You are definitely changing lives when you add Gorilla trekking on your Uganda safari. Gorilla Trekking permit sold by Uganda wildlife Authority costing USD 700 per person, part of the funds go to the community empowerment projects run by some organizations which directly help the well being of the Batwa. These funds help construct schools, health centers, Craft shops and more income generating activities.
At Ride 4 a woman one of the successful communities organizations has helped both the Batwa women and the Kiga community in Bohoma make a living through craftwork sales through activities like pedal sew, Traditional cooking, basket weaving, Kiga Dance, and authentic experiences that many travelers who go Gorilla trekking opt to visit after the great ape experience. Ride 4 a woman is a walking distance from the Buhoma Gorilla headquarters where many visitors assemble in the morning before heading out for Gorilla trekking experience. This can be visited after Gorilla trekking considering that you returned early or can be done before the Gorilla trekking Safari in Bwindi Buhoma Sector. While visiting ride 4 a woman shop and buy yourself souvenirs to take back home these include cushion covers, clothes to hair accessories, computer and iPad cases to purses and African made handbags, all products are to the highest standard giving you lightweight, quality gifts to take home to friends and family. This is beneficial to the income generating for the Woman living around Bwindi-Buhoma areas and the Batwa Community. The Batwa people are also expert basket weavers, innovating and exploring with design and shape every day offering large to small decorative baskets, coasters, table-mats and more. All income from the shop is put straight back in to support the women of Buhoma through the work of Ride 4 a Woman, which offers women of the community new skills and jobs, access to Microcredit, a safe drinking water supply and shelter in time of need.
The Batwa experience in Mgahinga also offers similar activities like in Bwindi National Park, they do music, dance, entering the forest and showing historical archives like the Garamba cave where they will show you how they used to hide in here, hunting skills, harvesting honey, getting fire and much more. Supporting them with a small fee for this experience helps develop the Batwa in The Mgahinga.
The beautiful Lodge facilities located at the boundaries of the forest are required by law to employ 80% of the workers at a lodge from the community, This is where most of the Batwa and local community people benefit as some of their relatives or spouses make a living from accommodation facilities as waiters, Cleaners, Gardeners, and some are trained to be bar attendants and Top managers in the long run.
The porters that are a helpful manpower in Mountain Gorilla Trekking are a major force during the experience, You might need a push or a pull during the experience to and from the Mountain Gorillas and these young mend and woman are a great help. Normally they come with a service fee of USD 20 per person while an extra tip would be appreciated for work well done. Other than the Community members, some of these porters are the Batwa people earning a living from the Mountain Gorilla visitors frequenting the Bwindi impenetrable Forest national Park and Mgahinga National Park.
The Communities and the Batwa people are good craftmen and women who are good with hand artwork performed when still in the forest living with the Mountain Gorillas. The Communities (Who have also intermarried) do sell out these well-made crafts to visitors who would like souvenirs for their loved ones when they return back home. Its from these handwork-made crafts that the Batwa and the community members earn a living. Your visit to the mountain Gorillas directly leaves an impact and changes lives over time.
Have you heard about the “African Helicopter”? Yes, this is a one Carry-on like stretcher for the persons who would like to Visit Mountain Gorillas but physically not possible. There is an option of a stretcher manned by 15 local persons who will willingly carry you to the Gorillas and back while you sit back and enjoy the “ride in the forest”. This African Helicopter comes at a service price of USD 300 for both ways and an extra tip would also be appreciated by the members who also double as the Batwa and more community members. With this kind of experience, the shared amounts equally benefit each of the participants that participated and brought you closer to the Mountain Gorillas. One more way to add a shilling on the daily life of the African man neighboring the Gorillas.
The decision made to go Mountain Gorilla Trekking is a decision associated with life changing for the Communities staying around the park. From the Gorilla permit to accommodation and much more associated expenses directly or indirectly help the communities including the Batwa in Bwindi and Mgahinga national parks. This is basically why a mountain Gorilla and Batwa trip in Uganda is a life changing and meaningful journey as you absolutely and indirectly leave an impact.
