The first ever gorilla festival 2018 in Uganda

Uganda is set to celebrate the gorilla festival in October starting 6th -8th in Mgahinga gorilla national park in the foot hills of virunga ranges. The event is named Ngagi fest organized by Mgahinga Cultural and Crafts Centre in partnership with Uganda tourism board and Uganda wildlife authority. This will be the first ever gorilla ceremony in Uganda and is expected to bring a turn up of more than 200 people from with in and the neighboring countries as well as conservationists and other stake holders. The ceremony is aimed at promoting gorilla tourism as well as tourism products in Mgahinga national park.
Mountain gorillas are critically endangered species shared in three countries Uganda, Rwanda and Congo, the gorilla festival is to highlight the conservation techniques as well as emphasize their threats in the three countries.
Uganda has a share of 50% mountain gorilla population among all the three countries therefore it of importance it celebrated their existence. For the past decades the neighboring country Rwanda has been celebrating the gorilla ceremony dubbed kwita Izina where they name baby gorillas in volcanoes national park.
Other the gorilla festival, other activities during the celebrations will include cycling through the neighboring communities and homes as a way of exploring and knowing local people their tradition and culture. Cycling is organized by cycling Uganda together with the Uganda cycling federation to reward travelers with extra experiences which make a stay in Mgahinga heartfelt.
At the end of cycling, participants are required to plant a bamboo tree as way of conservation. Mountain gorillas feed of bamboo shoots as well people use Bamboo for crafts and building, medicine and so on. Planting trees will help solve conflicts local community and park authorities.
Hiking the volcanoes in Mgahinga national park will be another activity participants will engage in. The volcanoes include; Gahinga volcanoes 3474 meters high with a crater lake swamp at the top, Sabyinyo volcanoes 3669m Sabyinyo where Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo meet, and muhavura volcanoes 4127m has a crater lake with crystal clear water. Hiking each of these volcanoes is quite rewarding, the chances of seeing golden monkeys while hiking are also high.
Caving, during the Batwa trail experience you will be introduced to the Garama caves where the Batwa people show case their way of living and traditions, other new tourism products will include caldera expeditions, cycling and homestays.
Accommodation/ transport fee
Participants will be required to pay a fee of 55$(200,000 Uganda shillings) inclusive if transport from Kampala to kisoro district, meals and 3 days activities. The Participants are only required to come along with facilitation for accommodation either in tents, lazy camps or will spend nights in the nearby lodges at an extra cost.