This award-winning experiential tour was designed as a 30-minute pit-stop for tourists travelling between Bwindi and Queen Elizabeth National Park. An added bonus is that it provides the only sit-down (and super clean) toilet along the Ishasha Road!
As you sit under her thatched hut, Agartha shares stories of her life as a Bakiga woman whilst demonstrating in person the process of sorting, pounding, willowing and grinding millet (an important staple crop) to make busheera millet porridge - loved by the entire Bakiga tribe! Not only do you get to try your hand at this (presenting some lovely photo opportunities), you can also taste the porridge and ask Agartha all your burning questions.
This project was a proud winner of the 2015 Uganda Tourism Board's Excellence Awards for the Best Community Tourism Initiative.
Why was Agartha’s Taste of Uganda Tour created?
Taste of Uganda Tour was set up to generate funds to operate Ishasha Community Uplift Group (ICUG) stationed withing a vulnerable community living on the edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP). They banded together determined to uplift their village through fun and innovative ways. They focus on raising loans to start businesses, encouraging goat and chicken rearing (personal ‘mobile banks’) whilst nurturing the next generation of conservationists through supporting programmes under Wildlife Clubs of Uganda in Zendaire Primary School. And the way they raise money for all of this? Through offering experiential community tourism in the form of “Agartha’s Taste of Uganda Tour.”
If you are not rushing to see Ishasha’s famous tree-climbing lions and have a little more time, Agartha can extend your tour for a further 30 minutes or more by showing you examples of community achievements. Choose to see their Revolving Goat Gifting Programme, examples of what loans have been used for, or visit the Wildlife Clubs of Uganda group that the community support at the nearby primary school – or simply spend more time chatting! Just let Agartha know the time you have available and your interests.
Award-winning community tourism
Ishasha Community Uplift Group were proud winners of the 2015 Uganda Tourism Board’s Excellence Awards for the Best Community Tourism Initiative.
Agartha’s Taste of Uganda Tour
What do guests say about Agartha’s Taste of Uganda Tour?
“Was very informative and tasty. Keep up the great work!” Tony, South Africa
“Impressive – wish we could spend all day!” Maclynn, Entebbe
“Now I know how you prepare food – great! Thank you.” Katharina, Germany
“Thank you for sharing and describing part of your life.” Tim & Andrea, Washington
“You are an inspiration to me Agartha!” Cheryl, Cape Town
“Wonderful insight into women’s culture in Uganda.” Evelyn, Perth
“I admire you! A wonderful way to learn about you and Uganda.” Christine, Vancouver
“Very enlightening and wonderful experience.” Charlie & Lizzie, Australia
“Thanks for showing us your skills & telling us about the good work you are doing for the community.” Peter & Lisa, Australia
“Thank you so much for the warm welcome and sharing your community.” Shelagh, Australia
“It’s a great project,” enthused Bradt Guide author Philip Briggs, “bouncier even than a kangaroo on steroids.”
Extracts from Agartha’s Visitors Book, above.
Where does Agartha’s Tour take place?
Agartha’s Taste of Uganda tour is on the main road between UWA Ishasha park gate and Kihihi.
Look for the signpost “Agartha’s Taste of Uganda” in the trading centre of Upper Kazinga, Rusorooza Parish, Kihihi sub-county (on the right-hand side coming from Kihihi).
How to book Agartha’s Taste of Uganda Tour
Call Elizabeth at Wild Frontiers on +256 772 721 155 or email reservations@ugandaexclusivecamps.com or speak to Agartha directly on +256 777 216 853.
If you’re calling Agartha, do make sure the agreed date and time are repeated back to you to avoid misunderstandings.
How much is Agartha’s Tour?
$15 per person which is shared between your hostess Agartha, the Savings and Credit Scheme and Community Projects. A portion of the funds generated from this tour goes to the host family, some to Ishasha Community Uplift Group to develop local projects, and the remainder into a well-established Savings and Credit Scheme (SACS). Profits from the tour are making a tangible difference to the community – and the survival of the National Park’s wildlife – through several activities.
Goat Gifting
In rural Uganda, goats and chickens are easily reared and typically used as an emergency bank account: when a family member falls ill or there are outstanding school fees to pay a goat or chicken is sold. To raise the living standards amongst their neighbours, tourism revenue is used to buy goats and chickens for the members of ICUG. When the livestock produce their first offspring it is gifted to their neighbour, who in turn commits to passing on its offspring to the next neighbour. When a goat is gifted and received, a Memorandum of Understanding is signed by both parties and witnessed by the community. This forms strong bonds within the village and the pleasure of gifting, not just receiving, is eventually felt by all. In the last three years, 55 goats have been gifted from the group members’ stock of 40 goats and ICUG’s ambitious aim is for every household to own goats. Importantly for the wildlife of Queen Elizabeth National Park, goats also provide a source of meat, an alternative to bush-meat.
Savings and Credit Scheme
The Savings and Credit Scheme used to have just a small pot of money to offer loans; typically these were used to pay for school fees, medical emergencies and renting land. Times have changed for the better! With community tourism revenue now feeding into this pot, loans are much bigger, allowing members to shift from renting to buying land, building houses, investing in their own businesses and paying university fees. Several families have also invested in solar stems to provide clean energy at home for lighting and phone charging.
This Savings and Credit Scheme is governed by a committee; the books are kept by a well-trained community member and the SACS currently has 53 members on their books who are accessing loans. This is a wonderful example of self-help within a community generating their own funds for development.
Wildlife Clubs of Uganda
As conservation is at the heart of ICUG, they have just helped initiate Wildlife Clubs of Uganda at Zendaire Primary School, just 5 minutes’ walk from Agartha’s. Wildlife Clubs of Uganda (WCU) is a nationwide organisation dedicated to protecting wildlife and the environment by engaging youth in conservation education and is supported by the Ministry of Education, Uganda Wildlife Authority and Uganda Tourism Board. Students learn some theory about conservation then get stuck into an action-based programme designed by themselves to address environmental and conservation challenges right on their doorstep. Tree planting is nearly always a component of WCU and the children plan to nurture a tree nursery to establish a sustainable wood source for themselves. Learning about wildlife on their doorstep is also a priority. These children see international tourists that have travelled great distances to see not just large famous mammals like mountain gorillas and lions, but also Uganda’s rich diversity of birds and butterflies. By sparking an interest in discovering what is around them, it is hoped that these children may be inspired to protect and conserve and also to join the wildlife tourism and conservation industries in the future. Being part of Wildlife Clubs of Uganda also helps in creating long-term attitude change, particularly an appreciation for wildlife, care for the environment, smaller family sizes and reduce rapid human population growth (creating the next generation of compassionate conservationists not poachers).
Future plans
ICUG has purchased land with community tourism revenue and plans to initiate a community clinic as the nearest clinic is currently 5km away in Kihihi Town.
Are you ready to visit Agartha?
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