About this Experience

The Kitara Foundation offers discerning travelers a cultural and eco-stewardship journey into Kitagwenda District's Mpanga Gorge, home to Uganda's ancient Cycad Villages of Karubuguma. This community-based tour merges nature and culture, connecting travelers directly with local hosts and untouched landscapes. The Pearl Accord: A Pact of Mutual Flourishing Guided by the Pearl Accord, this expedition funds local indigenous guardians directly, turning tourism into a shield that preserves Uganda's heritage while empowering the community. The Nature Experience: Walking Among Living Fossils Travelers descend into Mpanga Gorge to explore prehistoric, 320-million-year-old ecosystems harboring the rare, endemic cycad Encephalartos whitelockii. The Gorge Bio-Trek: Hike ancient forests below cliffs overlooking Lake George, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and the Rwenzori Mountains. The Majesty of Mpanga Falls: Trek untamed greenery to view the powerful Mpanga River Waterfalls and feel its mist. The Culture Experience: The Pulse of Karubuguma In Karubuguma, conservation is a way of life shared directly through the stories and daily routines of the local residents. Meet the Guardians of the Gorge Muzeh Fulgence: Tour this elder's 150-acre farm to learn how sustainable agroecology helps crops and wild cycads coexist. Mr. Mackay Mwebingwa (The "Cycadiologist"): Discover how this native conservationist works with the Kitara Foundation to build sustainable, eco-friendly local livelihoods. Ancestral Hospitality: Enjoy organic valley-grown Robusta coffee, view traditional farming, and experience authentic Ugandan hospitality. A Reflection for the Conscious Wanderer The Cycad Villages offer a soul-stirring retreat into Earth's history, protected for future generations through the Pearl Accord. Contact the Kitara Foundation to reserve your spot