Explore Cultural Tours In Uganda

Experience Uganda’s distinct cultures and traditions with a local tour operator at an affordable rate. Embarking on a cultural tour holiday with us is entirely a great opportunity for you to gain a deep insight into the numerous inspirational and diverse cultures that make Uganda truly the melting pot of cultures. Our unique cultural tours in Uganda –the pearl of Africa is all about getting a close interaction with the locals a lifetime experience for any enthusiastic cultural visitor.

Beyond wildlife safaris, gorilla trekking adventures and mountaineering plus other experiences, we arrange responsible and authentic cultural tours in Uganda. As a cultural destination, Uganda boasts of her strong cultural heritage thanks to her cultural diversity and historical sites. Different tribal and ethnic cultural backgrounds define Uganda’s cultural diversity.

Over 50 distinct indigenous languages are spoken by different tribal groups and what is interesting is that these groups have lived harmoniously for years. Each tribal group offers truly authentic African cultural experience ranging from the Bantu in Central, Western, South-western and Eastern region to Nilotic groups in the North, North-east and North-western part of the country.

Ugandan people are hospitable and warm-welcoming people. This is one thing you won’t miss witnessing right you touch into the Uganda’s soil. With our inspirational Uganda cultural safaris and tours, it is with no doubt that guests have plenty to blend into their game viewing experiences. With this, you have opportunity to extend your holiday to experience a lot more in the Pearl of Africa.

Key areas of interest for your cultural tours in Uganda

Tribal traditional activities in Uganda encompass many key areas including food and welfare, clothing, traditional dances, norms, and more. Every tribal group or region has something unique to showcase that is one remarkable thing about cultural tours in Uganda. Cultural experiences in Uganda often showcase what each area has that is; Buganda, Bunyoro, Busoga, Toro, Teso and Bugisu.

Explore Uganda Safaris

How best to start your cultural tour in Uganda

Have plans to visit Bwindi or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park for gorilla trekking experience? Considering the Batwa community/cultural experience on your gorilla safari package should be a must-do in Southwestern Uganda. With the Batwa cultural visit, you have a great chance to interact with the forest-dwelling hunter-gatherer group –the Batwa pygmies. These are the indigenous group that lived for years in Bwindi and Mgahinga before the areas were gazetted as national parks.

What to expect on your visit to the Batwa community. The Batwa pygmies showcase their fire-making techniques, ancient hunting and gathering techniques. You will also be amazed by the unique cultural and traditional music performance demonstrated by locals. Visiting the Batwa community is 100% the best way in which you can support and promote responsible/sustainable tourism.

On chimpanzee tracking tour in Kibale National Park, a visit to Bigodi community should be a must-do. Located a short distance from the lush Kibale Forest Park, Bigodi wetland sanctuary is a place to experience the most of community-based tourism. Beyond interacting with locals, expect to engage in activities such as nature walks, cultural and village visits as well as birding. At the Bigodi Women’s Group, you can be in position to explore distinct traditional African crafts which you can even purchase some and by so doing; you would have directly supported the locals.

Located on the Kampala-Masaka road, Mpambire Drum Village is a place to make a stopover en-route to Bwindi, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park or Lake Mburo National Park. Mpambire Village is regarded as the heart of drum-making in Uganda and your visit allows you explore how they make the traditional drums.

Nshenyi cultural village provides visitors a chance to explore more about the distinct Ankole cultures and traditions. This village is a family run initiative and directly benefits several families living in the nearby areas. Historically and culturally, Ankole is one area that is dependent on the long-honed Ankole cattle keeping. At Nshenyi cultural village tour, you will have experience on milking cows before breakfast, making yoghurt or ghee; visit the farms and homesteads and the nearby community schools.

Within Kampala, the main areas to visit for cultural tour include Kasubi tomb site, Buganda kingdom, Kabaka’s Lake, traditional craft markets, Ndere cultural centre, and others. These sites can be visited on Kampala city tour.

