance of 25 feet (7 meters) away to protect them from getting affected by diseases.

Actually Understanding the nature of mountain gorillas, and the threats they face, is the first step in assuring their preservation.

The Gorilla Doctors healthcare program includes:

·         Monitoring the health of mountain gorilla groups to ensure the early detection of disease and injury.

·         Staging medical interventions to dart sick animals with antibiotics or anesthetize and treat gorillas suffering from human-induced or life-threatening trauma.

·         Rescuing and providing veterinary care to gorillas orphaned by poachers.

·         Documenting and studying health trends to better predict disease outbreaks.

·         Conducting post mortem examinations on dead gorillas to learn all that we can about the health problems that contributed to their deaths.

·         Preserving tissue and fluid samples to be used by researchers investigating primate health issues.

·         Providing preventive healthcare to the dedicated park personnel who protect the gorillas, and to the people and their animals that live near gorilla habitat, in order to reduce the risk of inter-species disease transmission.

LAKE KATWE SALT TOUR

Katwe Salt Lake Tour just near Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Lake Katwe is set up in south western part of Uganda within kasese district bordered by Queen Elizabeth National Park. It is one of about 52 explosion crater lakes found in Queen Elizabeth national park. 

This unusual lake is far too salty to support any wildlife – though since the 16th Century it has ensured the survival of the Katwe villagers, who spend their days under the equatorial sun, harvesting salt from its milky waters.

Unique networks of paths and huts have been built across the lake to support hundreds of workers, as selling the rock and table salt to traders from across Uganda, and as far as Congo and Rwanda, is the main source of income for the community.

This tour gives visitors a unique insight into the fascinating yet tough process of salt mining, as well as providing an alternative income for Katwe. During the tour of the lake you will see community members at work, cross the mud walkways and enter one of the traditional grass huts, used to shelter and store tools. You will also pass the nearby bird sanctuary lake, home to thousands of birds, including flamingos from October to May.

Salt mining in Katwe is one of Africa’s oldest industries still surviving. It has played an important political and economic role in the history of the western part of Uganda

The water within this lake is actually 60 percent salty.

The women crumb the bottom of the salt garden to hollow out the salt. Actually they make use of their feet to smash the salt to smaller and fine crystals, after which they wash these crystals to form edible salt (also called the washed salt or sodium chloride).

Fate of the female miners

Women are not safe either. However, most of them are shy to share the negative health effects of engaging in salt mining. It is said that when the ammonia gas from the water gets into a woman’s reproductive organs, it causes uterus irritation and abdominal pains. The women therefore, heavily pad themselves before entering the salt pans.

Besides salt mining, the lake is a big tourist destination. Its visitors include students, tourists and researchers. The peak months are June to August and mid October to December. Visitors can only access the lake with the help of a tour guide.

Accommodation

Mweya Safari Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Sandton Hotel, Executive Inn and Silver Springs Hotel in Kasese town. There are no hotels in Katwe though. But, there are a few fair restaurants and guest houses.

UGANDAN CULTURE.

Ugandan Heritage.

Nakayima Tree on Mubende Hill

A four hundred year old tree, near the Kampala-Fort Portal road, is thought to contain the spirit of Ndahura, a medieval Bachwezi king.

The Munsa Earthworks, the remains of an elaborate fortification and Ntusi, a large settlement from the 15th century are other Bachwezi sites deeper in the interior.

Nakayima Shrine.

The shrine is found in Mubende. This is ancient witch tree, the base of which has a large buttress roots, it is sited on top of Mubende hills about 4km out of the town. This is a 2.13m hill with a flat table top where the ancient palace once stood provides an excellent view of Mubende town and the surrounding area. The tree is estimated about 400-500 years and it serves as a shrine of the spirits of Nakayima the first wife of the Bachwezi King Ndahura. The shrine is visited by people playing homage to Nakayima or Bachwezi a dynasty said to have supernatural powers. Â The tree is believed to be the spiritual home for the Bachwezi goddess respected by both the Baganda and the Banyoro.

Met Owobusobozi Bisaka:  The self-styled god in Bunyoro region.

A few hours’ drive from Kibaale town, on top of Kapyemi Hill stands a white and orange storey building. As one approaches it, the visitor is met by a wooden gate that opens to a lash green compound. To the right are two rows of classroom blocks and to the left a ranch and banana plantation.

The smell from the ranch pierces your nostrils but is quickly overcome by the sweet scent from the freshly pruned flowers as one approaches the house. A group of people, in tens, seek refuge from the burning sun; some on the verandah and tree shades.

