Welcome to Uganda, SíMiPlaneta!
Back to the Source Tours is proud to welcome SíMiPlaneta: Arturo y Su Pandilla to Uganda for an unforgettable month-long journey this May 2025.
As the first African season of this beloved children’s conservation series begins filming across our breathtaking parks and vibrant communities, we’re honored to help spotlight Uganda’s extraordinary biodiversity, conservation heroes, and cultural richness on the global stage.
To learn more about the people, places, and purpose behind this incredible project, dive into the full story here >>
A journey of trust, adventure, and conservation storytelling
—bringing Africa’s wild heart to global screens.
The story began in 2021 when Fanny Martinez, CEO of Back to the Source Tours, met renowned Mexican conservationist and media figure Arturo Islas Allende during his first visit to Uganda. Introduced through Mr. Zahid Alam at the Mexican Consulate in Nakasero, the two quickly discovered a shared passion for nature, community empowerment, and impactful storytelling. At the time, Fanny was already deeply rooted in organizing government-supported tourism marketing campaigns across Uganda and had great ties within the country’s hospitality sector. What started as a chance encounter turned into a bond of trust and collaboration—Arturo would return to work alongside Fanny on various campaigns in both Uganda and Kenya. Their combined efforts would lay the groundwork for something even greater.
Arturo later invited Fanny to Mexico, where they continued strategizing how to amplify conservation stories globally. While there, Fanny witnessed the translocation of an elephant; she was part of Arturo’s production team, joining them on conservation filming projects and community outreaches. These were unforgettable, hands-on experiences that deepened her commitment to conservation. With her 20-year background in corporate entertainment and media production, Fanny captured sharp insight into the kind of content that could captivate audiences and drive purpose. The synergy between Arturo’s influential media platforms and Fanny’s logistical expertise and resourcefulness created a perfect match—two relentless nature advocates with aligned purpose.
Present day 2025: Together, they now lead the African season of SíMiPlaneta: Arturo y Su Pandilla, determined to showcase the Pearl of Africa in ways the world has never seen before.
SíMiPlaneta: Arturo y Su Pandilla – Uganda Filming Season 2025
An International Wildlife Education Project Led by Arturo Islas Allende
Coordinated by Back to the Source Tours | In Partnership with UWA & Ministry of Tourism
ABOUT THE SHOW
SíMiPlaneta: Arturo y Su Pandilla is a globally celebrated youth wildlife and environmental education series hosted by renowned Mexican environmentalist Arturo Islas Allende. Each 26-minute episode is designed to teach children and families about biodiversity, animal protection, and environmental responsibility through engaging storytelling, on-location filming, and interactive puppetry.
The show airs on Mexico’s top three national TV networks—TV Azteca, Imagen TV, and Televisa, and is due to be syndicated across Latin America. With over 23 million followers across Arturo’s social platforms, the series is amplified digitally to reach audiences globally through YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and more.
Every episode blends real-world conservation storytelling, expert interviews, scientific insight, and a colorful cast of puppet characters who travel with Arturo. These puppets represent curious young learners, helping children grasp complex environmental issues in an engaging, age-appropriate way. Through their questions, reactions, and humor, they serve as the perfect bridge between audiences and conservation science.
UGANDA: THE FIRST AFRICAN SEASON
Uganda has been selected as the host country for SíMiPlaneta’s first-ever African season, a monumental milestone for the series. With its breathtaking biodiversity, dynamic conservation leadership, and fast-growing ecotourism sector, Uganda offers an ideal landscape for impactful, globally resonant storytelling.
This season will spotlight community-driven, scientific, and government-supported conservation initiatives across Uganda’s protected areas and nature-based tourism hubs.
By documenting the work of Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA), field researchers, and grassroots organizations, the show will elevate the country’s conservation legacy to a new generation of viewers worldwide. It’s not just an educational experience—it’s a platform to position Uganda as a global leader in youth conservation education.
Viewers will experience a vibrant mix of:
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Ranger-led wildlife protection missions
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Anti-poaching efforts and animal rehabilitation
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Community conservation and sustainability programs
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Educational interviews with Uganda’s top experts
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Unique cultural connections to nature and wildlife
Confirmed Organizations, Institutions & Locations Involved
- Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA)
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- Main national partner providing filming permissions, park access, and guiding ranger support
- UWA is coordinating logistics with assigned wardens at:
- Murchison Falls National Park
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Kibale Forest National Park
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Mabamba Swamp
Rangers will be interviewed at each park to support an episode titled “A Day in the Life of a Park Ranger”.
- The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities provided official endorsement of the filming season and supporting visibility for conservation storytelling and sustainable tourism promotion.
- Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC) – Entebbe
- Filming of rescued species and veterinary care
- Arturo’s most viral African videos were filmed here
- Hosting the press conference on Friday, May 9, 2025, in partnership with the Mayor of Entebbe and the media
- Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary (Chimpanzee Trust)
- Focus: Daily rehabilitation, care, and stories of rescued chimpanzees.
- Interview: Innocent Ampeire, chimpanzee caregiver and educational guide.
- Content includes puppet storytelling, sanctuary walk-through, and chimp behavior education.
- Mabamba Swamp
- Activity: Shoebill filming via canoe with expert guide.
- Interview: Jonathan Mukiibi’s team, a local bird expert.
- Education on wetland protection, endangered bird habitat conservation, and community-led tourism benefits.
- Reptile Village – Entebbe
- Educational filming of reptile rescue, care, and local species conservation.
- Interview: Lawrence, reptile expert.
- Focus: Cobra, python, and amphibian safety education.
- Puppet integration to explain fear vs. fact around reptiles to young audiences.
- Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
- Focus: Conservation and protection of white rhinos, ranger support, and monitoring efforts.
