Kara-Tunga is transforming the way the world sees Uganda’s Karamoja region. For many years this northeastern corner of Uganda was spoken about only in terms of poverty and struggle. Kara-Tunga is showing a different story. Karamoja is a place of vibrant culture, breathtaking wilderness, and resilient people who are proud of their heritage. Since 2016, Kara-Tunga has built a model of community tourism that invites travelers to experience this richness while ensuring that every visit creates benefits for local communities and the natural environment. Through eco-lodges, guided adventures, and cultural programs, Kara-Tunga has created a way for tourism to restore ecosystems, empower people, and celebrate tradition.
The Kara-Tunga Origin Story
The vision for Kara-Tunga began with co-founder Theo Vos. Theo was born in the Netherlands but carries ancestral roots in Karamoja. He grew up knowing that this region had a story worth telling, one of music, artistry, and strength, but it was rarely seen that way by the outside world. He imagined tourism as a way to reclaim Karamoja’s identity and create opportunity for its people. Partnering with Martijn Harlaar, a social entrepreneur with a background in responsible tourism and sustainable agriculture, the two set out to build something new.
They started small with cultural tours led by local guides, connecting visitors with artisans and storytellers. Guests discovered a side of Karamoja that was rich, welcoming, and alive with tradition. The experience was transformative both for travelers and for the community members who suddenly saw tourism as a way to honor their culture rather than diminish it. From these beginnings Kara-Tunga grew into a network of eco-camps and lodges, all tied to a foundation that ensures every guest visit supports conservation and community development. What began as one idea has grown into a movement recognized across East Africa as a model of regenerative tourism.
How Kara-Tunga Is Making A Positive Impact
Kara-Tunga’s impact reaches far beyond tourism. Each eco-lodge is carefully located near a key biodiversity area such as Kidepo Valley National Park, Mount Moroto, and Timu Forest Reserve. By building in these areas Kara-Tunga channels tourism revenue directly into conservation programs. Guests contribute to reforestation, community ranger patrols, and agroforestry projects that protect the land while creating new sources of income. Ten percent of every booking goes directly back to local associations like the Karenga Community Wildlife Association, ensuring that the people closest to these ecosystems are also the ones who benefit most from protecting them.
The lodges are designed with sustainability at the center. All operate on solar power. Rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling help conserve water, while food waste is composted to enrich the soil. Plastic bags are banned, and filtered water is provided to reduce plastic bottle use. Many lodges grow their own vegetables and buy honey from local farmers. These farmers use beehives to both protect their crops from elephants and create a sustainable income stream through honey production. Guests taste this honey at the breakfast table and understand directly how their stay supports both livelihoods and conservation.
The Kara-Tunga Foundation invests heavily in people. The foundation operates the Karamoja Tourism Academy, where young people are trained in hospitality, guiding, culinary arts, and entrepreneurship. Many gain their first professional experience through Kara-Tunga, opening pathways into meaningful careers. Women are employed across every department, from kitchen services and housekeeping to guiding and cultural performances, ensuring that tourism creates inclusive opportunities.
Why We Invested
We invested in Kara-Tunga because they are showing the world what is possible when tourism is rooted in love for people and respect for the land. By building a network of five eco-lodges across Karamoja, Kara-Tunga is creating a tourism circuit that will lengthen visitor stays, spread opportunity across communities, and provide steady support for biodiversity. Each new lodge, including the soon-to-open Namoni Lodge at the edge of Kidepo Valley National Park, strengthens this circuit. Together they will transform Karamoja into a destination that is not only known for its wildlife and landscapes but also for the pride and creativity of its people.
How You Can Support Kara-Tunga
By visiting one of Kara-Tunga’s eco-lodges, you are directly supporting conservation programs, youth employment, and women’s empowerment. Every meal you eat, every night you stay, and every experience you take part in contributes to a community vision for regeneration. You can also share Kara-Tunga’s story to inspire others and encourage more people to see tourism as a force for good.
