Uganda Nature & Cultural Adventure Tour
Highlights: Gorillas, Chimpanzee, Batwa/Pygmies, Adventure & game viewing
DAY – BY – DAY ITINERARY
Day of arrival - you will be picked from the Airport by one of our representatives, driven to your lodge not far off from the airport to get over jetlag, refresh, dinner and over-night stay.
(early arrivals will give a chance to visit Ndere Cultural Centre for traditional entertainment)
Lodge: Malakai Eco Lodge, Entebbe
Day 1: Today we pay a visit to the Ugandan capital Kampala, particularly, the Bulange - Mengo Kings palace to get the brief history of the country and its people (historical and political administration) with a few horrific incidences, in comparison to the present situation. We shall spare time to exchange currency, and do a little shopping.
After here, we shall be treated to a sumptuous traditional “Luwombo” meal for lunch, at one of the local restaurants in town, before heading west to L. Mburo National Park.
On our way, we shall have a brief stop at the equator for photo moment
Lodge: Rwakobo Rock for two nights
Day 2: Our will start early at 6’Oclock before breakfast, we shall visit the famous indigenous Banyankole and learn how they derive their livelihood from entirely keeping Long-horned Cattle. Their culture and tradition is unique from the people in central Uganda.
From here we shall have breakfast and later do a walk/ cycling tour in the village visiting farms of cattle, and local homesteads. In the afternoon, after lunch at the lodge, we shall spend most of our time on a walk in park. The wooded grassland section of the park is endowed with large herds of buffalo and Giraffe, and a large numbers of antelopes like zebra, eland, impala, waterbuck, bushbuck, and many others. The entire Lake Mburo Park is a place of breathtaking scenery and magical beauty. Lunch at the Lodge and spend the rest of the day on a game drive.
Day 3: today, we check out the lodge, drive through the park again on a morning game drive before travelling further southwest to Kisoro Town. Lunch break will be in Mbarara town or Kabale, depending on our pace.
Check-in Travellers Rest Hotel later this evening
Day 4: Today we shall spend our day on the Mount Mgahinga slopes following the Batwa (Pygmies) trail learning about the past life in the forest.
Mgahinga NP alone, merits a visit simply to appreciate the Scenery. The slopes are covered with a series of distinct altitudinal bands of vegetation. From grass and bush land on the lower slopes, to montane woodland followed by the bamboo zone, montane forest and the ericaceous zone which contains giant tree heathers; ultimately ending with the spectacular alpine zone which occurs only on East African Mountains above 3000m and includes bizarre giant forms of lobelia and groundsel.
The Batwa people also known as pygmies form a small community of marginalized people who lived in the highland forests in Uganda until 1991, when they were evicted by the Ugandan government after gazzeting the forests as national parks in order to conserve the endangered mountains gorillas. The Batwa (Pygmies), comprising of less than 0.5% of the population around the forest, are fairly a romance between the traditional human and the modern one. Originally hunter gatherers and forest inhabitants, most of them have been resettled and are famed for their melodious music and rhythmic dance and their historic tales. Interacting with them as they tell stories of their past, is a memorable experience!
After here, we shall drive direct to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Ruhiija sector
Overnight: Broadbill Forest Camp
This evening, one Athanasius Kabande, while on a campfire, will entertain us with his beautiful melodies from the sounds of “African Zithers” and a Flute singing praises of the Bwindi forest, and love songs!
Day 5: Gorilla tracking
Today we start early for the most exhilarating activity in Uganda’s Nature Tourism – Gorilla Tracking.
The Bwindi forest alone hosts more than half of the total world population of the mountain gorillas; the rest being shared among Rwanda and the DR Congo. We shall be guided by the trackers who are very knowledgeable at finding these apes. There are several other primate species in the forest including the beautiful l’Hoest monkey, blue, black and white colobus, etc.
This afternoon, after tracking we shall visit Buhoma sector of Bwindi forest – we stay at Ride 4 a Woman home stay. This facility is a charity that employs and supports over 300 women who are victims of domestic violence, HIV. Their story begun by offering Cycling tours around in community to support their activities, and currently women have developed skills in weaving and tailoring to support their livelihoods economically and socially. The experience interacting with these women as they get along with making African style fabrics, weaving baskets, the traditional dance, is so fascinating.
