This 7 Days Uganda Cultural and Chimpanzee tour takes you to various cultural sites across the country. It begins in Kampala and then you will head to Jinja, before exploring the western part of the country. You will visit the beautiful town of Fort Portal and learn about their culture and interesting history, you will track chimpanzees in Kibale National park, proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park for a game drive and launch cruise. You will conclude the tour with a visit to the banyankole cultural sites and then return to Kampala.
Day 1: Visit Kampala cultural sites
Day 2: Depart for Jinja Tour
Day 3: Transfer to Fort Portal
Day 4: Cultural tour
Day 5: Chimpanzee tracking and transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 6: Game Drive and drive to Mbarara
Day 7: Visit the Banyankore Cultural sites, Depart to Kampala
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Visit Kampala cultural sites
You wake up to a nice breakfast before being picked up by our guide-driver from the hotel to tour the different cultural sites in Kampala which is the capital city of Uganda. These cultural sites include the Kabaka’s palace (the Kabaka is the king of Buganda Kingdom), Kasubi tombs where kings and other royals of Buganda Kingdom are buried, the Uganda Museum, Kabaka’s lake, Bahai temple, Nakasero green Market as well as the cultural market where you will be able to learn more about Uganda’s past, its unique culture plus its kingdoms. During the evening hours, you can visit Ndere Cultural center where you will be entertained by the various cultural dances from the different tribes in Uganda. You can then head back to your hotel for dinner and rest in preparation for the next day.
Meal plan: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation Options: Kampala Serena (luxury), or Cassia Lodge (mid-range), or Forest Cottages (budget)
Day 2: Depart for Jinja Tour
After a relatively early breakfast we depart for the Uganda Martyrs Shrines in Namugongo where a number of Christian believers were brutally killed in the past. We then set off for Jinja where we shall see the famous Sezibwa falls to visit a cultural site that is connected to Buganda Kingdom. When we reach Jinja, we shall visit the River Nile which is known for being the longest river in Africa and is seven fold the volume of the exceptional Zambezi. You can also explore the magnificent Bujagali falls and see the pristine white waters of the White Nile as they burst through the rocks. You will have the opportunity to see the source of the longest river in Africa, the precise location that River Nile begins its extended trip through Africa. You can then head back to Kampala during the day and have dinner then sleep at your hotel.
Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation Options: Kampala Serena (luxury), or Cassia Lodge (mid-range), or Forest Cottages (budget)
Day 3: Transfer to Fort Portal
Start today with an early breakfast before setting off for Fort Portal district and make a stopover at the Nakayima tree in Mubende where your mind will be blown by the various stories that are told about the history of this extraordinary tree. You can then proceed to Fort Portal where you can get some dinner then sleep.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
Accommodation Options: Kyaninga Lodge (luxury), or Mountains of the Moon (mid-range), or Rwenzori View Guesthouse (budget)
Day 4: Cultural tour
We tour the “Amabeere ga Nyinamwiru” which is loosely translated to mean breasts of Nyinamwiru is a beautiful cultural site with an interesting back story. You can also explore the Karambi tombs, Omukama’s palace (the King of Tooro) as well as take a walk through the surrounding communities. You can the grab dinner and spend the night at your hotel.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
Accommodation Options: Kyaninga Lodge (luxury), or Mountains of the Moon (mid-range), or Rwenzori View Guesthouse (budget)
Day 5: Transfer to Tooro Kingdom.
We shall travel to Tooro kingdom after breakfast. Tooro Kingdom was initially part of Bunyoro Kingdom but it was formed by one of the princes without his father’s permission. Fort Portal is approximately a six-hour drive from Hoima but this is dependent on the condition of the road.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
Accommodation Options: Kyaninga Lodge (luxury), or Mountains of the Moon (mid-range), or Rwenzori View Guesthouse (budget)
Day 6: Explore the History and culture of beautiful Fort portal Town
Amabere ga nyinamwiru is a very popular cultural site which has a very interesting historical beliefs. It is our first stop after breakfast where we can climb Nyakasura hill which provides an excellent view of Mountain Rwenzori and the three crater lakes. You will also see the foot print which the locals believe belonged to the Bachwezi.
After Amabere ga nyinamwiru we shall be hosted by a local family that will teach us about cooking and eating some of the traditional food. We will also explore the palace and get educated about the Tooro culture.
We shall also visit a weekly village market and you can buya few souvenirs or just engage with them.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
Accommodation Options: Kyaninga Lodge (luxury), or Mountains of the Moon (mid-range), or Rwenzori View Guesthouse (budget)
Day 7: Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park
After breakfast, we will move to the briefing place for the chimpanzee trekking to learn how to behave around the chimpanzees. Following a short briefing, you begin your trek through the rain forest of Kibale which can last from an hour to three depending on where the chimpanzee community you are tracking is. As you trek through the forest, you may come across a couple black and white colobus monkeys, numerous bird species as well as red tailed monkeys.
