Unforgettable Uganda Discovery

Enjoy a 29 days discovery safari across Uganda. Discover the wildlife in the National parks and the cultural diversity of the Pearl of Africa.

Day 6: Gorilla tracking Bwindi

Today after breakfast with packed lunch, we will go to gorilla tracking briefing point. The ranger guide will brief you on the day's activities in the forest. It is a lifetime experience when you come face to face with these giant primates.

When we move into their territory, we strive to stay at a distance of 7 meter from the gorillas to make sure we do not disturb them. Please note however that the gorillas move freely and may come closer to us if they choose to do so. It takes 4 to 5 hours to track the gorillas in the forest hideouts and one hour of viewing them.

Later on, in the afternoon, we will go for a community walk to the Batwa village and learn about the original inhabitants of the Bwindi forest. We will walk the Batwa Trail, a walk into a forested site near Bwindi forest. The objective is to know about the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the Batwa Pigmies, the people who inhabited the forest. This project generates incomes to the Batwa community, who became very poor and marginalized after been displaced from the protected areas, helping the education of children and the health of the people. During the walk, you will learn about medicinal plants, visit the traditional hut, experience how they collect honey and also see the traditional dances. Packed lunch.

In the afternoon proceed to Kitanga Mission, located between Bwindi and Kabale, a beautiful rural areas surrounded by green hills. Dinner and overnight in Kitanga Guest House.

Day 7: Ride 4 a Woman

Spend the day with the organization Ride 4 a Woman. Set up in 2009 by Evelyn Habasa, the organization is supporting women from 11 villages making a living. Particularly, the community based organization provides working opportunities in pedal sewing and basket weaving; the products of the work are for sell in the community shop where you can find very attractive fabric gift. Visitors can experience and work in the workshop with the women of the community. Also, they can experience the cooking of the traditional Bakiga food and have a typical lunch.

The women can also arrange the Kiga dance which is the most interesting cultural expression for the people of the area of Bwindi. Accommodation and meals are provided at the guest area of the project, at Noel's Cottage or Mwebesa House.

Overnight: Buhoma Lodge/ Ride 4 Woman. B,L,D

Day 8: Climbing tree lions – Queen Elizabeth

Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park through rural Uganda. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Rwenzoris in the background. It is a habitat of several mammals, including African elephants.

At Ishasha, you will be able to see the tree-climbing lions and a clan of hyenas in the evening.

Overnight: Ishasha Wilderness camp/Enjojo Lodge/Embogo lodge

Day 9: Game Drive and boat ride

Today you are transferred to the northern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park to enjoy other game drives and animal sightings.

A boat ride in the afternoon on Kazinga channel at 2.00 pm 14.00 hrs is an exciting ride that brings you closer to the crocodiles, hippos and birds like the African skimmer. Return to lodge. Kasenyi Safari Lodge or equivalent

Day 10: Kasoga Community experience

Today you visit a community experience along Lake George. This Kasoga experience is Hamukungu Fishing Village, southwest of Kasenyi on the edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

The major aim of the initiative is to strengthen the local economy that absolutely depends on fishing but most importantly, enhance the knowledge and experiences of the tourists but also, to enable them get more out of their visit in the community and visiting the cultural village of the Basongora community. We will bring the community some clothes and shoes for the children.

In the afternoon explore the region of the crater lakes as you proceed around Queen Elizabeth NP. Enjoy the different crater experience. Each crater lake has its own story.

Overnight: Mweya Lodge/Enganzi lodge/Marafiki Lodge/ Kasenyi Safari Lodge /Bush Lodge

Day 11: Travel to Kibale

Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park is home to the highest concentration of chimpanzees in East Africa. Tracking these playful creatures known to swing in the tree branches is quite an experience. Other primates may be sighted in the forest like the Red Colobus, L'Hoest' Monkeys and the endemic Uganda Mangabey. Avid bird watchers may also go birding in Bigodi swamp.

Bigodi community will be visited in the afternoon to learn more about the women group projects for traditional wear, such as clothing dye and other crafts. We will also learn about their sustainable harvesting methods, protecting the natural environment as well as feeding the community.

Overnight: Kibale Cottages /Kibale Forest camp or Rubalika Safari lodge

Day 12: Chimp trekking

Today an experienced forest ranger will take you chimp tracking in the morning. along the forest walk you will be able to see other primates like red-tailed monkey, black-and-white Columbus monkey.

