In our ongoing series celebrating remarkable women in travel, we had the pleasure of interviewing Celine Ishimwe, the lead botanist at Volcanoes Safaris in Rwanda and Uganda. A passionate advocate for plant conservation, Celine has played a key role in restoring ecosystems at Volcanoes Safaris’ lodges. Her journey into botany and her efforts to rewild 23 acres of land at the Kibale Lodge in Uganda offers an inspiring glimpse into the world of conservation, ecology, and sustainability.
“As a child, I was fascinated with wild places and gardens,” Celine recalls fondly. “I liked spending time planting flowers in my mother’s garden and looking after them.” Her connection to nature blossomed further in secondary school, where she first encountered the world of plant science and conservation biology. Learning about the global efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change cemented her path in botany. Today, that passion drives her to protect vulnerable plant species and ecosystems.
The Kibale Lodge project in Uganda was both a new adventure and a challenge for Celine. The land differed vastly from her previous projects at other Volcanoes Safaris lodges, with new topography, soil, weather, and plant species to consider. “The challenges began with unexpected weather changes, which delayed our regular site visits,” she explains. But it wasn’t just the weather. Celine and her team struggled to find local nurseries that grew indigenous plants. “We started our own seedling nursery at the lodge, using only indigenous species,” she says. With the guidance of Praveen Moman, Founder of Volcanoes Safaris, and her team of dedicated gardeners, Celine navigated these hurdles, creating a new blueprint for sustainable land management in Kibale.
Celine’s process of reintroducing plants was meticulous. Her research considered soil type, moisture, nutrients, and elevation. She also collaborated with agroforestry experts to finalize a plan to restore Kibale’s ecosystem. The goal was clear: “To reinstate a natural ecosystem,” she says. With this in mind, Celine selected perennial flowering shrubs and herbs for the lodge area and larger trees and shrubs for rewilding efforts further afield.
Finding the right plants for Kibale was no easy task. “We discovered that local nurseries mostly grew exotic, non-indigenous flowers,” Celine notes. To remedy this, she and her team started their own nursery at the lodge. They collected indigenous seedlings from the forests surrounding Kibale, which were nurtured until they were ready to be planted on-site. This approach not only ensured that the seedlings were adapted to the environment but also promoted the use of native species in the area’s reforestation.
“The tiny forest habitats of western Uganda are some of the world's most biodiversity-rich areas,” Celine explains. The Kibale Lodge reforestation project is the latest in a series of initiatives by Volcanoes Safaris to protect these fragile ecosystems. Since planting began in 2023, they have already seen an increase in wildlife, from butterflies and birds to insects. “We have recorded over 120 birds on the newly planted land,” Celine proudly shares. The team hopes to attract even more species, contributing to the rejuvenation of the land and its biodiversity. The project also has a long-term vision to educate and train local youth in birding and guiding, providing both conservation knowledge and career opportunities.
Volcanoes Safaris has a strong sustainability ethos, and Celine’s reforestation efforts are an essential part of it. “At the lodges, we use harvested rainwater and solar power whenever possible,” Celine explains. At Kibale Lodge, she has overseen the planting of 250,000 indigenous seedlings, helping to create a natural, reforested landscape that also includes formal gardens for guests. Celine is also involved in helping the lodge obtain B Corp certification, furthering its commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism.
For Celine, seeing the lodge gardens take shape was especially fulfilling. “We thought in detail about the plants that would create a relaxing feeling for guests while attracting birds and butterflies,” she says. Watching her ideas come to life in a way that aligns with her childhood dreams of rewilding landscapes was a magical experience and a testament to her dedication and vision.
Collaboration with the local community is at the heart of Celine’s work. She and her team have successfully planted 23 acres of land, drawing on the knowledge they’ve gained to engage younger generations through the Roots and Shoots Program. This initiative, supported by the Jane Goodall Institute, teaches school children about the ecosystems surrounding them. “It’s exciting to help the next generation learn about nature,” Celine says as she works to inspire a new wave of conservationists.
Celine has ambitious goals for the future. Her vision is to continue championing the conservation of Uganda’s wild places, with a particular focus on the Great Apes. “I hope to be involved in sharing my knowledge to replicate the successful models we’ve used in the Albertine Rift and the Congo Basin,” she says, looking ahead to the broader challenges and opportunities in African conservation.
Celine’s message to young women is one of resilience and determination. “Women in conservation worldwide have an extremely important role,” she says. Drawing inspiration from iconic conservationists like Dian Fossey and Jane Goodall, Celine hopes to encourage young women to pursue careers in botany and conservation. Her advice? “Have clear goals, strive for resilience, overcome obstacles, and never give up.”
Celine Ishimwe’s journey from a child tending to her mother’s garden to leading a transformative conservation project at Volcanoes Safaris is nothing short of inspiring. Her dedication to preserving Uganda’s biodiversity and her commitment to educating future generations make her a true champion of conservation. Through her work, Celine is not only rewilding landscapes but also sowing the seeds of change for a more sustainable future.
For more information visit the Volcanoes Safaris Press Center, read the Kibale Lodge Press Release or contact alexandra@reyacommunications.com.
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