Responsible Tourism Destinations in Uganda

Responsible tourism is tourism which makes a positive impact on society, economy and the environment. It gives an economic boost to local people and enhances the wellbeing of the host communities. There are many places you can visit in Uganda that give back to its people in a sustainable and eco-friendly way.

One of the most interesting responsible tourism community groups is The Kikorongo Women’s Community near Queen Elizabeth National Park. The word Kikorongo is a local Rukonzo word meaning “too much sunshine” which is an apt description of this area and surrounds.

Tourists who visit the Kikorongo Women have the opportunity to learn some of the traditional craft skills including basket weaving and making bowls from natural fibers. You may also learn how to make beautiful beads out of ordinary materials such as paper which are transformed into necklaces you won’t believe are made from such simple resources.

By purchasing handmade objects like woven belts, bowls, baskets and purses, you will be supporting the local community group members and helping to improve their standard of living.

Located on the fringes of Lake George. Kasoga Community Experience is a wonderful community initiative on the outskirts of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Kasoga Community Experience offers first hand encounters about the life and culture of native communities on this landing site.

The community walk includes visiting the landing site, marine information, fish preservation stoves, traditional canoe making, and net sawing. There is also a chance to get as close as possible to hippos. Witness the abundant birdlife and perhaps go fishing or bush camping. A visit to this community is of great importance as it gives back to the local residents.

Bunyangabu Beekeeping Cooperative (BBC), is a community organization using nature’s gifts to live in harmony with the environment. BBC’s apiary is well stocked with all types of bee-hives ranging from traditional to modern ones.

BBC sells pure honey, beeswax candles, and propolis tinctures in small bottles. If you are lucky, when you visit, you can pick up some of their award-winning cream honey – the best in East Africa.

This beekeeping cooperative offers a true honey experience. Visitors can see honey processing, taste honey from the comb, and even make their own candles to take home.

Surrounded by the peaceful waters of Lake Victoria, Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is home to 49 orphaned chimpanzees rescued from the illegal pet and bushmeat trade.

Despite their initial trauma, chimps living at Ngamba have a safe and semi-natural environment in which to recover and eventually thrive, living up to 60 years in their new home.

Founded in 1998, the island is 95 acres of natural forest where the chimps roam and forage daily. Tourists are invited to observe supplemental feeding from a viewing platform.

The chimps have the freedom to stay in the forest at night or return to night time enclosures where they can build nests and receive an evening meal.

All funds raised from visitors is used to provide care for the orphaned and rescued chimpanzees.