Day 6: Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park
The park prides itself as being one of most diverse national reserve (also referred to a Biosphere reserve) in the entire Africa due to the rich habitats and the associated wildlife. We are likely to meet herds of elephant, buffalo, warthog, Uganda kob, bushbuck, waterbuck and many more. This morning we visit the southern segment that is popular for tree climbing Lions
We shall have a lunch break here and later drive to the northern segment and stay along the Kazinga Channel at Bush Lodge
Day 7: We shall tour one of the salt mining lakes and other explosion craters while on a game drive in the morning, and take a launch cruise along the famous Kazinga channel in the afternoon as we watch the abundant wildlife in the park.
The Kazinga Channel is a natural narrow neck of water connecting lakes George and Edward. Kazinga channel launch cruise is the most luxurious in western Uganda; plying these waters with comfort, elegance and attentive service, affording superb wildlife viewing from your observation deck, is re-assuring! It is one of the migratory stopovers in the region attracting both resident and Palearctic visitors like spoonbills, waders, gulls and terns. Along the banks of the channel, we shall find giant crocodiles basking in the sun alongside other big herds of elephant, buffalo, giant forest hog, and hippos.
After here, we drive to Fort Portal and stay at Kluge’s guest farm or Koi Koi village
Day 8: Morning Visit to the Bigodi Community along the edge of Kibale Forest National Park
Strolling through the village, you will be exposed to a lot of experiences from traditional local brewing, traditional medicin, hand craft plus local projects where the community members derive a livelihood.
In the afternoon, we go to the forest for Chimpanzee tracking activity.
Day 9: Drive to Murchison Falls National Park. Afternoon boat cruise along the River Nile to the bottom of the falls.
The boat ride along the Nile River is a very rewarding experience. There are several congregations of buffalo, elephant, hippo and the gigantic Nile crocodiles that throng the banks. Several waterfowls both migratory and resident are abundant here. You will stop at a point where the Nile waters are forced into a 7meters gap plunging down the river 40m below.
Overnight: Murchison River Lodge
Day 10: Morning game drive, afternoon visit to the top of the falls and later drive to Masindi town
The game drive takes you through the beautiful sceneries of open savanna dotted with tall borassus palms and acacia woodland inhabiting herds of buffalo, elephant, giraffes, Uganda Kob, Oribi, Jackson’s hartebeest, zebra, waterbuck, bushbuck, occasional families of lion, and the elusive Leopard
Stay at Masindi Hotel: Oldest hotel in Uganda built by the British in 1923
Day 11: Drive back to Entebbe Airport for flight back home
~End of Adventure~
Trip Costs
Per person price for 2 participants sharing a room: USD5,042
Per person price for 4 participants sharing 2 rooms: USD3,957
Perp person price for 6 participants sharing 3 rooms: USD3,595.4
Mode of transportation: Customized stretched 4X4 Toyota Land cruiser
Included:
Private transportation throughout the tour (includes airport transfers), all meals and accommodation, all entrance fees in parks and cultural sites, services of an English-speaking guide, cultural entertainment, launch cruise fees, local site guide fees, bottled drinking water, gorilla tracking fees (USD700 each), Chimpanzee tracking fees (USD200 per person) and any other activity as indicated in the itinerary.
Excluded
flight charges, visa fees, tips, laundry, alcoholic beverages and any other items of a personal nature
NOTES
Weather
Uganda has two main rainy seasons: October – November, Mid-March – end of May. Overcast conditions are frequent, particularly in the forest and mountain areas. Nights can be mild to warm, cooler at higher altitudes. Mean annual temperatures range from about 16° C in the southwestern highlands to 25° C in the northwest; but in the east and northeast, temperatures may exceed 30° C.
Many of the high-altitude areas in the south west can be chilly (10-18°C / 50-65°F). The terrain is rugged and walkways can be challenging. Light warm layered clothing, rain gear and walking shoes (jungle boots) to negotiate the bad trails, are recommended.
