Have you ever wondered where your morning cup of coffee comes from? How is it grown, harvested, processed, and roasted? How does it affect the lives of the people who produce it and the environment they live in? If you are a coffee lover and a curious traveler, you might want to consider coffee tourism as your next adventure. Coffee tourism is a form of experiential travel that allows you to explore the origin and culture of coffee in different countries and regions.

One of the best places to experience coffee tourism is Uganda, the pearl of Africa. Uganda is one of the world’s leading coffee producers and exporters, with a rich and diverse coffee heritage that dates back to the 19th century.

The country ranks Africa’s second largest coffee producer, with coffee playing a vital role in Uganda’s economy and culture. From the scenic slopes of Mount Elgon to the rolling hills of Kasese, Uganda’s coffee regions offer a unique blend of natural beauty, rich history and a vibrant culture.

Coffee Tourism Experience

Uganda offers different kinds of coffee tourism experiences varying on the visitor’s preferences and budget. Visitors can chose from;

Coffee Farm Tours

These are tours that take you to the coffee fields, learn about coffee production, participate in harvesting and processing. Visitors  also learn about the different varieties of coffee in Uganda, such as Arabica and Robusta, and their unique characteristics and qualities.

Coffee Processing and Roasting

This takes visitors to the roasting facilities, where you can see how coffee is processed, sorted, graded, and roasted. Discover the art of transforming green beans into delicious coffee

Tasting sessions

These tours take you to coffee tasting rooms, where visitors savor Uganda’s distinct coffee flavors, from Arabica to Robusta. You get to learn how coffee is brewed, served, and evaluated.

Barista training

These are tours that take you to the cafes or training centers, where you can see how coffee is prepared, presented, and enjoyed. You can also learn about the different styles and skills of making coffee, such as espresso, cappuccino, latte art, and cold brew.

Culture Encounters:

Engage with local communities, learn about their traditions and enjoy coffee ceremonies.

Uganda’s best Coffee tourism destinations include;

Sipi Falls

This is a stunning waterfall located in the eastern region of Uganda, near Mount Elgon. It is also home to some of the finest Arabica coffee in Uganda. The Sipi Falls coffee tour is one of the most unique experiences that Uganda Safari visitors to Eastern Uganda have enjoyed and participated in. This is in the vicinity of Sipi Falls, which is well-known for its locally grown Bugisu Arabica coffee. Bugisu Arabica grows only between 1,600 and 1,900 meters above sea level.

Mount Elgon

This is a dormant volcano located on the border between Uganda and Kenya. It has fertile soils and a cool climate that are ideal for growing high-quality Arabica coffee.

Lake Bunyonyi

This is a scenic lake located in the southwestern region of Uganda, near the border with Rwanda. It is also one of the deepest lakes in Africa. Furthermore, it has a serene atmosphere and a rich biodiversity that are perfect for Coffee growing. Visitors can combine coffee tours in this region with an exhibition to the 27 islands around Lake Bunyonyi.  

Kampala

This is the capital city and the largest urban center of Uganda. It is also the hub of culture, commerce, and entertainment in Uganda. It has a vibrant and diverse coffee scene that caters to all tastes and preferences.

Mbale: Eastern Uganda’s coffee hub, with rich cultural heritage and scenic views.

How does Coffee Tourism benefit the community

Coffee tourism in Uganda is not only good for visitors. It poses a positive impact on coffee growing communities;

It is a source of Income: By offering coffee tours to tourists, local people  can generate additional revenue from their products and services, such as selling coffee beans, roasted coffee, brewed coffee, and souvenirs. They can also charge a fee for hosting and guiding the tourists on their farms and facilities. This can help them improve their living standards and invest in their businesses.

Improves Quality: By engaging with tourists, they can receive feedback and suggestions on their products and practices, such as how to grow, harvest, process, and roast their coffee. They can also learn from the experts and trainers who accompany the tourists, such as how to grade, taste, and evaluate their coffee. This can help them enhance their skills and knowledge, and produce better quality coffee.

Sustainability: Coffee tourism in Uganda helps promote the sustainability of the coffee sector and the environment in Uganda. By educating tourists, they can raise awareness and appreciation for the challenges and opportunities facing the coffee industry and the natural resources in Uganda, such as climate change, pests, diseases, deforestation, soil erosion, water scarcity, and biodiversity loss.

Job creation: Coffee tourism in Uganda creates employment opportunities to communities around the coffee farms such as guiding, and agriculture.

Cultural exchange: It fosters cross-cultural understanding and appreciation between visitors and farmers.

