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Responsible Tourism Travel Safari Tips – A Code of Conduct for Safari Visitors to Uganda that respects Ugandan- Rwandan Communities –the Environment – the Wildlife

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Before you arrive for your Safari in Uganda

• Participate in planning your safari by taking an active part in planning your safari by choosing eco-friendly Lodges that  use propane gas for cooking instead of charcoal.  Lodges that assist the local communities that are around by giving them meaningful jobs and doing community work in those communities so that the communities benefit from tourism and see the wildlife as a benefit and not something to be poached.
• Pack for a more meaningful safari.  Uganda by Western Standards is a country where many people are in need, children that go without, a safari tour company can easily incorporate a visit to a school, a village, an orphanage where the gift of a book to a child will be most beneficial, where a soccer ball will be treasured, a pen, pencil set, a coloring book with crayons and the like.  That little gift will have an impact on a child if given in a meaningful manner.

Respect Local Culture and Communities:

• Do not treat people like they are another species of wildlife.  Meeting people from other cultures and learning their ways of life is a great pleasure.  That is one reason why we offer village stays in authentic Ugandan villages where normal village life takes place.
• Greeting in Ugandan culture is not done by a simply Hi or Hello.  Greetings are an important time of showing mutual respect and a shaking of hands.  There is the exchange of pleasantries often followed by an invitation to sit or enter a home for a cup of tea.  It is a cultural mistake just to say a quick greeting as is common in the West. Africa, Uganda is relational first and the greeting and time spent are more important than a tight schedule. Learning a few greeting in Luganda would be most helpful and most appreciated by Ugandans.
• Taking Photos – Always ask for permission before taking a picture – people here in Uganda often think that you will financially benefit by taking their picture and permission should always be sought before taking a pictures.
• Dress respectfully – though Westerners are most often forgiven for dressing in a manner that would be considered improper by many Ugandans it is best to respect local style and be dressed in a modest fashion.  In Kampala you will most often see both men and women dress quite fashionably especially if they are middle classed.
• Though Uganda is a non Tipping Culture-it is most respectful to do so and most appreciated and in most instances will not be used for trivial things but for things such as school fees for children, for rent, or simply for living another day.
• Bargaining is part of life in Africa when buying things as crafts or art – respect the African and pay a fair price and you are investing into their lives and the local community.
• Do not buy any crafts made from illegal things such as ivory – rarely do you come across such things – but you may be quietly approached – also ask if the items you are buying were locally made or imported – for example most soap stone comes from Kenya and the area around Tabaka and not from Uganda – buy things that will benefit the local community.  Ask your driver guide to assist you, that is especially the case as you visit craft markets in Kampala.

Environmental Impact:

Tread lightly, take only pictures, leave only footprints, kill only time while on Safari in Uganda

• No littering anytime in the African Wild – use the garbage bag in the vehicle and hopefully your safari provider has one-if you are on a walking safari do not pick up any seeds, fossils, rocks – unless you are on a dig like at Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve where you can dig for things such as arrowheads.
• The welfare of the wildlife comes first – Your Driver Guide should never go off track, even if you ask him to do so, there is the danger of killing young animals hidden in the grass, separating families and injuring the savannah grass . Drivers are also to keep a respectful distance between the animals and the vehicle.
• Obey all Park Rules – in Uganda it means a maximum speed of 40 kilometers per hour but on the game drive itself a driver guide should drive at a much lower speed. Also keep noise to a minimum, when stopped the driver should kill the engine and please shut off your mobile phone until you go back to the lodge. Never stray from the road or game track or trail.  In Uganda all Nature walks are with Uganda Wildlife Authority Guides.
• Conserve Resources – often lodging facilities use solar energy – which use a battery system at night – turn off lights when not in use.  At some lodges fresh water is in short supply so keep your showers short and that applies to the availability of hot water also.
• Recycle – recycling nationwide in Uganda is in its infancy – yet some lodges have bins where you can deposit plastic drinking water bottles – most sodas and beer is sold is in reusable bottles unlike in the west, sadly plastic soda bottles are making inroads. Bring rechargeable batteries for
• Do not buy Crafts or Products made from protected animals – you will rarely see them but once in a while they might be there- if you see fur – most likely it will be from goats or cows, drums are covered with cow hides and the djembe drums with goat skins – even with drums check if the wood was illegally harvested.

Voluntourism also known as Volunteerism:

• Combine your time on Safari with Volunteering –  this is something that can most easily be arranged for your safari stay in Uganda – the opportunities abound, schools, orphanages, medical facilities, community work, reforestation – a great opportunity in Authentic Africa – Uganda.
• Donations can also be made – you can also make a direct donations to a school, project, orphanage and we will assist you in ensuring that the money will reach the intended recipients

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Responsible Tourism Travel Safari Tips – Tread lightly, take only pictures, leave only footprints, kill only time while on Safari in East Africa – Enjoy Africa.