Unraveling Uganda’s Story of Adventure and Culture in 10 Days

As your plane descends close to Lake Victoria’s shores, you feel anxious as you go through the gates of Entebbe Airport; you will be embraced with a hearty reception by a guide from Churchill Safaris. Ready to ride along with you to the alluring setting of Airportlink guest house considering your landing time.
Meal plan: B/B

It’s Adventure time! Very early in the morning, after breakfast, you will check out of the bustling Kampala as you embark on a journey to the North Western region of the country. En route, a quest for the Rhinos would spice up things a little. The journey only gets better where you may choose to make an optional stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino tracking at $50, a haven dedicated to white rhinos. While here you will learn about the threats these gentle giants face and the ongoing efforts to ensure their survival. As you begin creating tales of your expedition, time is of the essence! Off you hit the road again to continue with your ride into the marvels of Murchison Falls National Park. As you draw nearer, this only sends one message and a sense of anticipation for what’s yet to come. Finally, you arrive at the gates of Murchison where you will visit the top of the falls for a deep venture into the roaring waters before setting foot into the coziness of Tilenga lodge your sanctuary for the next two nights. Meal Plan: B/B

It’s Adventure time! Very early in the morning, after breakfast, you will check out of the bustling Kampala as you embark on a journey to the North Western region of the country. En route, a quest for the Rhinos would spice up things a little. The journey only gets better where you may choose to make an optional stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for rhino tracking at $50, a haven dedicated to white rhinos. While here you will learn about the threats these gentle giants face and the ongoing efforts to ensure their survival. As you begin creating tales of your expedition, time is of the essence! Off you hit the road again to continue with your ride into the marvels of Murchison Falls National Park. As you draw nearer, this only sends one message and a sense of anticipation for what’s yet to come. Finally, you arrive at the gates of Murchison where you will visit the top of the falls for a deep venture into the roaring waters before setting foot into the coziness of Tilenga lodge your sanctuary for the next two nights. Meal Plan: B/B
Optional visit of the Ker Kwonga Panyimur Museum which is a vibrant cultural institution dedicated to preserving and showcasing the rich history, art, and traditions of the region. Its diverse collections feature indigenous artefacts, traditional crafts, and contemporary artworks, offering visitors a unique insight into local heritage. The museum also hosts educational programs, workshops, and performances, fostering cultural exchange and community engagement.

The Primates’ Call! After your first meal of the day, your journey continues southward to Kibale Forest begins. The gateway to one of Uganda’s remarkable treasures, encompassing a diverse array of landscapes and an incredible richness of biodiversity, a protected tropical rainforest with the highest concentration and variety of primates. While on this journey, you will stop at Hoima Cultural Lodge for a quick cultural and food experience before you proceed with your drive to Kibale. If time allows;
You can visit Bigodi Swamp for a guided walk, which unveils the sanctuary’s rich biodiversity with insights into the local culture and history. Overnight at Guereza Canopy lodge. Meal Plan: B/B

Early in the morning, you will have breakfast before you depart into the foliage of Kibale Forest for a primate experience; you will be taken to the briefing area for a session on setting safety guidelines prior to the venture. As you set out on the trail with your experienced guide, every step brings you closer to encountering one of our closest relatives in their natural habitat. The sounds of the forest come alive around you, with the chirping of birds such as the huge crowned eagle, the black-and-white flycatcher, yellow-mantled weavers, the beautiful blue turaco, rustling through the leaves, and the occasional call of a distant primate echoing through the trees. Then, amidst the dense foliage, you may catch a sight of movement a flash of black fur swinging gracefully from branch to branch. Finally, you emerge into a small clearing, and there they are! A family of chimpanzees, lounging in the dappled sunlight, grooming each other, and playing in the treetops. After this thrilling encounter with the primates, your adventure turns into the wilderness of Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you can spot various wildlife in numbers, from predators to mammals and water life. It has been a long drive; you definitely deserve a break. Your guide will lead you to Warujojo safari lodge to unwind and prepare yourself for the beautiful memories ahead. Meal Plan: B/B

Upon first light, after your breakfast, it is time to set off, finally you arrive at the gates of Queen Elizabeth National Park, where the welcoming embrace of the wilderness awaits. Through the pop up of your vehicle, you may be greeted by the sights and sounds of the African bush the trumpeting of elephants, the roar of lions, and the haunting call of fish eagles circling overhead. With each passing moment, you’re reminded of the timeless allure of the Pearl of Africa and the boundless wonders that await those who dare to explore its wild and untamed heart as you get on a thrilling game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park along with other adventure seekers.

In the afternoon, you must be exhausted from the four-wheel ride around the park, it’s time to rest on and effortlessly enjoy a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, home to one of the largest concentrations of hippopotamus, as well as herds of elephants, buffalo, and other wildlife that come to drink from the river. The Kazinga also attracts a tremendous variety of bird species including the African Eagle, Open-Billed Stork, and Pied Kingfishers. With all the bustling day’s activities you are now thinking of how to wind up the day while you rest off the beautiful memories at Warujojo safari lodge Meal Plan: B/B

On this day after your early morning feast, your mind is drawn to another magnificent experience, but before that you will take on a wonderful journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through the most diverse and captivating landscapes. As you bid farewell to the majestic savannah plains and iconic wildlife of Queen Elizabeth, you set out on a road less travelled, venturing deeper into the heart of Uganda’s wilderness.
Along the way, you pass through charming villages and bustling market towns, where locals go about their daily lives with a sense of warmth and hospitality that is characteristic of Uganda. At last, you will arrive at the gates of Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge, where you will enjoy the pristine and gorgeous scenery of your remote surroundings.