Why Coffee Tourism is Good for You

Coffee tourism in Uganda is not only a fun and exciting way of traveling, it offers a unique blend of experiences, benefits, and advantages for visitors and local communities

i, Educational: Coffee tourism in Uganda allows you to learn about the history, production, and varieties of coffee in Uganda. In addition, you can gain valuable knowledge and insights into the origin and culture of coffee, and how it influences the lives and traditions of the people who grow it.

ii, Sensory delights: Coffee tourism in Uganda allows you to experience the different stages and aspects of coffee production, from farm to cup. You can see, touch, smell, taste, and hear the various processes. You can also enjoy the different flavors and aromas of coffee, from fruity and floral to nutty and chocolaty.

iii, Immersive cultural preservation and experiences; Through exploring local traditions, food and music, which preserves traditional practices, customs and also heritage.

iv, Networking opportunities; through connecting with local farmers, artisans and fellow travelers.

v, Health: Coffee tourism in Uganda allows you to reap the health benefits of coffee consumption, such as boosting your energy, mood, and metabolism. In addition, Coffee is a natural stimulant that can help you stay alert, focused, and productive throughout your trip.

vi, Coffee is also a rich source of antioxidants that can help you fight off free radicals, inflammation, and aging. Coffee can also lower your risk of developing certain diseases, such as diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Uganda’s coffee tourism has the potential to transform rural communities, promote sustainable development and also showcase the country’s natural beauty. Join the journey to explore Uganda’s coffee culture and contribute to a brighter future for local communities.

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Do i need a Ugandan Visa?

Yes, all visitors to Uganda require visas. Visa’s are one of the most important Essential Requirements to visit Uganda. The Ugandan visa can be granted to travelers coming to Uganda for tourism, medical treatment, family visit among other reasons.  

The Visas to Uganda are only a single entry and Approval authorization is  valid for only 90 days (3 months). This means that one needs to travel within the designated time to avoid inconveniences or to apply for new Visas once the time expires.

What are the Requirements of getting a Ugandan Visa?

Getting a Ugandan Visa depends on the purpose of your visit to the East African country. Nonetheless, here are the requirements of getting a Ugandan visa.

1. A copy of your Passport with at least 6 months validity

2. Insurance like health, travel etc

3. Identification documents like IDs, Driving permits

4. Hotel booking or reservation (if any other accommodation, provide an address)

NOTE

5. For Tourists, they also need to have a Travel plan, Travel itinerary/booking, Vaccination Certificate (Yellow Fever)

6. For Students, they need to present a letter of invitation or an admission letter from the school.

7. Visitors coming to the country for Business (meetings, conferences) need to present a letter of invitation with a clear address. They need to clearly state the business in Uganda and also need to state the right time they are planning on staying in the country.

How much does a Ugandan Visa cost?

The visas cost USD 50, these charges are non-refundable and all payments are subject to a bank charge.

How to get a Ugandan Visa

Visitors intending to travel to Uganda for holiday, tourism, business, study, visit, and/or medical can apply and obtain a visa online using the following procedures.

Step-1: Choose the application type (Visa or permit)

Step-2: Fill the electronic form

Step-3: Add documents (Copy of recent passport size photograph, Copy of passport bio-data page, Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate, Recommendation letter, Police clearance, etc.)

Step-4: Finally, Submit and wait patiently to be approved.

Visitors can also obtain a visa for Uganda, from either an Uganda Consulate in your country or apply for an ‘e-visa online.

You can also get an East African Visa (one visa for Uganda, Rwanda, & Kenya) which is a 90-day East African Tourist Visa. This therefore allows you to visit all of East African Countries for the period stated withing the visa.

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From the sprawling Queen Elizabeth National park to the tranquil Murchison Falls National park, Uganda is home to over 5,000 elephants. Each of these with their unique personality, social bonds, and survival story. Exploring Uganda’s Majestic Elephants will give you an insight on how these incredible creatures play a vital role in shaping Uganda’s ecosystems. In addition, dispersing seeds, and creating pathways through the wilderness.

More about Uganda’s majestic elephants

In this blog, we’ll delve into the the fascinating world of exploring Uganda’s majestic elephants. Elephants are one of the most sought after members of Africa’s Big 5. They are the biggest land mammal in the African bush with a gigantic dark gray structure with pillar-like legs. Elephants have large ears and a long trunk, therefore, gracefully strolling through the plains is one of the most beautiful sights you will encounter. Book with Vibrant Holiday Safaris today for an unmatched adventure of Exploring Uganda’s majestic elephants.

They are regarded as the chief architects of the savanna whose constant felling of trees prevents the growth of the forest hence maintaining a savannah where other herbivores and cats can flourish.

While lions reign supreme, elephants are a strong second in Uganda’s wildlife tourism thus they are second most iconic and captivating wildlife species, after lions.

Elephants are herbivores, they feed on a diverse array of plants to sustain their massive bodies. In addition to that, their diet consists mainly of grasses, leaves, fruits, tree barks and roots. Elephants can also feed upto 250-300 kilograms and take in 100-150 liters of water a day and they spend 12-18 hours feeding.

