Kara-Tunga Safari Camp has officially achieved Fair Trade Tourism (FTT) certification, becoming the first tourism business in Uganda to join the community committed to ethical, responsible, and sustainable tourism.
Kara-Tunga is a pioneering ethical tourism company, established in 2016, spearheading authentic cultural and adventure tours in Uganda’s less-travelled Karamoja sub-region. They connect travellers with our local communities, their rich cultural heritage, and unique-for-Uganda biodiversity. Their eco-friendly accommodations and personalised experiences provide unforgettable journeys that enrich lives and support the region’s vibrant culture.
Beyond tourism, Kara-Tunga is actively involved in community empowerment and sustainability initiatives. We collaborate with local communities on cultural heritage preservation projects and support biodiversity conservation efforts. Our commitment to ethical and responsible tourism ensures that our operations benefit both travellers, the local population and the environment.
“We are proud of what we have achieved and recognise the importance of this internationally accredited certification. We also look forward to ensuring that Timu and Morungole Eco Camps, as well as the new Namoni Lodge, will be opened soon to achieve certification in the near future,” says Rogers Mabiro, Operations Manager at Kara-Tunga Safari Camp.
The Eco Camps are FTT-Engaged, which is a “step-in” approach to FTT Certification. Recognising the challenges that many businesses face in achieving full certification, it provides a clear, structured pathway into sustainability certification that prioritises tangible sustainability practices over more advanced management systems, ensuring that businesses of all sizes can participate in responsible tourism.
Sustainability In Action
FTT auditors evaluated Kara-Tunga Safari Camp (trading as Kara-Tunga) over six months against 184 criteria across the six FTT pillars: Fair Share, Fair Say, Respect, Reliability, Transparency and Sustainability. Assessments included third-party verification, including on‑site interviews with staff, guests and community representatives; document reviews of payroll and procurement; field inspections; and verification of impact metrics. Kara-Tunga met all mandatory requirements and exceeded the necessary threshold across the General Criteria.
“At Kara-Tunga, we are committed to sustainable tourism. This means we strive to limit or improve any negative impacts of our operations,” shares Mabiro. This includes:
● Preserving the heritage of indigenous minorities through research, documentation, awareness raising, and cultural tourism in partnership with the British Council’s Cultural Protection Fund.
● Conserving biodiversity through research, advocacy, and protection, as well as the reforestation of key areas close to the safari camp, in partnership with World Land Trust, USAID, and IBEX Stichting.
● Empowering vulnerable young women from the communities Kara-Tunga operates in through education, in partnership with Matany Girls’ Vocational School, Szívemben Született Afrika, Africa Born In My Heart, and SHANITA.
● Enhancing local communities’ livelihoods by co-creating tourism experiences and continuous capacity building, in partnership with UKARIMU, AVSI, USAID, and Enabel.
● Bridging the gap between the talented honey producers and the market by providing farmers with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to produce high-quality honey.
● Spearheading the coordination of regional sustainable tourism development with the Karamoja Tourism Alliance, supported by CBI, Transforming Trade Together, and Enabel.
● And more…
Through its network of partners, such as Enabel, the operation provides workshops and tours to connect travellers with craftsmen, share knowledge, and preserve cultural heritage. Together with GIZ and Akiiki, Kara-Tunga Safari Camp is also building its capacity to grow food, recycle green waste into compost, and change from a hierarchical structure to a sociocratic one.
A Milestone for Africa
“This is a massive milestone for Uganda’s tourism sector, as well as for responsible tourism on the broader African continent,” says Joseph Byabazaire from Enabel. “We extend a heartfelt welcome and congratulations on passing your audit!”
“We are pleased to see how Kara-Tunga Safari Camp has embraced the route to certification and showcase their sustainability journey. This builds on what they have already been doing, providing verification and aligning with international best practice, says FTT GM Grace Stead. “ We are also very grateful to Enabel and Uganda Tourism Board for their ongoing support around this initiative.”
By joining Fair Trade Tourism, Kara-Tunga Safari Camp contributes to a growing network of African tourism businesses on the international platform, demonstrating that meaningful travel can actively support local economies, environmental stewardship, and inclusive development.
As with all FTT-certified members, certification is not a once-off achievement but an ongoing process of accountability and