Accommodation
Accommodations on this trip have been selected carefully. They are all built with an African Panache, eco-friendly, mostly with materials from the surrounding areas. They are in the mid-range category, clean, comfortable, all with en-suite spacious rooms with hot-showers and toilets. The food served includes continental dishes and local cuisine all prepared with care. They have bars with a wide range of assorted wines and spirits from different parts of the world.
Clothing
Recommended for the field is light-weight, neutral-coloured clothing that can be easily rinsed out and quickly dries. Long-sleeved shirts and long pants will help protect you from insects, thorny plants, and sunburn. Shorts may be appropriate for some occasions; long pants that convert into shorts by unzipping the legs are generally very useful and popular. A sweater or jacket is useful for cooler nights and early mornings (particularly in the Bwindi and Mgahinga area). You may consider bringing raingear, including a small umbrella. Strong-soled shoes or hiking boots are essential, as we will spend a good amount of time on our feet. Dress is casual throughout. Laundry service will be available regularly during the tour (cost not included), which should help you in deciding what to pack. Making use of laundry service means you will not need to bring many items of clothing. Alternatively, to lighten your load, you may consider bringing some clothes you have planned to discard. These can be worn on tour and left behind; they will be well received by local people we meet on the tour.
Currency
Ugandan currency is the Shilling; at the time of writing, the exchange rate is approximately 3700UgShs for US$1. Credit cards are widely used in most hotels and lodges where we shall be staying. They are commonly used in major shopping centres in the capital Kampala. ATM machines too are available in some towns, In case you want to carry cash for personal expenses which can be exchanged upon arrival at the airport or while on safari, take note that larger bills ($50 and $100 for US dollars) attract a significantly better rate of exchange than smaller bills. Any local currency can be changed back to your preferred currency at the airport on departure. US Dollars cash notes MUST be dated 2013 or newer and must be in good condition, no ink marks, no stumps, not torn! Euros and British pounds are also widely used and accepted.
Documents
A passport with a tourist visa valid for at least six months after your departure is required to enter Uganda as well as a yellow fever vaccination certificate. For VISA application, please visit: www.immigration.go.ug
It is very important that your passport, credit cards and traveler's cheques be on your body at all times. We caution against carrying these items in your backpack or purse as petty crime is inevitable. If you must leave your valuable items like Cameras, Jewelry etc., in the car or hotel, make sure your driver guide or hotel management is notified about the effect. We shall not take responsibility for any loss of such items whatsoever.
What to pack
An alarm clock, a flashlight, camera and its batteries, small backpack for carrying essentials on day activities, insect repellent and lots of sunscreen. If you have a pair of binoculars, please bring them. Snacks are essential to eat between meals for some people. These can be bought here in local supermarkets.
Health
It is important to note that modern medical facilities and prescription drugs are not common in Uganda; apart from a few private clinics and hospitals in major towns. Thus one should be in reasonably good health to consider this tour.
Although food hygiene and quality is excellent and we rarely experience serious food related illnesses, you may want to bring the remedy you prefer or is prescribed for an upset stomach. Moist toiletries are useful for keeping refreshed and clean during travelling and before picnic lunches. If you are taking prescription medication or over-the-counter medicine, be sure to bring an ample supply that will allow you to get through the tour safely. Please consult your physician as necessary. Remember to pack all medication in your carry-on baggage, preferably in original containers or packaging. As airline baggage restrictions can change without warning, please check with your airline for procedures for packing medication.
Malaria is present, including the chloroquine-resistant strain; most areas are at risk. Please consult your physician for the most effective anti-malarial.
As standard travel precautions, you should always be up to date with tetanus shots, and strongly consider inoculations against Hepatitis types A and B.
All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilized. Recommended is bottled water. It is also recommended that you only eat well-cooked meat and fish, served hot. Pork, salad, and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked/steamed and fruit peeled.
Safety
Uganda is considered safe and politically stable. Petty crime is minimal. A strong military presence in all the National Parks has ensured sufficient security for the tourists and all the communities in and around those areas. All the parks we will be travelling to are well protected by the Ugandan army.
Ugandan people are incredibly welcoming, polite and friendly!
Other
Departure Tax – none
Electricity - 220-240V AC, with British type 13-amp 3-prong plugs.
Language - English is the official language and widely spoken.
Time – Uganda is 8 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.
