Cultural Safari Tours
Additional Information
3 DAY MOUNT ELGON HIKING
The 3-day cultural tours takes you to Eastern Uganda where you will engage in mountain climbing/hiking, a visit to Sipi Falls and the source of the Nile. The sightseeing tours starts and ends in Kampala. Mount Elgon is an amazing feature found in the East of Uganda and also shared with Kenya, it is said to be the 4th highest in East Africa standing at 4,321m high, and it’s an extinct volcano with the main activity of hiking. It is slightly tricky to climb to the top (Wagagai peak), and hence hikers are expected to be fit enough. The mountain has a number of trails which hikers use to hike up the top. The mountain is also home to the magnificent Sipi falls, gorges, hot springs, caves, also different animal species like the elephants, forest monkeys, small antelopes, buffaloes as well as around 300 bird species. Remember that a complete circuit of hiking/trekking takes around 4 to 5 days.
Summary of the safari
Day 1: Kampala-Mbale
Day 2: Hiking Mount Elgon
Day 3: Return to Kampala
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Day 1: Kampala-Mbale
You will have a pick up from Kampala after breakfast by your driver guide, after briefing you will drive to the east via a number of districts which have great sceneries including the Mabira forest, tea and sugarcane plantations in Lugazi, Lake Victoria, River Nile at the Owen falls dam, Jinja town among others. Later reach Mbale town and have lunch and later continue you could visit Sipi falls and neighboring areas that is if you are still on time. Have dinner and Overnight at the lodge of your choice
Day 2: Hiking Mount Elgon
Rise up early and have breakfast, after set out with packed lunch. Meet the park guides who will brief you and are ready to you guide through the trails on the mountains, there will also be porters that can help carry your luggage just in case it’s heavy. You will start with any trail such as Kapkwai, Kapkwata, or Budadiri Forest exploration center. During the hike you will have a great adventurous time. Later, return back to the hotel in the evening for dinner and Overnight.
Day 3: Return to Kampala
Start your day with a delicious breakfast as you get ready to set off for Kampala. On your way, you will have a stopover in Jinja town and head to different attractions around such as Itanda falls, Bujagali falls, the source of the Nile, Masese fish landing site, Jinja Sailing club among others. Also have your lunch there and continue to Kampala reaching late evening.
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4 Day Mount Elgon Hiking Safaris
Book the most ultimate hiking safari to Mount Elgon National park in 4 days. Let us know of your dream to hike and climbing Mount Elgon Park in Uganda and we will arrange the perfect and most professional hiking experience. Hiking Mount Elgon starts at Kapkwata at 2190 meters where you will start your hike, following the Kapkwata Trail. It is a scenic route running through the bamboo, heath and moor land. You will further hike Mountain Elgon through to the rim of the caldera through beautiful columns of the rarest and endemic plant species like the giant Lobelia Elgonensis. Are you a great mountain climber, we invite you to Uganda for a great hiking and mountain climbing safari, with the most exciting experience to climbing mountain Elgon
Summary of the safari
Day 1: Kampala-Mbale/Mt Elgon
Day 2: Mt Elgon Hike
Day 3: Hunters Cave Camp
Day 4: Mount Elgon – Kampala/Entebbe
Day 1: Kampala-Mbale/Mt Elgon
Our driver/Guide picks you from your Hotel or place of residence, drive to the Eastern part of Uganda. On your way to Jinja you will be able to encounter enroute attractions such as the vast equatorial Mabira forest, the longest River Nile, Lake Victoria, tea and sugar plantations around Lugazi and Kakira. Lunch break at Mbale. After lunch, ready to hike and explore the magnificent Sipi falls, Uganda’s most beautiful mountain falls. Dinner and overnight at the lodge of your choice.
Meal Plan Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Mt Elgon Hike
After a hearty breakfast we will transfer you to Kapkwata at 2190 meters, from where you will start your hike, following the Kapkwata Trail. It is a scenic route running through the bamboo, heath and moor land, arriving at the Piswa Camp at 2850 meters. Dinner and camping at Piswa Hut Campsite. Meal plan FB
Day 3: Hunters Cave Camp
Hike up to the rim of the caldera through beautiful columns of the rarest and endemic plant species like the giant Lobelia Elgonensis. And of course a visit to the slopes of Mount Elgon can’t go without finding the wild Everlasting flowers. Visit the hot springs and Suam Gorge before descending to the Hunters Cave Camp at 3850 meters. Dinner and camping at Hunters Cave Camp.
Meal plan FB
Day 4: Mount Elgon – Kampala/Entebbe
Early morning, descend then travel back to Mbale town. After having lunch in this calm place we will continue to Kampala or Entebbe as you relax and reflect your climb of the second highest summit in Uganda.
Meal plan B-L
End of service
10 DAY MT. RWENZORI HIKE
Spectacular Mt. Rwenzori is a World Heritage Site and offers the opportunity to see nature at its best via trekking and hiking Rwenzori. The plant life varies from heavy tropical rain-forest, bamboo forests, montane cloud forests to alpine vegetation and the scenery is truly spectacular.
