10 DAYS CULTURAL TOUR TO UGANDA'S HISTORICAL, RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL SITES
Uganda Cultural Safaris - Uganda Culture, Religious and Historical Sites Tours
Uganda is one of the most beautiful countries in Africa with fantastic natural scenery; half of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population and friendly people. It is also a unique and captivating tourist destination in terms of culture.
Straddled across the Equator and perched on the northern shores of Lake Victoria, Uganda is one of the most alluring cultural safari destinations in Africa. Uganda’s population is estimated to be 27 million people growing at a rate of 2.5% per annum is made up of complex and diverse range of tribes with the majority (98%) being Africans who fall into 4 major ethnic groups; Bantu, Nile Hamites, Nilotic and Hamite groups.
Lake Kyoga forms the northern boundary for the Bantu speaking peoples, who dominate much of East, Central and Southern Africa with the Baganda taking the biggest percentage. Most of the Bantu speaking people formed their own kingdoms; Buganda, Busoga, Bunyoro, Ankole and Tooro. Before the coming of the British these kingdoms were organized political settings with Buganda having the most civilized and highly centralized monarchy. In the north live the Lango (near Lake Kyoga) and the Acholi (towards the Sudanese border) who speak Nilotic languages. To the east are the Iteso and Karamajong who are related to the Masai pastoralists of Kenya. In the forests of the west live the Batwa, a pygmy related tribe thought to originate from Congo.
Uganda's Kingdoms present a rich cultural heritage that Uganda proudly boosts over other safari destinations in Africa. While on a cultural safari, you can take tours to the King's Palaces, royal tombs, royal senates as well as other historical sites revered by the local people. Some natural landforms and rivers also have great cultural attributes with some being believed to be born by humans! While on your Uganda Safari, you cannot have any feel of being insecure. Ugandans are very polite, enthusiastic, friendly and welcoming people who will often greet strangers on public transport or in rural areas. It is always not a simple “hello” but also how are you? How is your family? And the interest is genuine
FOOT SAFARISA FRICA organizes a number of safaris that can take you to Uganda's major cultural and historical sites such as Kasubi tombs, Namugongo martyrs shrine, Sezibwa Falls, a human bone river, Buganda, Bunyoro and Toro Kingdom tours etc
Day 1; Kampala
On arrival at the Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your guide from Foot safaris Africa who will then transfer you to either Hotel Africana or Windsor lake Victoria Hotel. Overnight at Hotel Africana/ Windsor Lake Victoria Hotel.
Day 2; Kampala - Western Uganda
After breakfast, and a briefing, you'll begin your journey from Kampala to the west of Uganda through Mubende having lunch en route. The route travels through breathtaking scenery and delightful rolling tea plantations, arriving at Fort Portal in the evening. Overnight at a luxurious Ndali lodge/budget Rwenzori View guest house.
Day 3; Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest
After a good breakfast, you are off to Kibale Forest National Park with its families of habituated Chimpanzees - its home to an astonishing 12 species of Primate and provides on of the highest Primates densities in the world! Here on a guided walk, you may find families of Chimps and Red Colobus Monkeys.
Later you will have the opportunity of a guided walk through Bigodi Swamp. Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary is managed by the Kibale Association for Rural and Environmental organization formed in 1992 with the aim of achieving social and economic development for local communities. You will be taken on a guided walk around the swamp, which is home to approximately 137 bird species including the Snowy Headed Robin Cat, Black and White Casqued Hornbill, Emerald Cuckoo and a variety of Weavers, Warblers, Greenbuls and Sunbirds. There's also an abundance of Butterflies. It's also rich in vegetation, such as wild palms, polita figs and the dominant papyrus. Overnight at a luxurious Ndali lodge/budget Rwenzori View guest house.
Day 4; Karambi Royal Tombs
After an early breakfast, you'll leave for Fort portal to visit the Kings Royal tombs and various cultural groups including the Burungu community which is rooted in Traditional Toro culture that will entertain you with music, dancing and story telling.
Spend the whole day with the local community and on village walks/tours returning to the lodge in the evening.
Overnight at a luxurious Ndali lodge/budget Rwenzori View guest house.
Day 5; Fort Portal- Semuliki Park Tour
An early departure - but well worth it! You are on your way to Semuliki Valley Wild Life Reserve. This valley is known as the "Garden of Eden" and has a magnificent view of the River Semliki meandering to Lake Albert. You will stop to visit a local farmer and have a tour of his farm then take a picnic lunch at the hot water springs. Spend the evening on a forest walk in the tropical Rain Forest of Semliki Wildlife Reserve. This evening you'll dine and stay at the Semuliki Safari Lodge. This is a high-end, low impact safari lodge set amid 550 km2 of game reserve. All rooms with private facilities.
Overnight at Semuliki Safari Lodge.
Day 6; Local Community Tour
After breakfast, you'll experience a day of real discovery. You'll visit a local community in the foothills of the Rwenzoris. After touring the area, you'll visit the local Witch Doctor at his home, take a long lunch at the Kamugha Rest House and enjoy entertainment provided by the Bakonjo and Batoro (if available), before visiting the local women's group creating artifacts to provide for the community.
Dinner and overnight at Semliki Safari Lodge.
Day 7; Semuliki - Kampala
This morning, you will have a morning game drive and later depart for Kampala having lunch on the way and arriving in the early evening.
Over night at Hotel Africana or Windsor Lake Victoria Hotel.
Day 8; Namugongo & Jinja City Tour
After breakfast, your guide will meet you at your hotel and drive you to Jinja. You will have a stop over at the Biblical site (Namugongo Martyrs shrine), Ssezibwa falls and if possible we will also have a quick stop at Mabira forest for those who love bird watching.
It will take you about 3 hours to get to the Source of the Nile due to the various stops. Explore the Nile and later drive up to Jinja Nile resort hotel for a hearty buffet lunch. Relax at the hotel and have a quick swim if desired, before driving to the Spectacular Bujagali Falls.
With the biggest rafts on the river, you will see how those who are rafting are able to safely conquer the most challenging rapids, watch the local fishermen and the fantastic bird life. We may later go for a brief tour around Jinja town to have a look at those old beautiful colonial buildings. In the evening, we will depart for Kampala.
Over night at Hotel Africana or Windsor Lake Victoria Hotel.
Day 9; Buganda Cultural Tour
This morning, your guide will meet you at the hotel around 8.00am and drive through Uganda's capital city Kampala, to Nakawuka a small village in Mpigi District. This is a unique journey in to the history of Uganda.
You will meet local people and experience a rich and authentic culture, learn about the forgotten times and come face to face with the ancient traditions. Much more than just sight seeing, the local people will entertain you with cultural dancing, music, craft making and story telling. Have lunch and thereafter continue to another village to see a different lifestyle of the Ugandan community. In your visit to the villages, you may also be able to tour the Katereke Prison, which tells the story of a violent and brutal episode in the Buganda history.
Nagalabi Colonial Site and many others. In the late evening your guide will drive you back to the hotel and you will still see many surprises en route.
Overnight at Hotel Africana or Windsor Lake Victoria Hotel.
Day 10; Kampala Cultural Tour
Go and visit the Kasubi tombs, the king's palace, the museum, the kings man made lake etc before transferring to the airport to catch your flight back home.