Gorilla Junction, Where Gorilla Tracking Empowers Women and Local Communities
- Indigo Earth Foundation
- Feb 12
- 11 min read
During November 2025, Indigo Earth Foundation visited Uganda. One project drew particular attention in the village of Nkuringo, located in Kisoro District, adjacent to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, a home to Mountain Gorillas.
This initiative is known as the Gorilla Junction Foundation. It was founded in 2012 by Lydia Eva Mpanga, who is also the CEO of Nkuringo Safaris and Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge and Mirima Kibale Lodge.
Gorilla Junction empowers women and local communities.
Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge has evolved from a low-budget camp into a luxury lodge that supports eco-friendly facilities. The lodge is located at 2161 metres above sea level on the Nteko Ridge, overlooking Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. This ridge offers wide views across the forest, the Kashasha River valley, and the forested hill known locally as Nkuringo.
MOUNTAIN GORILLAS IN UGANDA
Across Africa, four gorilla species are distributed in distinct regions.
Mountain gorillas are classified as an endangered species, with approximately one thousand individuals remaining worldwide, including around 459 in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. These gorillas cannot be bred in captivity. They are found only in Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda, within Bwindi and Virunga Mountains.
Nkuringo is one of the areas offering mountain gorilla tracking. Four gorilla groups are present in this sector, with one currently undergoing habituation.
Tourism plays a significant role in supporting their protection.
The national park contributes directly to forest protection. Mountain gorillas have lost nearly 80 percent of their habitat over the last century. Protective efforts began in the early 1930s with the creation of national parks. The first gorilla groups in Bwindi entered habituation in 1993. Since then, gradual recovery has increased the population from about 660 individuals in 1991 to close to one thousand today.
Mountain gorillas are subject to strict protection measures. Visitors pay a substantial park fee for the opportunity to track and observe them for a maximum of one hour. Tracking groups are limited to eight people. Visitors wear masks to reduce the risk of disease transmission and must follow ranger instructions at all times.
Several conservation initiatives involve surrounding communities. Tea plantations have been established along the forest boundary to limit crop raiding by gorillas. Twenty percent of park revenue is allocated to local communities. Rangers recruited from the region conduct patrols, monitor wildlife activity, address poaching threats, support fire management, work with communities, and assist tourism operations within protected areas.
It is within this setting that the Gorilla Junction Foundation was established.
Lydia EVA MPANGA’s Story
Powerful stories begin with individuals who choose to act and commit to change.
Lydia entered the tourism sector with the support of Robert Brierley, a seasoned travel writer and photographer. She met Robert while she was just starting her career. Their first conversation took place during a taxi ride. That brief encounter was enough for him to trust her with a six-month paid assignment. He provided her with a laptop, a camera, and a six-month salary. Her task was to travel across Uganda and identify tourism destinations.
Lydia delivered outstanding work and soon became his assistant. Over time, she also became his business partner. Together, they founded Nkuringo Walking Safaris. Guests stayed at a basic campsite for one night before setting off on a walking safari into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park to see mountain gorillas. The concept gained strong interest, which led them to invest in mid-range facilities. This development took place before Robert passed away in 2013.
After his death, Lydia continued the vision. She went on to create the current version of Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge, now a multi award-winning eco-lodge. The property offers mid-range and luxury forest escapes, including private garden cottages, family villas, and luxury suites positioned on a forested ridge. From this location, guests overlook the Virunga Volcano Mountains, the Bwindi forest canopy, and the surrounding rural landscape. The lodge can be explored further on its website: https://www.mountaingorillalodge.com/
Lydia grew up in a family of five daughters. Her mother was the primary provider and the most influential figure in her life. Lydia was born at a time when girls faced serious barriers to education. Uganda was also experiencing tough economic, social, and political conditions. Despite limited means, her mother ensured that all daughters had access to books and learning materials. This commitment shaped Lydia deeply. It taught her the importance of resourcefulness and reinforced her belief in investing in people, especially girls. These values continue to guide her work within local communities.
Alongside her professional success, Lydia established the Gorilla Junction Foundation and a community centre designed to create lasting impact beyond her own lifetime. She is particularly committed to supporting women, influenced by her personal journey and the challenges she faced. She believes that supporting women strengthens future generations. She also challenges the assumption that a woman’s path must be limited to marriage and relocation into another family.
The best way to understand her vision is to listen to Lydia Eva Mpanga speak directly. During a familiarisation trip, when Indigo Earth Foundation met her, she delivered a speech that clearly reflects her purpose.
A powerful story.
A story and an impact we choose to support.
The projects Indigo Earth Foundation Witnessed Onsite
Robert Brierley Community Centre
The visit included the community centre currently under development in the village. This centre is dedicated to strengthening local livelihoods through practical skills training. . Training focuses on arts and crafts, tailoring, hospitality, local tour guiding , education and health. These skills support access to employment and help improve income stability for low-income households.
Although construction is still in progress, the centre already hosts active programmes that serve the surrounding communities.
Skilling for Success
Skilling for Success refers to initiatives designed to build practical skills and support income generation for individuals and families within the community.
