Lewa Downs Tented Camp-Kenya, Ndere Cultural Dance Troupe-Uganda, and Kabaka's Trail-Uganda

Lewa Downs Tented Camp is located in the Ngare Sergoi Rhino Sanctuary made famous by conservationist/author Anna Mertz. Its found in Samburu land, a wilderness area of rustic beauty and remoteness far away from the real civilization. It’s under operation of the Lewa Downs Conservancy.

Lewa Downs has permanent, comfortable tents, placed on raised platforms. The walls are stonewalls of local lava rock. These, including the main buildings, are thatched with a beautiful woven papyrus that was introduced to the area from Scotland in the 1920's. 12 permanent, luxury tented accommodations are available, 2 of which are specially enlarged family & honeymoon suites 24 hr - 240 Volt electricity, En-suite flush toilet, hot & cold running water Open and 4x4 Game Drive Vehicles.

Lewa Downs Conservancy supports a myriad of plains game species, all perfectly adapted for the semi-desert environment. The Beisa Oryx and the rare Greater Kudu are seasonal visitors. Others are thinly striped and endangered Grevy's Zebra and the chocolate brown Reticulated Giraffe. Also common is the Gunther's Dikdik, with its huge nasal swellings, the giraffe-necked Gerenuk and the beautiful blue-legged Somali Ostrich. At the swamp, you will find the fascinating semi-aquatic Sitatunga antelope and its predator, the Leopard. The conservancy also has varying bird life, including Plovers, Hawks, Bustards and other birds of prey. The night game drive will encounter the leopard, caracal, genets, civets, bat-eared foxes, bush babies and other plains game. The conservancy hosts about 10% of the worlds Grevy’s Zebra Population. We can also organize camel safaris, Fly-fishing and excursions to Chalbi Desert. For a reservation to Lewa Downs, call EA_ECOCONSULT on Tel +254 733 735863-email ecotourismconsultants@ecotourism.cc.

Ndere Troupe Cultural Group

Ndere Troupe is a group of talented musicians, dancers and actors from Uganda in the heart of Africa.

It was founded in 1986 when the country was emerging from 15 years of political and economic turmoil.

Its goal was to conserve and promote the rich musical, choreographic and poetic traditions of the many varied cultures that make Uganda a microcosm of Africa.

Education has from the beginning been at the foundation of the troupe's strategy. Apart from using performance to promote awareness and appreciation about the cultures of Uganda, the troupe offers music, dance and drama courses to students and the general public and workshops to teachers. In a significant development, the Troupe has turned their performing art skills towards educating the millions of illiterate Ugandans living in ignorance and poverty.

Today Ndere Troupe boasts of a mature tightly knit and highly professional company who have performed in Kenya, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and Canada besides reaching all corners of Uganda in an effort to share their art with Ugandans and the world.

The Troupe supports itself solely through public and private performances and the generous sponsors, especially the Austrian government, who have pledged $2m to help build a cultural centre on top of the two vehicles, professional video camera and editing equipment and a generator.

The Troupe's repertoire of more than 40 authentic traditional songs, dances and poetry from all over Uganda include some like:

Amaggunju: a royal dance from Baganda of central Uganda, developed from movements meant to entertain an infant king.

THE KABAKA’s TRAIL.

The Kabaka’s Trail offers a unique journey through Buganda’s rich heritage, shaped by the region’s kings and their descendants.

Much more than just sight-seeing, the Trail gives you a chance to learn about the hidden and forgotten history of Buganda, as well as to experience an authentic, traditional culture — with dance, music, craft-making, spiritual healing and story telling.

The Trail links a series of cultural sites, all of which are within easy reach of Kampala. Each can be visited on its own, or as part of the whole Trail — you decide!

Experience a rich and authentic culture, learn about forgotten times and come face-to-face with ancient traditions and ceremonies.