Highlights of Uganda & Rwanda holiday

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION:

1. Some of the lodges on this trail use Solar energy. However during the rain season when it is not possible, they supplement it with Hydro power.
2. Vegetarian and Vegan food is available every day in all the lodges we use.
3. All the local food is sourced from the community except food which is not produced in the local community like bacon, Cheese, Tomato sauce, etc.



ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

1. Uganda Wildlife Authority protects all the wildlife in Uganda. We partner with Uganda Wildlife Authority by ensuring our clients visit the parks and conservation fees are paid. UWA gives 20% of all earnings to the communities surrounding the parks who in turn ensure conservation of wildlife and flora.

2. For every client we take on a trip, we put aside $10 towards community and conservation work. We currently support the Save Wildlife Uganda project which works with local communities affected with human-wildlife conflict by introducing lion lights, providing a centre for women to sell crafts etc.

3. We minimise trash on our safaris by encouraging travellers to reuse different materials. Whatever rubbish generated while on safari must be retained in the car and safely disposed of by the driver guide.

4. We provide travellers with reusable water bottles.

5. The Uganda wildlife authority is actively fighting invasive species in Queen Elizabeth national park. The park entrance fees help in providing this financing.

6. The Bigodi community wetland - helping restore nature.
7. We are members of Uganda Conservation Foundation (UCF). UCF supports the Uganda Wildlife Authority to recover and manage protected areas, and reducing poaching and wildlife crime. They enable ranger patrols and veterinary teams access hard-to-reach areas and treat wounded animals, wildlife populations stand the best chance of growth.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY
1. We visit the Bigodi community and interact with the locals. Get a coffee experience, banana beer making experience, basketry.
2. We include visits to the villages for community tours - Bigodi village experience. We stop by craft markets for clients to purchase items.
3. We encourage clients to take along 'porters' on the gorilla and chimpanzee trekking safari. This way the community earns directly.
4. We are members of Uganda Conservation Foundation (UCF). UCF works with park-adjacent communities to promote wildlife-compatible livelihoods and mitigate human-wildlife conflict.
5. We respect the local cultures of the communities we visit, we are not intrusive in our approach. We ask locals to let us know what is comfortable for them as far as bringing tourists into their villages, homes etc. We call ahead and plan everything based on the locals/hosts preferred times and activities and if for some reason they are not able to host us after prior confirmation, we inform the clients in time and choose a different activity.
6. We endeavour to use local site guides in the different areas we take the guests. This helps with spreading the tourism dollar to more people on the value chain in the communities we visit.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSTIY

1. I often encourage the tour guides to get women porters.
2. Uganda does not have official minimum wage but we pay slightly higher than the industry standard.
3. This trip is LGBTQ friendly, we do not ask about clients orientation and in the past non have had an issue.