Tailoring Project
The community centre hosts a tailoring project that began in 2025. A dedicated classroom is equipped with seventeen sewing machines and accommodates training for fifteen students from nearby villages. Participants first complete a basic training programme, followed by an advanced phase.
The project is designed to sustain itself over time. Graduates are encouraged to become future trainers, allowing skills to be passed on within the community. The sewing machines remain in the classroom and are available for community use when training sessions are not taking place.
During the visit, Isiah was working in the classroom and shared examples of his work. Before joining the programme, he had limited access to stable employment. He quickly developed strong technical skills and now aims to start a small business while sharing his knowledge with younger community members.
Items produced through the project may be kept for personal use or sold through the curio shop at Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge or directly at the centre. Income generated through these sales provides an additional source of revenue for participating households.
Hospitality and Guiding Training
Another classroom was being prepared for hospitality and guiding training. This project is still under development, with additional classrooms planned. The objective is to prepare future chefs, waiters, porters, and guides who may later find employment opportunities linked to Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge.
Other current initiatives
The Gorilla Junction Foundation supports local communities through several additional initiatives that respond to education, livelihoods, conservation, and health needs.
Keep a Girl Child in School initiative
This initiative focuses on keeping girls in school and supporting equal access to education. Seven girls are currently supported through a local orphan school called Bright Future School. The programme targets girls from disadvantaged backgrounds who face higher risks of leaving school due to menstruation related challenges, early pregnancy, forced labour, or forced marriage.
Microfinance for Empowerment
A microfinance programme provides access to financial tools and guidance that help individuals start or grow small businesses within the community.
Gorilla Conservation Coffee
This initiative supports local coffee farmers through training in cultivation, harvesting, processing, and packaging. The aim is to produce high quality coffee that meets international standards. The project supports household income while contributing to conservation efforts and the protection of gorilla habitat.
Batwa Community Support
The Batwa are indigenous people of the Great Lakes region in Central Africa, including Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Traditionally forest dwellers, they were displaced during the 1990s following the creation of conservation areas. This led to significant social and economic challenges. The Gorilla Junction Foundation supports Batwa communities through education access, livelihood opportunities, and cultural preservation initiatives.
Water Drop Project
This project diverts excess purified water to the Nkuringo community, providing reliable access to clean water. Improved access reduces health risks and eases the burden on households, particularly women and children, who previously travelled long distances to collect water.
Art and Craft
This initiative falls under the Skilling for Success programme. Community members produce handmade crafts that are available for purchase at the curio shop and at the Gorilla Junction centre during guest visits.
Health Support
A partnership is in place with a local health facility where community members can receive medical care. The Gorilla Junction contributes by supplying essential medical equipment, including beds, bandages, and medicines.
Plant a Tree
This tree planting initiative aims to restore degraded areas through the planting of 1000 trees. The programme supports environmental restoration while engaging local communities in conservation activities linked to long term resilience.
Future Plans
Overall, the Gorilla Junction Foundation seeks to strengthen the Nkuringo community through education, skills development, and long-term sustainability.
Tailoring Project Expansion
The foundation plans to expand the tailoring project to continue training youth and women in sewing and tailoring as a source of income. This expansion requires additional equipment, including manual and industrial sewing machines, overlock machines, embroidery machines, and workstations. The objective is to train up to one hundred women and young people to produce market ready items and generate income.
Training is structured in progressive stages.
Short-Term/Basic (2–3 Months): Focused on basic stitching, garment repair, and simple clothing construction.
Intermediate (6 Months): Covers cutting, sewing, and designing for ladies' or gents' wear.
Long-Term (1–2 Years): Comprehensive, in-depth programs, which include advanced pattern making and design.
Guiding and Hospitality Training
This project aims to provide tourism, guiding, and hospitality skills to local youth. Indigo Earth Foundation observed the preliminary stages of this initiative. Additional training materials and equipment are required for full implementation. The objective is to train ten participants per class over a six-month period, preparing them for future employment in eco-tourism and hospitality.
Water Drop Project
The lodge has implemented a rainwater harvesting and purification system that collects water from rooftops and filters it using solar-powered technology. This system provides a safe and sustainable water supply for the lodge. The Water Drop Project extends this system to the Nkuringo community by directing excess purified water to the village. This improves access to clean water, supports health and hygiene, and reduces time spent collecting water. Further investment is needed to expand access and sanitation, with a target of supporting more than fifty families, representing approximately 250 people, alongside hygiene education at household level.
Computer Lab Project
This initiative aims to introduce digital literacy and basic computer education for youth. The planned structure allows training for fifteen students per session.
Education Sponsorship Programme
The Gorilla Junction Foundation intends to expand its education programme through sponsorship. This support follows a child throughout their education path while also strengthening the wider school and community environment.
Sponsorship covers:
school fees,
essential learning materials,
and academic support and follow-up
To promote equity and long-term sustainability, all funds are managed by the Gorilla Junction Foundation and allocated based on assessed needs rather than direct cash transfers to families.
Sponsorship continues until:
The child completes the supported education level.
The sponsor chooses to end the sponsorship with reasonable notice.
