Bill Gates Supports Gorilla Conservation

According to All Africa news of 4th Aug 2010, one of the world’s richest people, Bill Gates was in Uganda for his second gorilla tracking Uganda adventure in the Impenetrable forests of Bwindi Gorilla Park. It was reported that Bill Gates and his wife Mellinda Gates were in Uganda from August 9 to 12, 2012. Mountain gorillas are critically endangered with only 720 left worldwide and these are inhabited in Virunga mountains, share between Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In Bwindi National park where Bill Gates was, there are about 480 gorillas which are half of the world’s total population. The other half is shared between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Gorilla Tracking is rapidly growing in Uganda and Rwanda. However, DR Congo is facing some challenges of political unrests of Bosco Ntaganda rebels in Virunga National Park.

Bill Gates is popular for being one of the richest people in the world and the Co-founder and the current chairman of Microsoft.  On all his visits of Uganda gorillas, he has done a great effort of funding the protection of endangered species. Early before his arrival and the wife, there was an advance team in Kisoro district near Bwindi National park to prepare where these guests were expected to launch their gorilla trekking safari.

This 56-year world entrepreneur was last in Uganda on a gorilla trek in 2004. Then, he came back in August 2012 for another gorilla trek. UWA official in Kisoro who preferred anonymity declined to divulge more details about the visit of Bill and Mellinda Gates in Bwindi National Park, Uganda. Also known as the Pearl of Africa, Uganda is so beautiful with many tourist attractions. The country first opened up its doors to tourists for Bwindi Gorilla Trekking in April 1993. Since then, Uganda tourism industry has been substantially boosted by annual revenue from the national park tucked away in southwestern Uganda.

The success of Uganda tourism is supported not only by mountain gorillas but also by over 10 National Parks and wild game reserves. Among these include Murchison Falls National park (The biggest), Queen Elizabeth National park, Kibale Primates Forest, Semilik National Park, Mount Rwenzori N.P, Mgahinga, Mount. Elgon, Kidepo Valley, and Lake Mburo National Parks and many wildlife reserves. These boost a number of tourism activities such as wild game viewing safaris, fantastic boat cruise, chimpanzees, and other primates tracking, forest walk, mountain climbing, community tours and many others.