Elephant species in Uganda

There are two species of elephants that are present in Uganda. These are the African bush elephants (African savannah elephant), and the Forest elephants. The African bush elephants are the most prominent species in Uganda. This is because they are easily seen in a number of parks across Uganda. The forest elephant is a rare one to find and inhabits some of the forest parks in Uganda such as Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Kibale National park, Semliki National park.

Places to the see elephants on safari in Uganda

Immerse yourself in Uganda’s stunning natural beauty and encounter the majestic elephants. With a population of over 5000 elephants, these incredible animals roam freely in its National parks and reserves. Therefore offering breathtaking sightings and unforgettable experiences. The best places to see elephants in Uganda are;

Queen Elizabeth National park

Known for its rich biodiversity, Queen Elizabeth park is a premier destination for seeing large herds of Elephants. The park hosts the largest population of Elephants with over 3000 elephants. You can see them on game drives in the Mweya sector and on a boat ride along the Kazinga Channel. This offers great opportunities to observe these giants as they sunbathe, drink and cool off the heat from the day.

Murchison Falls National Park

Uganda’s largest National park happens to hold various hotspots for elephant sightings. Therefore, visitors can see them feeding in large herds in the savanna, grassland  and around the riverbanks. Visitors will also experience the power of the Murchison Falls as it forces its way through a 7m narrow gorge. They are also the World’s most powerful waterfalls.

Kidepo National park

This park lies in the far northeastern part of Uganda. Kidepo is one of Uganda’s best kept secrets with a tiny but growing population of elephants. The park has stunning scenery that makes a picturesque place to enjoy the elephants in their natural habitats.

Bwindi Impenetrable National park

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is famously known for mountain gorillas, and also forest elephants. You can see these shy giants lurking deep into the ancient rainforests, melting into a habitant they share with gorillas and other wildlife.

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The park holds vast sections of savannah grassland dotted with Borassus palms and Acacia trees in the North, and woodland and forests in the South which provides constant opportunities to see the remarkable wildlife in Uganda, whether you are driving through the grassland, trekking in the forest, or cruising along the Nile River, Murchison Falls National Park will leave you amazed at how beautifull Uganda is.

Attractions in Murchison Falls National park

The Murchison Falls

Murchison falls are the most spectacular and the star attraction of Uganda’s largest national park, which is also named after the falls. Considered the most powerful waterfall in the world, Murchison Falls are as a result of the great Nile River thrusting through a narrow gap in a violent roar before crashing down a 43 meters drop into a devil’s cauldron below as it is flowing outward into Lake Albert.

More about Uganda’s Murchison Falls National Park

Taking a boat ride to the falls enables visitors explore the park and experience the amazing wildlife along the riverbanks. For example crocodiles, elephants, hippos, hartebeest, buffaloes, Rothschild Giraffes, oribi, and monitor lizards. The most thrilling view of the waterfall is at the top of the falls where the sight and sounds of the Nile crashing through the 7-meter vast chasm make an unforgettable assault on your neural senses. This leaves you blown away by the waterfall’s mighty force and stunning beauty.

The Murchison Falls is not only a wonder of natural beauty but also a vital source of life in the region. The falls provide a vital water supply for wildlife, including the Nile crocodiles and hippos in the river below. The surrounding area is also home to diverse flora and fauna, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers.

Wildlife in Uganda’s Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls is home to 76 species of mammals, primates, over 450 species of birds, including four of the famous the Big Five(5) animals that is the lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes with only the rhinos absent. Game drives are ideal for exploring the park’s diverse wildlife, whether its in the morning or evening, its never a dull moment exploring while this magnificent park. Some animals you will not miss seeing  at Murchison Falls National park include; Giraffes, Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Warthogs, Hyenas, Buffaloes, Jackson’s Hartebeest, Waterbucks, Antelopes, Uganda Kob, Hippos, Olive Baboons, Chimpanzees, Jackal, Patas monkey, Crocodiles, Oribi among others.

Birds in Uganda’s Murchison Falls National Park

Birds at Murchison Falls National park make the destination questionably one best birding sites in Uganda. The park is a paradise of over 460 bird species including the savannah birds, water birds, forest birds and some Albertine rift endemic birds. Some of the commonly spotted birds include the shoebill, Grey crown cranes, Great blue Turaco, Long crested eagle, and white casqued hornbill. These can easily spotted during game drives, nature walks, boat rides along the River Nile. Other bird species that can be seen include, the Saddle-billed stork, Grey crown cranes, African spoonbill, Hamerkop, Osprey, Black and white Casqueal, Palm-nut vulture,  African open bill, Kingfishers like the the Giants, Malachite, Pied and the Blue breasted kingfishers among others.