Tour Summary
You'll go to Uganda, you'll visit Kampala (City), Kasese (Town), Rwenzori Mountains & Entebbe Airport
This tour starts in Entebbe (Uganda) & ends in Kampala (Uganda) - Getting there
Arrival (See Getting There for more details). You'll be collected from the airport (or hotel).
Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.
Day 1: Transfer from Entebbe Airport to Kampala;
On arrival at Entebbe Airport, our trained driver & safari guide will transfer you to Kampala for dinner and overnight at the lodge of your own choice.
Main Destination: Kampala
Accommodation: Lodge of your choice
Meals & Drinks: All meals included, non-alcoholic drink
Day 2; Transfer to Kasese - Trekking Mountain Rwenzori UgandaTransfer to Kasese - Trekking Mountain Rwenzori Uganda
After a morning breakfast at the hotel in Kampala, the safari guide will meet and transfer you to Kasese. Lunch will be in Fort Portal. Dinner and overnight will be at the hotel of your choice.
Main Destination: Kasese
Accommodation: hotel of your choice
Meals & Drinks: All meals included, non-alcoholic drinks
Day 3Nyakalengija (1615m) - Nyabitaba Hut; Nyakalengija (1615m) - Nyabitaba Hut
After an early morning breakfast, you will be transferred to UWA’s headquarters in Nyakaleginja to purchase or rent hiking materials, get a quick briefing, and begin the trek from Nyakalengija (1615m). You will have your meals and overnight at the lodge of your choice
Main Destination: Rwenzori Mountains
Accommodation: lodge of your choice
Meals & Drinks: All meals included, non-alcoholic drinks
Day 4Nyabitaba - John Matte (3505m); Nyabitaba - John Matte (3505m)
After breakfast, embark on a 7 hour or more trek to John Matte hut. The trail leads to the Kurt Shafer Bridge which crosses the Mubuku Valley just below the river’s confluence with the Bujuku valley. After a five-hour trek is the start of the giant lobelia and groundsel zone, a type of vegetable limited to East Africa’s highest mountain.
Main Destination: Rwenzori Mountains
Accommodation: lodge of your own choice
Meals & Drinks: All meals included, on-alcoholic drinks
Day 5John Matte (3505m) - Bujuku (3962m); John Matte (3505m) - Bujuku (3962m)
From Bujuku (3962m), continue along the Bujuku River as you cross the lower Bigo bog. In clear weather you have a clear view of Mount Stanley. After a long climb the trail reaches the lovely lake Bujuku. This hike takes up to 3 or 4 hours. Overnight will be at the lodge of your own choice.
Main Destination: Rwenzori Mountains
Accommodation: lodge of your choice
Meals & Drinks: All meals included, non-alcoholic drinks
Day 6Bujuku – Elena; Bujuku - Elena
From the Bujuku you climb through moss draped groundsel vegetation to Scott Elliot Pass, 4.372 m., between Mt. Baker and Mt. Stanley. Here you divert to Elena Hut, 4.540 m., for spending the night before climbing Mt. Stanley. Mt Rwenzori is adventurous.
Main Destination: Rwenzori Mountains
Accommodation: at the Camp
Meals & Drinks: All meals included, non-alcoholic drinks
Day 7Elena – Margherita – Kitandara; Elena – Margherita – Kitandara
Today we will be heading from the Elena glacier to the Stanley Plateau where crampons may be required. Cross this in Elena Hut 4541m - Punta Margherita 5109 m. Elena Hut 4541m- Kitandara Hut, 4.023 m. Elena Hut to Margherita peak (5109m) then down Elena Hut 4541m. Early morning traverse in a NW direction and follow the Margherita glacier to the col and to the summit (3 hours). Descend to Elena Hut and after you descend to Upper Kitandara Lake and through thick mud to Lower Kitandara Lake where Kitandara Hut, 4.023 m is located. Time to complete the hike takes about 3 hours more. From Kitandara Hut you can proceed for climbing Mount Baker or Mount Luigi di Savoia and the peak Vittorio Sella. Enjoy the view of Mt. Luigi di Savoia.
Main Destination: Rwenzori Mountains
Accommodation: Camp, Budget tented camp located in or near the park
Meals & Drinks: All meals included, non-alcoholic drinks
Day 8Kitandara –Guyyomen(8hrs -10 hrs hike) - Nyabitaba (2651m); Kitandara –Guyyomen(8hrs -10 hrs hike) - Nyabitaba (2651m)
We will go from Guy Yeoman Hut to Nyabitaba hut. This drops very steeply alongside the Mobuku River, past Kichuchu, another rock shelter and join our original route near the confluence of the Bujuku River (it will take you three and half hours) to arrive at Nyabitaba hut where you will spend your night.
