GORILLA FESTIVAL IN UGANDA

2018 Gorilla festival in Uganda.

Uganda is set to hold its first-ever gorilla festival between October 6^th – 8^th 2018 in Kisoro district and the three days ceremony, dubbed “Ngagi Fest” is expected to attract hundreds of different stakeholders in the conservation and tourism industry both domestic and international.

Mountain gorillas in Uganda are iconic attractions as half of them reside in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga gorilla national parks and for many years since the introduction of gorilla tourism, Uganda had not taken a step to celebrate their contribution through staging a vibrant festival, just like the annual “Kwita Izina festival” in Rwanda.

Mountain gorillas are shared by only three countries in Africa and that is Uganda, Rwanda, and D.R. Congo, but among all these countries, it is only Rwanda that has been performing an annual festival to celebrate successful conservation efforts for these iconic primates. The famous Kwita-Izina Festival is a baby gorilla naming festival staged yearly on the foothills of Virunga Mountains in Volcanoes national park. This year’s ceremony will take place on 7^th September and will see over 18 gorilla babies being named.

Organized by Mgahinga Cultural and Craft Centre together with Uganda Tourism Board (responsible for promoting Uganda’s tourism) and Uganda Wildlife Authority (custodians of all the protected areas in Uganda), the festival will be Uganda’s opportunity to understand and celebrate the value of conservation of gorillas, promote gorilla safaris in Uganda to locals and also to the international community.

And during this festival, just like the Kwita Izina festival of Rwanda some gorilla babies will be given names, plus the attendees will engage in a variety of other build-up activities in Mgahinga National Park and Kisoro district and they include;-

Mountain hiking / Volcano climbing.

If there is an experience that every attendant must not miss out is hiking the volcanoes in Mgahinga national park. Participants will indulge in climbing the 3 Virunga volcanoes – Mt. Gahinga, Mt. Sabyinyo and Mt. Muhabura, presenting a unique activity as you engage these calderas, crater lakes (dry and active) and summit of the three volcanoes.

Lucky hikers might even get a chance of spotting the golden monkeys within the bamboo zone. Some of these volcanoes are shared among the three countries, Uganda, Rwanda and D. R. Congo giving visitors an opportunity to explore the three countries at the same time.

Caving.

It will obviously be a great experience to enjoy a caving trip at Garama caves guided by the native guide during the Batwa cultural trail experience. The cave is known for being a historical place of worship for the Batwa pygmies, and refuge in case of attacks.

Cycling/Biking adventure.

You can’t miss getting this thrilling experience of cycling at the foothills of the Virunga ranges, as cycling is one of the major activities. Each and every rider will be given a chance to plant a bamboo tree as they are the centerpieces of the Virunga ranges and both the gorillas and local people heavily depend on them. There is more emphasis put on this activity and this is simply because it’s the most environmentally friendly means of transport and top conservation element.

Cultural encounters in Mgahinga national park.

Kisoro and Mgahinga national park at large have for generations been a habitat to the Batwa and they have been depending on this forest for so long and they now guide visitors into the park as they know each and every corner of it. This obviously provides a chance for travelers to encounter the Batwa’s way of life, community walks with them among others. Besides the Batwa, you also get to mix and mingle with different people from various countries as they will all merge for this year’s gorilla festival in Uganda.

Entrance to the festival costs a meager fee of only 200,000 UG. Shillings (55$), which includes exclusive participation in all the 3-day activities, meals, and transportation from Kampala to Kisoro district. Participants are only required to come along with facilitation for accommodation, either in tents, lazy camps or nearby luxury lodges.

There is so much to go with after this festival from souvenirs, friends and memorable experiences of these endangered mountain gorillas and as well as other activities to be done during the festival.

Come and join over 200 expected participants and explore the unique cultures of people in Uganda through activities like cultural music performances and showcases of the local cuisines from both Uganda and Rwanda.