Experience Uganda’s Culture Through Its Vibrant Communities With Volunteer Tourism Opportunities Galore

Situated at the geographic heart of the African continent, Uganda has long been a cultural melting pot, but remains relatively off the grid when it comes to travel. Which means that now is a perfect time to visit this fascinating country where visitors are encouraged to give back to the local community through volunteer tourism while traveling. It’s a fascinating, and rewarding, way to interact with some of the more than 50 distinct ethnic groups that make up Uganda’s diverse population.

It is easy to get involved while traveling in Uganda. Many of Uganda’s tight knit rural communities surround its national parks. Organizations like the Uganda  Wildlife Authority and many lodges have symbiotic relationships with the communities, providing them economic and social support in exchange for services that greatly enhance visitors’ experiences. For instance, the Uganda Wildlife Authority offers youth near Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park the opportunity to serve as porters, earning money for assisting gorilla trekkers with their bags and cameras as they hike the sometimes treacherous terrain. In doing so, the young people are educated on the importance of conservation and often become advocates for the gorillas, sharing the messages with their communities and helping limit human/wildlife conflict in the forest.

Lodges work with communities in a variety of different ways. Some supply their kitchens with produce planted in on-property organic gardens staffed by community members, while others host performances where guests become immersed in Ugandan culture through traditional song and dance. Others commit a portion of their income from bookings directly to support government sponsored community development programs.

The Uganda Community Tourism Association is an umbrella organization that spearheads sustainable community based tourism programs, marketing community experiences to the travel trade and ensuring that they benefit the local communities where they take place. The Uganda Tourism Board encourages those planning a trip to the country to ask their travel agent or tour operator about the types of community-based cultural experiences that will be available on their itinerary. Some popular activities include the following:

• The Batwa Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was created by members of the Batwa tribe who once resided in Uganda’s forests. Visitors can step back in time on a rainforest hike with Batwa guides, learning how they lived, hunted, and foraged, while watching for animals, birds, and other small game. Through a translator, the Batwa tell ancient legends and sing traditional songs, while performing traditional dances and reenacting a hunting party. A full-day experience (five hours) is USD $85 per person, USD $70 per person for groups of two to four, and USD $40 per person for groups of five or more. Reservations can be made at batwaexperience.com/ reservations or through a travel agent or tour operator.

• Bunyangabu Beekeeping Cooperative is a community organization that promotes sustainable beekeeping as a means of encouraging economic development. The organization has an apiary stocked with beehives at its training headquarters in Rubona between Fort Portal and Kasese town, approximately a five and a half hour drive from Kampala. Travelers visiting March through May or August through November can plan a tour of the facility to learn about the beekeeping process and its impact on the local community. They can also participate in a candle making workshop and honey tasting session. All admission costs and income from the sales of gift shop merchandise goes directly to the community. A half or full day visit is UGX 17,000 (USD $4.73) per person. Payment must be made in Uganda shillings. Multi-day customized visits with farmers are also available. Reservations can be made at http://ucota.or.ug, by emailing bubecommunity@yahoo.co.uk, or through a travel agent or tour operator.

• Rubona Basket Weavers Association is a group of 200 women trained and dedicated to weaving masterfully crafted baskets from locally sourced, naturally dyed raffia. Weaving is a fully self-sustainable project, as baskets are sold to international markets and proceeds from their sale go directly back to the women who created them, their families, and their community. The organization offers grass-dying workshops where visitors learn about the process of basket making from start to finish. Its headquarters is located in Rubona between Fort Portal and Kasese town. A one-hour basket making workshop is UGX 25,000 (USD $6.96) per person and UGX 10,000 (US $2.78) per person for groups of five or more. Payment must be made in Uganda shillings. Reservations can be made at http://ucota.or.ug, by emailing bubecommunity@yahoo.co.uk, or through a travel agent or tour operator.