Latest Dispatches
Weather: Sunny morning, clouds by afternoon
Market day and two trekking groups
The weekly market in Buhoma was busy today with fresh matoke, tomatoes, and avocados from the hillside farms. Two gorilla trekking groups departed from park headquarters this morning. Norman reports the road to Butogota is in good condition after last week's repairs.
Weather: Overcast with light drizzle in the morning
School term resumes after half-term break
Children were back on the paths this morning heading to Buhoma Primary School after a week of half-term break. A few parents stopped by Emily's shop to buy exercise books and pens. The school roof repair that started in May is nearly finished — only the front section remains.
Weather: Clear skies, warm by midday
Quiet midweek — only one trekking group
A small day in Buhoma. Only one gorilla trekking group went out this morning, a family of four from Germany. The trading center was calm and most boda-boda drivers sat waiting near the junction. Emily sold her last batch of chapati by noon.
Weather: Bright and warm all day
Sunday service and a wedding announcement
The church in Buhoma was full this morning for the Sunday service. The pastor announced an upcoming wedding between two families from the area, scheduled for later this month. After the service, several women gathered to prepare food for a community meeting about water supply improvements.
Weather: Heavy rain overnight, clearing by afternoon
Heavy rain closes the Butogota road for hours
A heavy downpour overnight caused a section of the road between Buhoma and Butogota to become impassable. Several boda-bodas turned back and one vehicle got stuck near the bridge. By late afternoon the water had receded and traffic resumed slowly. UWA rangers cleared some debris from the park entrance road.
Weather: Partly cloudy, pleasant temperature
Market day brings traders from Butogota
This week's market was larger than usual. Two traders came up from Butogota with secondhand clothes and plastic household goods. Matoke prices dropped slightly because the recent rains have been good for the banana plantations. Prosper helped a group of tourists find breakfast at the trading center before their trek.
Weather: Morning mist, sunny from 10 AM
Construction progress on the new guesthouse
The new guesthouse being built near the park gate has reached roof level. Workers from Kisoro have been on site for three weeks now. The owner hopes to open before the July high season. Meanwhile, Gorilla Bluff Lodge received a delivery of new mattresses carried up on boda-bodas from Butogota.
Weather: Cool and misty in the morning, warm afternoon
Three gorilla families spotted near the village edge
UWA rangers reported that three habituated gorilla families were feeding unusually close to the village boundary this week. Farmers along the forest edge kept watch over their crops. The trekking groups had short walks today — some encountered gorillas within forty minutes of entering the forest.
About This Journal
Most travel websites describe a destination from the outside — what to pack, where to stay, what it costs. This journal works differently. It captures what is actually happening in Buhoma on any given week, reported by the people who live there.
The entries are compiled from observations by local contributors — boda-boda drivers, shop owners, lodge staff, and community members who notice the details that no guidebook covers. Road conditions after a heavy rain. How many trekking groups went out. What was available at the market. Whether the school roof is finally finished.
If you are planning a trip to Buhoma, these dispatches will give you a sense of the place that no brochure can. If you have already visited, they are a way to stay connected to the village long after you have left.
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The journal entries mention gorilla trekking, village characters, and travel logistics. Dive deeper into these topics:
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Last updated: July 2026