Overview
This is an amazing safari or tour in Uganda which will introduce you to the most popular cultures. Uganda has over 52 cultures and on this tour, you will explore over 8 cultures through the destinations you will visit and pass through.
This safari is combined with wildlife and primates and the mighty gorilla trekking adventure will not be missed. This tour involves cultural music and dances, drinks, meals and also visiting art paring and historical areas like the Nyero rock paintings, Isunga cold springs, Amabere Ga’Nyinamwiru caves and more.
Detailed Itinerary
Day1. Arrival and transfer to Kampala, visit cultural sites
Arrive at the airport and transfer to Kampala city where you will visit the Buganda cultural sites such as the Kasubi royal Tombs a place where the kings of the Buganda kings are buried, visit the king’s palace in Mengo and then finalize by visiting the Kabaka’s Lake. Head to the booked hotel for your accommodation.
Day2. Head to Jinja (explore the source of the Nile and Culture)
Have breakfast and head to Jinja passing through Mabira forest for primate viewing like the olive baboons.
Arrive in Jinja and enjoy the boat cruise to the source of the Nile to witness where the longest river begins its journey to the Mediterranean Sea.
Later on, head to enjoy the basoga culture through music dance and drama. End the day by tasting the local dishes of this area.
Day3. Transfer to Sipi Falls and hike, evening cultural dance
Transfer to Sipi Falls in Kapchorwa early morning after breakfast and immediately begin the hike to these 3 unique waterfalls on river Sipi.
The local guide will take you through the cultural beliefs about these falls, and go through the Arabic coffee experience as you interact with the locals. In the evening, take part in the cultural encounters of the Bagishu who are the natives of this region.
This will be through ceremonies like Embaru ceremonies, traditional music and drama among others. Return to the lodge and prepare for the next departure to Soroti.
Day4. Head to Nyero rock painting and spend a night in Soroti town
Leave Sipi Falls in Kapchorwa and head to Nyero Rock a Historical place where the art paintings of long ago Bacwezi people still exist.
The great history of this region rewards you with a memorable time in your lifetime. Proceed the journey to Soroti and this is where you will spend a night.
Day5. Head to Kidepo National Park
Leave Soroti after Hiking Soroti Rock and head to Kidepo National Park the True African wilderness since it’s located in the most remote area.
This will be the whole day journey hence having a night game drive in the park where you have a chance to meet elephants, jackals, hyenas and others. Be welcomed at the lodge, check-in and be served dinner followed by overnight rest.
Day6. Game drive and community tour
Head for a morning game drive with your packed lunch where you enjoy animals like elephants, lions, buffalos, zebras, warthogs, leopards and more.
After a game drive head to visit the Karamoja community where you take part in enjoying their cultural music and dances. Learn about the way of life of these people as they keep livestock.
Day7. Head to Murchison Falls National Park
Leave Karamoja land and head to Murchison Falls National Park and this will be almost the whole day journey.
Arrive in Murchison in the evening where you be welcomed with great wildlife viewing such as elephants, buffalo, jackals, and more and head to the lodge.
Day8. Explore the park
Explore the park on this day by taking part in the morning game drive and afternoon boat cruise and then have a hike to the top of the falls where you get to enjoy the beauty of these powerful waterfalls in the world. During these activities spot different animals and birds such as lions, elephants, buffalos, jackals, antelopes, warthogs, crocodiles, hippos and more.
Day9. Transfer Kibale National park, enroute visit Amabere Ga’Nyinamwiru caves
Leave Murchison and head to Kibale National Park another culturally rewarding experience.
Reward yourself by visiting the Amabere Ga’Nyinamwiru caves a cultural site that will reward you with a history of this area about how the stalactites and stalagmites were formed. After the tour, proceed to Kibale and sleep at the booked lodge.
Day10. Full-day cultural immersion at Isunga cultural community
Spend a full day in the Isunga Cultural community where you get to learn about the Batoro and Bakiga cultures that will take you through traditional music and dances, traditional cooking classes, and more.
There are other activities you will take part like a community walk where you enjoy the crater lakes, a coffee tour experience and more.
Day11. Transfer to Rwenzori Mountain National Park and Bakonzo culture
Leave Kibale National Park and head to Rwenzori Mountains National Park a journey that will take you through the crater lakes of Kasenda-Ndali.
Arrive and immediately take a community walk to the Bakonzo community where you learn about these unique people in the mountains through the dances, music and dress code.
You can also taste the local dishes which will give you the best insight into Uganda’s traditional meals. Head to the hotel in Kasese where you will spend a night.
Day12. Game drive and boat cruise in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Have a morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains where you expect to see different mammals and reptiles plus birds. These among others are the elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, leopards, buffalo, Hyenas, warthogs and jackals.
Head for a boat cruise on Kazinga channel which will last for 2 hours exploring the beauty covered with savannahs, elephants, buffalos, crocodiles, hippos and more. After heading to the lodge this will be the end of the day.
Day13. Head to Bwindi National Park through the Ishasha sector
Leave Queen Elizabeth National Park in the morning passing through the Ishasha sector as you find your way to Bwindi National Park. This park has a large number of biodiversity including the rare mountain gorilla.
In the Ishasha sector, trek the rare tree-climbing lions in the trees but there are also animals like elephants, antelopes and more here which you will spot. Arrive in the impenetrable forest and check in the lodge.
Day14. Gorilla trekking and Batwa community tour
Head to the park offices for a briefing where the rules and regulations will be told, what you need to have in the forest, what to put on and more.
Trekking will begin immediately with the help of the park ranger guide and Porters searching for the rare primates and apes
Meet the family and spend an hour in their presence watching carefully while learning about their behaviours and movements. Take memorable photos and record videos of great memories while on this day. Trekking will last for not more than 8 hours and this creates everlasting memories while in the forest.
In the evening, take a Batwa community tour where you encounter traditional music and dances, firemaking and more. Support their economy by buying their handmade crafts. Head back to the lodge for your dinner.
Day15. Head to Lake Bunyonyi and Bakiga cultural tour
Head to Lake Bunyonyi after checking out from the lodge in Bwindi National Park. This is the second deepest lake in Africa after Lake Tanganyika. The lake gets its name from a local word Bunyonyi meaning small birds that can be spotted around the lake.
Arrive and go through the cultural immersion of the Bakiga by visiting their homestays, tasting local drinks called Bushera and Enturire, and taking part in traditional music and dance this time you will know that this culture is the strongest in Uganda. Have a rest at the resort where you get to enjoy the Beautiful scenery of the Lake.
Day16. Transfer back to Kampala, and enroute stop over at Igongo Cultural Centre
Leave Lake Bunyonyi early morning immediately after breakfast and transfer to Kampala. Break your journey by visiting the Igongo cultural centre in Mbarara where the Banyankore and Bakiga art facts are displayed in the museum.
Later on, proceed and have another stopover at the Uganda equator for lunch, photos, experiments and souvenir buying. Be dropped at the airport in Entebbe and this marks the end of the safari.
