Nkuringo, The HEART of Africa for me

Nkuringo Gorilla Camp
Hi Moo, It was great to find your blog on your visit to Nkuringo in July 2006. I too found the place leaving a big hole in my heart when it was time to leave during a visit in early 2008. You would not recognise the camp today in Jan 2010 from your own visit. I simply had to return to Nkuringo to involve myself with the community as there was so much untapped potential. Nkuringo Walking Safaris was created to providing guiding opportunities where the walks have become one of the must do activities for visitors to not only Bwindi Impenetrable Forest but also Uganda since it's inception. The Nkuringo Yourth Initiative Programme was established where many of the older youth are involved in some way with the walking safari initiative. All the youth are involved in cultural dance performances for visitors, the women are producing wonderful basketry and the kids some great drawings. The camp has seen massive infrastructure improvements with wonderful eco-toilets and showers built, your own accommodation has been completely renovated and we have now some beautiful cottages on a much larger site that take advantage of the incredible scenery. When I look at your images it is incredible to reflect back on how far we have come in 18 short months of real hard work. This would not have been possible without the huge efforts of the community and a vision of what the future could be. Both the walking safaris and camp are providing valuable employment opportunities within this very rural community. It was only the initiative and a willingness required as the main ingredients to set the wheels in motion. I am sure if you were to return you would find it even harder to drag yourself away.