UGANDA
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Uganda is a beautiful, peaceful, fun and very welcoming country. Volunteers can easily meet up on weekends to travel. Popular tourist activities in Uganda include wildlife safari, white water rafting and bungee jumping on the River Nile, chimpanzee and gorilla tracking, nature walks and forest hikes. Volunteers are encouraged to see as much of the country as possible. Volunteers are provided with assistance in setting up tourist activities either before or after arrival.
A few things we’re great at in Tours & Safaris
Volunteering within the pearl of Africa and you don’t tour the country is high un acceptable. We take it upon ourselve to ensure that you explorer the countries natural resource for the get the really reason for why uganda was called the Pearl of Africa.
Queen Elizabeth National Park 3days The park has a variety of Flora and Fauna and it’s acknowledged to be a habitat for over 95 mammal species with about 612 species of birds. The various species in this park, has made it a unique park most liked by tourists. Geographers will say that the park has around 57 vegetation but in actual sense, it has five levels of vegetation. Namely bushy grassland, Acacia woodland, Lakeshore or swamp vegetation along with forest grassland. The grasslands of the park settles wildlife such as Cape buffalo, Uganda kob, waterbuck, warthlog, lion, leopard, hyena, giant forest hog as well as elephants.Topis can only be discovered in Ishasha and forest primate found in Kyambura gorge in addition to Maramagambo forest. Africa has some protected areas. Therefore the park’s remarkable birdlist that to exceed that of the neighboring Virunga National Park. Among these include African skimmer, Chapins flycatcher, Pink-backed pelicans, Papyrus canary, Shoebill stork, martial eagle, black-rumped buttonquail as well as the great flamingos Day 1: Depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park Elephants in Queen Elizabeth National Park After an early morning breakfast, your tour guide will pick you from the hotel or point of meeting and drive to Queen Elizabeth National park, located in Western Uganda. Make a stop over at the Equator for a photo shoot and experiments and even check out the craft centers. Proceed to Queen and on arrival you will do an afternoon game drive before retiring to the lodge for dinner and overnight. Dinner & Overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge / Mweya Hostel Day 2: launch cruise and game drive you will go for an early morning game drive, return to the lodge for late breakfast and lunch. In the afternoon you will go for a launch cruise where you will spot various water animals such as Hippos, Crocodiles, Elephants, Monitor Lizards and so many birds. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Day 3: Kampala An early breakfast before driving back to Kampala. You will have lunch en route at Igogo Cultural Center and have a chance to have some cultural entertainment as well as see the cultural museum. You will make your last stop over at Mpambire royal drum makers for a demonstration of how these drums are made but also have a mini entertainment using the very drums. Dinner and overnight at the your preferred hotel or lodge. For bookings email Joel at ugandavolunteersfoundation@gmail.com gorilla-tracking-3-days Gorillas share 98% DNA with humans, and seeing them in the natural habitat is an honor. Uganda is so very proud to be home to these amazing animals! Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is located in southwestern Uganda a magnificent verdant swathe across the steep ridges of the Albertine Rift Valley. This ancient rainforest is one of the few in Africa to have flourished and a home to half of the world’s endangered population of mountain gorillas. Looking into the expressive brown eyes of these giants is surely the most exciting and poignant wildlife encounter Uganda has to offer! Apart from gorilla trekking Tour, the park boosts of 90 mammal species, including 11 primates and prominent bird species. It is a treasure chest of flora and fauna with four gorilla groups currently available to be visited by only six persons per group on daily basis. However, strict rules have to be followed to prevent behavioral disturbances and transmission of diseases. First day You leave Kampala in the morning and drive southwards. A first stop over at the Equator, a famous spot for photography. For the rest of the journey, view the long horned Ankole cattle, papyrus, Augur woodland and terraced landscape of Kigezi highlands on your way to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Lunch enroute in Mbarara town. Dinner and an overnight in Bwindi. Second day Gorilla tracking in the rain tropical forest After an early breakfast and briefing from the guides, set off for the gorilla tracking in the forest sanctuary. The activity starts at 8.00am. You need to carry packed lunch, drinking water, rain jacket and jungle boots while the rangers will provide you with a walking stick. The time taken to find the gorillas varies according to the movements of these marvelous primates. An encounter with an earth shaking 350pound silver back or a baby gorilla is very exciting and never forgotten experience! Dinner and overnight in Bwindi. Third day After breakfast, return to Kampala at leisure. Lunch enroute. The price will cost as listed in the box below and it is per person, however we discuss discount Price in November when the Gorilla Permits are cheaper. Note:
Remember to bring heavy leather gloves, stout hiking boots, long sleeves shirts, long pants, a light back-pack, and water-bottle for those tracking gorillas.