After chimpanzee trekking, we will be hosted by Tinka’s place for a local lunch before trekking through the village. We make stopovers by the village’s church, traditional healer as well as the primary school. You will also be told about the division of work based on sex for example the responsibilities of women in the village. You will learn about the history of Bigodi which is narrated through the story of the “Village of Two tribes” plus the different traditional ceremonies. The money earned from these activities is invested in health, sanitation and generally improving the lifestyle of the locals. It is spent on educating people on the importance of biodiversity through various activities like drama shows at local schools, dance and music.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
Accommodation Options: Kyaninga Lodge (luxury), or Mountains of the Moon (mid-range), or Rwenzori View Guesthouse (budget)
Day 8: Culture experiences with Kikorongo Women Community
The day begins with breakfast very early in the morning then we set off for Kikorongo Women Community which is situated in Kasese close to Queen Elizabeth national park. Kikorongo can be translated to mean “too much sunshine” from Lukonzo which is the language of the natives. Kikorongo is located along the equator therefore you will experience a lot of sunshine when you get here.
You can take part in traditional fire making, music, dance and drama which can be combined with a short craft workshop which you can indulge in before or after the show. You can take a cooking class as well which trains you on how to prepare their traditional food.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
Accommodation Options: Kyambura Gorge Lodge (luxury), or Twin Lakes Safari Lodge (mid-range), or Elephant Hab Lodge (budget)
Day 9: Game drive and boat safari
We wake up early and head to the mating grounds of the Uganda Kobs looking for the predators that prey on most of them in the area especially lions. While on the game drive, you may come across other animals like elephants, buffaloes plus warthogs. You can return to your hotel during lunch time if you did not move with it.
Later in the afternoon, we can take a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel and watch hippos plus crocodiles bathing in the afternoon sun. Kazinga channel is popular for having the largest number of hippos worldwide.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
Accommodation Options: Kyambura Gorge Lodge (luxury), or Twin Lakes Safari Lodge (mid-range), or Elephant Hab Lodge (budget)
Day 10: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable forest
We start the morning after breakfast and depart for Bwindi Impenetrable National park to see the mountain gorilla as well as experience their beautiful culture. Bwindi is popular for being the home to the endangered mountain gorillas and it inhabits over 300 of them.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
Accommodation Options: Buhoma Lodge (luxury), or Haven Lodge (mid-range), or Buhoma Community Rest Camp (budget)
Day 11: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable national park
This is the most exciting activity for most tourists since they get up close with the gorillas of Bwindi. Hiking while searching for a gorilla family can take an hour or more depending on where the gorilla family you are tracking was last seen. Your driver guide will take you to the briefing point in the morning as you eagerly prepare to see these gentle giants which are among the great Apes.
After the briefing session, you will be divided into groups and each group will be given a different gorilla family to track and your hike with your ranger guide and porters.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
Accommodation Options: Buhoma Lodge (luxury), or Haven Lodge (mid-range), or Buhoma Community Rest Camp (budget)
Day 12: Batwa cultural trail in Bwindi Impenetrable forest
We start the day off with breakfast and then head to the starting point for the Batwa cultural experience. The Batwa used to inhabit Bwindi Impenetrable forest and depended on it for their survival. The Batwa guides will lead you through this cultural trail and tell you more about their lives when they lived in the forest. You will get the opportunity to get to know about how they related with the animals, what they ate and their general lifestyle in the forest.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
Accommodation Options: Buhoma Lodge (luxury), or Haven Lodge (mid-range), or Buhoma Community Rest Camp (budget)
Day 13: Transfer for the Ankole Culture Encounter
We shall have breakfast before we depart for Kibigo which is situated in Mbarara district and drop by the Great Lakes Museum and have a short tour of it. We then head to a rural homestead where you will get to see the traditional lifestyle in contrast to the modern way of living. You will visit a modern home that has a traditional lifestyle.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
Accommodation Options: homestead
Day 14: Cultural and village experiences
The day starts before the break of dawn with milking of the long horned Ankole cows. We then have our breakfast from the farm and then take a stroll through the village. You will be able to interact with the way of life of the Ankole people, go to the field with the herdsman, as well as take part in their farming activities. You will also be enlightened about their native habits, customs, lifestyle plus their delicious food. Later in the evening, you can be treated to entertainment by a non-professional local group that performs traditional dances and sings traditional songs.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner
Accommodation Options: homestead
Day 15: Transfer to the airport
The last day involves driving you back to the airport for your flight back to your home country. We appreciate you for choosing Uganda as your tourist destination and we would be thrilled to have you again.
Tour Includes:
- Full board accommodation as detailed in itinerary
- Service of an English-speaking driver guide
- Ground transport in a 4WD safari Vehicle
- Bottled water in the car
- Gorilla permit
- Community cultural experiences
- Park entrance
- Boat & Canoe trips
- Park entrance
Tour excludes
- Personal expenses on drinks, telephone, laundry etc
- Tips to porters and driver/ guide
- Insurance
- All activities listed as optional
- International Flight Tickets
- Visas
- Covid Testing