You may choose to engage in an optional cooking experience at the lodge where the day’s chef will take you through the day’s meal preparation. Fully get in the process and up your kitchen skills.
Later a moment of imagination is all you have for the task ahead of you tomorrow. Overnight at Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge. Meal Plan: B/B

It’s the Gorilla Hour! After enjoying a quick breakfast, it’s time to hit the road and continue your journey to the highlight of the trip, with renewed energy and enthusiasm. As you draw closer to the gates of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, the landscape undergoes a dramatic transformation, giving way to dense forests and rugged terrain. The air is filled with the sounds of the forest the chirping of birds, the rustling of leaves, and the distant calls of primates hidden among the trees. You start gaining a feeling that the search for these amazing creatures is edging closer than ever before. This is the greatest highlight of the safari, at this point as you step out of your vehicle, adrenaline rush kicks in, you set off to the departure point for a full briefing and to meet your gorilla trek guide and other adventure seekers. The guides will have been identifying the position of each gorilla group in their natural habitat and know which is the closest departure point to trek from. The hiking is through thick, verdant rainforest, with your guide and porter using a machete to clear a path and assist you up and down steep terrain. After what feels like eternity you finally set eyes on a gorilla family and this is the probably the best moment of your entire trip as you are about to spend time with these gentle giants in their natural habitat Quite an unforgettable experience it is!. The final trek times can vary enormously according to where the gorillas have moved to but most guests spend an hour with these amazing wild animals.
If time permits, there are additional optional activities, unique to Bwindi, which you can participate in during the afternoon some of which include:

Pack for a purpose: this is an initiative that encourages our clients or travellers to pack supplies needed by communities around the destination they plan to visit. The idea is to utilize a portion of your luggage space to carry items that are in demand by local schools, clinics, orphanages, and other community projects, thus making a positive impact on the destinations you visit. However, during this initiative we encourage the local community to take part by collecting any plastic materials such as bottles from the environment and in return we reward them with the items carried by the travellers or clients.

Canoe boat on Lake Mulehe: a boat ride filled with a mixture of nature and people as you sail through the calm waters of Lake Mulehe you will be able to have panoramic views of the Virunga Mountains and the natural surroundings, not forgetting a touch of the people residing around the waters.

The Batwa cultural experience: The Batwa cultural experience offers a fascinating insight into the traditions, customs, and way of life of one of Uganda’s oldest indigenous communities. This was put in place by the displaced Batwa pygmies to educate their children and to share their amazing heritage and traditions with the world. The Experience takes place outside of the park in an old-growth forest on land that is next to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Park. Learn how they hunted the small animals they used for food, what things they gathered, how traps and nets were used. As your Batwa cultural experience comes to an end, you take a moment to reflect on the insights gained and connections made during your time with the community. Bid farewell to your hosts with gratitude and appreciation for the opportunity to learn from and engage with Uganda’s indigenous Batwa people. After a long day and a series of thrilling activities, you are thinking its time for a breather at Lake Mulehe Gorilla Lodge. Meal Plan: B/B

Very early in the morning, you are treated to a warm breakfast, and later, you venture on a journey from Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to Lake Mburo National Park, which offers a captivating voyage through the diverse landscapes of southwestern Uganda.
Have a coffee experience in Kisoro before you proceed to Mburo.

Coffee tour experience: Upon arrival at the local coffee farm within the community, you are warmly welcomed by friendly local family who are eager to share their knowledge and passion for the organic volcanic coffee. A brief introduction sets the stage for the day’s activities, highlighting the importance of coffee in Ugandan culture and its role in sustaining local communities. While you spend time with small-scale farmers you are taken you through the coffee-making experience where you will learn a number of things such as nursery bed management, planting, pruning, harvesting, drying, pounding, grinding, roasting and lastly coffee tasting, giving you an authentic hands-on experience.

As you bid farewell to the hills of Kisoro, you’re filled with a sense of awe and gratitude for the unforgettable experiences you’ve had encountering mountain gorillas and experiencing the local culture.

As you head to Mbarara, the scenery changes once again, giving way to acacia woodlands and sprawling grasslands; a unique and relatively compact gem among Uganda’s National Parks awaits. This wildlife sanctuary offers excellent plains game viewing and is the best place in the country to see eland, zebra, topi, and impala. While in Mburo, you are expected to have excellent sightings of giraffes, bushbuck, warthogs, vervet and red-tailed monkeys, olive baboons, pigmy mongoose, white-tailed mongoose, and buffalo.
In the evening, after you have settled, you may choose to immerse yourself in an optional community experience below;

Visit to a local cattle farm: In this landscape of exploration, you’ll have the chance to dive deep into the ancient craft of cattle keeping, immersing yourself in every aspect of this enduring tradition. From mastering the delicate art of milking, you’ll unravel the mysteries of conservation and stewardship passed down through generations. Discover the multifaceted uses of every part of the cow, from the dung that enriches the soil as fertilizer to the regal horns and supple hides transformed into exquisite works of art. Get ready to be spellbound as you embark on a journey into the captivating world of bovine wisdom, where each hoof beat resonates with the echoes of centuries gone by.
Overnight at Kigarama Wilderness Lodge. Meal Plan on B/B

It’s sad to say goodbye! Inevitably, your journey with Churchill Safaris comes to an end, but leaving your heart forever entangled with the spirit of Uganda. However, before you bid farewell to Uganda’s enchanting landscapes and vibrant cultures, you may have an optional early morning game drive or an optional guided safari walk depending on the departure flight time, after which you will depart Lake Mburo National Park to catch your late evening flight home. Along the way, if time allows, you may have a brief stop at the equator for a picture moment or the royal drum makers in Mpigi before proceeding to the airport. With you, you have carried a bunch of memories and moments to share.