Opportunity for canopy ecotourism in Kibale National Park: Analysis of forest resources and stakeholders’ perspectives

Abstract

Canopy ecotourism has been introduced in forest ecosystems across the world as a means to diversify ecotourism activities. However, in spite of the existence of vast forest ecosystems, limited studies have been carried out to assess the forests’ suitability for canopy ecotourism. With reference to Kibale National Park in Uganda, this paper assesses the suitability of forest biophysical resources to support development of canopy ecotourism facilities, perspectives of the adjacent local community members and willingness of tourists to participate in canopy ecotourism if facilities are developed in the park. Results show that the park has the biophysical forest resources to support the development of canopy ecotourism in terms of suitable tree height, diameter, crown size, canopy openness and proximity of the trees. Survey results revealed that the majority (84.6%) of the local community members interviewed support the development of canopy ecotourism in the park, most (86%) of the tourists are willing to participate and pay for canopy ecotourism and 94.6% are willing to recommend the park to be visited by other tourists. The paper concludes that it is feasible to develop canopy ecotourism in the park and recommends measures to be taken before it can be introduced as a new tourism product.