Bwindi Gorilla Conservation Center
Bwindi Gorilla Conservation Center
In celebration of Bwindi Lodge’s 25th anniversary, the Bwindi Gorilla Conservation Center will be built in 2025.
The center will provide space to showcase the work of Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust and two of its key non-profit conservation partners: Gorilla Doctors and Conservation Through Public Health.
The center will have four galleries. The first three galleries will be open to guests from Bwindi lodge and supporters of Gorilla Doctors and Conservation through Public Health.
The Vision for the Bwindi Gorilla Conservation Center
Gallery 1 The central dining and conference space will have displays from Volcanoes Safaris on ecotourism; the work of Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust (VSPT); the Albertine Apes Alliance, an informal advocacy network aiming to create greater dialogue and collaboration between stakeholders involved in conservation and ecotourism in the Albertine Rift. There will be a workspace for researchers.
Gallery 2 will focus on the work of Conservation Through Public Health, founded by Ugandan-born Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka in 2003. This will look at the connection between gorilla health and community livelihoods and health around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Gallery 3 will showcase Gorilla Doctors, the only organization providing life-saving veterinary care to gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda, and DR Congo. Independent research shows their work contributes to nearly 40% of annual mountain gorilla population growth – the only great ape species increasing in the wild.
Gallery 4 will be open to all tourists, school children and local people and have a cafe serving locally inspired local dishes and drinks. It will be on Main Street of Bwindi village. It will focus on the link between gorilla conservation, ecotourism and communities.
There will also be community activities such as training young people in hospitality; women’s crafts group; wildlife and guiding programs.
FRIENDS OF VSPT
Become a Friend of VSPT and your contribution will help support essential community and conservation activities at the Bwindi Gorilla Conservation Center as well as increase conservation education for both local communities and international visitors.
All donations can be made through Empowers Africa (a 501c3 entity) for US residents and via PayPal for UK and other residents.
• $500 pays for one school trip to the new center and Bwindi Forest
• $1000 provides materials for the Bwindi Women’s Craft Group for 1 month
• $2,500 covers the cost of wildlife and guiding trainees for 3 months
• $5,000 supports three trainees in the Bwindi Community Café for 6 months
• $10,000 contributes to the building of Bwindi Gorilla Conservation Centre and allow the donor to be recognised as a benefactor on a prominently displayed donor wall.
Additional naming opportunities available upon request.
