Philanthropy Program
Beyond The Park
The park was established on the traditional lands of the Bahima Banyakole people who were a part of the Ankole kingdom. The Bahima are predominantly pastoralists, with strong cultural and economic ties to the iconic Ankole Cattle (pictured). Whilst they live in the area surrounding Lake Mburo National Park, they also have cultural bonds to communities in Rwanda and parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Culturally, Bahima do not eat wild meat, which means that poaching is less common in the landscape compared to other areas of the country. Ankole cattle are an African breed of cows that was likely introduced to the landscape around seven hundred years ago by nomadic pastoralists from the north. The Ankole cows are often seen in the community lands around the park grazing alongside eland, zebra and other wildlife as they have for centuries, even before the park was formed.
Community Led Conservation
The Rurambira Community Conservancy has 30 volunteer community wildlife scouts. These scouts are from local communities and help to address human wildlife conflicts such as hyena attacks on livestock, illegal fishing, and charcoal making. They also play an important role as conservation ambassadors between the conservancy, community, and the park helping to ensure that people, livestock, and wildlife can coexist in the landscape together. The scouts are enthusiastic and volunteer their time, however, they need equipment to be successful in their work. This includes boots, ponchos, torches (flashlights), and a first aid kit as well as training to inform others in their community about conservation in the landscape.
Donations to the Rurambira Community Conservancy support the scouts. Funds are managed by a committee that includes community representatives, lodge companies and a conservation NGO.