Cultural Safari

This program for 12 days is intended to show you some of the cultural sites of Uganda, a country with more than thirty tribes and many traditional kingdoms, some of them still vital. You will encounter differences and contrasts of cultures and natural environment, traveling from the source of the Nile to the semiarid region of remote Karamoja, the Acholiland, the Albertine Rift Valley and Hoima, the forests of Bigodi and Kibale, the hills of the Ankole and the region of the pastoralists Banyankole. With this program you will not experience the classic nature safaris in National parks, but the cultural life of the country

Day 1

On arrival at Entebbe International Airport our representative will welcome you and transfer to Kampala, for dinner and overnight in hotel.

Day 2 – River Nile / Jinja town of the Basoga

After breakfast, drive to Jinja the capital town of the Basoga, where you find the legendary source of the Nile from Lake Victoria. Among other activities for the day: rafting the Nile, a way to explore 30 km of the river, with its beautiful landscape, islands, rapids and water birds; quod itineraries; visit Busoga Kingdom palace in Bugembe and other historical sites. Stop over can be made at Ssezibwa Falls, where the legend narrates of the presence of the spirits of the traditional religion, including spirit of water (Mukasa), of hunting (Ddungu), of the rainbow (Musone) and fertility. Meals and overnight at the Heaven Eco-lodge, located on the shores of the river Nile.

Day 3 – Mbale town of the Bagisu

After breakfast you proceed to Mbale, the capital town of the Bagisu, area where it is grown one of the best quality coffee in Uganda and Africa, the “bugisu”. You will meet the local community of agricultural producers and have lunch. In even years, you might have the opportunity to participate with the people to the traditional cerimonies for male circumcision. Dinner and overnight at Lacam Lodge, at Sipi Falls.

Day 4 – Sipi Falls / Moroto

Early morning after breakfast you can take the trekking to the various steps of the Sipi Falls, walking through the cultivated areas of banana and coffee plantations. After lunch, you proceed North via Namalu through the Karamoja region to the small town of Moroto. Dinner and overnight at Don Vittorio Centre or similar.

Day 5 – Moroto in Karamoja

After breakfast, today you will have the cultural encounter with the people of Karamoja, through the facilitation of local staff of cooperation projects in the area. You will visit the local homestead in Lopotuk and the health centre. Lunch. In the afternoon you meet the youths of the youth centre and assist dance and music performaces. Dinner and overnight at Don Vittorio Centre or similar.

Day 6 – Gulu and the Acholiland

After breakfast, the journey proceeds Westwards, through the land of the Acholi people. This area in the past was much affected by the war of the Lord Resistance Army and refugee camps are still present. Lunch en route. You arrive in the evening in Gulu, the major town of the region. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Pearl Afrique or similar.

Day 7 – Murchison Falls National Park - Hoima

After breakfast, you drive throught the savannah of the largest National Park in Uganda, Murchison Falls. You can have a stop over to enjoy the beauty of the falls from the top for the best panoramic view. Lunch. Proceed to Hoima, the capital town of the Bunyoro Kitara kingdom. Dinner and overnight at Kontiki Hotel in typical cottages.

Day 8 – Hoima / Kibale

After breakfast, visit the traditional royal palace and the site of the royal tombs. Stop over can be made to a local fishermen village along Lake Albert. Lunch. Drive in the direction of Fort Portal along the escarpment of the Albertine Rift Valley and beautiful banana and tea plantations. You will arrive by evening in Kibale Forest at Bigodi village. Fort Portal is the capital town of the Tooro kingdom. If you have enough time, you might make stop over at the royal palace for a guided tour. Dinner and overnight at the local Kafred community guest house.

Day 9 – Kibale / Ankole

In the morning after breakfast you will meet the local people in Bigodi and take the village walk. You will see the typical homestead, the traditional healer, the production of local beer and handicraft. Special lunch will be arranged for you. In the afternoon, if you request for it, you can enter the Kibale Forest for chimpanzee trekking (optional). Otherwise proceed to the Ankole region through Katonga Nature Reserve. Arrive by evening for dinner and overnight at the local farm guest house.

Day 10 – The Ankole region

Today you will experience the real daily life of the Banyankole people. Particularly you will learn the culture of rearing the Ankole cattle, the process of milking and production of local “gee” and “Eshabwe”. The capital town of the Ankole is Mbarara, one of the biggest town in Uganda and home to a popular university. Meals and overnight at the local farm guest house.

Day 11 – Kampala

After breakfast, the journey proceeds to Kampala. On the way, you will visit the Katereke prison, which was built by the king of Buganda in 1888 to imprison princes and other potential threats to his power. Kampala hosts the royal palace and local institutions of the Kingdom of Buganda, the biggest and most poerful in the history of this territory. In town you can visit the National Museum for a better understanding of the history of the people in the region. In the afternoon you can visit also the Kasubi tombs on the Kasubi hill, where was located the old royal palace and are buried the last kings of Buganda. The site was designated World Heritage under Unesco. Dinner and overnight in Kampala.

Day 12

Today you continue the city tour of Kampala and visit other cultural sites, before transfer to Entebbe International Airport.