Impact of COVID-19 on Community Tourism on Mt Moroto – The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic has reached even the most remote areas of Uganda. The host communities used to benefit from additional income through community tourism and freedom of movement for local business.
The impact of COVID-19 and Community Tourism on Mt Moroto
Kara-Tunga visited its community partners in Karamoja after two months after the government imposed lockdown. Local leaders, male and female members were asked how Community Tourism impacted their lives and how COVID-19 pandemic has affected them.
Kara-Tunga gives 75% of the fee directly to the host communities, guides and local businesses. The host communities place the proceeds in a village saving and loans association (saving box). The members can borrow money with interest to invest in their businesses, buy food, medicine and pay school fees. By the end of the year, all members share the proceeds and interest before starting over again.
COVID-19 has negatively affected the community, but it has also thought them a lesson about the vulnerability of tourism by external factors. All members commonly share that without tourists, but the ability to trade at the local market, they are able to support themselves and their families.
Virtual tours
The host communities and the tour guides have come to an agreement to record video tours and make them available for a contribution (like Netflix) and to offer the ability of virtual tours as well. Virtual tours are the closest you can get to a real live tour: people can book and schedule a private virtual tour whereafter the guide will give an actual live tour on a given live video channel. The client(s) can ask live questions to the guide during the tour as well.
About Kara-Tunga, Karamoja Tours
Kara-Tunga Tours was founded with a clear vision: Tourism as a tool for socio-economical development in the Karamoja subregion of Uganda.
Kara-Tunga is located at the slopes of Mount Moroto, at the heart of the administrative district of Karamoja. The social enterprise has developed three key-tools to develop a sustainable future of regional tourism and to ensure It’s lead by the local community.
Tour of Karamoja was a fantastic adventure that combines a tough physical challenge with an off the beaten track adventure in less visited Karamoja Northeast Uganda.
We stayed in Kara Tunga guest house for three night. The rooms were lovely and clean and the food was the best we had in weeks! Hats off to Ivan the best cook in the country 🙂
In collaboration with the Mountain Slayers of Uganda we developed a weekend trip to Karamoja including a morning on the mountain, an authentic cultural experience and a visit to Kidepo Valley National Park.
Moroto visit doesn’t disappoint – Hiking and sundowning in the mountain is a unique way of learning about the peoples of northeastern Uganda, from its highlands to the vast plains below.
Video: Impact of COVID-19 and Community Tourism on Mt Moroto
Impact of COVID-19 on Community Tourism on Mt Moroto – The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic has reached even the most remote areas of Uganda. The host communities used to benefit from additional income through community tourism and freedom of movement for local business.
The impact of COVID-19 and Community Tourism on Mt Moroto
Kara-Tunga visited its community partners in Karamoja after two months after the government imposed lockdown. Local leaders, male and female members were asked how Community Tourism impacted their lives and how COVID-19 pandemic has affected them.
Kara-Tunga gives 75% of the fee directly to the host communities, guides and local businesses. The host communities place the proceeds in a village saving and loans association (saving box). The members can borrow money with interest to invest in their businesses, buy food, medicine and pay school fees. By the end of the year, all members share the proceeds and interest before starting over again.
COVID-19 has negatively affected the community, but it has also thought them a lesson about the vulnerability of tourism by external factors. All members commonly share that without tourists, but the ability to trade at the local market, they are able to support themselves and their families.
Virtual tours
The host communities and the tour guides have come to an agreement to record video tours and make them available for a contribution (like Netflix) and to offer the ability of virtual tours as well. Virtual tours are the closest you can get to a real live tour: people can book and schedule a private virtual tour whereafter the guide will give an actual live tour on a given live video channel. The client(s) can ask live questions to the guide during the tour as well.
About Kara-Tunga, Karamoja Tours
Kara-Tunga Tours was founded with a clear vision: Tourism as a tool for socio-economical development in the Karamoja subregion of Uganda.
Kara-Tunga is located at the slopes of Mount Moroto, at the heart of the administrative district of Karamoja. The social enterprise has developed three key-tools to develop a sustainable future of regional tourism and to ensure It’s lead by the local community.
The tools are: Karamoja Tourism Academy (practical skilling), Discover Karamoja (regional tourism marketing), Kara-Tunga Tours (regional tour operator)
Community school campaign
Group sponsored girl to secondary school
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Tour of Karamoja: Physical challenging, off-the-beaten-track adventure
Tour of Karamoja was a fantastic adventure that combines a tough physical challenge with an off the beaten track adventure in less visited Karamoja Northeast Uganda.
Karamoja’s the best experience in Uganda! Worth the loooooong trip!
We stayed in Kara Tunga guest house for three night. The rooms were lovely and clean and the food was the best we had in weeks! Hats off to Ivan the best cook in the country 🙂
Karamoja Group Safari with Roundbob
In collaboration with the Mountain Slayers of Uganda we developed a weekend trip to Karamoja including a morning on the mountain, an authentic cultural experience and a visit to Kidepo Valley National Park.
Moroto visit doesn’t disappoint
Moroto visit doesn’t disappoint – Hiking and sundowning in the mountain is a unique way of learning about the peoples of northeastern Uganda, from its highlands to the vast plains below.