Welcome from your Tugende Afric family to a journey that captures the very soul of Uganda a magnificent tapestry woven from vibrant cultural traditions and encounters with our closest primate relatives. "Tugende" means "let's go," and on this curated adventure, we will take you from the royal courts of Buganda to the ancient forests of our chimpanzees and mountain gorillas. This is a celebration of heritage and wildlife, experienced with the warmth and expertise that only a local team can provide.
What to Pack: Uganda’s diverse landscapes call for versatile clothing. Tugende Afric recommends warm layers like sweaters and gloves for the cool highlands, breathable long and short sleeves, a reliable raincoat, long trousers, and sturdy hiking shoes for the forest trails. Come prepared for both cultural immersion and mountain adventure.
Your adventure begins as you land at Entebbe International Airport. Your personal Tugende Afric guide will be there to welcome you with a warm, heartfelt smile. We will transfer you to your hotel, where your guide will provide a detailed briefing on the incredible week ahead. The evening is yours to relax, unwind, and rest, ready for the rich experiences to come.
Today, Tugende Afric immerses you in the rich heritage of the Baganda kingdom. We spend the entire day at Ewaffe Cultural Village, where you are not just a spectator but a participant. You will dress in traditional attire, learn ancient food preparation methods, and understand the harmonious social structures. The day culminates in a feast of authentic Baganda food, served in the traditional way as stories are shared. If time allows, Tugende Afric may treat you to a vibrant evening of music and dance at the Ndere Centre.
After breakfast, we bid farewell to Kampala and journey west with Tugende Afric. Our destination is the lush, primate-rich forests of Kibale National Park. En route, we’ll stop at the top of the thundering Murchison Falls for a breathtaking view and memorable photos. We continue our scenic drive, enjoying lunch en route, before arriving at your lodge in the late afternoon for a relaxed early dinner, serenaded by the sounds of the forest.
We rise for a thrilling morning adventure. With expert trackers from Tugende Afric and the park, we venture into Kibale Forest for chimpanzee tracking. Walk amidst towering trees, listening for their distinctive calls, for a chance to observe these intelligent beings in their natural habitat. After lunch, the landscape changes as we travel south to the rolling hills of Ankole, arriving at the Nshenyi Cultural Village for an overnight stay steeped in pastoral tradition.
Wake at dawn for a truly grounding experience. With your hosts at Nshenyi, you will participate in the timeless ritual of milking the magnificent, long-horned Ankole cattle a profound connection to a way of life that has sustained generations. After a hearty breakfast, we begin our scenic pilgrimage to the mist-covered mountains. Tugende Afric will guide you on the beautiful drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, arriving in the evening to rest before your lifetime encounter.
This is the pinnacle. After a very early breakfast, your Tugende Afric guide ensures you arrive at the briefing point by 7:30 am. Following registration and a crucial briefing, we enter the UNESCO World Heritage forest. The trek, aided by local porters if you wish, leads to a moment of pure wonder: one precious hour with a family of mountain gorillas. It is a humbling, life-affirming experience facilitated by Tugende Afric, culminating in a certificate from this world heritage site.
After breakfast, we embark on our return journey to Kampala. Tugende Afric will ensure a scenic drive, with opportunities for a final game drive en route and a stop at a crafts market for last-minute souvenirs, should time allow. We will deliver you to Entebbe International Airport or your hotel in Kampala, filled with memories of cultural connections and unparalleled wildlife moments.
