On this extraordinary 18-day round trip through Uganda, you will not only discover the beauty of the country with its fascinating wildlife, but also the people who shape this country. Visiting missions, social projects and farms will give you an insight into the daily life of the Ugandans and you will also learn about the traditional way of life of the Batwa Pygmies in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Overnight stays are in ecologically run, small lodges, mission stations and private accommodation.

Day 1 | Arrival Entebbe
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be greeted by a representative of our partner company and then transferred to your hotel.
ON-African Roots Guesthouse

Day 2 | Source of the Nile – Jinja
In the morning, after breakfast, drive to Jinja, the capital of the Busoga Kingdom, which is located directly on Lake Victoria and visit the source of the Nile.
A stop can be made at Ssezibwa Falls – according to legend, this is where the traditional spirits of water, hunting and fertility reside and explore these falls on a guided hike. Then explore the source of the Nile by canoe. After lunch at a restaurant near the source of the Nile, you have the afternoon to relax. Travel time today is about two to three hours.
ON-Kingfisher Safari Lodge

Day 3 | Visit to a coffee plantation – Mbale
Today you continue to Mbale, the capital of the Bagisu people who mainly live in the region around Mount Elgon. At the same time, this stretch of land is one of the most important growing areas for coffee. When you visit a plantation, you will learn a lot about the cultivation of coffee and also about the harvest and further processing of the coveted beans. This activity is carried out jointly with the Budadiri Coffee Cooperative, which also owns the attached factory.
In the afternoon, head to a viewpoint that offers a wonderful view of the Sipi Falls, which lie on the edge of Mount Elgon National Park. Optionally, you can also hike to the falls.
ON-Mount Elgon Hotel

Day 4 | Jinja
Today you’ll go to Jinja on Lake Victoria. There you have the opportunity to visit the old royal palace or other historical sights. In the afternoon, continue to the Mabira Forest, which has become a symbol of civil resistance to forest conservation. On a short hike you will explore the Mabira forest with its great biodiversity.
ON-Rainforest Lodge

Day 5 | Gulu
Your onward journey continues today to the north of the country. On the way you can optionally visit the ZIWA Rhino Sanctuary project. This is a private project to enable the reintroduction of wild rhinos through a breeding and reintroduction program in Uganda. In the reserve you can observe the animals up close.
After lunch in a restaurant, the journey continues. Depending on travel time and program, you will reach Gulu in the late afternoon or early evening. Travel time today is about 7 hours.
ON-Comboni Good Samaritarians of Gulu

Day 6 | Visit to a tailor shop – Gulu
Today you will visit a cooperative of disabled women who will demonstrate their craftsmanship and tailoring skills. You can test your skills together with the women. Alternatively, you can also prepare a typical African meal together with the women.
Gulu is the capital of the local Acholi people. Explore historical sites such as Samuel Baker’s Fort or the local hospital, which is one of the most important in the country.
ON-Comboni Good Samaritans of Gulu

Day 7 | Murchison Falls National Park
Today you continue to Murchison Falls National Park, where you will arrive in time for lunch. In the afternoon, embark on your first game drive in Murchsion, which is Uganda’s largest park. Here the Nile has dug a seven meter wide Flesen gorge over the course of time and plunges 42 meters into the depths.
ON-Bwana Tembo Safari Camp

Day 8 | Murchison Falls National Park – Budongo Forest
Morning game drive in the National Park to explore the savannah and Nile Delta on the north shore of Lake Albert. Elephant, lion, buffalo, giraffe, waterbuck, bushbuck, even leopard live here. Lunch at the lodge. In the afternoon you take a varied boat tour on the Nile to the foot of Murchison Falls. Hippos, crocodiles and many species of birds such as ospreys, pelicans and kingfishers. Elephants and buffalos also like to come to the shore. The boat will take you to the trailhead for the hike to the top of the falls.
When you reach the highest point, you have a breathtaking view of the Nile as it rushes through the narrow canyon into the Albertine Rift Valley. Once at the falls, hike to the highest point to experience the Nile Falls up close. Then continue to Budongo Forest, which adjoins Murchison Falls National Park to the south.
ON-Budongo Eco Lodge

Day 9 | Chimpanzee tracking
After breakfast, go on chimpanzee tracking in Budongo Forest. This largest surviving rainforest in the country covers an area of ​​approximately 790 km2 and is home to the endangered chimpanzee. In addition to chimpanzees, there are also colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, baboons and other primates living here.
Chimpanzee tracking was made possible by the Jane Goodall Institute in collaboration with the National Parks Authority to protect this valuable ecosystem.
In the afternoon visit a village and then continue to Hoima. Travel time today is around 1 hour.
ON-Hoima Cultural Center

