Keneth J. Hafasha, the owner of Kenlink Tours & Travel, is an inspiration and one of the pioneers in the eco-tourism sector in Uganda. His company brings people and gorillas together, creating a new way of eco-tourism experience. Several other companies are operating the same. These initiatives are closely connected to eco-tourism by not only providing sightseeing and activities but also by sharing the country’s efforts and future endeavors to uphold the concept as a whole. While Keneth is busy with his company, let us explore the overall idea of eco-tourism and its future in Uganda. Also, the impact of the sector on Uganda’s economy, nature, and biodiversity will be explored. This is an “everything you want to know” guide to glide you through the Pearl of Africa.

Uganda has a vast biodiversity, culture, wildlife, and untouched splendor. With the assets lying all over the country, it offers a dynamic experience for tourists who want to get closer to nature. Being one of the top destinations for tourists traveling to Africa, Uganda’s eco-tourism is full of raw beauty and creates a sustainable economy for its people. 

• With vast natural resources and astonishingly beautiful places, Uganda is a perfect place for exploring nature and wildlife.
• Eco-tourism binds the strings of culture, heritage, wildlife, and primates together to bring Uganda a top place to consider as the next tourism hub in Africa.
• Eco-tourism plays a significantly important role in shaping the country’s economy, job creation, development, investment, etc. 
• The post-covid recovery in tourism becomes possible for the raw beauty and natural diversity of Uganda.

The term Eco-tourism is comparatively new. Ecotourism is mixed up by two terms: ecosystem and tourism. This means uniting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel that minimizes physical, social, behavioral, and psychological impacts on human beings. Also, build environmental and cultural awareness and respect.

According to the International  Ecotourism Society (TIES), the term includes responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of locals.  It also purposefully travels to natural areas.  Understanding the cultural and natural history of the environment ensures taking care not to alter the integrity of the ecosystem. It also ensures the economic sustainable development of the local people.

Most of the visitors to Uganda come to enjoy nature, tribal culture, wildlife, and its vast collection of wonders. During the 1960s, Uganda’s tourism sector saw rapid growth and continued to foster the same to reach more potential visitors. However, the journey halted due to political unrest in the 1970s.

Later in the mid-90s, the blocked path was restored and the government started to harness the promising sectors. Thus, the current rise that the country is experiencing, become possible. Though Uganda is far away from its true potential, steps are taken to ensure a steady journey.

In Uganda, eco-tourism offers a variety of activities by touching nature and being close to it. Besides, the local tribes are yet another element to experience the country’s radiant culture. Africa has a preserved nature, untouched by industrialization. Thus, it is a great hub for adventure lovers who love hiking, trekking, birding, and all.

Now, the primary way to understand what Uganda has to offer as “eco-tourism”, we’ll know the details of the country’s assets.

National Parks

Uganda has 10 national parks filled with dynamic and diversified natural beauties. It also has 12 wildlife reserves and several lakes, rivers, and forests where visitors can hear the inner beat of nature’s heart. These parks are vital players in driving tourists to Uganda.

Wildlife

This is in a bigger aspect. A breakdown of this term will spread over animal sanctuaries, reserve forests, endangered species, etc. Throughout the whole country, there is a huge collection of animals, birds, and other wildlife species. The most attractive ones are tree-climbing lions from Queen Elizabeth National Park, Ishasha region. If you travel to southwestern Uganda, mountain gorillas can be found in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

Adventure

Instead of making a long list of activities, we took “adventure” to use to spot the activities in Uganda as part of eco-tourism. These activities include safari through the savannahs, mountain trekking, hiking, game viewing, birding, and others.

Eco lodges and camps

The parks in Uganda and wildlife reserves have eco-friendly lodges and campsites where tourists can spend their time and get closer to nature. Popular campsites and lodges include Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Kyambura George Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Mount Gahinga Lodge, Murchison River Lodge, and many others.

Research

Not only every activity in Uganda is driven by adventure and a touch of the nature and local community. Researchers are also a part of the visitors that come to Uganda each year. These research opportunities provide an exclusive understanding of ecology.

Local Tribes and Communities

Tribes in Uganda belong to the Bantu and Nilotic groups. From the Batwa pygmies to the Karamojong, each has its culture, customs, and way of life. Eco-tourism in Uganda offers a close inspection into these indigenous tribes and also supports their communities by sharing knowledge, and resources.

Except for these, Uganda has several tropical rainforests, lakes, mountains, etc. The Lake Victoria is a key attraction for the visitors. Besides, there are other major lakes such as Edward, George, Albert, Kyoga, and Bisina. Other places such as Mount Stanley, Mount Elgon, Mount Kadam, Mount Morungole, etc. are the prime features that the country can offer.

Eco-tourism can bring loads of opportunities and dream come true for the Pearl of Africa. The country focuses on aggressive promotion and marketing to diversify its products, hospitality, and overall tourism experience. These strategies are, on the other hand, based on Uganda’s goal to achieve sustainable development in the economic area. 

Besides, the country is ready to use its 750+ registered archeological, paleontological, historical, and traditional sites to build a strong base for receiving tourists. The aim is not only to generate revenue but also to harness the development plans. The government is working relentlessly to develop museums and heritage sites to strengthen cultural promotion.

Uganda’s Heritage Sites to Boost Tourism

Latest data from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), reveals that international tourism recovered 88% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023. Africa is ahead in terms of specific numbers and managed to retain 96% of 2019 numbers. Thus, the expectation grows high, and UNWTO expects a 2% international growth in 2024 in recovering tourism than 2019. So, it’s coherent that the African tourism industry will also recover a lot and undoubtedly Uganda will be one of the few nations to get the most benefit.

Following the global trend, Uganda was one of the victims to witness a downfall in tourism during the pandemic. But the country has recovered most of its previous numbers. Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) and the Ministry of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities (MTWA) stated that international tourist arrivals experienced a steady recovery from 31% in 2020 to 82% in 2023. The growth rate is higher in the most recent years, with a total of 1,262,734 visitors in 2023 which is 55% higher than the previous year.

Tourism Research and Development Centre (TRDC) and the Ministry of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities (MTWA) surveyed to know the 2023 performance and future projections regarding the industry. As the growth mentioned before, most of it came from wildlife-based tourism which is, in a bigger picture, under the eco-tourism. And the projection for 2024 and later days are looking highly ambitious. 41% of the experts expect to witness a “better” result while 44% said that it would be “much better”. 

Final Words

Tourism is one of the few drivers for Uganda to reach its sustainable economy. To establish a country with job opportunities, economic sustainability, development, infrastructure, etc. the impact of potential sectors should be utilized properly. By discovering the full potential of tourism, Uganda can create long-term growth and improve the livelihoods of its people.