Please note that there are limited gorilla permits available for each day of the year. We recommend that you start planning for this safari well in advance i.e. At least 6 months to one year or more, permits for 2019/2020 are now being sold so that permits can be applied for.
To apply for your gorilla permits we need to know your nationality, passport number, date of issue and expiry (valid passport is necessary), as well as your date of birth. RULES AND REGULATIONS OF GORILLA TREKKING Before departing on your gorilla tracking:
A maximum number of 8 visitors may visit a group of habituated mountain gorillas in a day. This minimizes behavioral disturbance to the gorillas and the risk of their exposure to human-borne diseases.
Always wash your hands before you head out to the gorillas.
On the way to the gorillas:
Please always keep your voices low. You will also be able to observe the great bird life and other wildlife in the forest.
DO NOT leave rubbish in the park. Whatever you bring into the forest should be carried back out with you.
You will be taken to where the guides observed the gorillas the day before. From there you will follow the gorilla’s trail to find them. Look out for the gorilla’s nesting sites along the way!
When you approach the mountain gorillas, the guides will inform you to get ready. When you are with the gorillas:
A 7 meter (21 feet) distance should be observed at all times from the gorillas. The further back you are, the more relaxed the group will be.
You must stay in tight group when you are near the gorillas.
Keep your voices down at all times. However, it is okay to ask the guide questions.
Do not smoke, drink or eat when you are near the gorillas. Eating or drinking inevitably will increase the risk of food/drink morsels/droplets falling, which could increase the risk of transmission of diseases.
Sometimes the gorillas change. Follow the guides example (crouch down slowly, do not look the gorillas directly in the eyes and wait for the animals to pass). Do not attempt to run away because that will increase the risk.
Flash photography is not permitted! When taking pictures move slowly and carefully.
Do not touch the gorillas. They are wild animals.
The maximum time you can spend with the gorillas is one hour. However, if the gorillas become agitated or nervous, the guide will finish the visit early.
After the visit keep your voices down until you are 200 meters away from the gorillas.
General health rules: Remember that mountain gorillas are very susceptible to human diseases. The following rules are ways to minimize the risk your visit might poses to them: Respect the limits imposed on the number of visitors allowed with the gorillas each day. This minimizes the risk of disease transmission and stress to the group.
If you are feeling ill, or you are carrying a contagious disease, volunteer to stay behind. An alternate visit will be arranged for you, or you will be refunded your money.
If you feel the urge to cough or sneeze when you are near the gorillas, please turn your head away and cover your nose and mouth in order to minimize the spread of bacteria or viruses.
Always stay 7 meters (21 feet) away from the gorillas. This is to protect them from catching human diseases.
Do not leave any rubbish (e.g. food wrappers) in the park; foreign items can harbor diseases or other contaminants.
If you need to go to the toilet while in the forest, please ask the guide to dig you a hole with his panga. Make sure the hole is 30 cm deep and fill it in when you are finished.
What to bring on your Gorilla Safari?
Wear comfortable hiking shoes suitable for steep muddy slopes.
Put on ear plugs for those who feel uncomfortable with the jungle sounds.
Carry a packed lunch and enough drinking water.
Carry rain gear, sunscreen lotion, a hat (as the weather is unpredictable) and insect repellent.
Bring a photo of film camera. Using flashlight is not permitted so we recommend using films of 400-800 ASA.
