The people that you meet!
To me the best part of traveling is meeting people along the way. Sometimes they are fellow travelers. Other times they are locals. Sometimes these people can change your trip, or even your life, in ways you’d never imagine. This is what makes each trip a magical experience and one more reason I’m grateful every time I set out on a new adventure.
Uganda has a special place in my heart! I loved my visit 3 years ago and my most recent trip was just as special. It’s not only because of the beautiful wildlife, the lush landscape or the interesting lodges but because of the genuine, kindhearted, happy people I met. I enjoyed connecting with the locals, hearing about their customs and traditions, learning about how they are making a difference in their community and about a typical day. These moments rank at the top of my memories along with the beauty I saw in each destination!
Below you will discover the real reason why I love to travel!!
The eye never forgets what the heart has seen. -African Proverb
Meet Aubrey Price
Aubrey Price is one of a kind! And so is Ndali Lodge. This is THE LODGE! I loved it here!
Here’s a story of one family’s determination to do something good, not only for travelers but for the local community! Upon arrival, we received a warm welcome from Aubrey (third generation owner), his staff and 3 dogs!
Ndali Lodge is perched on the rim of an extinct volcano which, since its demise, has filled with water to become the breathtaking Lake Nyinambuga. There is a main thatched lodge and 9 solar-powered cottages. It’s secluded, charming, has 360-degree views of the lake and mountains.
The story behind the lodge is so fascinating! The estate dates back to the 1920’s when Aubrey’s grandfather, Englishman Trevor Price and his friend Hugh Naylor, purchased the land for a tea estate. Others followed suit and the great estates of western Uganda flourished until 1972 when the land was appropriated by the military regime. Both Trevor and Hugh returned to England and later passed away.
In 1992 Aubrey’s father, Captain Mark Price, reclaimed the land with the intention of establishing a Safari lodge. His goal was to work on reforestation, support the locals by providing employment, provide sponsorships for the children to attend school and to bring growth and prosperity to the community. He began building in 1993 and opened in 1996. He later passed away. His son, Aubrey Price and his niece Lulu Sturdy, took up the reins of the lodge and farm and have continued Captain Mark’s legacy. It is now an expanse of indigenous trees, beautiful gardens, home to a diverse array of birds, monkeys and other wildlife!
Ndali Lodge is an amazing place with a wonderful history, incredible staff, fabulous cuisine and genuine hospitality! Truly a charming Safari lodge!!
Meet Evelyn Habasa
Evelyn is magnetic! I loved spending time with her and the ladies from the Bwindi community. We were the first group of visitors to the area since March and they were beyond thrilled. It didn’t take long to notice how talented they were in basket weaving, sewing and quilting. We all wanted a custom-made item…whether it was a dress, a suit, pants or any other craft as a precious gift to take home. When I asked Evelyn if our order was too big, she said, “Oh, Lisa…over the last several months I needed to remind the ladies to keep the faith…to remain hopeful…good times are coming…it’s a promise.” Evelyn continued to encourage the ladies, but she “noticed their hope start to dwindle”. When our group arrived, Evelyn said she witnessed “hope rise within each lady from the bottom of their feet to the top of their heads”. They couldn’t believe it!
“Ride 4 A Woman” is Evelyn’s passion!
Evelyn started “Ride 4 A Woman” as a way of empowering the local women and to create change in her community. Together with her husband, they started by renting mountain bikes to tourists to fund their training program. After some time, there was a need to maintain the bikes so they taught the ladies how to repair them.
Three years later, they met Patricia, an Australian tourist, who knew how to quilt. Evelyn asked her to teach the women in the village, and that’s when they started a sewing program. The women learn how to sew from scratch, how to measure, cut, hand stitch and provide a nice finish to each item they design.
The ladies also learn basket weaving skills and create masterpieces that they sell in their shop.
Evelyn and her husband oversee 8 programs that include sewing, bike mechanics, agriculture, water filtration, safety from domestic situations, micro-finance, education and baking.
“Ride 4 A Woman” also provides low interest loans to assist the ladies in starting a small business. They have provided 101 loans to their members. The women continue to set up shops, market stalls, buy animals and purchase sewing machines to make clothes in their respective villages.
Today, 300 women from 11 different villages in the Bwindi community are registered with the organization. They enjoy gathering together to learn while having fun!
This is why I travel…to meet people like Evelyn!! The best news…I still chat with her through What’s App and look forward to when I return to the Bwindi community!
Meet Paison
Paison was my porter for our Gorilla tracking experience. He carried my backpack and camera the entire journey. As we walked through the dense forest, I fixed my eyes on his heels…one step in front of the other, making sure I wouldn’t trip on the roots or step on fire ants. I held his hand as he pulled me up the mountain and rested my hand on his shoulder when we climbed down.
Paison is 22 and has his heart set on earning a college degree in tourism. He is very close to achieving his goal. When Covid hit, Paison returned home to be with his family. He was without work and did not have the funds to pay for his last semester. He was excited to learn we were the first group of tourists to arrive in Bwindi since March. This meant he would have work for the first time in months and he was beyond thrilled. He planned to put the $20 he earned toward his schooling.
Paison and I have kept in touch since my trip and he is very grateful for that day of work. This is true evidence of how much the local community needs tourism to return!
Meet Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka
Dr. Gladys was invited to have dinner with us when we were in Bwindi. She was in town hosting workshops and teaching her colleagues about her specialty…the health and well-being of mountain gorillas.
Dr. Gladys has become one of the leading conservationists and scientists working to save the critically endangered mountain gorillas of East Africa. She is founder and CEO of Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH), a 16-year old nonprofit organization that promotes conservation by improving the quality of life of people and wildlife to enable them to coexist in and around protected areas in Africa. This is extremely important because humans can transmit any number of diseases to the gorillas.
FUN FACT: Dr. Gladys completed a zoological medicine residency and masters in specialized veterinary medicine at North Carolina State University and North Carolina Zoological Park.
It was a pleasure meeting Dr. Gladys. We both have one commonality – NCSU! She’s a graduate and I’m a DASA (Division of Academic & Student Affairs) Board Member. As I listened to her speak at our dinner one evening, it dawned on me that she must have ties to NCSU and she sure did!!! Go WOLFPACK!!
Meet Deo
Deo is a true pioneer, a teacher, an innovator and a community builder. He is one remarkable man! Deo lives in a small farming village that borders Queen Elizabeth National Park. Since his property is so close to the park, elephants and lions would invade his land and destroy his crops and livestock. Instead of killing the wildlife, Deo rallied his neighbors and others in the community and taught them alternatives to poaching. They first started by digging a trench along their property line which took 2 years to complete 2km. He then created a watch tower and an innovative warning system of bells to alert the neighbors that the wildlife was close. When the elephants came to the ditch, they would extend their trunk and quickly realized the depth and turn away. Uganda’s conservation organization took notice of Deo’s contributions and they assisted with the project. It took 6 years but they worked together to dig a 20 km trench by hand. Deo is one proud and very humble man…a true inspiration to those in the community!
Uganda…the Pearl of Africa!!
You are most welcome here!
Uganda is a beautiful country with very warm and friendly people. Quite often we heard them say, “You are most welcome here!” and they meant it. They have not seen visitors since March and were thrilled to have us on their soil.
Next week, I will highlight the spectacular wildlife and beautiful landscape. Many of you know I have a passion for photography and I can’t wait to share what I captured from our journey!!
Click below to follow along on this amazing journey.
I wish you a HOLIDAY SEASON filled with JOY, PEACE, LOVE and great health!