Main Destination: Rwenzori Mountains
Accommodation: Camp. Budget tented camp located in or near the park
Meals & Drinks: All meals included, non-alcoholic drinks
Day 9Nyabitaba (2651m) - Nyakalengija (1615m) – OUT; Nyabitaba (2651m) - Nyakalengija (1615m) – OUT
You will go from Nyabitaba Hut to the Nyakalengija road head (2-hours). You will descend steeply off the ridge and notice that you have entered the warm rain forest. Look for the tropical forest birds and monkeys. Dinner and overnight will be at the lodge of your own choice
Main Destination: Rwenzori Mountains
Accommodation: lodge of your choice, Budget tented camp located in or near the park
Meals & Drinks: All meals included, non-alcoholic drinks
Day 10Transfer from Kasese to Kampala / Etebbe for your next flight; Transfer from Kasese to Kampala / Etebbe for your next flight
We will have morning breakfast, and then set off to Kampala and Entebbe having lunch en route.
Main Destination: Entebbe International Airport
Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included), non-alcoholic drinks
End of tour
End of tour (See Getting There for more details)
Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
You'll be dropped off at the airport (or hotel)
3 DAY NGAMBA CHIMPANZEE TOUR
Tour Summary
This 3 day Ngamba Island Chimpanzee tour will take you to Uganda’s only Chimpanzee Island found on Lake Victoria, where you will see rescued chimpanzees that have attained and received safety, care and extraordinary love on this attractive island. These chimpanzees found a new home and friendship from fellow chimpanzees and the caregivers on this island.
Ngamba Island was established in 1998 on Lake Victoria with a main goal and aim which is to take care and keep the orphaned chimpanzees, especially those rescued from wild encroachers and poachers. It is home to around 49 chimpanzees of which 46 of them are orphaned Chimpanzees and the 3 are the lucky ones born at the island. Amongst these are 29 females and 20 males.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Travel to Ngamba Island
The tour guide will either pick you up from the Airport or Hotel in Entebbe in the morning, brief you about the trip and then you will transfer to Ngamba Island on a motor boat, this will take you around 45 minutes to reach the Island. Basing on the time you reach you might find the chimpanzees being fed, whereby you will watch them feed and play and could also take part in feeding them. Have lunch at the restaurant and later in the afternoon visit the neighboring communities. Have dinner and Overnight at the tented Camp on the Island.
Day 2: Forest walk and Chimpanzee trekking
Have breakfast and after make sure you have approved medical requirements as you start off with the forest walk looking for chimpanzees. It will be a great and unique experience as you will watch playful chimpanzees; they might pull your hair, hold your hand or even climb you which makes it amazing! Remember that this walk is limited to 3 people at a time.
Return back and have lunch at the restaurant and relax. In the afternoon, you will go for a sunset boat cruise on Lake Victoria, this takes approximately 1 hour. You will be able to see the nice sights around the lake, birds, land-forms, fishing grounds, together with watching the sun go down. Head back to the Island and have dinner and an overnight at the tented Camp
Day 3: Transfer back to Entebbe -The mainland
After the delicious breakfast, set-off back to Entebbe on a speedboat, on your way you could have a stopover at the equator where those who know how to swim can have a great time swimming at the equator, take as many photos as you want. Later proceed to the mainland where you will meet your guide to transfer you back to the Airport or the hotel.
END OF TOUR
5 Day Educational Community tour
highlights of the tour
Day1: Kampala-Lake Bunyonyi
Day 2: Farm Tours around Lake Bunyonyi
Day 3: Lake Bunyonyi Tour
Day 4: Village tour
Day 5-Lake Bunyonyi-Kampala
Detailed itinerary
Day1: Kampala-Lake Bunyonyi
Have your breakfast from your lodge in Kampala, thereafter meet our driver guide to Lake Bunyonyi the deepest and beautiful lake with scenic terrain view, lunch en-route. Dinner and overnight at the lodge of your own choice by the lake side with the local harpist playing you traditional ballads in the local language.