For bookings email Joel at ugandavolunteersfoundation@gmail.com murchison-falls-national-park-3days This is your best choice for a game drive. Situated at the northern end of the Albertine Rift Valley (aka the Western Rift, and the sister to the more famous Eastern Rift Valley in Kenya), Murchison is Uganda’s oldest and largest conservation area. The tour takes you through Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest national park which protects a chunk of untamed African savannah. The park is bisected by the mighty river Nile, the World’s second longest river. It is named after the dramatic Murchison Falls, which is formed at a point where the world’s longest river explodes violently through a narrow cleft in the Rift Valley escarpment to plunge into a frothing pool 43m below. The park is dominated by the lush borassus grassland to the north of the Nile and this has attracted different animals which include elephants, buffaloes, giraffes and a variety of antelopes. In the southeast of the park lies the Rabongo Forest a famous home to primates such as chimpanzees and other tropical rainforest creatures. The Nile itself hosts one of Africa’s densest hippo and crocodile populations, and a dazzling variety of water birds including the world’s most accessible wild population of the rare shoebill stork. Day 1: Kampala – Murchison Falls You will be picked from your hostel or residence by our guide. Drive northwards passing through the famous Luwero Triangle. Have a stopover at Masindi for lunch. Drive to the top of the falls for magnificent scenic view and photography of the breathtaking World’s second longest river “The Mighty Nile” as it squeezes its way through a rocky gap. Spend a night in any Masindi based Lodges. Day 2 Game Viewing Safari – Murchison Falls After an early morning cup of tea/coffee day starts with a game drive in the northern parts of the park. On the drive you may see different animals unique to the African Savannah vegetation. These include lions, leopards, giraffes, antelopes, elephants, and many warthogs. Go to the lodge for lunch and later take a launch cruise on the Nile River. The cruise which takes you to the bottom of the thundering falls involve a scenic view of schools of hippos, huge crocodiles, buffaloes, elephants and a variety of water birds such as the rare shoe bill, cormorants, ducks, bee-eaters, skimmers, fish eagle, kingfishers and herons. Dinner and overnight Camping in the park. Day 3: Murchison Falls Kampala After breakfast, proceed to Budongo forest, a dense natural forest, passing through Bugungu gate with packed lunch. Take a forest walk through the dense tropical rain forest. On the walk you may see different primate species such as chimpanzees, monkeys among others. Have packed lunch and then return to Kampala arriving in the late evening. For bookings email Joel at ugandavolunteersfoundation@gmail.com 3-day-sipi-falls-tour Highlights
Source of River Nile Tour
Boat cruise on the Nile
Mbale city Tour
Wanale Hill Hike
Sipi Falls
Karamojong Plains view
Coffee tour
Day1 Start off your tour with a visit to the longest river in the world! River Nile is well known to be the longest river in the world. Its source starts right from Jinja Uganda, some people may be wondering how the name Nile come about. It’s a famous Greek word simply meaning valley. The river starts from the Northeastern part of Africa. It flows from the surrounding areas close to the equator to the outrageous Safari desert and up to the eastern Mediterranean Sea. The river is about 6696km long and pours its water to over nine countries although it’s more centered to Uganda as well as Egypt. Countries include Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zair and Ethiopia. You will get a chance to go on a boat ride right until the point where River Nile flows out of lake victoria. After the tour you will spent the night in jinja and catch a glimpse of the magnificent sunset with the view of the Nile river. Day2 After breakfast you will embark on a 2hour drive to Mbale town, here you will be taken on a tour of the city and you will cap the day off with a hike of wanale hill which overlooks the beautiful city of Mbale. after the tour you will drive to Sipi falls where you will spend the night. Day3 Wake up to the the amazing sounds of the different bird species around sipi area. After breakfast you will be taken on a coffee tour where you get to see how the coffee really ends up in your cup. after the coffee tour you will go a fun hike to discover the many waterfalls around Sipi, you will be able to visit up to 4 waterfalls! after the hike you will embark on the journey back to Kampala. Trip Inclusive of:
All meals
Accommodation
Roundtrip Transport
