Classic Africa Safaris is pleased to report that from 22 July 2020 there has been a significant ‘baby boom’ in Uganda. The gorilla families throughout Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks welcomed eight babies in less than three months! Alongside this exciting baby boom, President Museveni announced Sunday evening that Uganda will reopen its borders to international arrivals on 01 Oct 2020.
During Uganda’s border closure and suspension of tourism, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) trackers are still venturing into the forest to monitor, protect and continue the habitation process of the mountain gorillas. After the reopening of the parks to domestic tourism, the first visitor to trek in Bwindi was in the Rushaga sector on 08 September 2020.
The Nyakagezi family in Mgahinga welcomed a new baby on 02 September 2020. Nshuti’s baby brings this family up to nine members. The Rushegura family welcomed two babies in the final days of August, bringing this family to 18 members. The Mubare family welcomed a baby that was first spotted on 22 July 2020; the birth raises the Mubare family to nine members. In the Oruzogo family, Katoto, the adult female of the group, was found nursing a little one on July 25, 2020. The birth is Katoto’s first and raises the total number in the group to 15 in the Ruhija tracking zone. In Rushaga, the Mucunguzi gorilla family welcomed a baby born by an adult female named Ndinkahe. Also in Rushaga, the Busingye family received a new bundle of joy on 28 July 2020; this family now has nine members. Lastly in the Rushaga sector, the hub of the baby boom, the Kahungye group welcomed a little one on 10 September 2020.
President Museveni's address on Sunday announced that Uganda will reopen to international arrivals on 01 Oct 2020. We are still awaiting detailed arrival protocols from the Civil Aviation Authority; however, the International Airport and land borders will be opened for tourists, provided they show COVID-19 PCR negative test results taken within 72 hrs of arrival into Uganda. Please download our COVID-19 Health & Safety document, which includes primate trekking protocols.
Note from the ATN Editor - For more about gorilla conservation, also see The New Big 5 project. The goal of this initiative is to create a New Big 5 of wildlife photography; shooting with cameras, not guns. It has support from Dr. Jane Goodall, Ami Vitale, Moby, and many others. They're asking people around the world to VOTE on the New Big 5 website for the 5 animals they want to be included in the New Big 5 of Wildlife Photography.