Classic Africa Safaris (CAS) joined the Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH) launch event of Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka’s memoir and audiobook, "Walking With Gorillas: The Journey of an African Wildlife Vet.' CAS was a platinum sponsor of the event held on Augst 20th at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel.
Narrated by Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, the audiobook brings her personal conservation journey directly to listeners. Uganda’s first wildlife veterinarian, a National Geographic Explorer and UNEP’s 2021 Champion of the Earth for Science and Innovation, Dr. Gladys has made community health a central part of her conservation work. The evening brought together conservation, tourism and hospitality partners. For our team, it was an opportunity to recognise the work behind the gorilla encounters we help our travel partners share with their guests.
Dr. Gladys' early work investigating a scabies outbreak in Bwindi’s mountain gorillas helped demonstrate the danger of infections passing from people to gorillas. It also highlighted a practical truth: protecting wildlife requires attention to the health and wellbeing of the communities living alongside it. That understanding underpins Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH), which she founded in 2003. Its "One Health approach" connects the health of people, animals and their shared environment, bringing community healthcare and livelihoods into the work of protecting gorillas.
The wider conservation effort has delivered measurable progress. In November 2018, IUCN reclassified mountain gorillas from Critically Endangered to Endangered, with the global population then estimated at more than 1,000. IUCN credited sustained collaboration across borders, community involvement, protection and veterinary care. The change was a milestone in a continuing conservation effort.
That progress remains fragile. For guests travelling to Bwindi, the connection between people and gorillas explains why health precautions matter: keeping the required distance, wearing a mask as directed and reporting illness before a trek. Following park and ranger instructions is part of caring for the animals visitors have come to see.
For travel partners preparing guests for Uganda, Walking With Gorillas offers context that an itinerary alone cannot provide. Hearing Dr Gladys tell her own story adds a personal perspective on the science, persistence and community relationships behind gorilla conservation.
Our platinum sponsorship reflects our belief that tourism has a responsibility to support the people and organisations caring for the places our travelers visit. We are honoured to stand alongside Dr. Gladys and CTPH as this story reaches more listeners, and to celebrate the continuing work to protect Bwindi’s gorillas and the communities that share their home.
Explore Conservation Through Public Health: https://ctph.org/
Discover the audiobook: https://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/walking-with-gorillas-the-journey-of-an-african-wildlife-vet/945860