For bookings email Joel at ugandavolunteersfoundation@gmail.com white-water-rafting-high-bungee-jumping White water Rafting For thousands of years; from the ancient Greek philosophers to the English explorers, the Nile was synonymous with mystery and adventure. When Speke arrived at the source of the Nile in 1857 the mystery was solved, but the adventure has survived until present day in the form of white water rafting in Uganda. (2 Days/ 1 Night White Water Rafting in Jinja On River Nile offers two days full of thrills and spills to mild & mellow, this is the ultimate white water rafting adventure on the Nile. There is no better way to fully experience the River Nile and the lives of the Ugandan people who live along its banks than to embark on a two day rafting trip.) 2 Days/ 1 Night White Water Rafting in Jinja On River Nile 2 Days White Water Rafting in Jinja On River Nile View Discounted Prices – Book Now! 2 Days/ 1 Night White Water Rafting in Jinja On River Nile offers two days full of thrills and spills to mild & mellow, this is the ultimate white water rafting adventure on the Nile. Our 2 days/ 1 Night White Water Rafting offers plenty of time to relax and enjoy your surroundings, admire the abundant bird life, watch the fisherman cast their nets from dugout canoes, wave at children collecting water and smile at the ladies doing their washing. Sitting by a fire on the banks of the River Nile at night is an experience in itself, the complete silence and feeling of isolation as you count the stars in the sky can only be described as invigorating. This trip departures every day (Except Christmas and New Years Day) and is subject to minimum 3 guests. One the first day you will spend about 4 – 5 hours on the river and the second day 4 – 5 hours on the river. The tour departs from Jinja 0830 Hours or Kampala at 0630 Hours. Pick-ups from other hotels in Jinja available on request. 2 Days White Water Rafting in Jinja On River Nile Itinerary Day 1: Kampala – Drive to Jinja (Nile Source and Bujagali) On arrival you will have the opportunity to meet your fellow rafters and guides while enjoying tea or coffee. After a quick briefing, you will be fitted out with life jackets and helmets before heading off 15 kilometers down river to the start point of the days rafting. En-route you will have time to enjoy a breakfast of “Rolex”, fruit salad and juice. “Rolex” (rolled eggs) is Uganda’s famous equivalent of a breakfast burrito, a tasty Spanish omelet wrapped in a chapatti. Rafting is a physical activity so make sure you eat up big. Snacks of fruit, nuts and biscuits are provided on the river to help keep your energy levels up throughout the day, but we don’t like to weigh you down with a big lunch just before the next major rapid. Our rafting start point is on a flat pool just above our first major rapid, Overtime. While our crew unload the rafts and slide them down the ramp into the river you will have time to admire the spectacular view as well as use the toilets and changing room provided on site. Once down at the river’s edge, you will receive a detailed safety briefing, before launching into the river for a last bit of practical instruction as we float down the pool. Overtime kicks off with a bang, as we maneuver through the rocks and negotiate the 12 feet drop. As the river meanders through beautiful scenery, we guide the rafts into the mighty challenges of some of the biggest and safest grade 5 white water rafting in the world. Eight major rapids are rafted plus several lower graded runs; all selected to maximize your safety and fun. We stop before all grade 4 and 5 rapids to explain to you the planned route through, so if at any time you feel you would prefer to join the safety boat or where possible, walk around and then rejoin the raft, this is absolutely fine. Calm stretches of water separate the rapids – perfect for getting your breath back, taking a swim and enjoying the scenery. Stopping in the early afternoon, a delicious late lunch awaits us at The Hairy Lemon where we will spend the night. A choice of accommodation is offered, either camping in our tents with mattresses and bedding, or dorms or bungalows. Whichever you choose, this peaceful and relaxed island hideaway situated in the middle of the Nile, is the perfect place to spend the night. With its own beach, there is lots of opportunity to continue the fun with a game of water volleyball and or simply to relax in the calm pools that surround the island. For the keen fisherman, this is the perfect place cast a line. Bring along your own rods or hire them there. Relax with a drink while watching the wonders of nature and the dramatic colour change of the sky and the river on sunset. Enjoy a hearty Berbeque dinner before drifting away to the campfire to reflect on the day’s events. Overnight at the Standard Accommodation or Mid-Range Accommodation Meal Plan {Lunch & Dinner} Day 2 : Jinja (Nile Source and Bujagali) – Drive to Kampala After a leisurely breakfast enjoying the spectacular views of the River Nile, we raft a further 15km down the river. This section has fewer rapids, and longer meandering pools, so the pace is quite different, and to liven it up you have the option of paddling one of our two-man inflatable canoes or river boarding in the rapids. The scenery is quite unspoilt, and you can enjoy the odd encounter with fishermen floating along in dugouts, or with bleary-eyed men brewing waragi, the toxic local moonshine. Ending the day at the ferry point of Busana, we then head back to our new Riverside