Day 10 | Bugoma Forest – Chimpanzee Go!
Today’s drive takes you along Lake Albert to Bugoma Forest. Chimpanzees and Uganda mangabeys also live in this forest area.
The “Chimpanzee go!” project is dedicated entirely to preserving the forest in order to preserve it as a valuable habitat for flora and fauna. In 2016, the organization successfully opposed the clearing of 30% of the forest that was supposed to fall for the cultivation of sugar cane. Eco-tourism is certainly another guarantee for the preservation of this valuable habitat in the future.
On a nature hike you will get to know this special world and also have the opportunity to plant a tree yourself and thus make your contribution to the preservation of the ecosystem.
After the hike, we continue south to the region of the crater lakes at the foot of the Ruwenzoris.
ON-Kluges Guest House

Day 11 | Country and people excursion to choose from
Today you can choose one of the offered activities. Once you can visit the coffee production of the local coffee farmers. Or you can take a half-day bike tour in the Fort Portal and Crater Lakes region that takes in some very nice viewpoints. The third option is a short hike in the lower forested region of Ruwenzori, where you will visit a Bankonja homestead. Depending on your chosen activity, you’ll stop for lunch at a restaurant or take it with you on your tour.
ON-Ihamba Safari Lodge / Lodge Bellavista or similar

Day 12 | Queen Elizabeth National Park – Boat Tour
Early morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park. In the afternoon, depart from the Mweya Peninsula for a boat safari on the beautiful Kazinga Channel, one of the best spots in Uganda for wildlife and bird watching in abundance. Hippos, elephants, buffalo and crocodiles live on the banks or bathe in the canal. You will then continue to the Ishasha Sector, which forms the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
ON-Ishasha Jungle Lodge

Day 13 | Queen Elizabeth National Park
Today you embark on a game drive in the Ishasha sector, famous for its “tree lions” which you may be lucky enough to see. They usually stay there during the hotter hours of the day. In addition to the lions, buffalo, elephants, antelopes and numerous other animal species can also be seen here. After lunch, visit a tea farm before continuing on to Lake Mulehle, located south of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.
ON-Bwindi Jungle Lodge

Day 14 | Bwindi – Optional activities to choose from
Today you can choose between two optional activities.
The first is an exciting gorilla tracking. This begins early in the morning with detailed information and guidance at the park headquarters. Then follow the ranger guides who follow the tracks of the animals. Once you’ve arrived at the rare mountain gorillas, you’ll have an hour to sit and watch the animals. The search for the animals can take several hours and can be quite challenging. Before starting the trek, you can hire porters to assist you throughout your trek.
The other alternative option is to hike through Bwindi from Nkuringo to Buhoma. The day ends with a joint barbecue with the children of the “Nkuringo Bright Future”.

Day 15 | Batwa Trail and Kitanga Mission
Today you will embark on the Batwa Trail. This nature walk through the Echuya Forest will introduce you to the rich culture of the Batwas who live here. Learn about the tradition and way of life of this pygmy tribe that once lived here. This project provides a small source of income for the Batwas as their living conditions have deteriorated after they were forced to leave their ancestral forest habitat when it was placed under conservation. On the hike you will get to know the traditional medicinal plants, gain insight into a hut, help collect honey and see traditional dances.
In the afternoon proceed to Kitanga Mission which is situated between Bwindi and Kabale in a rural region.
ON-Kitanga Guest House

Day 16 | Kitanga mission
The Kitaga Mission is a good example of how an initiative can help improve the living conditions of people in rural areas. You have the opportunity to exchange ideas with the people who are making their contribution to this improvement. Spend your time with the local people and learn how they go about their daily lives. Visits to a primary school, a hospital and an industrial park are also on offer.
ON-Kitanga Guest House

Day 17 | Visit to a Ugandan family
After breakfast, the journey continues to the central region of Uganda – to Ankole. This is known for the Ankole cattle. After lunch, a visit to a family will be organized for you to experience first-hand the life of these shepherds. Overnight stay with a Ugandan family or at the Igongo Cultural Resort.
ON-Igongo Cultural Resort/Ugandian family

Day 18 | Entebbe
After breakfast, drive back to Entebbe. Lunch is taken on the way. Start your return or onward flight from Entebbe Airport.