NATURESMART
CENTRE MABAMBA

THE ULTIMATE EXPERIENCE

Zziba-Mabamba village, along the road to Nkima Forest Lodge

WHAT WE ARE
NatureSmart Centre aims at promoting responsible tourism that benefits communities and Nature on a sustainable basis.

We are a community-based tourism enterprise focused on Tourism Value-Addition. We facilitate visitors to make their visits more environmentally-friendly with social and economic impact in the host community through Carbon footprint neutralization; Volunteer tourists placements; and Eco-lodge/ home-stay arrangements. These are integrated with ‘Tourism Advocacy’ and ‘micro-delivery’. Community members are active participants in the enterprise which make them appreciate the value placed on their natural and cultural heritage thus fostering their zeal to participate in conservation efforts

KEY FEATURES

Located in Mabamba, one of the most important bird-watching destinations in Uganda, Nature Smart Centre offers a range of Budget Accommodation options in our uniquely designed self-contained cottages; Home-stays can also be arranged for interested guests;
We offer Conference Facilities for seminars, meetings and other functions,
We have a round-the-clock restaurant serving both continental and traditional cuisines to your taste and choice;
Campsite;
Breakfast-on-the-boat arrangement on order
Our guests get access to our Conservation Museum where one can learn about Uganda’s History, people, culture, Economy, Environment, etc. in a single place through various collections;

KEY ISSUES WE ADDRESS

Climate Change Mitigation and Environmental Sustainability

By participating in carbon sequestration programs that include tree planting, community carbon stocks through supporting climate-smart agriculture, Energy conservation and pollution control programs.

Poverty amidst plenty

Local populations are given a chance to produce and supply items that contribute to their economic development – thereby fighting the high levels of poverty amidst plenty.

Responsible Tourism

Providing an avenue through which environmentally and socially conscious tourists can contribute more meaningfully to environmental sustainability and social good.

OUR APPROACHES

Volunteer Tourism (Voluntourism) placements

Here visitors are provided with an opportunity to work on a community project at their most convenient timing. We have collaborating organizations that provide the most suiting volunteer opportunities. Some of the volunteer projects include: a) Tree planting in a community forest; b) Nursery work; c) Developing computer applications that are needed by conservation organizations; d) Website designing/improvement/upgrading; e) Data management etc. Depending on their time, volunteers can be placed for a week, two weeks, 3 weeks or a month. Most economic accommodation and meals will be arranged for this category of visitors.

Micro delivery

Micro delivery is another scheme aimed at adding fun and connection between visitors and host community members. Here a visitor connects with a community member before the trip. A community member identifies a small item which a visitor can bring for them. On arrival a visitor is reimbursed the money or given a service in return e.g. accommodation in a ‘home stay’ The community members’ messages are posted on the website and visitors who get interested are marched and linked to communicate directly before the trip.

Carbon Footprints Neutralization

Travel, especially air travel, is a major contributor to pollution. We facilitate visitors to participate directly or indirectly in carbon off-set projects. These include tree planting; species rescue programs; clean cook-stoves and climate-smart agriculture.

Tourism Advocacy

Tourism Advocacy is an inovation of the enterprise in which interested visitors add their voices to influence policy and practices towards better conservation of natural resources. The massages can be in form of video clip or written.