Uganda Culture and Wildlife Tour Safari highlights
- Source of river Nile
- Cultural and community experiences
- Game drives & Boat cruises
- Gorilla tracking
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome for the Uganda Cultural and Wildlife Tour
When you arrive in Uganda, Dagiz Travel staff will receive you at Entebbe International Airport and transport you to your hotel. Your tour guide will give you a brief overview of the destinations and activities for the following day.
Drive time – 20 minutes
Day 2: Transfer to Mbale via Sezibwa
We start the day early with our first stopover at Sezibwa falls for an experience of culture surrounding the falls and Sezibwa river which has an interesting legend as will be told by the tour guide. You will find several people paying pilgrimage to the different Buganda gods believed to heal diseases, cast out curses and give riches. After that experience, we proceed to Jinja and take a boat ride to the source of the Nile. After this, we will overnight in Mbale to start the experience of the Bamasaba culture.
Day 3: Mutoto circumcision grounds
Boys must brave the circumcision knife in the Bamasaba culture, which is practiced on the foothills of Mount Elgon, in order to be recognized as men. The circumstion occurs just once every two years in the “even” years; if it occurs in the “odd” year, we will only hear about its significance from the community and not necessarily be a part of the experience. Discover how to prepare bamboo shoots and savor this Bagisu delicacy.
Day 4: Hike to Sipi Falls & Sabiny Cultural Experience
Today we trek the caves and Sipi falls from both the top and bottom. Enjoy the natural splash of the water as it goes over the rocks. Later trek to the top of the falls to have another experience and view. The Sipi falls in a combination of three water falls all on the slopes of Mt Elgon. We shall trek to all three water falls and enjoy the views from the different spots.
In the afternoon, experience the Sabiny who live on Mt Elgon slopes where they currently are engaged in coffee growing with some of the best coffee found anywhere in the world. We will take visit to a coffee plantation and go through the process of making coffee, starting with how it is grown, harvested, stored and crashed to make a cup of coffee. You might have an opportunity to engage in their music and dance.
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Day 5: Transfer to Moroto – Karamajong cultural experience
Transfer to Moroto today, where we’ll stop at a Karimajong manyata to learn more about their culture. This guarantees that your experience here is true to its surroundings in every way. Later that evening, we reach our straightforward guest house.
Day 6: Full day culture – Karimajong Manyata
We spend the day with the Karimajong tribe today in the neighborhood. Families in the Karimajong live in manyata settings as an extended family, making it a distinctive and fascinating culture.
They lead a special way of life where their primary source of income is livestock. They have a great lot of respect for their elders because they are the ones who make decisions for the community and whose word is considered definitive.
Day 7: Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park
The journey to Kidepo valley National Park starts right after breakfast. We drive to this true definition of African wilderness. This remort national park is located on the border with Kenya and South Sudan. The journey to Kidepo valley national park takes us through the country side with beautiful views of Uganda’s villages and people.
Day 8: Full day game drive in Kidepo Valley National Park
On a game drive today, we explore Kidepo Valley National Park. In Kidepo, our goal is to catch up with predators and early risers before they head back to their lairs as the sun rises. This park is still unspoilt in many aspects and is currently recuperating from years of fighting in this area. For unique species close to this seasonal river, search the Kidepo valley and the Narus River. Localized carnivores like the bat-eared fox, striped hyena, aardwolf, caracal, and cheetah are among the animals that can be found here. Elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, buffaloes, and various antelopes are among the additional animals.
Day 9: Full day culture – Ik people (Uganda Culture and Wildlife Tour)
Today, one of the Karimajong tribes—the Ik—or we spend the day in their community. We will choose which group to visit weeks in advance because each has an own and fascinating culture. To reach the Ik, one must ascend the highlands where they live. With their own culture and relatively distinctive language from other areas of Uganda, they were completely isolated from the rest of humanity.
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Day 10: Transfer to Acholi land
After breakfast, we will bid our goodbyes to Kidepo and transfer for an experience of the Acholi culture. Again the scenery is the typical beautiful rural uganda scenery just like the garden of Eden. This part of Uganda is home to the Acholi people who are resilient having survived the LRA which tortured the area.
Day 11: Unique Acholi Cuisine, caves & hot springs
Full day cultural experiences at a homestead – get involved the daily chores of the home. Harvest food and get involved in cooking it. Listen to traditional tales and enjoy the dances from community people. This will give you an experience of the Acholi culture that will wash away the stories you have heard about LRA and northern Uganda.
Day 12: Transfer to Murchison Falls National Park
After an early breakfast, we depart for Murchison Falls National Park today. Some of you might be anticipating a better facility after living in communal guesthouses or homesteads. Enjoy some much-needed rest while you anticipate exploring this park on a game drive in the morning.
Day 13: Game drives and Boat Safari on River Nile
After an early breakfast we leave for a game drive on the northern bank of the Nile, the animals to look out for include; Giraffes, Elephants, hartebeest, buffaloes, Uganda Kob, Lions and an amazing arena of bird species.
In the afternoon, this wildlife safari will continue on the Nile with a boat ride for game viewing at close quarters. We are likely to see several animals as they come to the Nile to quench their thirst and the residents like Hippos and crocodiles. There is also an amazing array of water birds.
Day 14: Cultural Experience at Boomu Women’s Group
Aiming to combat poverty and malnutrition while also generating revenue for its members, the Boomu Women’s Group was founded in 1999 by subsistence farmers from the villages.
