Community Based Tourism

Community Based Tourism (CBT) is on the increase in rural communities surrounding Mafuga Central Forest Reserve. Bushure village, which is an enclave within Mafuga forest reserve, has hosted many tourists over several years. Bushure village is around 1 hour and 30 minutes drive from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park. Visiting communities in and around Mafuga central forest reserve gives one the opportunity to enjoy the diverse natural resources, flora and fauna and the immerse diverse culture of the energetic Bakiga tribe and several clans within the communities. Organizing a community trip with GEP will always give a memorable life time experience especially because the GEP team has built a relationship with the rural communities for the past 10 years. Tourists will have the opportunity to come alongside community members and work with them in their everyday activities, such as collecting fire wood, grinding maize and fetching water. Our household visits take place in five districts GEP is operating namely: Kabale, Rubanda, Kisoro, Kanugu and Rukungiri.

Visiting a household can directly bring positive impact to the rural communities and tourists because tourists interact directly with the locals, share the local meals, participate in local activities such as:

• Grinding grains using a traditional stone tool
• Weaving
• Making crafts such as baskets, necklaces and toy animals
• Fetching firewood
• Fetching water
• Pond fishing
• Planting trees
• Construction work, such as extending the school
• Cooking

See our Volunteering page for further details of opportunities.

Accommodation facility:

• Grinding sorghum and millet grains using traditional stones