7 Days Uganda Cultural Safari
If you fancy something a little different, a little more hands on and a little more educational, this could be your tour.
We look at the history of the Buganda kingdom around Kampala and pick up a few skills in a culture workshop. Then we move east and jump back a few thousand years to rock paintings and caves before moving north and taking a look at modern life in this forgotten district.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Kampala – Ndere Centre
We jump straight into Ugandan culture with a day in Kampala’s Ndere Centre. This is home to the Ndere (or ‘flute’) Troupe – a spectacular group of dancers and musicians from socially disadvantaged backgrounds.
A morning of performances from these talented youngsters will lead through to lunch and an afternoon of workshops. This is hands on time and a great opportunity to talk to these talented artists about their lives in Uganda.
Day 2 :Kampala – Bugandan Kingdom
Today we cram in a host of interesting sites around Kampala beginning with the picturesque Kabaka’s Lake and Palace. We move on to the Nagalabi coronation site and pass through the Nakesero Green Market to get a feel of contemporary Kampala.
We also visit the Kasubi tombs, where the Royal tombs are maintained by the female descendents of the wives of various kings. We finish with the Baha’i Temple – the spiritual home of African Bahai followers and the only such temple in Africa.
Day 3:Jinja – Ssezibwa Falls – Bujugali Falls
After an early breakfast we drive eastwards, through lush vegetation, towards Jinja. An interesting stop off is the Namugongo Martyrs Shrine, the site of a Christian massacre in 1886. Twenty six people suspected of being baptized were put to death and later canonized by the Pope, becoming martyrs.
Our next stop is the Ssezibwa Falls – a scenic waterfall, eco tourism site and the base of much legend. At Bujugali Falls we take a look at the beautiful surroundings and the rapidly expanding adrenalin sports capital of Africa and then head to see the much disputed source of the Nile.
In Uganda’s second largest city, Jinja we look at a different aspect of the country’s culture, colonialism. The day ends with the short drive to Tororo.
Day 4: Tororo Rock Hill
Before the day heats up, we tackle the heights of Tororo Rock Hill. This relatively demanding hike gives a great overview of the region and a glimpse across the border into Kenya. We follow by visiting a site from yet another era of Ugandan history; an ancestral cave and rock paintings and then an evening transfer to Mbale.
Day 5: Kumi rock paintings – Soroti to Teso cultural group
We continue north to Kumi, famous for the rock paintings at Nyero. Then it is north again to Soroti, the last town on our itinerary. Arriving in the afternoon, we make a quick tour of the town before settling into an evening’s entertainment by the Iteso cultural group.
Day 6: Soroti
We take a look at modern culture in north-east Uganda. In the morning we visit an orphanage, not only to see the conditions but to meet the children and their carers, to talk to them and to gain some insight into their lives. In the afternoon we visit a local orchard, taking a look at the modern agriculture industry and adding a little more to the picture of Uganda.
A beautiful evening’s entertainment will be provided by a local youth group.
Day 7: Soroti – Kampala
We make an early start, retracing our steps, and hope to arrive back in Kampala in the late afternoon.
END OF UGANDA WILDLIFE SAFARI