Meal plan: F/B
Day 2: Farm Tours around Lake Bunyonyi
Breakfast, start the farm excursion to the local terraced farms along the slopes surrounding Lake Bunyonyi where local communities use their traditional methods of cultivation to produce both cash and food crops like Sorghum, Potatoes and Beans. After lunch proceed to Kachwekano Agricultural Research Centre to see various crops grown with modern technology and also get a lecture from the officials on this centre. Return to lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meal plan: F/B
Day 3: Lake Bunyonyi Tour
Breakfast at the roof top overlooking the lake; take a tour to the islands of Lake Bunyonyi. Lake Bunyonyi is dotted with over 29 islands of which some have great historical background. You will go with packed lunch to be enjoyed on one of the islands. The local guide will take you through the history of each island as you identify the diverse bird species that have been recorded in this area. Lunch at one of the Islands and after you will take a forest walk on this island to spot some of the primates and birds, boat ride on the Lake to have a view on some of the 29 beautifully arranged islands on the Lake and get a historical and geographical back ground of the Lake from our guides. Retire at lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meal plan: F/B
Day 4: Village tour
Breakfast, start the village walks with the local guide and you will hike up to the Bukora hills where you will have a spectacular view of the islands on the lake and the volcanoes of Muhabura in Uganda and Mgahinga of Rwanda and with clear visibility, you can as well see Sabyinyo in Congo. You will descend back via the tea plantations, eucalyptus trees and terraced gardens arriving at the hotel in time for lunch. Visit some of the community projects and un able communities like the widows and orphans. You can donate towards the development of these projects or sponsor a child for their education through paying school fees, provision of scholastic materials among others, entertainment of traditional performances head back to the lodge for dinner served at the campfire in the gardens. Meal plan: F/B
Day 5-Lake Bunyonyi-Kampala
Breakfast, drive to Kampala with en-route scenic view of beautiful environment of Lake Bunyonyi. Lunch, transfer to catch your return flight back home. Meal Plan: H/B
The safari includes:
Airport transfers
Transportation by safari vehicle
Accommodation and meals as per itinerary
En-route lunches
Canoe dugout ride
The package excludes:
The expenses of personal nature like: Air fare, Uganda Visa, Luxury drinks, laundry, tips to local guides, telephone, and porter fee while trekking, personal insurance, personal shopping bills and cigarettes and any other item not mentioned above.
4 Day Mgahinga Batwa Cultural Trail
Overview.
Begin your cultural trip with the scenic view drive as you head to Mgahinga National Park, stop at the equator for photographs, drive to the forest where you will encounter golden monkey tracking, mount Mgahinga hike and the Batwa cultural performances once the forest dwellers!
Summary of the tour
Day1: Entebbe/Kampala-Mgahinga National Park
Day2: Whole day Batwa Cultural Trail
Day3: Golden monkey Tracking-Mount Hiking
Day4: Kisoro-Kampala/Entebbe
Day1: Entebbe/Kampala-Mgahinga National Park
After breakfast, meet our guide who will brief you about the tour and transfer to Mgahinga National Park with a stop at the equator for snacks, photographs and informative talks-lunch in mbarara at the hotel of your choice. Thereafter depart to Kisoro where you will have dinner and overnight at your reserved lodge.
Meal plan: H/B
Day2: Whole day Batwa Cultural Trail
After breakfast, visit the Batwa cultural trail to experience the historical and current life style of the Batwa. Spend the whole day with them to take all other practices as they will explain to you. Return to lodge for dinner and overnight,
Meal plan: F/B
Day3: Golden monkey tracking-Mount Hiking
Have breakfast; thereafter go for golden monkey tracking and other primates and birds. Return to lodge for lunch and in the afternoon prepare to hike mount Mgahinga volcano. Filled with splendid experience return to lodge for dinner and overnight. Meal plan: F/B
Day4: Kisoro-Kampala/Entebbe
After breakfast embark your safari vehicle to take long journey drive back to
After the delicious breakfast, set-off back to kampala, on your way you could have a stopover at the equator at the equator for souvenirs and curious shopping, take as many photos as you want. Later proceed to the hotel or Airport to board your return flight. Meal plan: H/B
-End of services
The package includes:
Transportation by safari vehicle
Accommodation and meals as per itinerary
En-route lunches
Visit the Batwa cultural trail
Golden monkey tracking
Mountain Hiking
Driver allowances
The package excludes
The expenses of personal nature like: Air fare, Uganda Visa, Luxury drinks, laundry, tips to local guides, telephone, and porter fee while trekking, personal insurance, personal shopping bills and cigarettes and any other item not mentioned above.
8 Day Mabira Eco-tourism Safari
Tour summary
Mabira Eco tourism site offers variety of primates and rare birds like the Nathan francolin, before your visit to Mabira visit the women community group at Bombo to experience community based tourism activities, visit Ssezibwa falls and Jinja local communities.
Tour highlights
Day1: Kampala-Bombo Banubi women community
Day2: Banubi women community
Day3: Bombo-Kampala-Ssezibwa falls
Day4: Ssezibwa falls-Mabira Forest Reserve
Day5: Mabira Cycling tour
Day6: Mabira Forest-Jinja
Day7: Jinja Cycling trip
Day8: Jinja-Kampala
Day1: Kampala-Bombo Banubi women community
After your breakfast from hotel, drive to Bombo town and visit the women group of the Banubi women association where you will experience variety of local community activities, community walk, local meals preparing, mart and basket weaving. Dinner and overnight at the lodge of choice in Bombo town or camp at the site.
Meal plan: H/B
Day2: Banubi women community
Breakfast, after do other community activities for the whole day, lunch and after relax. Dinner and overnight.
Meal plan: F/B
Day3: Bombo-Kampala-Ssezibwa falls
Breakfast, after drive back to Kampala with lunch en-route and after drive to eastern Uganda with stop at Ssezibwa falls to experience the historical legendary, visit the falls and rock climbing. Dinner and overnight at the lodge of your choice.
