ECOTOURISM IN KIBALE NATIONAL PARK, WESTERN UGANDA

ABSTRACT One of the most practical initiatives undertaken to protect Uganda's biodiversity in the past few years has been the conversion of some natural forest reserves into national parks and the introduction of ecotourism as an economic activity to generate income for the parks and to benefit the local communities. The benefits of ecotourism to local communities has been widely debated and fears have been expressed about the exclusion of local people from the management and the sharing of revenue from ecotourism. A study was carried out in 1994 and 1995 to assess the local perception of ecotourism in Kibale National Park, the extent to which the local communities have benefited and whether they would be willing to participate in the management of ecotourism in the park. It was found that local people are aware, have positive attitudes and have interacted with Kibale tourists, but have not benefited much from ecotourism. Local participation in ecotourism management should therefore be promoted for the be...