Why Visit Community Projects In Ruhija On Your Gorilla Trek

A combo of gorilla trekking in Ruhija and taking a visit to a community project of your choice gives you a chance to experience the life in the countryside of the Uganda too. Most people around Bwindi forest in the rural ares live very simple life and depend on agriculture as the main source of income.

For community projects around Ruhija area some include water projects, healthcare services, road maintenance, education support and more. Contacting local authority of Ruhija area is very important before carrying out any community activity.

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Note that Ruhija area is still under developed with most locals living below poverty line so when you decide to visit their community projects it is a great deal.

Ruhija area in eastern part of Bwindi impenetrable National Park so far has gorilla families including Oruzogo, Kyaguriro, BItukura and more. Even though the road connecting this part of Bwindi to the main park headquarters is still in poor condition, for extra adventure, this is a place to be. Keen birders on gorilla trekking safari in Bwindi may get a double opportunity to identify over 100 bird species

Which community project to visit in Ruhija area

 Community Tour In Ruhija Area

Interacting with the locals around the Ruhija area is amazing because you get to know about how they live daily. The locals around Ruhija area are mainly farmers and live a basic life which you may get chance to experience in case you choose to have a day with any of these families.

You may participate in harvesting produce, laying it down to sundry, prepare local food and more.

A taste of some local food gives you a feel of local cuisines enjoyed by people in Rushaga area.

Even though the roads in Ruhija area are still in poor condition, road maintenance is still carried out by local authorities. You may choose to support the local road maintenance projects.

Batwa community visit

The Batwa are some of the victims of gorilla conservation who were evicted from their ancestral home the forest where they survived for generations. A visit to the Batwa pygmies is a great experience where they take you through demonstrations of the life they lived in the forest. The Batwa depended on the Bwindi forest where they hunted, gathered fruits, collected wild honey and more.

The money collected from the community projects is used by the Batwa to support their daily life.

Visit a local School In Ruhijah

There is still need to support local schools in areas like Ruhija which are quite hard to access. There are fewer schools in Ruhija which prompts the school going locals to walk a long distance to find education. When visiting the local schools in Ruhijah note that some of the most urgent items they need are scholastic materials, support water supply to the schools and more.

Guidelines to Taking A Community project Visit in Ruhija

Contact the local authorities to seek permission to engage in any community project in Ruhija to avoid getting into trouble with the law. It is best to make this arrangement in advance so that all that is necessary is made.

Do Purchase the necessary items to use during the community project before travelling upcountry. This is because there fewer or no shopping centers in the countryside.

In case you need to do some community out reaches, being in company of a local guide with a local authority officer is recommended because of language barrier.

Having some level of fitness is recommended because of the topography of the Ruhija area which is volcanic with stumps of several features where you can hike to get to the next destination. Do not forget to wear the right gears especially safari boots because the soil is volcanic and soft so when it rains extremely the ground gets wet and soft you need to wear good footwear.

While with the local people, do seek permission to take their photos first.

When Is The Best Time To Do Gorilla Trekking In Ruhijah Area And Community Project Visit

The dry season that is June to September and December to January provides perfect timing to do gorilla trekking in Bwindi forest. Ruhija is one of the four areas that make up Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with Buhoma, Rushaga and Nkuringo.

In the dry season, the mountain gorillas spend much of their day life closer to the ground in search for more satisfying food sources for the entire gorilla family.  Competition for food up in the trees with other primates in the forest is high in the dry season.

The trails leading to the mountain gorillas in Bwindi are drier with less precipitation expected in the dry season giving tourists chance to get to these primates faster. Even the vegetation is less thicker and more sunlight filters through the thick forest leaves to the ground forming an exceptionally beautiful ambience.

Exploring the Ruhija community in the dry season is more exciting because even sloping or hiking to find some homes is better despite the soft volcanic soils.

The wet season should not be ignored when planning to go gorilla trekking in Bwindi particularly Ruhija area. The wet season is March to May and November. It is best to use a 4x4 wheel drive vehicle in great condition to maneuver the tough terrain. The vegetation is thicker and greener in the wet season creating a beautiful scenery.

In Ruhija, Mountain gorillas are surely seen in the wet season too however, they keep in sheltered spots most of the time. Fewer tourists are registered in the wet season however chances of having exclusive un paid for time with the mountain gorillas are more possible.

What To Expect On A Ruhija Gorilla Trekking And Community Visit

Seeing the mountain gorillas of Ruhija area is expected with 99% chances of seeing these primates. After briefing, each tourist is allocated gorilla family of the so confirmed gorilla families of Ruhija.

Gorilla trekking in Ruhija area is steeper because of the several high ridges and plateaus that make up the topography of this area.

The road heading to Ruhija area is quite rough so in case you are to connect from Buhoma area to Ruhija area do not expect a smooth ride.