Meal plan: F/B
Day4: Ssezibwa falls-Mabira Forest Reserve
Breakfast, take a morning nature walk to spot a variety of primates like white Columbus, vervet monkeys-return to lodge for refreshment and after with your packed lunch take a community walk with in the communities around the site. Evening drive to Mabira forest reserve, stop at Najjembe local market for snacks shopping. Dinner and overnight at the lodge of your reservation.
Meal plan: F/B
Day5: Mabira Cycling tour
After breakfast, take a whole day cycling tour around the Mabira cycling trails as you visit local communities. Return to lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meal plan: F/B
Day6: Mabira Forest-Jinja
After your breakfast, drive to Jinja for a morning rafting after return to the lodge for lunch as you prepare to experience the bungee jumping in evening at Bujagali falls. Dinner and overnight at the lodge of your choice.
Meal plan: F/B
Day7: Jinja Cycling trip
Breakfast , after get our bicycles and start a road trip to rural areas as we visit local communities and be prepared to eat some jackfruits along the road. In the Evening return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meal plan: F/B
Day8: Jinja-Kampala
Breakfast, visit the source of the Nile and after drive back to Kampala with lunch en-route, spend your night life at Ndere centre for night cultural performances. Dinner and overnight at the lodge of your choice.
Meal plan: F/B
The package includes:
Airport transfers
Accommodation and meals as per itinerary
Transportation by safari vehicle
Visit the Banubi women association in Bombo
Visit Ssezibwa falls for Nature walk
Community walk
Cycling tours
White water rafting and Bungee jumping
Ndere cultural performances
The Cost Excludes:
The Flights, Any additional personal items, extra snacks, drinks as well as beverages, Any leisure activities or additional meals not mentioned on the itinerary, Tips and gratuities, Visa or Passport, Vaccinations and Jabs, Personal insurance, Meals on arrival as well as departure dates not recognized at the moment, basing on your time of the flight.
7 Day Uganda Community Cultural Tour
Summary of the tour
This Uganda Community Cultural Tour presents you an opportunity to learn about the culture and people in Uganda. On the way to western Uganda, visit the Tanda village and Nakayima tree in Mubende - a tree cultural for blessings. Visit the Toro Kingdom's palace in Fort Portal and the cultural Karambi Tombs and the Amabere ga nyinamwiru to experience the history tale legendary of the Bachwezi.
Tour highlights
Day 1: Kampala-Fort Portal
Day 2: Karambi Tombs & Toro Palace
Day3: Kibale Chimp Trekking
Day 4: Amabere Stalagmites-Queen Elizabeth Park
Day 5: Game drive & Boat cruise
Day 6: Queen-Kampala
Day7: Departure
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Kampala-Fort Portal
After breakfast, from your hotel in Kampala, meet our guide and transfer to Fort Portal with en-route scenic view. Stop at the historical Tanda village and Nakayima tree in Mubende, and here you will experience how the Ugandans seek blessings from Nakayima their ancestor. Head to the lodge of your choice for lunch and relaxation. Thereafter, spend an evening visiting the Crater Lakes for an evening amazing view. Head back to the lodge for Dinner and overnight as you prepare for the next day’s activities. Meal Plan: H/B
Day 2: Karambi Tombs & Toro Palace
Breakfast, visit the cultural Karambi Tombs the burial ground for Toro Kings, have Lunch thereafter visit the palace. Evening drive to Bigodi wetland for nature walk where you will spot rare shoe bill, statungas, white and black Columbus and vervet monkeys. Return to lodge for dinner and overnight, Meal plan: F/B
Day3: Kibale Chimp Trekking
Have breakfast; thereafter prepare for briefing from the park officials and then enter into the jungle to search for chimpanzee the closest relative to human beings. This experience takes 3-4 hours and it is unforgettable as the forest harbours not only chimps but also other primates like white and black Columbus monkeys, vervet monkey, plants and birds as well. Return to lodge for lunch and thereafter visit the KAFRED association to experience typical culture of the Batoro, participate in the preparing of local African meals, peeling the matooke, craft weavings and we can leave the site after eating our meals. Dinner and overnight at the lodge of your choice.
Meal plan: F/B
Day 4: Amabere Stalagmites-Queen Elizabeth Park
Breakfast, then visit the Amabere ga Nyinamwiru to experience the historical legendary of the Bachwezi thereafter, depart to Queen Elizabeth National Park with lunch en-route. Take an evening game drive to spot wildlife like elephants, buffaloes, leopards, lions and birds. Dinner and overnight at your reserved lodge.
Meal Plan: F/B
Day 5: Game drive & Boat ride
Breakfast, and go for dawn game drive along the Kasenyi track which holds high chances of meeting the cats in action. More range mammals such as Uganda Kobs, bush pigs, hyenas, water bucks, elephants and the buffaloes graze the plains.head back to the lodge for Lunch, after take a launch cruise along the Kazinga Channel known for holding the highest concentration of hippos in Africa and an impressive birdlife.
