Gorilla conservation volunteering vacation, Uganda

Planet

Carbon Reduction

Our 13-day wildlife volunteering project in Kibale National Park and Queen Elizabeth National Park is designed to minimise our carbon footprint while supporting conservation on the ground. We prioritise small group sizes, shared transportation, and locally led logistics to reduce emissions and avoid unnecessary travel. Activities are planned within each park to limit daily vehicle use, and we stay in eco-conscious accommodations that emphasise energy and water efficiency. Activities like exploring the Botanical Gardens, boat ride on on Kazinga channel and a nature walk in Lake Mburo National Park.

By working with local partners, sourcing supplies locally, and focusing on hands-on conservation and community projects, the program reduces transport-related impacts while contributing to habitat protection and long-term sustainability in western Uganda. Travelers are reminded to use water wisely to prevent waste. The majority of the lodging we use either uses subterranean water or collects rainwater. Water waste is discouraged for travelers. Additionally, the lodges heat their shower water using solar energy.

Environmental & Wildlife

Wildlife in Uganda is protected by the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Most of this tour will be spent in the conservation areas protected by the UWA. We partner with UWA by ensuring our clients visit the parks and that conservation fees are paid. Part of the money paid for entrance and activities in the park is given to communities surrounding the parks, which they use on projects of interest. We also often include a visit to the communities adjacent to the parks to ensure they benefit directly and therefore join in conservation. Bigodi village walk near Kibale National Park and the Twin Lakes walk near Queen Elizabeth National Park.

The gorilla visit is strictly limited to one hour per group under a regulated park permit, a policy that plays a key role in protecting both the wildlife and their environment. By controlling the duration and number of visitors, the park minimises stress on the gorillas, reduces the risk of disease transmission, and limits human impact on sensitive forest habitats. Permit fees directly support conservation efforts, park management, and local communities, ensuring that tourism contributes to the long-term protection of gorillas and the ecosystems they depend on.

People

Local Economy

We employ guides from the communities we work in. We pay fair wages to them, which allows them to provide for their families and keeps them interested in working in the tourism sector. We open up opportunities for exposure to new communities, therefore broadening their skills and confidence. Sometimes a guide has not visited a particular area in the country, which can limit their employability opportunities. We allow them to travel along a senior guide and learn, therefore increasing their chances.

Employment, inclusivity & diversity

We encourage visits to communities and homesteads along the tourism route. On this safari, you will visit the Iike community on Mt Murongole. This community is separated from the rest of the surrounding tribes due to difficulties in cultivation, largely because of the nature of their land. Tourism is a big component in their survival because the money paid goes into buying food for the families. You will visit the amazing Bigodi village near Kibale Forest, which has interacted with chimpanzees for years and contributed to their conservation. All these ensure that dollars directly go into the pockets of communities.