Kikorongo women’s community is one of the interesting community groups around Queen Elizabeth National Park. The community has hosted many tourists for years.
Queen Elizabeth National Park is located in southwestern Uganda and is one of the most visited national parks in the country. The park is famous for its tree-climbing lions, boat cruise on the Kazinga channel, and a vast number of countless bird species.
In addition to the wildlife, tourists have a great impression of encountering the neighboring local communities around the park. This has given rise to community tourism because of the desire to associate with the residents and experience real African life and culture.
About Kikorongo Women’s Community
The word ‘kikorongo’ is a local Rukonzo word meaning ‘too much sunshine’. This originates from the weather that is usually experienced within the area as well as other places near this savannah park. The area can become too hot during the dry season.
Tourists that visit this community group get a chance to learn some of the traditional craft skills. These include basket weaving demonstrations and the making of bowls using natural fibers. This isn’t as easy as the demonstrators/teachers make it seem. Additionally, you will get to learn how to make beautiful beads out of ordinary materials such as paper. These will be turned into necklaces that you won’t believe were made out of paper.
Tourists are able also to undertake a village nature walk so as to view the locals in their normal social ways of life. You will visit their homesteads, gardens, and plantations and also involve in some family activities.
Many widows and young women have been mobilized and involved in community programs such as craft-making so that they can earn a living.
Taking Part in Community Activities
You can always purchase their objects as souvenirs to remember your journey. Such souvenirs include woven belts, bowls, baskets, purses, and many others. Most importantly, you are supporting a family thus improving their standard of living.
Local dances and dramas are also performed by the local community to entertain visitors. This gives visitors an ample environment to experience the true African culture.
Therefore, involvement in the Kikorongo women’s community activities offers both widowed and married women an opportunity to improve their economic, social and cultural status.
In conclusion, community projects or groups allow tourists to enjoy memorable cultural encounters around Queen Elizabeth National Park. This allows them to explore the rich cultures and traditions of the residents.
Visitors to Queen Elizabeth National Park always complement their visit with a gorilla trekking safari in the nearby Bwindi Forest National Park or a chimpanzee trekking expedition in Kibale National Park. Others could opt for a boat cruise on the Victoria Nile to Murchison Falls.