Welcome to the residence of one of Kibaale’s most powerful and influential characters, Ow’obusobozi Bisaka, a self-professed god. Bisaka does not only run a secondary school at his home but hosts hundreds of visitors daily, who come to seek prophecy, healings and bring various prayer request.

Wondering why Uganda is called 'The Pearl of Africa'?

Are you wondering why Uganda is called 'The Pearl of Africa'? Where else can you see lions prowling across the open savanna as day breaks before white water rafting down the Nile.

The Gushing waterfalls.

The Gushing water falls along River Nile are one attraction a visitor to Uganda wouldn't like to miss. Enjoy white water rafting, boat rides, game viewing and spot fishing in fresh waters not found else where.

Murchison Falls

Located in Western Uganda, it the roots of the Murchison falls National Park.

Karuma falls

Yet another spot you don't have to miss in the Eastern region of Uganda.

Bujagali

Locally known as Budagali, located on the source of the Nile, it is one of the most vibrant attraction for water rafting lovers in Eastern Uganda.

Water bodies.

Uganda has been called a land of lakes because almost a third of the country is covered by water. Lake Victoria, the largest in Africa, dominates the southern border of the country while Lakes Edward and Albert lie to the west Other lakes include; Lake Bunyonyi and Lake Kyoga among others.

Activities

These fresh water lakes offer opportunities for water activities and sports. An example is white water rafting, pioneered by Adrift, which has caught on as a popular tourist activity, especially on the River Nile. The country now attracts 500 rafters every month. Lake Victoria is now also being increasingly used for lake cruises. Other popular activities include sport fishing and sailing.

Crater Lakes.

Lake Bunyonyi. 

 Located in Western Uganda.

Hills and Mountains.

Uganda is well endowed with several mountains, which are regarded as huge extinct volcanoes straddling in different parts of the country. They are major tourist attractions, most of them are mainly for hiking activities. They are classified into volcanic and non-volcanic mountains.

Some of the different mountains in Uganda include; Mt.Elgon which is about 4,321 meters in altitude is found in eastern Uganda. While the snow capped Rwenzori Mountains, also known as the “Mountains of the Moon” is located in western Uganda, the Moroto and Muhavura Mountains are located in the north eastern and south western parts of the country respectively.

Mountain Rwenzori

The snow capped Rwenzori Mountains, also known as the “Mountains of the Moon” is located in western Uganda.

Mt. Elgon

Mt.Elgon which is about 4,321 meters in altitude is found in eastern Uganda.

History of Tourism in Rwanda.

History of Tourism in Rwanda.

Rwanda is country that used to be situated in Central Africa and now joined East Africa among the rest of the common wealth countries. According to the research from the tourist board of Rwanda which is RDB (Rwanda Development Board) suggests that ‘’Rwanda is popularly known as ‘the land of a thousand hills’ because of its many tourist attractions. The landscapes in this green country are truly incredible. A lot of people who had the chance to visit Rwanda have remarked the country as unique on the African continent.  Rwanda is a small East African country that draws visitors from all over the world, primarily to see its rare mountain gorillas. Rwanda faced a horrible genocide in 1994 which still has not been forgotten, the memorial museum in Kigali is a “must-see”.

Rwanda has shown strong responsibility in order to promote the tourism sector; the government developed a clear tourism master plan strategy which will help to market the destination successfully, they also involved the private sectors in the policy and in general improved the country’s business environment. The key factors and their role were to ensure that tourism becomes the main source of income/economy towards the government.

                                                   
 Rwanda after Genocide

The success of tourism in Rwanda.

Tourism is one of the key factors in the whole of the country’s economy but like other sectors, tourism was affected by the genocide 1994 but it is starting to experience a explosion due to the government’s new approach to work together with neighboring countries which has an impact on the locals and the government.

Rwanda and Uganda are the only two countries in the world where mountain gorillas can be visited safely at the moment. In 2008, about 17,000 people visited the Volcanoes National Park (VNP) to see the gorillas, a large increase from the late 1980s and an impressive recovery from only 417 tourists in 1999 after the reopening of the park.

Rwanda has also seen gorilla tourism as a valuable conservation tool, enforcing strict rules for the habituation and trekking of gorilla families. Tourists are willing to pay high fees for a limited number of permits, which are usually sold out.  

The revenues from gorilla tourism provide funds to the national parks and facilitate conservation activities. Five percent of park revenues are disbursed for community projects.

Rwanda is, however, also known for its violent past, which has dominated the image of the country for several years. The international perception of Rwanda, however, has changed and at present the country is considered one of the safest destinations in the region.  Besides the VNP, Rwanda has two other national parks that offer, for example, a range of wildlife and biodiversity. Furthermore, the country has been particularly successful in attracting large numbers of business and conference