Empowering Women, Preserving Culture, Strengthening Communities
Located in the Buhoma sector near Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Ride 4 a Woman is a non-profit organization founded to support women in the surrounding villages who are struggling with poverty, domestic violence, and lack of opportunity. Through skills training, employment, and community-led tourism experiences, the organization creates a safe and empowering space for women to grow, provide for their families, and uplift future generations.
At the heart of Ride 4 a Woman is a mission rooted in sustainability. The programs are designed to provide long-term income alternatives beyond subsistence farming or dependence on park tourism alone. By focusing on practical skills such as tailoring, craft-making, and guiding, the women build financial independence while preserving their cultural knowledge. Additionally, many of the activities—such as cooking with firewood, biking tours, and use of natural fibers for weaving—are designed to foster a stronger connection to local natural resources, using them responsibly and creatively.
When travelers participate in Ride 4 a Woman experiences, they’re not just visitors—they become partners in a cycle of empowerment. Proceeds from tourism go directly into funding education, micro-loans, healthcare, and environmental projects, including forest conservation efforts that align with Bwindi’s protected status. This model creates a powerful link between conservation and community well-being—one where protecting the forest also means protecting the people who live closest to it.
1. Basket Weaving Workshops
Step into the creative rhythm of Ugandan craftwork as local women patiently guide you through the traditional art of basket weaving. Using natural fibers such as raffia, banana leaves, and sisal, you’ll learn how to coil and stitch these materials into intricate, colorful designs. It’s a slow, meditative process filled with laughter, stories, and encouragement—each basket woven with care, purpose, and heritage. Guests not only leave with their own handmade souvenir but with a deeper appreciation for the skill and cultural significance behind this age-old craft.
2. Tailoring and Sewing Demonstrations
In the tailoring room, buzzing with the sound of sewing machines and the warmth of shared space, women demonstrate how they transform vibrant African fabrics into dresses, school uniforms, bags, and other useful goods.
You’ll be invited to join in—cutting patterns, trying a few stitches under guidance, or simply observing the fine handiwork that goes into every creation. This experience gives a glimpse into how fashion, sustainability, and empowerment come together, stitch by stitch.
3. Firewood Cooking Classes
Gather around the traditional three-stone fire to learn how local meals are made using time-honored methods passed down from generation to generation. Under the guidance of a Ride 4 a Woman host, you’ll prepare dishes like matoke (steamed green bananas), groundnut sauce, chapati, or posho, using simple tools and fresh ingredients.
Cooking outdoors over firewood fosters a sense of community and brings travelers closer to the real textures and flavors of Ugandan life. After cooking, you’ll sit down together to share what you’ve made.
4. Mountain Biking Through the Village
For a more active adventure, hop on a sturdy mountain bike and ride through the village and surrounding hillsides, guided by a local woman who knows every corner of the community. Along the way, you’ll pass banana plantations, children waving from schoolyards, small homesteads, and scenic viewpoints.
It’s a refreshing way to engage with the landscape and get a feel for daily life, all while supporting the women who lead and maintain the biking program.
5. Traditional Dance and Storytelling Performances
As drums begin to beat and voices rise in harmony, you’ll find yourself swept into an evening of music, movement, and living history. The women perform dances from the region that tell stories of love, resilience, farming, and celebration—each gesture rich with meaning.
Between songs, they share oral histories and folktales, often passed down from elders. Guests are warmly encouraged to join the dancing, laugh, learn, and connect through shared joy and rhythm.
6. Visit to a Woman’s Home for Shared Cultural Exchange
One of the most intimate and memorable experiences is being welcomed into the home of a Ride 4 a Woman member. Here, over tea or a simple meal, you’ll talk about family life, daily routines, dreams, and challenges. You might help grind millet, fetch water, or learn how children are raised in the village. There are no scripts—just real conversations and honest connection. It’s these quiet, genuine moments that travelers often say are the most touching and unforgettable of their journey.
A Model for Sustainable Community-Based Tourism
By choosing to support Ride 4 a Woman, you are actively participating in a model of travel that values people, place, and purpose. Your presence contributes to a resilient community, encourages youth to stay and build locally, and ensures that both culture and forest conservation remain rooted in the hands of the people who call this land home. It’s not just an activity—it’s a meaningful investment in sustainable tourism that uplifts and protects.
At Back to the Source Tours, our commitment to sustainability is deeply intertwined with the communities we engage with, and our partnership with Ride 4 a Woman exemplifies this ethos. Situated on the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, Ride 4 a Woman is a Ugandan non-governmental organization dedicated to empowering women socially and economically.
Their initiatives focus on improving lives while respecting and conserving the surrounding biodiversity and ecosystems. By integrating their programs into our itineraries, we ensure that our tours not only provide authentic cultural experiences but also contribute to the sustainable development of the local community.
Ride 4 a Woman’s sustainability efforts align with multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including No Poverty, Quality Education, Gender Equality, and Climate Action. Their projects range from providing safe water and clean energy solutions to promoting sustainable agriculture and education.
By participating in activities such as basket weaving, traditional cooking, and community tours, our travelers directly support these initiatives, fostering a tourism model that benefits both people and the planet. This collaboration ensures that our tours leave a positive footprint, empowering communities and preserving the natural beauty of Uganda for future generations.
