This is Milan, a student of UC Leuven-Limburg, who arrived at Edirisa on Lake Bunyonyi last month. Like others before him, he’s doing a 6-month internship that’s part of the “Global Citizenship and Development” course.
We first sent Milan to a 2-day canoe tour with a friendly group of World Insight travellers from Austria and Germany. He drank local beer, met the medicine man, had lunch at a craftmaker’s home, and camped on an island. “I couldn’t have imagined a better way to get to know the area. I was stunned by how welcoming and open Provia’s people were,” recalls Milan.
He learned about the legendary Tom Karemire and got his first experience with how deeply religious Ugandans are. One of the World Insight guests was from a Catholic institution; it meant so much to the family that he said evening and morning prayers over Tom’s grave!
“Those were heartwarming and pure moments. I was moved, despite the fact that I am not religious myself. I want to learn more about the role Christianity plays in the community,” says Milan.
In the following weeks, he saw more of local life through hiking — our Belgian is still getting used to the hills! — and visiting Rutinda. It made him think about all the privileges he has at home.
He began attending the gym at the nearby Bunyonyi Safaris Resort, playing pool, and kicking a ball with the village youth: “The boys are playing like it’s the final of the Champions’ League. Their physicality and motivation is crazy!”
Milan himself has a serious background in gymnastics. He practiced competitively until he was 12, then became a trainer. He’s already sharing some of his skills with the pupils of Bufuka Primary School.
But Milan’s main mission during his internship with us is to understand the impact of tourism. “The way Gorilla Highlands Experts bring travellers closer to the local culture really appeals to me,” he explains. We have assigned him the task of developing activities for budget visitors.
Otherwise, Milan likes his new home a lot, especially the view, the proximity to the lake, and the natural surroundings. “Edirisa has a cozy vibe and the staff really care,” he concludes with his trademark big smile.
📸 photography by:
Brenda Katusiime is the excellent self-taught chef who ran Edirisa on Lake Bunyonyi from 2019 to 2021. She returned in 2024 and still considers it home in Bufuka, Uganda. [bio updated: 2026-03]
Milan Verdonk was a budget tours creator and article writer at Edirisa on Lake Bunyonyi in 2025–26, on a six-month Gorilla Highlands Experts internship with UCLL from Belgium. Growing up, he played gymnastics and football, and after completing three internships in social work, decided to explore the tourism potential of our region. Inspired by both its stunning nature and welcoming people, Milan will soon be back! In the meantime, you will find him in Lommel, Belgium. [bio updated: 2026-05]
Owen Bright Ahereza was sponsored and trained by Edirisa (more about it in his “Thank You” story) and worked as a tour guide for Gorilla Highlands Experts until January 2026. He lives in Kabale, Uganda. [bio updated: 2026-03]
🖋️ text and 📸 photography by:
ML Rwebandira — formerly known as Miha Logar — is an adventure and cultural tourism expert, writer and multimedia producer who co-founded Gorilla Highlands Experts. His most recent publication is the Pocket Treasure. A national of both Uganda and Slovenia, ML resides with his son Lan in Musanze, Rwanda. Click for his personality-infused quarterly newsletters. [bio updated: 2026-05]