The local guided walk today

Today was a great day with a community walk guided by our own staff from Batwa "pygmy" one of the original forefathers and the forest dwellers who lived in the forests before being gazzatted into national parks. Our company usually conducts such walks to our esteemed customers, the walk involves learning medical plants, visiting the new village for Batwa, standing on a viewpoint forr the volcanic features around and also seeing how the local people do cultivation in their gardens.
I and my workmate were given a task to train this gentleman about the basics of guiding.

This sounded as hectic but it was actually what I needed because I would have missed such beautiful shots and reminding myself more.This was beneficial to both of us.

As we were crossing by the local gardens and trying to look around, I spotted the beautiful national birds of Uganda; Crested Cranes. These humble birds are the nation's emblem and were chosen to be on the Uganda court of Arms. With their elegance, humility and possessing all the colours of the Uganda flag led to their choice. These birds live faithfully together in their relationship and once one spouse dies, te other one lives a single life for the rest of the life. Such beautiful birds!

I was able to teach this new friend of mine about this bird and others we came across since I am a birder, he showed me much interest to learn about them and nature. I loved this!

We reached this gorgeous river that usually flows seasonally during the rainy seasons. In here, the community are always amazed during this period since they get access to the nearer water source. The water scarcity here is a big problem but our company project is trying to give out some water tanks to some communities to always trap rain water in such seasons of heavy rains and can be used even once dry seasons come.

This river comes from one of the famous volcanic mountains in Kisoro district in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park known as Mount Sabyinyo standing a a height of 3669m above the sea level. The mountain has its strange tourist attraction on its top, while here, you you get a chance to stand in three countries with only one visa. It will take you 6 - 9 hours both trips.

I am always behind the camera, that's why I rarely be in the photos. And the most challenge I get is when I decide to get someone to capture me, there is always a fault or blur in my face. So this forces me to always be behind the lens. This is a caldera that is another magical and beautiful site that offers clear views of the volcanoes and the communities around. That's when you are at the top.

Here we were being shown the Sodom apple , this plant was so vital to the Batwa while in the forest. They would use these berries to clean their feet and also the juice inside was used as their local soap since they had no soaps but it was toxic for whoever would drink it.