Uganda has a very strong culture heritage. Many regions in Uganda have kingdoms including Uganda, Busoga, Bunyoro, Ankole, Toro, etc. Ugandan are remarkable hospitable and hails from a diversity of rich cultures and lifestyles each tribe has it’s own traditional dance.
Visit Kabarole and enjoy this delightful scenic area called “The Best in the West”. Here you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the Rwenzori Mountains, the legendary “Mountains of the Moon”. You’ll trek in the Kibale Forest National Park – an outstanding tropical rainforest environment, you’ll see sensationally beautiful crater lakes, you marvel at the magnificent kindness and hospitality that you’ll be offered – everywhere , the Ankole culture and lastly the Baganda!
Day One: Arrival – Kampala. 42 km
On arrival at the Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your guide who will then transfer you to at either Serena Kampala Hotel (High end/luxurious accommodation), Hotel Africana (Medium class accommodation) or Namirembe Guest House (Low budget/basic accommodation). Or In Entebbe B/B.
Day Two: Kampala – Semliki. (382 km 6- 7 hours drive)
After breakfast, and a briefing from the Company representative, you’ll begin your journey from Kampala to the west of Uganda through Mubende to Semliki Valley arriving at Semliki Wildlife Reserve in the evening. The route travels through breathtaking scenery and delightful rolling tea plantations,
This valley is known as the “Garden of Eden” and has a magnificent view of the River Semliki meandering to Lake Albert. You will stop to visit a local farmer and have a tour of his farm then take a picnic lunch at the hot water springs This evening you will dine and stay at the Semliki Safari Lodge or Camping. Semliki Safari Lodge is a high-end, low impact safari lodge set amid 550 square kms of game reserve. All rooms with private facilities.
Dinner and overnight at either Semliki Safari lodge (High End/luxurious accommodation), or Camping (Low budget/basic accommodation). F/B.
Day Three: Semliki Valley.
After breakfast, you will experience a day of real discovery. You will visit a local community in the foothills of the Rwenzoris – the inhabitants are looking forward to welcoming and entertaining you. You will take your lunch boxes, tour the area and then have lunch at the Kamugha Rest House where you will enjoy entertainment provided by the Bakonjo and Batoro (if available), before visiting the local women’s group creating artifacts to provide for the community. Dinner and overnight at either Semliki safari lodge end/luxurious accommodation), or Camping (Low budget/basic accommodation). F/B.
Day Four: Semliki – Kibale. (Approx.2.5 hours)
After an early breakfast, you’ll leave for Fort portal to visit the King’s Royal tombs and various cultural groups including the Burungu community which is rooted in Traditional Toro culture that will entertain you with music, dancing and storytelling. Spend the whole day with the local community and on village walks/tours arriving at the lodge in the evening.
Please note that the low budget accommodation here provides basic facilities but in delightful situations.
Ndali Lodge has a magnificent 360-degree scenic view. The buildings that comprise the lodge, were created out of local materials, not only make the most of the panorama but form an oasis of real comfort and kindly service, totally harmony with its breathtaking setting. There’s no electricity and no generator to spoil the effect created by its surroundings.
Dinner and overnight at either Ndali lodge (High end/luxurious accommodation), Toro Resort/Rwenzori View Guest house (Medium class accommodation) or Primate Lodge Kibale Bandas (Low budget/basic accommodation). F/B.
Day Five: Kibale chimp tracking.
After a good breakfast, you are off to Kibale Forest National Park with its families of habituated Chimpanzees – it’s home to an astonishing 15 species of Primate and provides one of the highest Primates densities in the world! Here on a guided walk, you may find families of Chimps and Red Colobus monkeys.
In the afternoon you will have the opportunity of a guided walk through Bigodi Swamp. Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is managed by the Kibale Association for Rural and Environmental organisation formed in 1992 with the aim of achieving social and economic development for local communities. You will be taken on a guided walk around the swamp, which is home to approximately 137 bird species including the Snowy Headed Robin Chat, Black and White Casqued Hornbill, Emerald Cuckoo and a variety of Weavers, Warblers, Greenbuls and Sunbirds. There’s also an abundance of Butterflies. It’s also rich in vegetation, such as wild palms, polita figs and the dominant papyrus. Dinner and overnight at either Ndali lodge (High end/luxurious accommodation), Toro Resort/Rwenzori View Guest house (Medium class accommodation) or Primate Lodge Kibale Bandas (Low budget/basic accommodation). F/B.
Day Six: Kibale – Lake Mburo National Park. (Approx. 5-6 hours).
This morning you drive to Lake Mburo National Park where you will meet the Ankole Culture mainly known for cattle keeping passing via Queen Elizabeth N.P.
Lake Mburo National Park has 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. This park is shared by both wildlife and the animals from the local community. The five lakes within the park attract hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of water birds, while fringing swamps hide secretive papyrus specialists such as the sitatunga antelope and red, black and yellow papyrus gonolek.
When entering the park, you will be able to see the Ankole cows with big amazing big horns, mixture up with the local people and later have an evening game drive.
Dinner and overnight at Mihingo Lodge (High end/luxurious accommodation), Mantana Tented Camp and Acadia camp (mid-class) or UWA’s Tents (Low budget/basic accommodation). Full Board.
Day Seven: Lake Mburo National Park.
Spend the whole morning in the park visiting the local community, see how they process ghee, get a chance of participating in milking cows, see how they prepare their staple food (matooke) returning to the Camp in the afternoon. Have a boat trip and later dinner and overnight at either Mantana Tented Camp/ Mihingo Lodge (High end/luxurious accommodation), or UWA Park Bandas (Low budget/basic accommodation). F/B.
Day Eight: Mburo – Kampala. (230 km approx. 3.5 hours).
After a morning game drive, you will drive to Kampala having lunch on the way and arriving in the evening. You will be able to stop and stand on the Equator, be in both hemispheres at once and thereafter proceed to Kampala arriving at your hotel in the evening. Overnight at either Serena Kampala Hotel (High end/luxurious accommodation), Hotel Africana (Medium class accommodation) or Namirembe Guest House (Low budget/basic accommodation). B/B.
Day Nine: Kampala – City/Cultural tour.
This morning, at 8.00am you drive to Nakawuka. This is a unique journey into the history of Uganda.
You will meet local people and experience a rich and authentic culture, learn about the forgotten times and come face to face with the ancient traditions. Much more than just sight seeing, the local people will entertain you with cultural dancing, music, craft making and storytelling. Have lunch and thereafter continue to another village to see a different lifestyle of the Ugandan community. In your visit to the villages, you may also be able to tour the Katereke Prison, which tells the story of a violent and brutal episode in the Buganda history, Nagalabbi Colonial site, and many others.
In the afternoon, you will drive to Kasubi tombs, the king’s palace, the museum, the king’s man made lake. Returning at the hotel in the evening.
Dinner and overnight at either Serena Kampala Hotel (High end/luxurious accommodation), Hotel Africana (Medium class accommodation) or Namirembe Guest house (Low budget/basic accommodation). B/B.
Day Ten: Fly out:
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport and later fly out depending on International flight departure times.
