Cultural Safari  Uganda Safari

Duration:  8 days –  7 nights

Highlights:  Cultural Tour in Fortportal, Queen Elizabeth National Park + Ishasha Tree Climbing Lions + Lake Bunyonyi

Itinerary:

Day 1:  Welcome to Uganda The Pearl of Africa!
Arrival at Entebbe International Airport where you will be met by Representatives from Uganda Wildlife Scene Safaris. Later transfer to your place of accommodation relax from Jet lag overnight at: Cassia Lodge or Casa Miltu Hotel or Namirembe View Guest House.  

Day 2:  After breakfast depart Kampala City and head to  Fort Portal
Introduction: This is in Western Uganda,  Fort Portal is Situated in the Northern foothill of the Rwenzori Mountains, some 70kms from Kasese and 320 kms from Kampala, Fort portal is perhaps the most attractive town in Uganda amid lush rolling hillsides swathed in neat tea plantations and when clouds permitting – offering excellent views across to the glacial peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains.  But of the greatest interest to travelers is its position at the epicenter of a cluster of highly alluring and reasonable accessibility to most National Parks. Kibale National park being the closest harboring the greatest primate diversity in Africa. Other popular destinations around Fort portal include the field of several dozens of crater lakes. Arrive in time for lunch. Later take a Tour around Fortportal town after which you will proceed to check in to your accommodation. Later in the evening you can take a  self guided Fortportal town evening walk. Return for dinner and overnight  at the Mountains of the Moon Hotel or Dutchess or Rwenzori View Guest House or Travellers Inn.

Day 3: After  Breakfast, we do a Community Cultural tour, get to see the local people of this area and their life style. There are 2 options as below you can choose one.
Option 1: Fortportal, Nyakasura Mbuzi community cultural tour
From Fort portal we walk through the local community villages as you see and learn the village life, meet locals in their Gardens where you learn about the agricultural produce. Later meet a group of women who weave baskets, neck-less and Jewelry and how they use natural colours to make weaving materials. Later we will have a picnic lunch on top of the hill that stands out of the area as you view the three crater lakes and Fort portal city below combined with the Great view of the Rwenzori mountains of the Moon.

Option 2: Rwenzori Mountain  community cultural tour:
From Fortportal we will drive 14kms and arrive at the base of the Rwenzori Mountains, We will then prepare to begin the short hike to arrive to this community. Along the hike you observe fantastic views of lake Albert and landscapes. Arrive and meet the local people and exchange cultural experiences. Meet the black smith and fortune teller, later have your packed lunch and prepare to return to Fortportal arrive at your accommodation refreshments will be served, refresh and relax. Later meal plans dinner and overnight at the Mountains of the Moon Hotel or Dutchess or Rwenzori View Guest House or Travellers Inn.

Day 4: Breakfast at leisure prepare to proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park, via Kasese towns and the magnificent Rwenzori Mountains of the moon in the back drop of the view along your transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park.  Stop by in Kasese Town for lunch at The Magherita hotel. After lunch calmly drive to stop by the Equator and take pictures later proceed to  Arrive and check in to your accommodation , refresh and relax, meal plans dinner and overnight at the Mweya Safari Lodge or Katara Lodge or Bush Lodge or Uganda Wildlife Authority Accommodation.

Day 5:  After a warm wake up coffee at 6:15am at 6:30am start your early morning game drive to be in time to see the big cats in action. Game drive lasts for 3-4 hrs get back for breakfast relax and lunch. At 2:45pm Take the boat cruise on the Famous Kazinga Channel which connects Lake George to Lake Edward. The cruise on the water will last 2 hrs return by 5:00pm embark on the evening game drive which will bring you back to the hotel by 7:00pm. Refresh, meal plans dinner, campfire and overnight at  Mweya Safari Lodge or Katara Lodge or Bush Lodge or Uganda Wildlife Authority Accommodation.

Day 6:  To Lake Bunyonyi : After breakfast begin your drive driving through the Southern Sector of Queen Elizabeth “Ishasha sector” famous for the tree climbing lions. Spot a place to have lunch later proceed to Lake Bunyonyi.
Introduction:  Lake Bunyonyi  As its serpentine shape might suggest, is essentially a flooded valley system, extending Northwards from the Rwanda border over a distance of 25kms through the contours of the steep hills that separate Kabale and Kisoro. It is thought to have formed about 8,000 yrs ago, as a result of a lava flow from one of  the Virunga Mountains, which blocked off the Ndego River at the present –day Muko to create a natural dam. The lake has a total surface area of 60km sq, it lies at an altitude of of 1840m, known to be the deepest lake in Uganda and also the home of “otters & crayfish”. Also in its favor is the high altitude location which ensures a moderate climate and relatively low incidence of malaria and often becoming quite chilly at night. Bilharzia is reliably reported to be absent from the lake, as are crocodiles and hippos, which means that swimming is very safe. Active travelers are catered for, with canoes, kayaks and mountain bikes available for hire and enough potential excursions to keep one busy for days. Arrive and check in to the   Bird’s Nest or Arcadia Cottages or Overland Resort Double Furnished Tents.

Day 7: This day of activity at Lake Bunyonyi.  Visit the neighboring islands get the history of each Island, also visit the pigmy village or you can take a self guided hike to the top of the mountain or you can relax and Swim or take  yourself canoeing. Lunch  & Dinner meals and overnight at the Bird’s Nest or Arcadia Cottages or Overland Resort Double Furnished Tents.

Day 8: After breakfast, we will prepare to leave this part of the world and head back to Kampala. Stop by the Equator for lunch enroute and do your souvenir shopping arrive in Kampala by early evening and check in to your Accommodation. End of Safari.