ABOUT US

4 associates and a shining Ugandan team !

The board oversees the strategy, the administration of the company, the partnerships and the client care services. With additional backgrounds in the fields of sustainable development, co-development, climate change mitigation and adaptation, they bring to Agandi Uganda Ltd their knowledge and experiences.

OUR STORY

The beginning
(2014-2017)

The story of Agandi Uganda begins with Mac, a Ugandan safari guide supporting his family's orphanage, and Sébastien, one of the board members, whose work since 2005 has focused on supporting municipalities in their climate changes adaptation initiatives.

In 2014, Sébastien began working with the city of Kampala on its climate change adaptation strategy. This experience sparked his love for the country and led to the development of strong relationships with people like Moses (now co-manager of our eco-lodge in Bwindi), Edison and Nicolas (board members).

Mac and Sébastien explored Uganda extensively, encountering the stunning diversity of its wildlife and engaging with its diverse local communities

The initial idea was to support Mac's orphanage sponsorship program by developing an eco-lodge in Bwindi for the visitors he guided on safari. The project, initially named Love Uganda Safaris and Eco-lodges, also aimed to promote sustainable tourism and support local communities and minority groups, such as the Pygmies in Bwindi.

Despite Mac's sudden death on the day of the project's legal creation, Sébastien and the associates decided to continue. From 2016 to 2018, the perfect location was found in the Ruhija sector of Bwindi.

Meetings were held with local leaders, local NGOs, and local representatives of the Uganda Wildlife Authority to familiarize them with the team, the project, and its core values regarding the community.

A very strong relationship developed with the NGO Change a Life in Bwindi, which continues to this day, as our activities directly benefit local communities by supporting programs led by the organization.

Local experts—architects, biologists, carpenters, renewable energy providers, etc.—were engaged to design Agandi as an eco-lodge built using local materials and traditional methods.

One by one, Moses, Cyras, Stanley, Innocent, Elisabeth, and others joined Sébastien on this adventure, from the initial planning to the opening. Together, they brought Agandi Uganda to life.

The grown-up Agandi Uganda (Since 2018)

Initially, when Agandi first opened, we began with a simple campsite. Over time, the eco-lodge gradually took shape, featuring traditional cottages and treehouses that offer guests a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in nature, right in the heart of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

As the eco-lodge in Bwindi developed, Agandi Uganda expanded its offerings by organizing safaris across Uganda and into neighboring countries.

Today, Agandi Uganda Eco-Lodge in Bwindi provides comfortable, eco-friendly accommodations and has quickly become a sought-after destination. Nestled in the serene Ruhija sector of Bwindi, it is located just minutes away from the starting point of gorilla trekking adventures.

Our activities generate significant social and economic benefits for the local community. We source products locally and collaborate with local service providers and artisans. We uphold our legal and tax obligations while fostering strong and respectful relationships with local leaders and authorities.

Agandi Uganda remains deeply committed to promoting sustainable and inclusive tourism in Uganda. We also strive to raise awareness among our visitors about environmental conservation.

Our eco-lodge in Bwindi aims to be a model for implementing smart solutions to reduce the environmental footprint of tourism. We engage with visitors to highlight the positive impacts of sustainable tourism on local communities.

We regularly implement or support community initiatives focusing on environmental conservation, social well-being, and local development programs.

In line with our values, we provide direct support to the NGO Change a Life Bwindi, which aids the Batwa (Pygmy) community through various initiatives, including tailoring programs, education, and farming projects.

OUR VISION

Uganda is not yet a well-known country but it has no reason to be envious of any other sub-Saharan countries. There is a lot to explore in the Pearl of Africa, from the Savannah to the high moutain tops, from the Source of the Nile to the great la. Beyond the amazing and diversified wildlife, traveling in Uganda is a human adventure with a lot to live with the wide range of local communities.

Our vision is to promote the diversity of Uganda with a deep attention to social inclusiveness, sustainable development and environment conservation.

OUR VALUES

Ecotourism is now defined as a “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people and involves interpretation and education” (TIES, 2015). Education is meant to be inclusive of both staff and guests.

Agandi Uganda aims at its scale to be an example as an eco-friendly company who work in and promote ecotourism. In this objective, our core values are :

Being part of the local sustainable development :

Increasing local capacity building and employment opportunities ;
Providing direct benefits for conservation by delivering sensitization programs in various areas : renewable energies, energy efficiency, waste management, green farming, public health, biodiversity and ecosystems…) ;
Recognizing the Indigenous People and work in partnership with the relevant stakeholders to create empowerment.

Reducing our environmental footprint as Agandi Uganda at its lowest :

Designing, constructing and operating low-impact eco-lodges ;
Using and promoting renewable energies for green electricity and cooking ;
Promoting eco-driving, especially when crossing villages ;
Reducing, reusing and recycling the volume of waste generated ;
Maintaining the good quality of soil during construction and farming activities
Supporting indigenous tree planting, permaculture and school gardening

Providing positive experiences for both visitors and hosts :

Promoting the wide cultural and natural diversity of Uganda ;
Delivering a comfortable and permanent safe environment ;
Favouring direct interaction between visitors and local people for a better understanding and appreciation of local life ;
Providing clear information to visitors prior to their visit.

Supporting green tourism in Uganda and cooperation :

Promoting and partnering with local NGOs and CBOs who develop community programs in the fields of environment conservation, public health and sustainable development ;
Promoting and partnering with other Ugandan social companies who share the same values ;
Supporting the development of the eco-tourism in Uganda by a better sensitization and exchanges on best practices.