Ruhija area is the birding haven in Bwindi forest especially in the Mubwindi swamp. While on the search to find the mountain gorillas, you come across a number of forest birds including Albertine rift endemics a keen birder may get the double chance of spotting almost 100 bird species in this area.

Expect to meet other tourists booked to do gorilla trekking in Ruhija at briefing where you start searching for the mountain gorillas. When you finally find the mountain gorillas, only one hour is allowed with them then carefully walk back to the lodge to relax.

While in the community, language barrier is expected because most locals speak local language so you need a local guide familiar with the environment to take you around.  Most of the people in the community have had no chance to attend education and are conservative so try not to be judgmental but to blend in.

How secure is the environment around Ruhija area of Bwindi forest

Ruhija area as part of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is secure because on ground is a trained team of ranger guides who often patrol the forest to check for odd happenings. Security in and around Bwindi forest is topped by the different other Uganda security bodies

Before moving in the community, you need to contact local authorities to seek permission to move and may request to be escorted by one of the local leaders or another local guide. This helps to build confidence when dealing with the people in the community.

Make sure to follow the guideline of the community and try to dress appropriately without violating the culture of the locals.

Some communities in Ruhija are situated in hard to reach locations where you have to hike to the steep slopes get down the valley in order to find your way. Having some level of fitness gets you through some of these challenges without getting hurt or giving up on your dreams.

Never move in the forested areas without an escorting ranger guide because of the challenges you may encounter like getting lost or encountering some dangerous animals like forest elephants.

Why Do Gorilla Trekking On Honeymoon In Ruhija

Gorilla trekking is like hanging out with a family of lost relatives. There chances of meeting large gorilla families, watch them interact with each other through grooming, feeding, disciplining, solving conflict and more. Being with the mountain gorillas is like mimicking human life even though their sense of judgement is not like that of humans.

It is one way to support the sustainable conservation of mountain gorillas some of the endangered primates in the world that are at the brink of extinction during the 1980s. More funds are still needed to support the existence of the mountain gorillas through research, administering treatment where necessary, paying salaries and more.

Through the profit sharing scheme, the Uganda Wildlife Authority is able to share with the communities around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This scheme is boosted by more tourists who engage in gorilla safari activities. It is one of the ways to promote community sensitization on the importance of mountain gorilla conservation which is still happening.

Beyond the mountain gorillas, Ruhijah is the prime birding spot of Bwindi impenetrable National Park especially when headed for the Mubwindi swamp. There is a double opportunity of spotting some of the Albertine rift endangered bird species. Even other primate species may cross your way including blue monkeys, black and white colobus, vervet monkeys, olive baboons and more.

What other Uganda safari activities to combine with honeymoon gorilla trekking in Ruhija

Game safari in Uganda

Uganda is a country endowed with nature and you can take a game drive through the various parks situated in various parts of the country. Some of the Uganda game parks include Queen Elizabeth National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo National Park and Kidepo Valley national Park.

Some of the wild animals in Uganda include lions, leopards, elephants, water bucks, bush bucks, cape buffaloes, giraffes, cheetahs, oribi, Uganda Kobs, hartebeests, elands, zebras, aardwolf, fox, hyenas and more.

Not all these animals mentioned above can be seen in all Uganda National parks but are residents to specific parks. An early morning or late afternoon game drive in Uganda gives you chance to viewing more wild animals and beautiful sceneries.

Water activities on Uganda safari

Even though Uganda has no coastline, the water bodies in the country play a vital role in supporting water activities while on safari. The launch trips in parks like Murchison Falls National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park get you to some of the best wildlife spectacles and features.

Boat cruising on different water bodies in Uganda gives you chance to relax and have fun while feeling the cool breeze and watch amazing wild animals that flock the shoreline at the comfort of your boat.

White water rafting on River Nile is amazing as you beat through the rapids. No prior experience is required for white water rafting in Uganda because on ground are professional instructors to take you through what is necessary.

Chimpanzee safaris in Uganda

Uganda hosts some of the largest populations of chimpanzees with currently about 5000 chimpanzees recorded as residents of the country. You can choose to do chimpanzee trekking or chimpanzee habitaution Experience (CHEX)

Kibale National Park is the chimpanzee safari prime land in Uganda, Kaniyo Pabidi forest, Kyambura gorge, Budongo forest, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee sanctuary and more.

One needs to book a chimpanzee permit to do either chimpanzee trekking or chimpanzee habituation experience.

Birding In Uganda

Uganda is a birding haven with a list of over 1000 bird species. This number of bird species is unrivalled in Africa. Some of the famous Uganda birding destinations include Mabira forest, Mabamba swamp, Mpanga forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and more.

Some of the birds in Uganda include shoebill, saddle billed stork, ostriches, Black eared Ground Thrush, White Browed Robin Chat, Lanner Falcon, Common Quail and more. Having the company of a professional birding guide and bird guide book  is recommended.

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