Uganda Wildlife authority is mourning the loss of Rafiki, the dominant silverback of Nkuringo gorilla family in Rushaga sector south of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. Four local people suspected to have killed Rafiki were arrested after finding wild meat in their homes. The bad news for the loss of the beloved Rafiki was shared on 12th June 2020 by the Uganda wildlife Authority. On the fateful morning of 12th June, park rangers found the remains of the dead Rafiki, which had gone missing for 2 days.
In their statement, UWA reported to the public “We have arrested four people over the death of Rafiki, the silverback of Nkuringo Gorilla group in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. They will be prosecuted in the courts of law.
The four suspects were arrested after the one Bayamukama Felix admitted for killing he silverback. However, in his statements, Byamukama confessed to have killed the silverback in self-defense when the silverback charged at him. Byamukama further confessed to have shred the meat with Amos Kazongo 52 and Beinomugisha Fidel. Rafiki silverback was aged 25 years believed to be one of the oldest mountain gorillas in Nkuringo gorilla family. Safari and Rafiki were left as adult silverbacks after the death of the then Nkuringo silverback who died in April 2008.
Threats to gorilla tourism in Uganda
Poaching is one of the key threats to the survival of mountain gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and all other gorilla destinations all over the world. Other threats to gorillas include loss of habitats, civil conflicts b rebel groups in parks, diseases and at time natural death.
About Nkuringo gorilla family
Trekked in Rushaga sector, south of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Nkuringo gorilla family is one of the hard to trek gorilla families best for adventure travelers to Bwindi. Nkuringo family was the first gorilla family to be habitauted in southern Bwindi in 1997 which make it worth visiting. The gorilla family is named after Nkuringo hill where it lives. Nkuringo hill gives travelers clear views of the Virunga Volcanoes, Mafuha forest, Lake Bunyonyi and the neighboring Congo attractions. A 3 Days Bwindi gorilla tour gives you chance to trek Nkuringo gorilla family. Moreso, travelers doing a 1 day Uganda gorilla trek starting from Kigali Rwanda can easily trek Nkuringo gorilla family due to the close connectivity from Cyanika border to Rushaga sector south of Bwindi Forest National Park. Another gorilla family in Nkuringo sector is Christmas one of the newly habituated gorilla families in Nkuringo
Guide to Trekking Nkuringo gorilla family
Nkuringo gorilla family
The fact that it is located in upper part of Bwindi Forest, Nkuringo gorilla family is one of the tough to trek gorilla families. Travelers visiting Nkuringo gorilla family should therefore be physically fit and mentally ready to conquer the strenuous hike. Trekking time ranges between 2 to 8 hours but you are 99% sure of meeting the endangered gorillas at the end of the day. Trekking Nkuringo gorilla family starts at 7:00am with a pre gorilla trekking briefing about the dos and don’ts of trekking. The guidelines to trekking Nkuringo gorilla family include:
1. Keep a distance of seven meters away from the gorillas
2. Ensure physical fitness
3. Do not use flashlight cameras
4. Do not look direct into the eyes of the gorillas
5. Keep your voices low
6. Keep within your group, follow the guidelines of park rangers
7. Do not litter in the park, leave only the footsteps
8. Carry enough drinking water
9. Carry enough energy giving snacks
10. Keep clam when a gorilla charges
What to wear for trekking Nkuringo gorilla family
In order to ensure peaceful and less stressing gorilla trekking experience, African Apes Tours & Travel gives you a list of what to wear when trekking Nkuringo gorilla family. The right attire for trekking Nkuringo gorilla group include:
• Hiking boots/shoes for easy movement through the jungle forest
• Gardening gloves to protect your hands
• Long pants tucked into the boots
• Long sleeved shirts and blouse for protecting your arms
• Hat for protecting your head
• Sunglasses for your eyes
• Rain jackets for the unpredictable forest weather
Best time to trek Nkuringo gorilla family
Dry season in the months of June, July, August, September, December, and February are the best time to trek Nkuringo sector. The less or no rains in this season make it easy to trek through this jungle forest. However on the other hand, Nkuringo gorilla family can be trekked all year round. The wet season in March, April, May, October and November. Trekking gorillas in the wet season comes with les crowds in the park and discounted offers from service providers especially the lodges.
Other gorilla families in southern Bwindi
Members of Bweza gorilla family
Besides Nkuringo gorilla family in Nkuringo sector, southern Bwindi is home to many more gorilla families in Rushaga sector. The gorilla groups in Rushaga include Nshongi family, Busingye family, Mishaya group, Kahungye family and Bweze group. Each gorilla group is visited by a group of eight people per day for an interaction of one hour.
Kigali to Bwindi Gorilla trekking
Travelers flying into Kigali Rwanda can easily do Kigali to Bwindi gorilla trekking tours in the shortest time possible. Bwindi Forest is roughly 5 hours drive from Kigali Bwindi compared to a full day (over 10 hors) of driving from Entebbe international airport. Travelers with limited time find Kigali to Bwindi gorilla tours most appropriate. A 2-Day Uganda gorilla tour from Kigali to Bwindi gives entails a pick up from Kigali airport, overnight in Bwindi, gorilla trekking and departure on the second day. If you are doing a 1 Day Bwindi Gorilla trek, pick up is at 3:30 am, 5 hours drive via Cyanika border to attend a pre gorilla trekking briefing at the respective park head quarters. After seeing gorillas, travelers are transferred back to Kigali for their connecting flights. Rushaga sector is suitable for travelers a 1 Day Uganda gorilla trek starting and ending in Kigali Rwanda. African Apes Tours help you organizes a short Uganda gorilla trek starting and ending in Kigali Rwanda.
Conclusively, the killing of Rafiki silverback gorilla is a setback and hindrance to the flourishing of gorilla safaris in Uganda. Uganda Wildlife Authority is urged to extensively sensitive local people on how peaceful they can live with the gorillas to prevent poaching and promote sustainable Uganda gorilla tours.