Meal Plan: F/B
Day 6: Queen-Kampala
Breakfast, visit to the Kyambura gorge for chimp trekking in the tropical mist, though the experience is awesome the primates are un-predictable but you can enjoy other primates like the monkeys, Columbus and birds as well. Return to lodge for lunch and after head back to Kampala with another stop at equator for souvenirs and curious shopping.
Meal Plan: F/B
Day7: Departure
Today is reserved for departure and depending on scheduled flight departure we can take Kampala city tour to various cultural sites-lunch and after we shall escort you to the airport for your return flight.
Meal plan: H/B-
End of services
The safari includes:
Airport transfers
Transportation by safari vehicle
Accommodation and meals as per itinerary
En-route lunches
Visit Bigodi wetland
Chimp trekking
Visit Amabere caves
Kyambura chimp trekking
The package excludes:
The expenses of personal nature like: Air fare, Uganda Visa, Luxury drinks, laundry, tips to local guides, telephone, and porter fee while trekking, personal insurance, personal shopping bills and cigarettes and any other item not mentioned above.
Local communities in uganda
Bigodi Community Based Organization
KAFRED was formed in Bigodi in 1992. The group is an official Community Based Organization (CBO) in Uganda. Its purpose is to protect the local environment while advancing health, education and economic growth in the wider local community. The group's emblem is the great blue turacco, a majestic bird found in the Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary.
History and Objectives
KAFRED was founded in 1992, in order to conserve areas of rich biodiversity outside nationally protected areas, wetlands in particular, and to benefit communities from tourism businesses in the area, mainly Kibale National Park (KNP). An American Peace Corps Volunteer, Mark Noonan of Massachusetts, together with 6 community members (founders) steered the formation of this Community Based Organization (CBO). Membership has grown to 81 and includes other groups, e.g. Bigodi Woman's Group (BWG) with 40 members, the Bigodi Peanut Butter Group with 8 members, and the Enyange Dramactors singing and acting group.
KAFRED's founding members overwhelmingly agreed on the need to conserve Magombe Swamp, which is today known as Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. The wetland is a stretch of about 8 km long and 1/3 km wide, attached to KNP at both ends. It acts as a corridor for animals from the southern to the northern parts of the KNP. A large trench that runs through the middle of the wetland is an old hippopotamus trail from the 1960s. Because of the wetland's rich biodiversity, it was resolved that the tourism could bring benefits to the community and hence encourage conservation of this important natural resource.
KAFRED's main objectives are conservation of natural and cultural resources, promotion of conservation education, and support of community development projects through tourism. Specific goals include:
Increased household income and standard of living.
Less soil and water contamination.
More attractive local environment for tourism.
Improved conservation awareness in the community.
Developed community projects, for example schools.
Reduced swamp/wetlands encroachment.
Increased number of tourists and income.
Reduced human-animal conflict.
Batwa Cultural Trail &Community Tourism
The dense forests at the foot of the Virunga Volcanoes were home to the Batwa people: hunter-gatherers and fierce warriors who depended on the forest for shelter, food and medicine thanks to ancient knowledge passed down for generations.
When Mgahinga Gorilla National Park was established, the Batwa, a group of indigenous people, were suddenly evicted from the forest and forced to abandon their low-impact, nomadic lifestyle. Now landless, they work for local farmers. The only time they are permitted to re-enter their cherished forest is as tour guides on the Batwa Trail. A visit to the Batwa trail permits visitors to discover the magic of the indigenous people old home while partaking in nature walks and learning about the group's cultural heritage.
During this moving cultural encounter tour, the Batwa demonstrate hunting techniques; gather honey; point out medicinal plants and demonstrate bamboo cups. Guests are finally invited to the sacred Ngarama Cave, once home to the Batwa King, where the women of the community perform a sorrowful song which echoes eerily around the depths of the dark cave, and leaves guests with a striking and moving sense of the richness of this fading culture. This is truly a unique experience for visitors to learn about the traditional culture of the indigenous people.
Highlights
Switch off your flashlight in the Ngarama Cave, as ghostly singing begins to echo in the pitch darkness
Making fire requires team work! Watch your Batwa guides create fire to smoke out bees
See a traditional Batwa grass hut - quick to build and to demolish which was essential for this nomadic culture
Enjoy the lively dance at the cave entrance as the Batwa women sing a traditional song to welcome their guests
Walk through the pristine Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, with spectacular views of the Virunga Volcanoes
Cobati community based tourism initiatives
Community Based Tourism Initiative (COBATI) is a NGO that develops community tourism opportunities in Uganda. It empowers rural villages to increase their earning potential and provide local services.
Activities
As a homestead guest, you participate in the activities of the host family and they become your guide during your stay. They will accompany you in your explorations and treat you as if you lived in the village and were not a guest. Guests are also provided meals "local style," meaning meals that the everyday villager eats.