Restaurant for a delicious BBQ buffet meal and cold beers and sodas. Once you have eaten your fill and sated your thirst with a couple of cold ones, we will then transport you to your destination, by shuttle bus to Kampala, or back to Jinja. Meal Plan {Breakfast & Lunch} For bookings email Joel at ugandavolunteersfoundation@gmail.com kampala-tour This city of 3 Million inhabitants is the largest in Uganda and the capital. Situated on seven major hills, several areas command fantastic views of the surroundings, including Lake Victoria. Kampala is the political and commercial hub of Uganda, and the people are friendly and communicative. It is easy to move about the city centre and, surprisingly, the visitor does not need to be overly concerned about security. Expansion is rapid and new clubs and restaurants open regularly. A guided tour will point out the highlights including Kasubi Tombs, Uganda Museum, Parliamentary Buildings, National Theater Craft Centre, Kabaka’s Lake, Bahai Temple, Namirembe Cathedral, Namugongo Martyr’s Shrine and Makerere University. Dear Evelyn, Thank you for the interest in this tour. The short tour 3 hours costs $20 each and you pay an entrance fee at the Gadaffi mosque of 15,000 shillings. The long tour 6 hours costs $30 each and you pay and entrance fee at the Gadaffi mosque and the Buganda palace each 15,000 shillings. The fee includes a bottle of water and a snack. This is what we see in the short tour; -The monuments in the city close by. -The crafts market. -The Old taxi park. -The Nakasero market -The oldest Hindu temple -The Owino market (Biggest in East Africa). -The Gadaffi mosque On top of the above this is included in the long tour; -We do fabric hunting -Kings roundabout -The Buganda palace which contains Idd Amin’s torture chambers And many interesting things to see on the way…… Meeting point is the Post office on Kampala road. And you are free to pay in shillings or dollars. Tours happen every day. After a city tour, we recommend at least half a day for shopping and exploring on your own. This will let you meet the friendly indigenous people and get a true feeling of life in a large African city. For bookings email Joel at ugandavolunteersfoundation@gmail.com Entebbe Tour This sleepy town has great views of the second largest lake in the world. Entebbe was the colonialists’ administrative center and has many buildings that date over half a century ago. The name Entebbe means “the chair” in Luganda, which is the local language of the area. Entebbe is also home to the famous or infamous Airport, which was raided by Israeli commandos in 1976. While in Entebbe, you will visit the Uganda Wildlife Education Center and the beautiful Botanical Gardens where in the midst of the spectacular flora, you will see vervet monkeys and a Red colobus monkey that escaped from the nearby zoo. The botanical gardens are home to many weavers, waxbills and sunbirds. You may also see the Palm nut Vulture, Pied and Black-and –white casqued Hornbills, Eastern Grey Plantain Eater, Great Blue Turaco, Pigmy Kingfisher and the black-and-white Flycatcher. You will proceed for the 1 hour 30 minute boat ride to Ngamba Island to view chimpanzees that have been saved from the unscrupulous who doom them to captivity. Chimps that have been nursed back to health are also set free to roam this island. For bookings email Joel at ugandavolunteersfoundation@gmail.com Horse Ride & Quad Bike Tour Short Horse Safaris Our short safaris generally run at 10am and 2pm each day, but it is essential that you pre-book your safari so we can ensure horses and guides are available and ready when you arrive. 1 hr ride 1.5 hrs Ride 2 hr ride 3 hrs Ride We can only take cash as payment for our short safaris. Our exchange rate if you wish to pay in Ugandan shillings is at the current daily rate. Ask at time of booking. Overnight Safari To The Haven There are three options for accommodation when doing the overnight safari staying at The Haven. The safari price includes horse riding, your accommodation and all meals. It does not include drinks while at the Haven. Lazy Camping.. ( Twin Share) single supplement (tents + beds linen etc provided Luxury Banda (twin share) single supplement with ensuite Luxury Bungalow (twin share) single supplement with ensuite Please Note: Overnight safaris require a minimum of two people to run, and accommodation is subject to availability. However please contact us if you a single rider as at times we have other single riders waiting on a second person so we can run an overnight safari. Talk to us about a discount for groups of 4 or more. Sunset Ride 90 minute horse ride with boat cruise transport from either Adrift or Nile River Explorers Campsites. Also includes beer, wine and sodas. Only runs on Friday and Saturday afternoons from 4pm in the cooler part of the day. We do require a minimum of two persons to run this trip. Quad bikes The best ATV Quadbike Safari in Africa. Off the beaten tracks and into the warm heart of Uganda besides the river Nile from Bujagali – East Africa’s Centre for adventure. For bookings email Joel at ugandavolunteersfoundation@gmail.com