Other interesting areas to consider for cultural tours in Uganda include Kasoga cultural experience, Leopard village, Kikorongo equator cultural performers, Nyanz’ibiri cave community, Kikorongo women community, Katwe salt lake, etc –perfect for guests on Uganda wildlife tour in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

SAFARI ACTIVITIES IN UGANDA

Gorilla Trekking in Uganda

After reading about the mountain gorillas, meet them physically and watch the silverback protect its family, mothers nurse and youngsters play. Half of the total population of the mountain Gorillas call Bwindi impenetrable national park and Mgahinga Gorilla national park home.

Mountain Gorillas are only found in the pearl of Africa, around the vast Virunga chain of mountains which spans through Uganda, Rwanda and the DR Congo. All trekkers must be 15 years and above, with a valid Gorilla trekking permit which can only be used once-the date of the activity.

Gorilla trekking permits are purchased from Uganda wildlife Authority, or through a licensed tour agency and costs 700Usd for foreign non-residents, 250,000ugx for East African residents and 600$ for foreign residents. 

Chimpanzee trekking in Uganda

Chimpanzees trekking is done in Kyambura gorge, Kibale national park, Kalinzu forest and Budongo forest. This is one of the must-do safari activities in Uganda, and thus one of the best for holiday goers. Get to experience the silence of the jungle, know what the forest has, and encounter other forest inhabitants.

The Gorilla trekking experience is done in the morning and afternoon hours, taking about 1-4 hours on foot. It is open for only persons aged 16 years and above in groups of not more than 8 persons. One can combine chimpanzee trekking with other activities like game viewing, boat cruise, hiking, birding and more. At Kibale forest National Park, you will visit Isunga community for the top of world hike and coffee experience.

Game drives and camping safaris

Akagera national park is the only place where game drives are done in Rwanda. The park is located in the eastern part of Rwanda, with a wide range of flora and fauna, cool weather, and classic lodging options.

Game viewing in Akagera National Park is rated as one of the best in the continent, and offers high chances of encountering among others; the African elephants, cape Buffaloes, lions, leopards, Rhinoceros, forest genet, zebras, wild dogs and more. There are birds, plants and more to explore during your stay in the park. Game drive is best in the morning and late evening hours.

Boat cruises

Boat cruise experiences in Murchison falls national park, Lake Victoria, Lake Mburo, Bunyonyi and Kazinga channel are quite unmatched. The best way to explore water, and uncover the aquatic world. Get closer to Nile crocodiles, hippos, kingfisher, water duck, shoebill stock and more, the papyrus swamps, and cool water breeze. This experience takes about 1-3 hours, in either morning or afternoon hours.

Bird watching tours.

Uganda is a host to 10% of total bird species in the world. Birds are found across the country, in the swamps, lake shores, mountains, river shores, and forests. For bird enthusiasts, you get to learn of these birds by name, and character.

Take time to capture numerous photos of the many species notably; Turacos, eagles, Kori bustards, shoe bill stock, cranes, francolins, Albertine owlets, kivu ground thrush, Rwenzori Turacos, regal sunbirds, mountain masked Apalis, Red-billed quale, western nicator eagles, African Jacana, eastern black korhaans, lover birds, guinea fowls and more.

Hiking and Mountaineering activities.

Nature walk and hiking are some of the best safari activities done in your holiday. It is an activity where everything is within your presence, notably; the birds, plants, water and more. It is a much practical way of uncovering Mother Nature and doing physical exercise.

Spend a few nights above the ground, by hiking to the summit of Mount. Rwenzori; one of the tallest mountains in the continent of Africa. Other destinations include; Mountain Elgon which offers a scenic view of the magnificent caldera, coffee plantations and more.

Other activities in Uganda include; City tours, cultural tours, night life, and religious tour.

F.A.Q.

