I have made my first visit to Lake Opeta, the basis of the whole project. Pictures on this post are from my first visit (click on them to enlarge)
The site was designated as a RAMSAR protected area in 2006 and I will be working at developing an infrastructure and then marketing it for ecotourism.
The program currently receives some funding from United Nations Development Program, but the idea being that I will put a proposal to develop the site along with Conserve Uganda Organization and TECT so it generates its own income and therefore conserves the area and also betters the lives of the people living in surrounding areas.
To get to the place we drove down dusty tracks , past previous camps from when there was unrest and fighting in the area and arrived at the lake shore. The water was actually then another 10 minute walk due to the fact that we were in try season and the level was very low.
We met with some fishermen on the shore, jumped into one of their boats and headed out - reassured by them that there are no crocodiles in these parts.
They took us over to one of the floating islands where they live in small grass huts. They showed me their traditional fishing technique of beating the shallow water to stun the fish and showed me how they live and grow there small crops.
Hardly anyone but local people have visited these areas and it was great to see that they have not modernized at all, completely sustainable existence. They do take fish twice a week to trade with others nearby so they can buy flour and few other items they cannot grow.
The place is also teaming with rare birds which we saw several of - though I will be going back at sunrise when they are more active.
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