A few of the activities offered to the traveller are:
village walk, canoeing
listening to traditional stories from village elders.
watching how food is prepared under hot stones.
weaving, milking, harvesting.
games with village children.
visiting a traditional healer
forest walking.
hill and rock climbing
learning local tradition and history
helping with village chores, and if you are lucky attend a local wedding ceremony
Akategyenda Community
Akatagyenda was established as an umbrella organization representing communities in destination areas of S.Western Uganda to understand the importance of traveling leading to tourism as a business, which Akatagyenda believes, is among the best sectors to help communities get out of poverty. Further, its purpose is to empower local communities in sustainable development that can plan, manage and develop themselves.
Uganda, as a tourism destination, had become more suited to the smaller scale, environmentally related tourism called Eco-tourism. The hope of Akatagyenda is the formation of a symbiotic relationship between tourism, indigenous people and natural, environmentally sensitive areas.
Tourism in Uganda offers one of the best hopes for increasing the income of local people and at the same time preserving 'protected areas'. Akatagyenda encourage communities to develop tourism activities that they can plan, manage and develop themselves. These activities should not take over from the more traditional agricultural based economies but provide a needed 'cash crop'. This is essential to the well-being of the community and the tourism industry that they are trying to create.
Tourism, or rather a lot of tourists, does not mean that the area or inhabitants of an area will directly benefit from that tourism spending. Unless the area of opportunity for the community involves various sectors, the community may not take ownership of this difficult industry. Tourism revenue should not only be reflected in the jobs and expenditure directly
related to the visit, but should also be found in sectors such as agriculture or construction or health care.
Akatagyenda encourage community opportunity through the development of handcrafts, Bee Keeping as well as dance, song and drama. These activities widen the opportunity for both the visitor and the community. Shopping is a major part of as holiday. Quality craftwork is something that can be taken home in order to share the holiday experience. Handcrafts can also be sold outside the community through shops in Kampala, or even exported if community members are well organized and sensitized.
6 Day Uganda Cultural Safari – Discover Uganda’s Culture
summary of the safari
6 Days Cultural Safari Uganda – Attending & participating in cultural events including Ndere Center, Kasubi tombs, Bahai temple, and Namugongo Martyrs shrine where 22 Christian convicts were killed during the reign of Kabaka Mwanga in 1886 (King of Buganda), visit the ancestral cave and the various Rock paintings & others with staying in Kampala’s hotels.
Safari highlights
Day 1, Kampala City Tour
Day 2: Cultural Training at Ndere Centre
Day 3: Cultural competitions
Day 4, Visit the Source of the Nile, Bujagali and Tororo
Day 5, Tororo Rock Hill
Day 6, Transfer back to Kampala
Day 1, Kampala City Tour
Upon Arrival at the Entebbe International Airport, you will be picked by our company representative who will be your guide and then transfer to your hotel. Early arrivals will give you a chance to have a city tour to the famous Kasubi Tombs of the Buganda kings, Uganda museum, Bahai temple and Namugongo Martyrs shrine where 22 Christian convicts were killed during the reign of Kabaka Mwanga in 1886 (King of Buganda). Dinner and overnight at the lodge of your reservation.
Day 2: Cultural Training at Ndere cultural Centre
After breakfast, drive to the Ndere cultural Centre for a one-day workshop at the Centre concerning Uganda’s Culture. You will be trained in different cultural activities depending on the tribe of Uganda which activities include cooking traditional foods, traditional dancing, dressing in traditional attire and courtship the Ugandan style. Dinner and overnight at the lodge of your reservation.
Day 3: Cultural competitions
After breakfast, drive back to Ndere Cultural center and participate in various competitions depending on what they taught or what you learnt the previous day. The winners will be awarded with prizes and certificates. You will have lunch at the centre and in the evening, you will get entertainment from the Ndere troupe. Dinner and overnight at the hotel of your choice.
Day 4, Visit the Source of the Nile, Bujagali and Tororo
After break, drive to the eastern Uganda and visit the White Nile which is the longest river in Africa. Make a visit to the mighty Bujagali falls and get a chance of seeing the real sparkling white water of the Nile as it forces its way through the stones. Listen to the mystery that surrounds Bujagali falls and have Lunch at the hotel of your choice. After lunch, drive to Tororo reaching in the afternoon. check in to your lodge for dinner and overnight as you prepare for the next day’s activities.
Day 5, Tororo Rock Hill
After breakfast, you will climb the Tororo Rock hill where the highest altitude of the hill is 4865ft. Also visit the ancestral cave and the various Rock paintings. Return to the hotel for lunch and relaxation as you prepare for an afternoon entertainment from the local community group. Dinner and overnight at the lodge of your reservation.
Day 6, Transfer back to Kampala
After breakfast transfer back to Kampala. Have the afternoon relaxing. Dinner and overnight at the hotel of your reservation as you prepare for your flight.
