Microenterprises in Uganda Tap Into Gorilla Tourism

The new Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge is perched on a narrow ridge adjacent to the vast Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. The lodge is the centerpiece – but not the only piece – of an array of business ventures recently developed by the Nkuringo community through the direction and support of AWF and International Gorilla Conservation Program (IGCP).

With its proximity to Bwindi, which is home to half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas, Nkuringo faced the problem of gorillas leaving the park and feeding on their crops. Yet they had a unique opportunity as well: they could benefit from gorilla tourism and other conservation-related enterprises.

In 2004, AWF through IGCP helped the 30,000 member community form the Nkuringo Conservation Development Foundation (NCDF) to catalyze community development projects. In essence, NCDF has created a fair platform for community members to share benefits of the lodge and also form an association to create their own enterprises.

The NCDF Chairman says the new lodge will be a huge asset to the community.

Just down the road from Clouds lodge is the Nkuringo Women’s Handicraft Group, a small shop where women make and sell their traditional handcrafted baskets and decorations. Just next door is the shop for a youth wood carver’s group. Both groups have received training by AWF/IGCP to improve quality so that they can tap into international markets. Beekeepers and traditional healers are also active in the community under the umbrella of NCDF.

Me with a couple ladies from the Nkuringo Artisans group. Their baskets are amazing!

Some of these micro enterprises have been woven into the tourism experience. A visitor to the Clouds lodge can take the guided Community Walk and see the enterprises at work.

A portion of visitor fees at the Clouds lodge goes back to the community through NCDF. The money goes to community projects like education, roads, water supply, agricultural and health projects.

Where people and gorillas meet: the Nkuringo community borders Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

These smaller satellite enterprises help local entrepreneurs tap into the growing conservation-based tourism and diversify the opportunities for community members to generate income and play an active role in conservation.

Letter to Aja

Email to Aja, May 25 2008

You could always do what I do: run from it. You could, say, go to Africa where it's like being on another planet and each thing around you is so weird and interesting and different that you don't have time to think about the tough stuff. It's like trading one set of challenges for a whole new set. But in a way I envy your ability to even allow yourself the heartache. I have learned to make my heart like stone, and that's probably not the best approach.

I'm tired. Like a lot. To go from having such a routine daily life to a life where each day is totally different and unknown is just plain tiring. And I haven't had a cup of real coffee in weeks. Yes, weeks. They mainly drink tea and instant coffee, and my body is kinda freaking out.

Sometimes I'm like "god i just want to be alone" but then when I'm alone in my little hotel room I don't feel like being alone.

But there were those few days when I was with Shivani, chasing lions in Samburu National Reserve and I was the happiest EVER. That's what I came here for. Now I just have to figure out how to have more of those times.

Work and Play

People have asked me if this is work or play.

Before I left, Paris delivered this delicious pearl of wisdom: "If you really love your job, you've never worked a day in your life." So that's how I choose to see it. Although I'm still waking up at five a.m. with a flush of anxiety, wondering how I will pull this off, I know that I'm here doing something I love and get to call it a job.

View of Mt. Kenya from AWF's Nanyuki office.