Category: Responsible Tourism
The responsibility highlighted in the term “responsible tourism” is a powerful concept. It invites you to continuously think about your actions, consider their immediate and far-reaching implications. In our interpretation we follow the 2022 Responsible Tourism Charter that defines it as:
(1) Recognises global environmental issues that require local action
(2) Sets goals, measures and reports efforts to minimise negative economic, environmental, and social impacts
(3) Generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the well-being of host communities
(4) Involves local people in decisions that affect their communities
(5) Makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage
(6) Addresses biodiversity loss and is nature-positive
(7) Provides inclusive employment irrespective of ability, ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation
(8) Provides more enjoyable experiences for all through more meaningful connections with locals and a greater understanding of context/issues
(9) Offers culturally sensitive experiences engendering respect between tourists and hosts, and building local pride and confidence
To these we add:
(10) Promotes animal welfare
Our Stories:
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Nature. Culture. Together.
Nature. Culture. Together. That’s our slogan from now on. Nature and culture have always been central to what we do, but it’s the third word, together, that carries the most weight. It’s rich with meaning. It speaks to our interdependence with nature. It reflects the need for the three countries of our region to grow…
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Partnership with Batwa “Pygmies”: Not the Easiest but Highly Impactful
Volunteering with Batwa “Pygmies”? Not the easiest thing in the world, yet potentially highly impactful! Londoner Edd had selected it from our long list of projects that had been waiting for the right person — and that’s how he found himself in a dugout with two Batwa delegates. The destination: BirdNest Resort, Lake Bunyonyi. There,…
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Lean & Mean Developments — For Travellers Who Care
The Gorilla Highlands team stepped into a new era last weekend. At the first-ever All-Hands meeting of Gorilla Highlands Limited, we had 13 Rwandans, 12 Ugandans and one Congolese representative assembling at Kigali’s Resident Hotel. The reason: anticipated fast growth of our tour business, combined with Miha Logar’s determination to leave the daily pressures of the travel…
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Gorilla Highlands Fully Registered & Clarified
This is the news we have been itching to share for more than a year: our non-governmental organisation Gorilla Highlands Experts (GHE) has finally received an operational certificate from the government of Rwanda! It is hard to overstate this milestone in creating thriving communities in the Gorilla Highlands region — our next step will be…
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From Post-Pandemic Experiments to a Proper Tour Company
Yesterday was a milestone in the development of Gorilla Highlands Ltd. After a successful year of post-pandemic experiments, we set foot on the path towards a fully formed tour company. No more shall we be a one-man-band helped by part timers and freelancers, we will evolve a properly staffed office. To help us on the…
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Does a Responsible Traveller Take Photos of Locals?
100mm, f/5, 1/800s, ISO125 Photographing people is, understandably, a somewhat contentious activity. When we travel — and this we means absolutely anyone — we tend to do so because we are intrigued by exotic places, animals and cultures. “Exotic” simply means different, by the way, so Swedish culture can be just as exotic to a…
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SABA Episode #17 – Why Should Our Region Be More Than Just a Fling? (14m)
And now for real — with a new jingle that will simplify our production, we are entering the third season of the SEE AFRICA BREATHE AFRICA weekly podcast! Are you one of those travellers who like to seriously consider their impact on the area they visit? Or do you prefer taking it as lightly as…
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Why Is Congo’s Bukavu Safe to Visit & What Does It Offer?
The Democratic Republic of Congo has been in the news for very unfortunate reasons. The Movement of 23 March (M23) rebels have been occupying the territories on the outskirts of the city of Goma, waging an economic war because of the valuable resources found there. But on the other side of Lake Kivu, some 100…
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T-Shirts With a Message About Us
The new Gorilla Highlands guide t-shirts came from Kampala to Kabale on a night bus yesterday, and immediately got onto the bodies of our Lake Bunyonyi team. It was the first day of Mama Bena’s Bonus, one of our top canoeing and hiking activities in Uganda. #GHTrails on the shirts refers to that aspect of…
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