Uganda’s South West – a hub of tourism innovations and activities

GORILLA HIGHLANDS ABOUT TO LAUNCH NEW VISITOR EXPERIENCE

(Posted 21st September 2014)

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Miha Logar, and his team, of Gorilla Highlands fame, is in the process of launching yet another tourism activity, named ‘Batwa Today’ which focuses, as the name suggests, on the culture and lifestyle of the Batwa people, a tribe which lives in the border triangle of Uganda, Congo and Rwanda. I have reproduced his entire advance, sneak preview release which allows for click on links to various components of the new programme for ease of reference by my readers.

Following a series of feature articles a year ago about a visit to Uganda’s South West, the area from Kabale via Kisoro to Mt. Mgahinga and from Lake Mutanda, home to the famous Chameleon Hill Lodge, on to Nkuringo and across the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, much added interest in this part of Uganda has been generated.

Since then has the Edirisa Canoe Trekking gained popularity and as a result was it possible to add more features for tourists coming to the South West of the country to gain grass root experience and see what life in rural Africa is really like. While the programme shown further below is currently a working document, it still gives an insight of what visitors can expect to become reality in October this year, when the lastest innovation by Miha Logar and his team finally launches.

More information about Edirisa can be found via www.edirisa.org or www.studio.ug and the Gorilla Highlands story is accessible via the Apple Store where the entire book can be purchases at a nominal price.

Studio Edirisa
multimedia surprises

Bakiga museum by
Festo Karwemera

Upcoming treks list
on Facebook

Overview of Batwa Today

Edirisa is a multimedia and ecotourism social enterprise that specialises in the remote regions of the Gorilla Highlands. Our pro-poor mission focuses on cultural self-respect of indigenous peoples and provides authentic experiences away from the beaten trail.

We have worked with Batwa “Pygmies” for over a decade. We are trying to come up with creative tourism solutions that benefit their communities and help visitors better understand and appreciate their rich culture and challenging present.

Batwa Today is a result of more than one year of preparations. In 2012 we got to know Kanusu, a great Batwa guide who started to take our trekkers through Echuya Forest Reserve on multi-day treks. A year later, at the request of Studiosus Reisen from Germany, we were introduced to his people at Rwamahano nearEchuya Forest Reserve and began to closely cooperate with them, impressed by their dedication to bettering their situation. Visitors’ response has been extremely positive and Rwamahano has become our preferred destination and a model for other communities.

The programme includes:
– pickup from any Kabale/Lake Bunyonyi location and a scenic drive near the lake to Muko
– preparation session over a cup of coffee at Muko Campsite, led by Edirisa specialists
– two different forest walk options in Echuya Forest Reserve, led by Kanusu
– local bar experience at a Bakiga (majority tribe) trading centre
– tour of the settlement of Kanusu’s people at Rwamahano
– chat with the Batwa, ending with a cultural program
– evaluation/debriefing at Muko Campsite or any other location of your choice

Most of our guests stay at Bunyonyi and have their own car. If you come from the Kisoro direction, we can meet you at Muko and start from there. If you don’t have your own vehicle, we can organize one for you.