Programme circumstances require reassignment Sponsors are informed in advance of any changes and may choose to continue supporting another child or education initiative.
How Indigo Earth Foundation Plans to Support the Gorilla Junction Foundation
Our visit to the Robert Brierley Community Centre and our time with the Gorilla Junction Foundation team confirmed our decision to support this initiative. The project aligns with the vision of Indigo Earth Foundation, which is to support people-focused development where wildlife and communities are intertwined.
We consider this initiative ambitious and driven by committed individuals with a clear vision to improve community livelihoods. Based on this shared purpose, we have partnered with the Gorilla Junction to promote its activities, share its projects, and support efforts to attract additional financial contributions through donors, fundraising initiatives, and the charitable structure currently being developed by Indigo Earth Foundation.
Our support will focus on several priority projects.
Nkuringo Community Secondary School Solar Project
The Indigo Earth Foundation plans to support the improvement of Nkuringo Community Secondary School through the installation of a hybrid solar system. During our visit to the boarding school, we identified the need for reliable electricity and lighting for students in residence. Access to electricity will support evening study time and improve learning conditions throughout the academic year.
Arts, Craft, and Clothing Catalogue
Once the Indigo Earth Foundation charitable organisations are fully established, a dedicated catalogue section will be added to the foundation website. This platform will allow future guests of Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge to purchase art, craft and textile items produced by community members in advance of their stay. Items may be personalised to individual preferences. This approach supports the upfront cost of raw materials while reducing storage and inventory constraints for the community.
Each Indigo Safaris client will receive a custom-made shirt and tote bag.
Education Sponsorship Support
The Indigo Earth Foundation will also support the education programme by offering a sponsorship platform for donors based in the United States, the United Kingdom, and France. This platform will allow donors to sponsor education or contribute directly to the purchase of required learning materials and equipment. The model may be extended to additional sponsorship options already offered through the Gorilla Junction Foundation.
How You Can Support This Work
This initiative requires continued support to complete the community centre and to sustain community led projects that respond to local needs.
You can contribute in several ways.
Direct Contributions
Support can be provided through direct involvement or financial participation.
Options include:
Making a direct donation
Volunteering time or skills for a project
Booking a safari with Nkuringo Safaris through Indigo Safaris
If you believe in this project and wish to contribute, you can support the Gorilla Junction Foundation through the Indigo Earth Foundation. One hundred percent of donations are transferred directly to the organisation. Donations can also be made directly through the Gorilla Junction Foundation website.
Every contribution supports the Nkuringo community.
What Your Donation Can Support
Here is a list of sponsor options to show how contributions translate into direct impact.
Program | Sponsor options |
Skilling | · $150 - 1 Manual sewing machine · $300 - Industrial Sewing Machine · $300 - Materials for a class · $200 - Trainer wage for 1 month |
Guiding & Hospitality Class | · $100 → Books & stationery for 1 student · $200 → Trainer wage for 1 month · $500 → Bookshelf · $100 → Study Book/Reference Material · $100 → Stationery · $100 → Furniture |
Water Drop Project | · $900 → 1 water tank · $100 → Community training session · $100 → Maintenance tools |
Computer Lab Project | · $800 → 1 computer setup · $100 → Desk & chair for 1 student · $50 → Software license for 1 computer |
Plant a tree | · $10 → Sponsor 5 trees · $50 → Sponsor 25 trees · $100 → Sponsor 50 trees |
Community support | · $250 → Support a school or community planting activity · $500 → Support a women or youth group nursery |
Education | · $USD 120 → School Uniforms & Shoes per child, per year · $100 → Basic Scholastic Supplies per year Exercise books, pens, pencils, rulers, school bags, and essential learning materials. · $300 → Meals & Nutrition Support per child, per year Contribution toward daily school meals or boarding nutrition. · $150 → Examination Fees per year, this covers national and school-based examination and registration costs. · $100 →Health & Well-being per year basic medical check-ups and limited emergency health support. · $300→ Mentorship & Life Skills Programmes per year life skills training. Ie Tailoring, Arts and Crafts, Computer literacy etc… · $200-500 → Teacher & School Support per year (programme-level support), learning resources, classroom materials, and targeted school improvements. · $200 → Holiday & Remedial Learning Support programme, extra classes, or catch-up learning during school holidays. · $800 → Higher Education Support per year, contribution toward books, accommodation assistance, and learning tools for university students. |
Awareness and Engagement
Discover a summary of their activities on Indigo Earth Foundation’s website
Share ideas to help raise additional funds
We would like to share with you the life lesson quote of Lydia. One of her favourite life lesson quotes is by Nelson Mandela: ‘It always seems impossible until it’s done.’ This quote resonates deeply with her because it encapsulates the journey and challenges, she has faced in building her safari company in Uganda and beyond.
The obstacles seemed insurmountable when she started, especially for a woman CEO. There were countless moments when it felt like she was attempting the impossible. However, she overcame those challenges with determination, perseverance, and an enthusiastic team, and be sure she will put the same energy for her communities.
We welcome all questions. Feel free to reach out by email.
Comments