12 Days Authentic Uganda Culture Tour is one to experience real Africa, meet and interact with the local people, learn about the Uganda culture and history. Uganda has a very strong culture heritage. Many regions in Uganda have kingdoms including Buganda, Busoga, Bunyoro, Ankole,Toro, etc. Ugandans are remarkable hospitable and hail from a diversity of rich cultures and life styles, each tribe has it’s own traditional dance.
Day 1: Arrive in Entebbe, Uganda
Upon arrival in Entebbe, you will be welcomed by your guide who will then transfer you to your hotel for the overnight.
Day 2: Entebbe-Kitgum
After breakfast, you will begin your journey to Kidepo National Park, stopping en route at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. Uganda’s rhinos became extinct in the early 1980s, after a period of civil unrest and heavy poaching. This sanctuary has now been established to breed black and white rhinos, and restore the populations in Uganda’s National Parks. You will then continue to Kitgum, vising some refugee camps enroute having dinner later and retiring to your hotel for the night.
Day 3: Kitgum-Kidepo
This morning continue on to Kidepo National Park. Located in the furthest corner of Uganda, in the semi-arid valleys of Karamoja province, Kidepo Valley is Uganda’s most isolated National Park. The few that dare to take the pilgrimage are rewarded with stunning scenery and an unparalleled abundance of wildlife including lions, cheetahs, ostriches and water buffalo. Kidepo also boasts a bird list of 475 species, with some of East Africa’s rarest and most sought after including the Black-breasted barbet and the Karamoja Apalis. The treacherous road conditions are horrible, at best and it may take anywhere from 2-4 hours to reach the park. On the positive side the scenery is stunning, and the trip provides a rare glance into the Acholi and Karamojong culture, something few visitors get to experience. Arrive to the park in the late afternoon for a short game drive and visit some camps and school if possible before retiring for the night
Day 4: Kidepo National Park
Experience the beauty of one of East Africa’s most isolated and spectacular natural parks. The scenery and wildlife simply cannot compare. The best part is that the park is completely yours, with the likelihood of encountering another vehicle minimal. Spend the day exploring the beauty of Kidepo concluding the day with an exciting walking safari in the evening. The adventure continues the next day as you travel to the Sudanese border to visit Kidepo’s ostrich population, and have a bush lunch overlooking the park. Participate in an optional game drive or visit to the Karamojong communities in the late afternoon.
Day 5 & Day 6: Kidepo-Murchison Falls National Park
Depart Kidepo continuing to continue to Murchison Falls National Park for two nights, stopping in either Kitgum or Gulu for lunch. Spend the evening relaxing at the lodge, overlooking the Nile River.
The next morning after breakfast, depart for an early morning game drive across the rolling plains of Uganda’s largest National Park, where you will have chances of viewing lions, giraffes, hartebeest, buffalo, and elephants. For the birders amongst you, these areas support the secretary bird, and black chested snake eagle, to name a few. In the afternoon, go for a boat trip to the base of Murchison Falls, where the Nile thunders through a small 7-meter gap, plunging 43 m into the Nile on the way to Lake Albert. The banks of the Nile are densely populated with crocodiles, hippopotamus, and range of other wildlife that come to the river to drink. Return back to the lodge for dinner.
Day 7: Murchison falls-Hoima
Have breakfast and then depart Murchison falls for Hoima arriving at the Cultural lode in the afternoon. Have cooking lessons with the local staff and overnight at Hoima Cultural lodge.
Day 8: Hoima-Fortportal
After breakfast, you will head for Fortportal arriving in the afternoon. Visit the Toro kings palace, the Amabere caves which offer he insights in to the local legends, the crafts markets and overnight at Rwenzori guest house.
Day 9: Fortportal-Nshenyi Village (Western Uganda)
After breakfast, you will depart early and proceed to the western part of Uganda having a stop enroute for lunch arriving at Nshenyi village in the afternoon.
After an introduction of the village, the culture and the family members, you may join the pastors to learn the skill of setting out cows to graze (Oksetura) plus all the sophistication involved. You can also spend some time in the field while grazing the cows where you also get to water the cows (Okweshera). Or enjoy the process of turning milk into ghee (Okuchunda) while sitting within an enchanting traditional hut. You may also choose to visit a local school, have a nature walk or spend the evening on an open market and see how Wall Street comes to life in rural Africa! Dinner and overnight at Nshenyi Village.
Day 10: Nshenyi village experience-Kisoro
The morning starts early as you go to the field to milk (okukama) the long horned Ankole cows. Return to the farm for breakfast, before we take a short walk to the village of a Bahima tribe. Experience the lifestyle of this traditional tribe and learn more about where they live, what they eat and their other native habits. Watch the unparalleled richness of bird species as you look right into Tanzania. In the afternoon proceed to Kisoro arriving in the evening. Overnight at Travellers Rest hotel.
Day 11: Batwa Trail Experience
This morning you will have to wake up very early to get ready for the visit to the Batwa community. This community originated from a man called Gahinga who had 3 sons namely Gahutu, Gatwa and Gatusi. You will get to visit the Batwa Cave where their king used to live and they will tell you about the unique journey of the history of the Pygmies/Batwa in Uganda.
You will meet local people and experience a rich and authentic culture, learn about the forgotten times and come face to face with their ancient traditions. Much more than just sightseeing, they will entertain you with cultural dancing, music, craft making and storytelling. The Batwa/Pygmies were taken away from the forest to develop Mgahinga national park and in 1998 all the forests were turned in to National parks to upgrade their conservation status. Return to the hotel in the evening and have a cooking class here if possible. Overnight at Travellers Rest hotel
Day 12: Bwindi – Fly from Kisoro to Entebbe and then drive to Entebbe
Have breakfast and then transfer to Kisoro airstrip to then catch a flight to Entebbe. Arrive at Entebbe International Airport.