20 trek Bwindi for charity

PIC: Participants at one of the water falls in Bwindi impenetrable forest. (Credit: Job Namanya)

TOURISM

KABALE - A total of 20 people over the Easter weekend trekked Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in southwestern Uganda in a charity move.

The move dubbed, #Bwindi4GraceVilla, was organised to raise funds for Grace Villa, a home for vulnerable girls in Kabale district.

According to Ruth Kendegye Ndabahika, the Grace Villa founder, this year's adventure was meant to give participants a feel of Bwindi.

"I have been to Bwindi several times and I felt other people would appreciate what I have experienced in this place," she said.

Kendegye, who in the past organised trips to Kidepo and Muhabura over the same cause, said that using adventure on charity causes is a unique way to promote domestic tourism.

"Some people need to adventure, while others would wish to help vulnerable people in society. With this approach, such people are brought together to make ends meet," Kendegye said.

Prior to getting to Bwindi, participants set off from Kampala to Fort Portal, where they made a stopover at Nkuruba Crater Lake, before heading to Kanungu district.

After spending at Buhoma Community lodge, they woke up to a trek through the hilly Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Through the moist and cold forest, participants walked for about eight hours from Buhoma to Rubuguri.

After the hike, they spent another night at Rushaga Gorilla Camp. Here, they were treated to a bon-fire that prepared them for the next encounter of the prestigious mountain gorillas.

On Saturday, they went to Nkuringo to track the Mountain gorillas.

After the Gorillas, the group set off to Kabale for an evening at Lake Bunyonyi, Africa's second deepest lake.

Sunday saw them visit, Kwanzi Guest hHuse where they toured through the museum before heading to Grace Villa for the awarding ceremony and an encounter with the vulnerable girls.

Lamuel Mukundenta, one of the participants said he was inspired by the beauty of Bwindi despite the complications he got during the hike.

"I experienced a series of muscle pulls while walking through the forest, but apart from that, I treasured the tour because it exposed me to untold beauty in the forest," Mukundenta said.

Brian Emorut, a tour guide, said that the trip was among the best he has ever had.

"I have appreciated the beauty of Kigezi through this trip. The beautiful scenery around Bwindi and the irresistible Lake Bunyonyi left me speechless as I wondered about God's touch of perfection upon this land," he said.

To Edwin Nyaika, the picturesque sceneries he came across during the trip gave him the most rewarding moments with his camera.
"I at times felt like camping here for more days to make the best out of my camera," Nyaika said.