young-explorer-interacts-with-argo-augmented-reality-game. Photo courtesy WWF
Oloolua Nature Trail in Nairobi now offers an alternative way to experience its environment through a video game.
ARGO, an augmented reality (AR) game developed by Joanna Oluoch, a Kenyan Extended Reality (XR) artist and game developer, allows users to explore a digital representation of Oloolua Forest.
Players can navigate trails, see wildlife, and find features like the 20-foot waterfall and caves, all from their location.
The project received support from Electric South, the National Film and Video Foundation (South Africa), and the Ford Foundation.
The Kenya Institute of Primate Research also contributed. WWF-Kenya funded the launch of ARGO.
 Oluoch, ARGO’s creator, stated that she spent time around Oloolua Forest as a child. “It feels like home,” she said.
“ARGO is my way of sharing the experiences I had there, using technology to connect young people to the forest and allow them to learn about nature.”
ARGO is Africa’s first public environmental Augmented Reality game.
Fallohide Africa produced it, with support from Electric South, the National Film and Video Foundation (South Africa), the Ford Foundation, and the Kenya Institute of Primate Research.
WWF-Kenya provided funding for its launch.
Walid Kilonzi, XR Producer and Founder of Fallohide Africa, commented on the project. “At Fallohide, we believe technology can present Africa’s stories in ways that are useful,” Kilonzi said.
“Through Joanna’s work and our XR expertise, ARGO shows how digital tools can support conservation, education, and environmental awareness.”
The game’s launch event, held a week ago at Oloolua Forest, drew many people, including 77 children who tested the app.
They explored the forest through AR experiences that presented information about conservation.
Dr. Yussuf Wato, Manager of the Biodiversity, Research and Innovation Programme at WWF-Kenya, noted that technology is a tool for nature conservation.
“We work with partners to create platforms like ARGO that encourage people, especially young individuals, to engage with and protect natural areas,” Dr. Wato explained.
“Through digital games that offer experiences based on African storytelling, we can foster interest and understanding of ecosystems like forests and the need for their restoration.”
ARGO’s introduction is a step in environmental education and access.
By combining gaming with the importance of nature, it offers a way to inspire conservation action and a greater appreciation for Oloolua Nature Trail and similar ecosystems.
The project aims to connect digital entertainment with environmental efforts.
About WWF
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is a global conservation organization.
Established in 1961 in Switzerland, its mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.
This involves conserving biological diversity, promoting sustainable use of natural resources, and advocating for the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.
