Pangolin Adventure in Bwindi Gorilla Park Uganda
Pangolin Adventure in Bwindi Gorilla Park Uganda
Pangolin Adventure in Bwindi Gorilla Park Uganda may come as a surprise but Bwindi is a forest and home to several wildlife species Furthermore, it is also home to a great number of trees, mammals, butterflies, chimpanzees, primates birds and so many other species of fauna and flora. Other activities are possible.
Some of the animals that inhabit Bwindi are the pangolin. According to the Uganda Conservation Foundation, Uganda has 4 different pangolin species that the Pangolin Rescue Centre focuses on. These 4 species include the Tree climbing / White-bellied pangolin – Phataginus tricuspid, Giant Pangolin – Smutsia gigantean, Cape/Temminck’s Ground Pangolin – Stasia temminckii, and the Long-tailed- Black-Bellied Pangolin – Phataginus tetradactly.
The pangolin is one of the most iconic totem in Buganda kingdom one of the tribes in Uganda, occupying central Uganda. In Luganda they call it Olugave. The Pangolin Rescue Centre located in Kanungu district, focuses on rescue, rehabilitation and then release back into the wilderness. Bwindi is home to the African White-bellied forest ( Tree climbing) Pangolins.
In the bid to support the pangolin rescue centre, Mahogany Springs has established a visitor experience.
Pangolin Adventure
The Pangolin experience is aimed at increasing awareness about this endangered species. The experience requires just 90 minutes however since it includes a transfer, it starts at 3 pm and ends at 5 pm.
Price of Pangolin Adventure in Bwindi.
Pangolin Adventure costs USD 75 without transfers and USD 95 per person with transfers from Mahogany Springs to the centre and back.
This activity can be added to your gorilla tracking safari. Gorilla tracking usually takes between 6 to 8 hours. Gorilla groups in the Buhoma sector of Bwindi are close and therefore, you can participate in the pangolin adventure after your gorilla trek. Or you can opt to combine the pangolin experience with Batwa, nature walks etc.
What the rescue Centre does.
Founded in 2015, the pangolin rescue centre that sits on the outskirts of Buhoma has rescued and released 150 pangolins. These efforts have been possible due to the funding from different conservation bodies.
The centre has helped reduce the illegal trafficking of pangolins and also trained different communities about the conservation and protection of pangolins. Despite the many perceived benefits of pangolins, the centre through training has reformed over 70 poachers. Thanks for the bottom-up community-based conservation efforts and initiatives.
How to get to the pangolin centre?
Pangolin Centre can be accessed by both road and air. For those who are flying into the area. You can fly to Kihihi airstrip and then later drive for about 45 minutes to the centre. Bwindi is located about 554 Km from Kampala. In addition, Bwindi-Buhoma is just about 300kms from Kigali, because it is in the main Bwindi-Buhoma area. For those doing a Rwanda gorilla safari, you can add on a visit to the pangolin centre.