In the afternoon we go for another crater tour and cultural experience at Rubalika.

Day 13: Amabere'ganyinamwiru caves

Today you visit Amabere'ganyinamwiru caves. This site has an interesting legendary tale. A guide will tell you about Nyinamwiru a daughter of Bukuku one of the historical rulers of the Cwezi Dynasty that gave birth to the current Bunyoro and Toro Kingdoms. She was an attractive beautiful girl who declined to marry the man her father had chosen for her.

Overnight: Mountains of the Moon or Nyaika Hotel

Day 14: Bugoma Forest

After Breakfast travel to Murchison Falls National Park known for its a scenic waterfall point where you will have a glimpse of River Nile squeezing its way through a narrow gap to start its continued flow into Lake Albert. We stop over for a night in Hoima

You spend your night in Hoima, the cultural city of Bunyoro Kingdom.

Day 15: Nature walk and tree planting

After breakfast, go for nature walk in Bugoma Forest. This Chimpanzee habitat is under the threat of deforestation. The area covered by the forest is about 410 sq km and is also home to Ugandan mangabeys. A community organization is currently campaigning for its restoration and protection. The effort by the Association for the Conservation of Bugoma Forest, has set up a nursery project for indigenous tropical tree species for the regeneration of degraded areas.

The eco-tourism activities contribute directly to the protection of this forest. Therefore, a nature walk combined with planting a tree will contribute immensely to the revival of the ecosystem.

In addition to planting some trees, we will visit with some community members for a cultural and storytelling exchange in the evening.

Dinner and overnight at Bugoma Jungle Lodge

Day 16: Murchison Falls National Park

After Breakfast we continue our journey to Murchison Falls National Park.

Stop over the top of the falls a scenic point where you will have a glimpse of River Nile squeezing its way through a narrow gap to start its continued flow into Lake Albert.

The falls were named after Sir Roderick Murchison, President of the Royal Geographical Society.

Overnight: Sambiya Safari Lodge/Nile Safari Lodge/Pakuba Lodge

Day 17: Game drive

Go for a game drive after an early breakfast. You may have an opportunity to see animals like antelopes, Nubian giraffes, lions, elephants, warthogs, buffaloes . Return for lunch and relaxation and later go for Nile cruise to the bottom of the falls. You will see hippos, crocodiles and birds along river Nile.

Overnight: Sambiya Safari Lodge/Nile Safari Lodge/Pakuba Lodge/Murchison River lodge

Day 18: Wawoto Kacel Cooperative Society Ltd

Today transfer to Gulu another northern Uganda town. This region was once hit by the LRA Kony insurgency, but it has quickly recovered from the scars of war. Tour Gulu and visit the nearby community projects. Visit Wawoto Kacel Cooperative Society Ltd – which means "Walking together".

The cooperative facilitates the empowerment of the rural person through development of skills, talent and creativity to improve their quality of life. The cooperative was created in 1997. The women produce a wide range of products in the different categories of embroidery, tailoring, tie and dye, weaving, beads and wishing cards. Here, we will enjoy a workshop embroidery with the women to try our hand and creating some nice patterns. The art and crafts works produced are sold both on the local and international markets.

Overnight in Gulu

Day 19: Gulu City Tour and Cultural visits

Today you continue with another Gulu City tour that includes the Acholi Community homesteads that are at a relatively easy distance between 30 minutes, 45 minutes and 1 hour's drive on road by car.

We will get to meet our Acholi Community Tour guide to take through the activities on site. On reaching the Acholi village, you can choose to experience either a workshop on traditional Acholi dances or a cooking workshop to learn how to make some traditional Acholi dishes. Overnight in Gulu

Day 20: Community Visits in Agago

Half day activity: Acholi Cultural & Culinary Experience – Kidepo Valley National Park

Today you will transfer to Agago to experience the vibrant traditions of the Acholi people near Kidepo valley through captivating cultural performances featuring rhythmic dances, colorful costumes, and traditional instruments. Witness iconic dances such as the royal Bwola, the courtship Larakaraka, and the warrior Otole, each reflecting unique aspects of Acholi heritage.

After the performances, enjoy an authentic Acholi meal prepared from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, including traditional dishes served with millet bread, cassava, and sweet potatoes. This immersive cultural encounter offers a meaningful connection to local traditions, hospitality, and community life.