There is no standard price for Uganda, Rwanda or Congo gorilla permit –each country has its rates. In Uganda, the charges vary depending on the visitor category. The foreign non-residents are charged USD 700 to have their gorilla permits booked, USD 600 for foreign residents and Ugandans (East Africa citizens) pay shs. 250,000 per person. To have a gorilla permit secured/booked, you need USD 1500 for Rwanda and this is most ideal for luxury/high-end travelers interested in visiting the endangered mountain gorillas.

When booking a gorilla permit, it is also a good thing to have a destination of your desire in mind. The key places to consider a must-visit on gorilla tour include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park –these are gorilla trekking destinations for tourists on a tour in Uganda. In Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park is where you can locate habituated mountain gorilla families and crossing the D.R. Congo, you can explore Virunga National Park.

It is a good thing to also understand when best to book your gorilla permits to avoid having issues on actual date of gorilla trekking. Considering our experience, we always recommend our clients to have their permits booked early enough at least 2-4 months. This can save you from last minute stress, especially if you plan to travel during the dry season also considered to be the peak season. The peak months of the year fall around June, July, August to September, and December, January to February.

Gorilla permits are among the relevant documents visitors must have to be allowed to track gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Not any gorilla permit should be presented on actual gorilla trekking adventure but a valid one. Booking gorilla permits is part of making the entire gorilla trip complete and should be done early enough before the actual visit to see mountain gorillas or eastern lowland gorillas.

To have your gorilla permit booked, there is a process one should undergo through and is generally tedious. Considering your tight schedule back home, you may wonder how easier you can have your permit booked in advance to avoid last minute stress.

The easiest way to secure your gorilla permit in Uganda or Rwanda is by dealing with a recognized tour operator/company on the ground. This is where our reservation team comes in. As part of your gorilla safari requirement, our team being on ground will ensure that your permit is booked early enough and everything else that is needed for gorilla trekking is put together.

The beauty about dealing with local safari company such as ours is that we have knowledge on the different gorilla groups and surrounding communities plus various accommodation facilities for your night stay. This is in addition to making the entire gorilla permit booking process easier on behalf of our clients.

There is also an option of booking the permit directly through the reservation team of respective park authorities. But the challenge is that you must undergo through the long process to have your permit booked and this may not favor you depending on your schedule. Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) is an organ in charge not only for conservation of wildlife in the Pearl of Africa but also sets prices for tourism activities in the parks including gorilla permits. In Rwanda, you can contact Rwanda Tourism Board/Rwanda Development Board to have your permit booked.

The East African tourist visa is a joint visa that permits one to travel to specific countries within East Africa, namely Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda only. A joint tourist visa can be used several times for various purposes as long as it’s not overdue. 

Tourists should therefore find it important to always remember that the tourist visa lasts for only 90 days.  Processing the tourist visa takes a maximum period of two working days. It is also important to note that the tourist visa prohibits employment.

The process of applying for a tourist visa has been made easier since it can be done with the help of a tour operator or by the individual themselves online through the Ministry of Internal Affairs immigration portal. Visitors are required to log in to the portal, go ahead and accept the terms and conditions for the tourist visa, select the Visa / permit type, the subcategory and category, complete the application form and upload the required documents. 

A reference number will be generated and sent to you through your email, submit it and proceed to payment. It’s important to note that the payment can be made using Visa cards.  An approval letter will be sent to your email after the above process.

Report at the immigration office or border post for the biometric capture with all the necessary documents, receipt of payment, approval letter and your passport. Visitors should regard it as important to enter through the home country issuing the visa.

The East African tourist visa costs a fee of $100 only, meaning that it can be obtained by all travelers ranging from the budget to luxurious ones.

  • Persons aged 15 years and above are allowed to trek gorillas.
  • Avoid sneezing in the presence of gorillas.
  • Always stay away from gorillas by observing distance
  • Do not try to feed gorillas
  • Do not chew in the presence of gorillas
  • Do not take photos with flash light on.