Nature Smart Expeditions

Promotes responsible tourism that benefits communities and Nature on a sustainable basis.

What we are

We are a community-based tourism enterprise focused on Tourism Value-Addition.   We facilitate visitors to make their vsists have more documented environmental, social and economic impact in the host community through Carbon footprint nutralization; 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  aware of the commercial value placed on their natural and cultural heritage to foster their zeal to participate in community-based conservation .

The enterprise feasibility is based on one hand, the growing trend of tourists wanting their visits to have social and environmental impact, and, on the other hand the extra adventure from the packages at very economic rates. 

Our Value Proposition: For tourists’ conscious of the environment and development of host communities, who are finding most conventional tourism packages not responsible enough in contributing to environmental sustainability and local economy, we facilitate their visits to have bigger positive impact at very economic rates while facilitating connecting more with host communities and making their visits more adventurous.

Key Issues we address:

1. Climate Change Mitigation and Environmental Sustainability: Addressing pollution, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation that is also threatening the resources on which tourism is based;
2. Poverty amidst plenty: local populations not economically benefitting from the rich resources around them;

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

Our approaches:

1. Carbon Footprints Neutralization: Travel, especially air travel by tourists, is a major contributor to pollution. We facilitate tourists to participate directly or indirectly in carbon off-set projects.  These include tree planting; species rescue programs; clean cook-stoves and husk thermal power generation from bio-waste.   
2. 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:
3. Tree planting in a community forest;
4. Nursery work;
5. Developing computer applications that are needed by conservation organizations;
6. Website designing/improvement/upgrading;
7. 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.

• 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.  The written messagges are compilled into a ‘visitors’ voice’ book with scanned copies of visitors messages and signatures.  The same is done with video clips.  The compilations are then shared with duty bearers and other stakeholders.

 

1. 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.

 Partners

1. FairTravel
2. Mabamba Wetland Eco-tourism Association (MWETA)

 Completed Projects - Summary:

1. Safeguarding the Ecological Functions of Mabamba Ramsar Site for Sustainable Pro-Poor Eco-Tourism, Community Livelihood Support and Environmental Sustainability: Supported by The Rufford Foundation, the project aimed at strengthening local resource-user groups to participate effectively in safeguarding, sustainably utilize and manage Mabamba Ramsar site ecosystem’s ecosystem that faces increasing over-exploitation of sand, forests and other resources by private business operators leading to ecosystem alteration, destruction of breeding grounds leading to reducing species populations of birds, fish, mammals and plants that give the wetland its international importance status and provide a basis for sustainable pro-poor eco-tourism.  The project involved documentation of effects of key exploitative activities, developing and implementing an advocacy strategy; and, initiating restoration activities.

 

1. The Climate Change mitigation, adaptation and livelihood improvement options programme (ADAPT)  Supported by Artists Project Earth (APE) the project aim was to contribute to reduction of Environmental and Socio vulnerabilities by providing opportunities to empower local communities adapt to climate change and ensure environmental sustainability of the people’s life-support resources.  The project focused on Better Solid Waste Management; promoting options for waste reduction; Use of Appropriate Energy Options (recycle waste for fuel briquettes) Encouraging re-use of plastics, metallic and glass materials; and, Uplifting Community Health and Sanitation.
2. Differently-abled in facing Climate Change: The project focused on improving livelihood options for disabled youths through skills provision and information sharing.  A video documentary entitled ‘Differently-abled’ was produced from the project indicating some strategies for assisting people with disabilities in the face of climate change.  The project provided options for adaptation through home gardening
3. Climate Touch Africa:  Supported by Artists Project Earth (APE) the project aimed at filling the gap about Climate Change awareness among grass-roots communities through continuous documentation of personal stories about Climate Change – its impacts and adaptation strategies and getting such documentaries screened in the communities to share lessons with them about the realities of climate change – and their need to act; distributed to policy makers - to raise their awareness and influence their decisions in addressing climate change issues; and, shared on the websites as an advocacy tool calling for action to redress the inequities and vulnerabilities due to climate change. 
4. Strengthening Of Decentralized Forestry Services through Advocating For Increased Financial Resource Allocation and Better Forestry Extension Services: Supported by FAO - NFP Facility, the project aimed to contribute to improved understanding of the contribution of the Forestry sector in poverty reduction, agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability among political and technical leadership at District,  sub-county and community levels in the selected Districts to stimulate innovative strategies for increased resource allocation and development of the sector .
5. Pro-poor Community Eco-Tourism Window for sustainable Ecosystem Conservation, Community Participation and Wise use of Mabamba Bay Ramsar Site, Uganda: Supported  by Rufford Foundation, the project aimed at laying a firm foundation for Ecosystem conservation, Community Participation and wise-use through the ecotourism window. Through improving collaboration with tour operators, expanding the tourist attractions, documenting indigenous knowledge and developing institutional capacity of community associations, and advocating for a conducive policy environment, the project was also able to contribute to protection of the globally threatened species like the Shoebill (Balaeniceps rex), the Blue Swallow (Hirundo atrocaerulea) and Papyrus Yellow Warbler plus other birds of global conservation concern and rare plant species like Scadoxus species.
6. Conservation of Wild Plants for Medicine and Food:  Supported by SWED BIO through Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI).  NPF worked with the local community members organised under the Twekembe Development Association through consultative meetings and Field Surveys to identify plants that are commonly used in the community as medicine and food; identify the various uses of the identified plants and in describing the various ways in which the identified plants are used. This information was documented and informed the development of a data bank and a participatory propagation and multiplication project.