It has been a busy month in the Misty Mountains! Dry and dusty days follow cool nights but the rain that had made the paths so slippery has dried up leaving dusty tracks leading further up the hills to follow the Gorillas quest for sweet Bamboo. Despite slightly longer treks the viewings have been spectacular. All the families are celebrating a crop of bonny bouncing babies. Karema who is a younger Mum in the Sabyinyo family gave birth recently and some of our guests were allowed the extraordinary privilege of being there to see an absolutely new baby Gorilla meet its family. Some of the footage is quite remarkable. Karema lost one her hands in a poachers snare, but she survived that and has now gone on to be a devoted and caring mother. Gossip has it, that the Dad is one of the younger, but very good looking, Black backs⦠but no one is telling.
Photos courtesy of Daryl Balfour
The plans for SACOLAâs community works for the forthcoming year were discussed at length at an annual general meeting of representatives of the 60,000 members of the association who own our Lodge and plans discussed at length as to how the money from a busy season can best benefit both the community and conservation. Much discussion and several interesting new projects were discussed along with the routine but vital ongoing projects.
The ongoing refurbishment of the lodge continues despite very high occupancy which makes it difficult to get into the rooms to do the work but that has allowed us to concentrate on improving all the paths and access with gently spaced steps in lieu of steeper paths. New linens have arrived from England and replacement kitchen equipment keeps our lovely chef Fofo happy in her kitchen, her new Passion and chocolate mousse tart is a fabulous extravaganza!
Philip Mason, Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge Manager.
