Uganda is undoubtedly a beautiful traveller in the heart of Africa with stunning wildlife, scenic landscapes and vibrant Cultures that turn a Uganda Safari into an adventure of a lifetime.
However, a new kind of adventure still waits for tourists and adventure seekers to delve beyond the realm of wildlife into the heart of local communities. Responsible Uganda Safari Social experience offers a unique opportunity for tourists on a Uganda safari to engage with the warm welcoming hearts of Ugandans through visiting churches, schools, prisons, hospitals and community projects.
Immerse in the local culture
https://allanblackiasafaris.com/responsible-uganda-safari-experience/ Uganda consists of about 56 tribes with rich unique cultural Experiences woven into the hearts of communities.
Batwa people and their Way of Life.
The Batwa people are the early inhabitants of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park in southwestern Uganda who are currently victims of the evictions of the park management due to gorilla conservation efforts. The Batwa people are short in height, with big heads characterised by hunting down wild animals, gathering food and other ways of life. A Visit to the Batwa Experience is one of the legendary experiences that completes a Uganda gorilla trekking safari and will leave you inspired.
Supporting Education
On your Uganda Safari, experience the Uganda Education Systems that is a big challenge to most families who find it difficult to provide educational resources such as school fees, books, pencils, pens, shoes, Uniforms and other scholastic Materials through sharing your thoughts and experiences.
Many people out there would have a dream of going to schools and having a dream job but because of such challenges, they therefore turn into drunkards, poachers and other public nuisance. A traveller planning to embark on an Uganda charity safari can bring donations of school supplies that will leave you inspired to seepeople’s lives grow and with better value.
Empowering Communities
Uganda is a country where most careers are male-dominated. However, some Organisations have started empowering women which has become a source of income to some of these communities. For example, Ride for a womanin the Buhoma Sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
Ride for a Woman is a charitable organisation that was formed to empower the women of Buhoma through ideas like weaving baskets, preparation of local food, and traditional dances. Womenempowerment groups and agricultural initiatives, showcase Ugandans’ resilience and resourcefulness among others.
Participate in workshops, learning traditional crafts or farming techniques in a way of supporting local artisansand purchasing handmade goods that will boost their wealth and way of life.
What destinations are ideal for a Responsible Uganda Safari Experience?
Beyond the thrilling gorilla trekking experience, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is the best destination Ideal for a Responsible Uganda safari Experience and this is because of the remoteness and nature of the natives in the Region – Batwa Communities.
A gorilla trekking Safari is not complete without an encounter with these indigenous people that leaves you in a moment of awe.
However, you can also impact communities such as the remote Karamojongs in Northern Uganda that occupy the borders of Kidepo Valley National Park.
What other activities can embrace Responsible travel on a Uganda Safari?
Gorilla Habituation: Gorilla Habituation is the process of introducing Mountain gorillas to Human Presence in their natural habitat. Mountain Gorillas share 98% of DNA with Human beings which makes them man’s next cousins.
Gorilla Habituation is only done in the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park and this is because Rushaga consists of a large number of gorilla habituated families.
Arrive at the Visitor’s Information Center where you shall have a briefing about gorilla habituation and park rules and Regulations. Thereafter, you shall be grouped in groups of 8 pax with other travellers on a gorilla habituation safari and assigned 2 park rangers for security and leading park trails.
Kickstart your gorilla habituation Experience through the dense forests of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park with a variety of viewing opportunities such as L’hoest’s Monkey, vervet monkeys, blue monkeys, and baboons including different bird species such as blue-headed sunbird, Grader’s broadbill, black-faced rufous warbler, handsome francolin, purple breasted sunbird, Ruwenzori Apalis, yellow streaked greenbul, Shelley’s Crimsoning, regal sunbird, olive breasted greenbul, mountain masked Apalis, Neumann’s warbler among others.
Upon meeting the gorillas, you shall be granted 4 full hours of experience with Mountain Gorillas as you watch them play, feed, groom young ones and enjoy their lifestyle.
Later, you shall head back to the starting point where you will be awarded with Gorilla habituation Certificates.
Volunteering: As you engage with more communities, encourage planting trees which is one of the great ways to conserve nature and natural habitats of Wildlife. By doing this you will be impacting sustainable tourism in Uganda.
Recycling: On your African Safari, you will find most of the drinks and eats are packaged in recyclable containers such as plastics and polythene papers however, Most accommodation centres and tourist destinations provide bins for proper disposal of Rubbish.
Travel tips for a responsible Uganda Safari Experience
As you embark on your responsible Uganda safari, remember to travel responsibly concerning the local culture, environment and communities.
- Support Eco-Friendly lodges
- Support Local Businesses
- Donate responsibly
- Share your experiences
- Support local conservation efforts
- Vaccinate before travelling to Uganda
- Tip Fairly
- Respect Culture
Through these tips, travellers will be embracing responsible tourism that will contribute to Uganda’s sustainable Development, cultural preservation and Environmental Conservation.
Where can I stay during my responsible Uganda Safari Experience?
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park consists of a variety of accommodation facilities ranging from Budget, and Midrange to Luxury Facilities that can suit your Budget. Such as Ride for a woman, Buhoma lodge, Engagi Lodge, Bwindi Gorilla Lodge, Icumbi Lodge, Mahogany springs Lodge Cloud’s Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Silverback Lodge, Nkuringo Safari Lodge, Rushaga Havens Gorilla Lodge among others.
When is the best time to Visit Uganda?
Uganda is best for safaris during the dry seasons which run from June to September and December to February when the roads are easily passable enabling traveller’s outreach to Impact communities.
However, you can also visit Uganda during the wet seasons though the roads may seem slippery which hinders accessibility to tourism destination sites.
Where is Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park?
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is Located in southwestern Uganda and a home to almost half of the World’s Mountain Gorillas shared by districts of Kabale, Kisoro, Rubanda and Kanungu.
The park is approximately 510km from Kampala via Masaka – Mbarara – Kabale Road which takes about 8 hours with a non-stop at the Uganda equator for souvenirs and a lunch break in Mbarara.