7 Day Culture Tour Western Uganda
Summary of the tour
The 7-day cultural tour to western Uganda will make you explore the Amabere Caves, Kalambi Tombs, visit to the Kings palace, Nshenyi Cultural Village,introduce you to the Ankole people’s way of life like milking the long horned Ankole cows,enjoy traditional dancing and singing of a local group, take a visit to the Igongo Cultural Center, the Equator, and finally take an optional city tour to Kasubi tombs, the Kabakas Palace, Uganda museum and later visit one of the local crafts markets.
Tour highlights
Day 1: Entebbe – Fort Portal
Day 2: Mountains of the moon
Day 3: Fort Portal – Nshenyi Village
Day 4: Nshenyi Village
Day 5: Nshenyi Village - Kisoro
Day 6: Batwa Trail
Day 7: Kisoro to Kampala
Day 8: Optional City Tour
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Entebbe – Fort Portal
We shall transfer to Fort Portal. Fort Portal rests in the shadow of the fabled Mountains of the Moon (Rwenzori mountains) and is famous for its large tea plantations. It is a very beautiful drive with a lot of exciting things to see along the way. These include the people, food markets, forests and the large tea estates. Check in at the lodge of your choice for dinner and overnight
Day 2: Mountains of the moon
After breakfast, you shall go for a guided nature walk at the foothills and learn about the Batooro culture. Enjoy the scenic views, have a glimpse of the village life You will also make a stop at the Amabere Caves, where you can discover the small hidden waterfall and admire the stalagmites and stalactites.
In regards to culture and history Toro kingdom came out of the kingdom of Bunyoro around 1830. Batooro people and their culture inhabit the districts of Kabarole, Kasese Kyenjojo and Kamwenge in western Uganda.
Their area has been infiltrated by many migrants from other parts of western Uganda, particularly the Bakiga to their east live; Banyoro to their north are the Bakonjo and Bamba; to their southeast and west live Banyankole and to their east live the Baganda. They are Bantu speaking. Their language is Rutooro.
We shall also make a stop at the Kalambi Tombs which is the burial place for the kings of Tooro plus a visit to the Kings palace.
Dinner and overnight at your hotel.
Day 3: Fort Portal – Nshenyi Village
Departure for Mbarara where you will have lunch, after lunch continue to Nshenyi Village. The route will take you to this rural farm, where you can learn about the Ankole people’s way of life. When you visit the Nshenyi Cultural Village you will go on nature walks, visit various homesteads, be entertained by traditional dancers at the cultural village or at one of the homes in the community and experience the pastoralist lifestyle. You will also visit some of the local schools as well as walk through the local markets and visit with the Batwa pottery makers.
Dinner and overnight at the village.
Day 4: Nshenyi Village
Early in the morning after milking the long horned Ankole cows, you shall return to the farm for breakfast. Later we shall take a short walk to the village of the Bahima. Here you will learn more about their way of life. The trail leads through undulating hills that overlook Nshenyi Village. In the evening you can enjoy traditional dancing and singing of a local group.
Dinner and overnight at theVillage.
Day 5: Nshenyi Village - Kisoro
After breakfast we depart from Nshenyi and head to the south to visit yet another people called the Batwa (pygmies) who formally lived in the forest surviving on wild animals and plants. The Twa, aka the Batwa, are a pygmy people who were the oldest recorded inhabitants of the Great Lakes region of central Africa. They now live in Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, and the eastern portion of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Overnight at lodge of your choice
Day 6: Batwa Trail
After an early breakfast you will drive into Mgahinga National Park where the trail starts. On this trail you get to learn about the park and the way of life of the Batwa. This will take up to 6 hours.
As the original dwellers of this ancient jungle, the Batwa were known as “The Keepers of the Forest.” The history of these small-statured people is long and rich. The Batwa survived by hunting small game using arrows or nets and gathering plants and fruit in the rain forest. They lived in huts constructed of leaves and branches, moving frequently in search of fresh supplies of food. The Batwa lived in harmony with the forest and its creatures, including the mountain gorillas, for millennia. Some anthropologists estimate that pygmy tribes such as the Batwa have existed in the equatorial forests of Africa for 60,000 years or more.
Overnight at your hotel.
Day 7: Kisoro to Kampala
Early in the morning after breakfast you will travel back to Kampala. On the way back to the city you will have lunch in Mbarara, visit the Igongo Cultural Center that exhibits the ancient history and culture for the Banyakitara including their tools and household items and after Masaka, there will be an opportunity to stop at the Equator for photo shoots and buying souvenirs and have tea or coffee.
Day 8: Optional City Tour
Kampala, the capital of Uganda is a pleasant city to tour for the day. A city tour offers a range of activities from historical and cultural sightseeing to shopping and eating out. The city culture tour will take you to the Kasubi tombs the burial place for Buganda kings, the Kabakas Palace, Uganda museum and later visit one of the local crafts markets.