Overnight in Agago Home stay (max 10 pax) or transfer to Kidepo

Day 21: Kidepo Valley National Park

Transfer to Kidepo Valley National Park. Kidepo Valley National Park is a 1,442 square kilometres national park in the Karamoja region in northeast Uganda. Kidepo is rugged savannah, dominated by the 9,020 ft Mount Morungole and transected by the Kidepo and Narus rivers.

Kidepo is also home to zebras, giraffes, elephants, lions, leopards and is the only place in Uganda where you can find cheetah and ostrich.

Overnight Savannah lodge or Zebra lodge or Adele Safari lodge or Apoka or Crystal Safari Lodge

Day 22: Kidepo Game drive

Early morning game drive in Kidepo Valley National Park and Narus valley. You will enjoy the beautiful countryside in search of wildlife. Your trip will involve a visit to the Kanangarok Hot spring (also known as Kanatarok) extreme north of the Park together with a game ranger from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. The community living in this region believes the hot springs hold spiritual powers. If there is any trash lying around, we will pick it up to help keep the park clean.

Overnight: Apoka Lodge/Nga'moru Wilderness/Buffalo base.

Day 23: Travel to Kotido

After breakfast, visit a Karamojong village, a unique cultural experience and traditional dances and visit a local cattle auction market to interact with the community. The markets in Kotido take place on Wednesday, the cattle market on Mondays. Alternatively, we will visit a market in Moroto or Kaabong. We will purchase some school supplies to gift to the local school. At the cattle market (or via private purchasing if the cattle market doesn't take place during your visit), we will purchase a goat to give it to members of the community on a rotating basis.

Spend your night in Kotido.

Overnight in Kotido: Karamoja Arts or equivalent

Day 24: Kotido to Moroto

Today you travel to Moroto to catch up with Moroto cultural activities. Visit the Bokora Community for cultural experience. Participate in local activities like milking the cows, dancing and other related activities and visit the local cattle market auctions. In Moroto the auctions take place on Mondays.

For the community youth and/or single mothers, you are invited to provide a 1h workshop on a topic that you are comfortable with sharing your skills in (for instance on entrepreneurship, money management, arts & crafts or a hobby you have). You will be assisted by your site guide.

Stay in Moroto at Kara-tunga Safari Camp or equivalent

Day 25: Moroto to Sipi Falls

Today after breakfast, your journey will take you to Sipi falls in Kapchorwa. Check in at your lodge.

Overnight: Lacam Lodge/Sipi River Lodge/Sipi Valley Resort

Day 26: Sipi activities

The following activities are available in Sipi:

Arabica Coffee tour (3h). Learn about the coffee plant and harvest some coffee especially in September;

Sabiny cultural and cooking experience (4h);

Sabiny cave experience (1.5h).

If you wish to do so, you can add mountain climbing to your itinerary here to go hiking in the mountains. You can choose to add a half day that is easily combined with one of the above-mentioned activities. Or you can add an extra 1 day or 3 day hiking trip. It is also possible to go on a 5 day hiking trip to Wagagai Peak at Mt. Elgon (4,321m above sea level). Please inform Rafiki Safaris how long you wish to stay in Sipi and which activities you would like to do (activities in Sipi not included).

Overnight: Lacam Lodge/Sipi River Lodge/Sipi Valley Resort

Day 27: Mbale – Jinja

In the morning, you can go abseiling before your transfer to Mbale if you wish to do so.

Visit the spectacular Sipi Falls on Mount Elgon Ranges. Later in the day transfer to Jinja and visit the genuine source of River Nile.

We will also visit a pre-school education center and the Child Restoration Outreach Uganda (https://croug.org/), an organization resettling street children. We will support these organizations with a donation on your behalf but we will also cook a nice meal for the children for dinner tonight. As you share your meal with the children, you can exchange stories and talk about their daily lives, hopes and dreams for the future.

Day 28: Transfers Entebbe

Today we return to Entebbe near the shores of Lake Victoria. The driving time depends on the amount of traffic in Kampala, but we make regular stops to break up the journey.

Overnight: Gately Inn Entebbe or 2 Friends Beach hotel or similar

Day 29: End of Trip

End of trip. Today you take your flight home with memories for family and friends

End of Uganda Discovery.