- Filming rhino activities and habitat, plus an educational segment with UWA wardens.
- Murchison Falls National Park
- Focus: General biodiversity conservation, protection of key species like elephants, giraffes, and buffalo.
- Interviews with UWA rangers on strategies to combat poaching and human-wildlife conflict.
- River and savanna filming supported by vehicle-based and walking scenes.
- Fort Portal / Kibale Forest Region
- Focus: Potential chimpanzee trekking and filming, ranger and community-led biodiversity conservation efforts.
- Highlight: Anti-poaching patrols, local habitat protection, and scientific monitoring of chimpanzees and forest ecology.
- Featuring interviews with key community or UWA contacts recommended by park leadership.
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Lead Contact: Ludwig Siefert (Uganda Carnivores Program)
- Activities include:
- Lion tracking and collar monitoring
- Leopard tracking and predator-prey dynamics
- Filming bat ecosystems at Maramagambo Forest
- Filming aquatic conservation activities on Kazinga Channel
- Ranger interviews are in line with the park ranger-focused episode
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Buhoma Sector
- Joint episode featuring:
- Ride-4-a-Woman– community-based women’s initiative showcasing the link between tourism, empowerment, and conservation. They may appear on camera discussing their mission.
- Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka– conservation veterinarian and founder of Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH).
- Gorilla trekking and veterinary interview exploring eco-health, gorilla protection, and co-existence strategies.
- Story-driven filming supported by puppet narrative to educate youth audiences on endangered species protection.
- Joint episode featuring:
A PERFECT UNION
SíMiPlaneta & UGANDA
This African season marks a powerful collaboration between Latin America’s leading conservation education series and Uganda’s most respected conservation institutions. At the heart of SíMiPlaneta is Víctor García Corona, a passionate environmental advocate and founder of SíMiPlaneta A.C., the nonprofit behind the show. Together with Arturo Islas Allende, a conservation influencer known for his animal rescue campaigns, they’ve brought Latin America’s conservation stories to life—and now, they are doing the same in Africa.
Arturo and Víctor’s shared vision, forged through years of wildlife activism, rescue missions, and environmental media, makes this collaboration deeply meaningful. By aligning with Uganda’s tourism and conservation community, this season promises to not only educate but also empower—generating long-term tourism growth, public awareness, and even new donor interest in Uganda’s protected areas.
MEDIA DISTRIBUTION & EDUCATIONAL IMPACT
SíMiPlaneta: Arturo y Su Pandilla will be broadcast and distributed across:
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National television in Mexico: TV Azteca, Imagen TV, and Televisa
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Arturo’s digital platforms (23M+ global followers)
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YouTube & social media engagement with behind-the-scenes content
All Uganda-filmed episodes will be dubbed into English and distributed free of charge to be used for promotional and educatial purposes:
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Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA)
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Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities
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Uganda Communications Commission (UCC)
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National broadcasters (NBS, NewVision, UBC, NTV, etc.)
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Participating lodges, field experts, and tourism educators
About Arturo Islas Allende
Arturo Islas Allende is a Mexican philanthropist, producer, and communicator, internationally recognized for his tireless dedication to wildlife conservation and his advocacy for improved animal
welfare standards. With a career spanning audiovisual production, environmental education, and activism, he has brought attention to urgent issues such as the welfare of captive wildlife and the illegal trafficking of species—establishing himself as one of the most influential voices for nature protection across Latin America.
His impact on conservation has earned him multiple awards, including the Sol de Oro, the world’s oldest environmental activism prize, awarded by the International Environmental Film Festival (FICMA). He received this honor for his documentary on the vaquita marina, which highlights the critical endangerment of this species and presents thoughtful solutions for its protection.
One of his most significant achievements was the rescue of the Asian elephant Big Boy, who endured over 30 years in captivity before being relocated to Ostok Sanctuary in Sinaloa, Mexico, a refuge Arturo helped establish to ensure his care and wellbeing.
He also played a leading role in exposing and supporting the rescue of big cats in distress at the failed Black Jaguar–White Tiger sanctuary—prompting necessary interventions and the safe relocation of animals to reputable care facilities.
Another notable contribution was his support in the rescue of the African elephant Annie, who had been confined in challenging conditions. Through public advocacy and diplomatic engagement, Arturo helped ensure her transfer to a protected environment where she could recover and thrive.
Arturo is widely recognized for his powerful storytelling—conveying critical conservation messages through documentaries, social media, and public engagements. His work has helped raise global awareness of biodiversity preservation, responsible animal care, and ecological harmony.
In Mexican television, Arturo has also left a lasting mark. He hosted the most successful season of Survivor México, and his acclaimed series Indomable por Naturaleza aired for over four years, further cementing his role as a trusted voice in environmental communication.
Today, Arturo remains committed to developing creative media projects that elevate conservation dialogue and inspire collective action for the planet’s wellbeing.
In November 2023, Arturo and the Back to the Source Tours team were honored to meet
His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in Kampala. Their forward-thinking conversation explored Uganda’s immense potential as a global leader in conservation—and the ways in which tourism, education, and media could work together to benefit both people and ecosystems. Arturo later described Uganda as
“not just the Pearl of Africa—it’s the Pearl of the World.”
Their meeting laid the groundwork for future collaborations and set the stage for the first African season of SíMiPlaneta: Arturo y Su Pandilla, now being filmed throughout Uganda’s national parks and conservation landscapes.
Arturo Islas Allende – Social Media Links:
Having visited Uganda twice before, Arturo’s videos from UWEC—particularly those featuring the Shoebill and a rescued pangolin—have become some of his most popular, helping to generate worldwide interest in Uganda’s wildlife. Through his conservation-driven travel campaigns, Arturo now actively promotes Uganda as a destination that offers not just beauty, but purpose.
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