The picturesque village tour depicts traditional rural living. Your tour guide will show you several types of crops, followed by a stop at the local blacksmith. Storytellers recount tales about local traditions and lifestyles. On request, a visit to the nursery, a cooking demonstration, or a workshop in basket weaving will be scheduled depending on interests and time.
Day 15: Cultural Tour to Bunyoro Kingdom
This morning we depart from Edna’s Boomu women’s group and have stopover in cultural places in Masindi. We later arrive in Hoima town later that afternoon where we shall visit the palace and royal tombs where some of the Kings of Bunyoro are buried. We then retire to the hotel and enjoy the cultural dances from a group in the adjacent community.
Day 16: Transfer to Tooro Kingdom (Uganda Culture and Wildlife Tour)
Initially a part of Bunyoro, a prince created Tooro Kingdom against the will of his fathers. We will pass through several plantations on the way to Tooro, as well as a few roadside markets. Later that afternoon, we will get to our hotel so we can rest up for tomorrow’s exploration of the neighborhood.
Day 17: The Stunning Fort portal Town
After an early breakfast, we tour Amabere Ga Nyina Mwiru – a cultural site with intriguing historical beliefs. We will have time to visit the palace and engage in cooking and eating the cultural food. Depending on the day of the week, we get to visit a weekly village market day.
Day 18: Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, transfer to a community in the neighbouring Queen Elizabeth national park for a village walk with stops at various stops of interest in their community. Depending on the season, you might get involved in banana beer making, coffee tour experiences, bee hive and honey by products experiences plus the crater lakes tour.
Drive time – 2 hours
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Day 19: Game drive and Boat Safari
The day begins early, we go towards the mating ground of Uganda Kobs in Kasenyi area of the park in search of different game especially the Lions who prey on the Kobs in the area. We are likely to see Warthogs, Elephants, and Buffaloes etc. on our way. After this experience driving through the park we take a break for lunch after which we leave for the jetty for our boat cruise that afternoon.
In the afternoon, we take a boat safari on the Kazinga Channel; enjoy watching the crocodiles bask in the sun plus numerous Hippos – Kazinga Channel is known to have a high concentration of Hippos, come with your camera ready to snap at Hippos. In addition you have an amazing array of bird life along the shores and several fishermen.
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Day 20: Transfer to Bwindi impenetrable national park
We start journey to Bwindi impenetrable national park the home of the rare mountain gorillas. This journey takes us through the Kigezi highlands with great scenery of terraced hills, compare this to the flat areas of eastern Uganda and see the diversity of Ugandan landscapes. Arrive at your lodge next to the impenetrable forest for resting as you prepare for the next day’s trek.
Drive time – 4 hours
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Day 21: Gorilla tracking (Uganda Culture and Wildlife Tour)
Another highlight of your safari will be meeting with the endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi impenetrable forest. The driver guide will transfer you to the briefing area to meet the ranger guide and later be divided into groups according to the gorilla group you will be tracking.
Some gorilla families are located far from the briefing area and you will need to drive to the trail head where you will start the trek. Others have trail heads right out of the briefing area.
Gorilla tracking takes anything between one hour to several hours in the impenetrable forest searching for the gorillas with help of trackers. It is a worthwhile undertaking as you observe them closely while they eat, play and rest.
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Day 22: Batwa trail experience (Uganda Culture and Wildlife Tour)
The Batwa are an indigenous tribe that lived in the forest and depended on it for livelihood, they were hunter-gatherers. When the forest was was gazetted for conservation, the batwa who lived in the park left it and went to the community. However the Batwa struggled because they depended on the forest entirely.
In partnership with Uganda wildlife authority, the batwa were allowed to visit the forest as guides and also to collect herbal medicines. Today you have an opportunity to experience their life in the forest with the Batwa guides sharing their life and in turn earning an income for themselves and their families.
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Day 23: Transfer for the Ankore Cultural experience
Leave for Mbarara after breakfast with a brief stopover at Great lakes museum. We will be going to a rural homestead/campsite where you will experience the typical village /traditional way of living. Enjoy the rolling hills in the countryside and the colourful roadside markets.
Drive time – 4 hours
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Day 24: Ankore Cultural experience
The morning starts before daybreak with milking the long horned Ankore cows. Breakfast is served at homestead before we take a village walk with specific stops in the community. Experience the lifestyle of the people, be part of their farming time, and go to the field with the herdsman. Learn more about their lifestyle, food, and their other native habits. In the evening, you can enjoy traditional dancing and singing of a non-professional local group.
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Day 25: Transfer to Kampala
After our breakfast, we start journey to Kampala. We will have a stopover at the Equator monument for pictures, souvenir shopping and lunch. Our last stopover will be at the drum makers before continuing to Kampala.
Drive time – 5 hours
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Day 26: Buganda cultural experience & Departure (Uganda Culture and Wildlife Tour )
Take a tour of Kampala, a city that “never sleeps,” the birthplace of the boda boda, amazing cuisine, and a nexus of cultures. We’ll go to cultural places including Bulange and Lubiri, which are the palace and parliament of Buganda, as well as craft markets where you can buy mementos of your choice (the sites to visit will depend on the available time). After lunch, a city transfer will take you to the airport in time for your journey home. Bon Voyage, and thank you for joining us as we explore Uganda.
