Giraffe at Murchison Falls
In order to investigate nature conservation and tourism projects , we embark on a journey through Uganda between dusty roads and charming accommodations. We visit the most remote areas that take us to the national parks of Semliki, Murchison Falls and Kidepo , we cross remote villages getting closer to the local people and we stay in sustainable facilities with all the comforts.
EXPLORING THE MOST RECONDITE PLACES
The Republic of Uganda is a country in East Africa. Those who visit it describe it as a geographical masterpiece . It's true. There is a wonderful variety of shapes and colors. It is known as The Pearl of Africa, as defined by Churchill . Uganda is one of the few places where the traditional Safari modality can be combined with seeing mountain gorillas, which makes the experience unique and complete.
Elephant at Murchison Falls
We recommend getting an SUV starting in the capital, Kampala , continuing to Semuliki and up Murchison Falls to Kidepo in the northeast; Finally, we will put the icing on the cake with the spectacular mountain gorillas of the western area (normally, it is common to travel to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest but today we are here to surprise you).
In the early 1990s, when the project of Wild Places started to come to life, Uganda was witnessing hard times: the economy was devastated by the plundering of natural resources during the years as a colony, and the wildlife was almost destroyed by hunting and poaching.
Thanks to the work with local communities and the approach of tourism that goes hand in hand with preserving nature, in the Semuliki, Murchison and Kidepo Wilderness Reserves , activities have been developed that provide economic and natural sustainability for the area, while offering amenities for visitors.
This union of forces has achieved a healthy and pure contact with nature, while long-term capital has been generated for the country : it is an example of well understood sustainable tourism.
SEMLIKI SAFARI, RECOVERING A MASSACRED TERRITORY
After riding the dusty roads through Northeast Uganda, we stop at Semliki Safari Lodge. Being there is like going back in time. In this land the spirit of ancient explorers is evoked.
In this refuge, the project works with the local communities on the edge of the reserve, for which they have managed to involve them in the operations of the park, training guides and providing them with healthcare as they previously did not have access to it.
It is an unknown area for tourists in the country but it has a lot of value. Formerly it enjoyed a privileged biodiversity and was full of life, but as a result of hunting and poaching, the fauna that was found there was almost completely annihilated.
Of the animals that still remain, the emblematic savannah elephant, mythical animal of Africa , the largest species that exists within the elephants. As well as the almost extinct, forest elephants , with which they now share the territory. Due to hunting for ivory in the Congo, forest elephants took refuge in the mountains and are now settled there . This is one of the few places in the world where these two subspecies can be seen sharing habitat.
In addition to hunting elephants in this area, in 2014 the sad extermination of the last lion occurred . The communities settled in territories where the lions lived and, because they fed on livestock, the population poisoned them.
Thanks to the national park project , the community has developed a healthier coexistence with other species of the place and has come to understand the importance of preserving its own natural resources . They have also recognized that sustainable tourism activity can be a significant income opportunity.
After these last 20 years, thanks to the Semliki Safari Lodge , conservation practices began to be promoted, which helped to recover, little by little, much of the lost fauna. Today, the reserve tries to reintroduce species that were previously extinct, such as zebras, giraffes and lions.
The project has another admirable aspect, which is that, hand in hand with the public health area, it has been able to provide health care to the communities, focusing on child nutrition and maternal health.
RESISTING EXPLOITATION AT THE NILE SAFARI IN MURCHISON FALLS
Heading towards the northeast, our trip continues in the imposing murchison falls , the largest national park in the country. Its tributary is so powerful that it emits large volumes of water, at a pressure that makes the surroundings tremble.
We stayed in the Nile Safari Lodge , a brutal example of sustainability. Everything has been built with organic materials and in a 100% sustainable way. They haven't cut down a single tree. . The food is prepared with their own organic garden managed by local people. Additionally, have school conservation projects, renewable energy, filtered water.
Remote, quiet, sustainable
The park is very interesting because you can see incredible landscapes and exuberant fauna**. the lodge represents an enormous resistance to other non-sustainable activities that are carried out in space . For example, in the middle of the park there is a huge road under construction, which serves as a highway to transport oil and other minerals recently exploited by Chinese multinationals. The situation is sad and shows the danger to nature conservation in Uganda ; hence the importance of these ecotourism projects that resist the entire territory being looted again.
VIRGIN LAND IN KIDEPO
After Murchison we headed towards the northeast area on the border with South Sudan, crossing this entire part of the country between villages and wonderful landscapes. We pass through rolling hills, golden pastures, bright green plains and into the heart of Kidepo, one of the most remote parks in Uganda.
Kidepo, one of the most remote parks in Uganda.
Walking this path, it is impossible not to remember the armed conflict in southern Sudan and northern Uganda from 1986 to 2009 . In this area there was the rise of the insurgent guerrilla LRA (Lord's Resistance Army) led by Joseph Kony , which sought the purification of the Achoti people and the subjection of Uganda to a theocracy. During this war, 2 million people were forcibly displaced and more than 60,000 child soldiers were recruited to form part of the guerrillas.
In contrast, today the area she feels very safe, people live in peace. However, the horror that was experienced in this land is still reflected in the eyes of the older people of the place.
Finally, we arrive at Kidepo to experience a safari where nothing but nature is found. The accommodation of Apoka Safari Lodge it is located between the vast plains that meet the horizon with the deep blue of the sky. Everything in the place was made in an artisanal way by the locals and with organic materials, which make this a sustainable place.
Thanks to this project, the conservation of fauna is being promoted since in the past, the slaughter of animals also occurred, as in the rest of the country. For example, In 1983, the last Ugandan rhinoceros was killed. . In fact, in the hotel there is the skull of the animal to represent the extermination of the animals that was committed there.
Apoka Safari Lodge
In addition to its work for the animals, the project has established a close relationship with the Lokorul village , which is located on the outskirts of the Park. All the people who work on the project are from there and the park itself offers them professional training. They have also managed to create a medical center in the region and plan to build a school.
For this reason, if you visit the park you can have a close experience with the ancestral tribe of Karamojong , with which you can prepare local food until you build a kraal, as well as talk with the elderly and get involved in activities with children.
THE GORILLAS AND UGANDA; UGANDA AND THE GORILLAS
Currently, due to the emergency of the pandemic, sustainable tourism requires impulses . It cannot be allowed to die because this would imply an enormous setback in the conservation processes.
Take advantage of the fact that in the tour in Uganda you can combine the Safari experience with gorillas, is something worthwhile . Generally the prices can be quite expensive, however, in order to promote tourism, all parks in Uganda are half price, which is a good opportunity to those who dream of seeing the mighty mountain gorillas, but could not afford the exorbitant prices.
Other projects such as Nkuringo Safaris , present a cheaper accommodation option for those who want to meet the biggest and most imposing in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Gorilla in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
For its part, the Wildplaces project also has a special and magical refuge to see the gorillas, with its accommodation in Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge . This intimate space allows a closeness with these animals, while enjoying the isolation that comes from staying above the high mountains and volcanoes.
A route full of crucial initiatives to support conservation and nature tourism. These types of activities imply income for Uganda as well as the opportunity for people from all over the world to recognize these animals, so important for the human being and the environment..