Beside its natural beauty and unique wildlife, Uganda has a very rich and diverse cultural heritage as well. Many regions in Uganda still have Kingdoms, like Buganda, Busoga, Bunyoro, Ankole, Toro, etc. Ugandan people are remarkably hospitable and the country hails from diversity of rich cultural and life styles. Each tribe has it's own traditional dance, mask and rituals.
We visit Kabarole to enjoy the view of a delightful scenic area called “The Best in the West”, while observing the Rwenzori Mountains, the legendary “Mountains of the Moon”. We’ll trek in the Kibale Forest National Park – an outstanding tropical rainforest, and see sensational crater lakes, and we’ll be amazed by the kindness and hospitality that will be offered everywhere. Experience the Ankole Culture and lastly the Buganda!
Your Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Kampala
On arrival at the Entebbe International Airport, we are warmly welcome by our Ugandan guide, who will assist us with the border formalities and then transfer to our hotel in Kampala. The rest of the day is free. Overnight: Hotel Serena Kampala. (1 night) (Dinner)
Day 2: Kampala / Semliki (drive)
After breakfast, and a short briefing on our tour, we’ll begin our journey from Kampala and drive toward the west of Uganda, to Semliki Valley. The route travels through breathtaking sceneries and along delightful rolling tea plantations. This valley is also known as the “Garden of Eden” and shows a magnificent view of the River Semliki meandering to Lake Albert.
We will stop to visit a local farmer and have a tour of his farm then take a picnic lunch at the nearby hot water spring. We will be arriving at Semliki Wildlife Reserve in the evening and have a fine dine and overnight stay at the Semliki Safari Lodge. Overnight: Semliki Safari Lodge. (2 nights) (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3: Semliki Valley Tour
After breakfast, we will start our full-day tour filled with real discoveries. We will first visit a tribal community at the foothills of the Rwenzoris, where the locals look forward to welcoming and entertaining us. From here we will tour the area and then have lunch at the Kamugha Rest House, where we will enjoy a small entertainment show, provided by the Bakonjo and Batoro people.
This event will be followed by a visit to the local women’s group to observe the process of making artefacts for their community. For Dinner and our overnight stay, we return to Semliki Safari Lodge. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4: Semliki / Kibale (drive)
After an early breakfast we’ll leave for Fort Portal to visit the Kings Royal Tombs and various ethnic groups and Villages around. A memorable visit will be to the Burungu community, which is rooted in the traditional Toro Culture, and where they will entertain us with music, dancing and story telling.
We’ll spend the whole day within these local communities and walk & tour these villages, experiencing and observing their life-style, their rituals, habits and customs, arriving at the lodge in the evening. Overnight: Ndali Lodge. (2 nights) (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 5: Kibale Chimp Tracking
After a good rest and breakfast, we are off to Kibale Forest National Park, famous for its families of habituated Chimpanzees. The Park it is home to an astonishing number of 12 species of Primates, the highest Primate density in the World! Here, on a guided walk, we’ll encounter families of Chimps and Red Colobus monkeys, all superb photographic opportunities.
In the afternoon we will have another guided walk through the Bigodi Swamps. The Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary it is managed by the Kibale Association for Rural and Environmental Organization, formed in 1992 with the aim of achieving social and economic development for local communities.
While on our guided walk around the swamps, we can distinguish many from the approximately 137 bird species found here, including the Snowy Headed Robin Cat, Black and White Casqued Hornbill, Emerald Cuckoo and a variety of Weavers, Warblers, Greenbuls and Sunbirds. There is also an abundance of butterflies, and rich in vegetation, such as wild palms, polita figs and the dominant papyrus. For our Dinner and overnight stay, we return to our lodge. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 6: Kibale / Lake Mburo National Park (drive)
This morning we will drive toward the Lake Mburo National Park, passing through Queen Elizabeth National Park, and also passing by villages where we will first experience the Ankole Culture. The Lake Mburo National Park has a markedly different fauna to other Parks and reserves, and its the best place in the country to see the gigantic eland antelope, as well as Zebra, topi, impala, and several acacia-associated birds.
The five lakes within the park attract hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of water birds, while the fringing swamps hide secretive papyrus specialists, such as the sitatunga antelope and red, black and yellow papyrus Gonalek. When entering the park, we will spot the Ankole cows with their enormous horns. After mingling a bit with the local people we’ll have an evening game drive. Overnight: Mantana Tented Camp. (2 nights) (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 7: Lake Mburo National Park
After breakfast we’ll spend the whole morning in the park, visiting with the local community and see how they process ghee, get a chance to milk a cow, observe how they prepare their staple food (matooke), how they manage their families and rural community. We will return to the Camp for Lunch and later in the afternoon we’ll have a boat trip on the Lake, to better observe the wildlife and fauna. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8: Mburo / Kampala (drive)
After an early morning game drive in the Park, we will return for breakfast to our Lodge, followed by our drive to Kampala. On our way to Kampala we will be able to stop and stand right on the Equator mark, be on both hemispheres at once! We then proceed to Kampala, arriving in the evening to our hotel. Overnight: Hotel Serena Kampala. (2 nights) (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 9: Kampala
This morning our guide will drive us through Uganda’s capital city Kampala to Nakawuka, a small village in Mpigi District. This is a unique journey into the history of Uganda. Here we will meet the local people and experience a rich and authentic culture, learn about the forgotten times and come face to face with the ancient traditions.
More than just sightseeing, the local people will entertain us with cultural dancing, music, craft making and story telling. We’ll have lunch here and thereafter continue to another village to see a different lifestyle of the Ugandan community. In the afternoon, we will drive to Kasubi Tombs, the King’s Palace; visit the National Museum and the Kings Lake. We return to the hotel in the evening. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 10: Entebbe / Homebound
After breakfast, we will be transferred to the Entebbe International Airport in time to reach our flight back home or to our next African destination.
Tour highlights & World Heritage Sites (WHS)
- Semliki Wildlife Reserve
- Kibale Forest National Park
- Lake Mburo National Park
- Kampala tour and nearby villages
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Tour price is USD: 3,000.00 / CAD: 3,150.00 – per person in double occupancy. Single supplement is USD: 550.00 / CAD: 580.00.
Price includes:
- All Meals and accommodation as per the itinerary
- All ground transportation in a comfortable 4x4 vehicle
- Park entrance fees
- Services of a full time English speaking driver/guide
- Water, coffee or Tea while on safari
- All boat trips
- All game drives and permits
- All airport transfers
- All activities as stipulated in the itinerary
- All government taxes/levies
Price does not include:
- International airfare and all airport taxes
- Bar Bills, Phone calls, Laundry
- Personal insurance
- Tips / driver’s & guide’s gratuity
- All other Services of a personal nature
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Uganda
Cultural Journey
National Parks
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