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Newsletter – April 2010

Published: 4 Jul 2010

Semliki Safari Lodge

Too much about shoebills, I know, but I had to show off this shot anyway. Shoebills tend to overshadow the fact that a Semliki boat trip is spectacular for so many other species of birds. Marsh harriers, osprey, fish eagles, purple herons, purple gallinules, whistling ducks…the list goes on. After five years of boating on Lake Albert, I recently saw two things I have never witnessed before. One was this beautiful little Pygmy goose, a lifer for me. Then this open-billed stork with a meal hardly any other bird can manage, a fresh water mussel. The shape of its bill makes it the perfect tool to pop the shell open.

Our guests have recently been enjoying close encounters with shy water birds by poling through the marsh channels in local fishing vessels. A new, small association of fishermen for the shoebill have been meeting us on the lake where we can enter their smaller, lighter, silent boats and explore in peace. We are pleased that tourism is helping fishermen to establish a vested interest in the conservation of special habitats and species.

Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge

The Uganda Wildlife Authority report on the 2 gorilla families closest to the Lodge.

Nkuringo Gorilla family

The family is very stable with a very strong leader silverback.” SAFARI”. The group has 20 members with twins Muhozi-male & Katungyi-female. The twins are doing very well and they can now be left to move on their own and play with their brothers and sisters.

Nshongi Gorilla family

It is the biggest family in Uganda with 34 members. Trekking this group from the lodge is a drive away but It is here where you go through the real impenetrable forest. Trekking sometimes can be long but is always very rewarding.

Gorilla trekking with your UWA guide in Nkuringo can be strenuous because of the difficult terrain but you will be rewarded with increasable scenery and in depth Knowledge of the gorilla habitat, habits and family relationships .

If you still have not become a fan of our Friend a gorilla web site www.friendagorilla.org