| Eco-tourism in Uganda, particularly viewing
of highly charismatic species such as chimpanzees, has
been considered a useful conservation tool that protects
the chosen site and supports the local economy . However,
in eco-tourist sites a balance must be struck between
tourist demand and site availability. The welfare of the
chimpanzees and high standards of the tourist experience
need to be guaranteed to insure the long-term success
of the project from both the economic and conservation
perspectives.
The need for an additional chimpanzee-viewing site
is demonstrated by the large number of visitors at Kanyanchu
(Kibale) during peak tourist season. During the high-season
of 2002 an average of 32 visitors per day did “forest
walks” including one-hour chimpanzee viewings.
The recommended maximum number of visitors per day should
be six for chimpanzee viewing, so the current rate is
vastly unsustainable.
Based on JGI Uganda’s experience in developing
highly successful eco-tourist projects in Kanyanchu
(Kibale National Park), we are currently developing a strategy of
intervention to develop an eco-tourist site in Kaniyo-Pabidi,
Budongo Forest Reserve.
Kaniyo-Pabidi is part of the Budongo Forest Reserve
and is managed by the Forest Department. An eco-tourist
project was set up there in 1993, and chimpanzee viewing
was opened to the public in 1994. However, the visitor
viewing was low compared to that of Kanyanchu in Kibale
National Park. Following a four-year intervention program
by our organisation viewing rates increased.
Despite the low viewing success rates Kaniyo-Papidi
was identified as a promising eco-tourist site based
on a number of factors.
- The site location is particularly good since it
is en-route to a major tourist attraction (Murchison
Falls) and can easily be incorporated in itineraries
organized by tour operators as well as being accessible
to independent travellers
- The geography of the site is highly suitable for
eco-tourist development: The terrain is flat allowing
for good on-foot travelling conditions for the average
tourist; the campsite is located on the edge of the
chimpanzees’ home range, significantly diminishing
the risk of long trekking excursion before contact
is made with the group; the habitat consists of primary
forest with medium understory vegetation-density allowing
for good visibility of the canopy (and thus of the
chimpanzees) and the presence of savannah and grassland
areas neighbouring the primary forest present an interesting
opportunity for viewing of different ecosystems. Finally,
there is an extensive (71-mile in total) and well-maintained
trail system that further facilitates visitor accessibility.
By the third year of the project, the Forestry Department
and local community will be in a strong position to
take over although they will continue to rely on a team
of well-trained staff capable of managing the habituation
program and visitor activities. The previous lack of
investment in the project has meant that the full potential
of Kaniyo Pabidi as a chimpanzee eco-tourist viewing
site was not achieved. Based on our experience developing
a similar project at Kanyanchu with 3,500 visitors per
year, we are confident that a three-year intervention
program concentrating on building of staff and infrastructure
development will allow Kaniyo Pabidi to become an economically
sustainable and highly successful eco-tourist project
supporting local law enforcement and habitat protection
of Budongo Forest.
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