Chimpanzee trekking in Budongo forest

Nestled in the heart of Uganda, lies the largest natural mahogany forest in East Africa, Budongo Forest. It covers an expansive area of 825 sq km. The forest is easily accessible taking only a three-hour drive from Murchison falls. Budongo Forest is a true natural wonder. It offers a unique opportunity to witness the beauty of Uganda’s diverse wildlife and tropical ecosystems. With its breathtaking scenery, impressive biodiversity, and unforgettable chimpanzee tracking experiences. It is renowned for being one of the best chimpanzee habitats in Uganda. It has over 600 individuals residing within its verdant canopies. 100 of these are habituated for tracking at Kaniyo-Pabidi. Besides its thriving primate population, the forest is also home to an astounding species of primates. Also impressive bird species, small mammals making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and birdwatchers.

Best Time to Visit Uganda’s Murchison Falls National Park

Murchison Falls National Park is open all year round. For the best wildlife viewing, you should visit during the dry months. These are December to February and also June to September. Because animals are drawn to water sources making it easier to spot them. If you’re a bird enthusiast, the best time is during the wet months. Moreso in March to May and also September to November.

How to access Uganda’s Murchison Falls National Park

By road

One can access the park through its different gates. For example Chobe, Wankwar, Mubako, and Tangi in the North which is approximately 5.5 hours from Kampala. From the South, one can enter from one of the two southern gates, Kichumbanyobo or Bugungu.

By Air

Visitors can fly to the park, to the airstrips inside the park. For example Chobe, Pakuba, or Bugungu depending on the area of the park you plan to stay. Accessing the park by air takes only one hour from Entebbe International park. You advised to book your flights in advance by Airlink for better preparations.

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Situated in Nakasongola district approximately 176 kilometers north of Kampala, the sanctuary covers  an area of 70 square kilometers covered with large woodlands, thickets, swamps, ponds, grasslands. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary offers one of the great experiences you need not to miss in the life of trekking rhinos in Uganda’s wilderness.

About Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

The sanctuary was established  in 2005 to reintroduce Wild Rhinos. These had become extinct in Uganda during the 1980’s due to poaching, encroachment and human-wildlife conflicts with the goal of releasing these magnificent animals back into the wild so they can once again wander the plains and their natural habitats together with other wildlife species and it started with only 6 Rhinos in 2005 which have now accumulated to 33 Rhinos by December 2021. These rare creatures are the second biggest mammals on land after elephants and tracking them means a full complete list of the big five game (lions, leopards, rhinoceros, elephants, and buffaloes) in Uganda.

What happens during Rhino Trekking in Uganda

Before trekking, there is a briefing session by the Uganda Wildlife Authority guides. The briefing session is very insightful and only lasts for about 10 minutes. Here, visitors learn about the history of Rhinos in Uganda, the critical need for conservation, the Do’s and Don’ts while in the wild with the Rhinos.

Rhino Trekking in Uganda is a mixture of excitement, anticipation and a little fear about the experience. Trekkers take a short period of time for example less than 15 minutes before encountering a family of Rhinos. In cases where they take long, the trackers work inside the park and follow the rhinos 24/7. Therefore, they communicate with radios to the guides to help find the rhinos and avoid trekking for hours in vain .

How much is Rhino trekking in Uganda

Visitors to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary only need entrance fees and tracking fees. The entrance fee cost $20 to foreign and non foreign residents and shs10,000 to East African residents. Whereas Rhino tracking costs $30 to foreign residents, $20 to non foreign residents and only shs20,000 to East African residents.

When is the Best time to go Rhino Trekking in Uganda

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary welcomes visitors throughout the year. However the best time for Rhino Trekking in addition to other wildlife activities is between December to January. Also June to August because of the little rainfall and plenty of sunshine that favor the park activities.

During the dry seasons, tracking trails are easier to move through, giving tourists access to most of the conservation areas. There’s short and scattered vegetation compared to the wet seasons which gives clear views of the wildlife around.

How to reach Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to see Rhinos

By road, The sanctuary is only 3 hours from the Capital city Kampala. It is located along Kampala-Gulu highway which is a lot easier for tourists to reach. This can be either before or after their Safari to either Kidepo or Murchison Falls National Parks.

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All about Rwanda as a Tourism Destination

Tourism in Rwanda is considered to be the largest foreign exchange earner and it has significantly grown at a rate of 25% in the last years. The country has amazing discoveries that attract tourists from all over the world, which include the breathtaking landscapes, intriguing national parks, a rich and unique culture and wildlife wonders. Rwanda offers a diverse experience to everyone in this captivating country.

Make the most of your experience with our list of the top tourist attractions in Rwanda.

Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda as a Tourism Destination

Just a 2-hour drive from , located in the Northwestern border of Rwanda ,lies the Volcanoes National Park, a home of the world’s endangered mountain gorillas of over 700 gorillas. The park is one of the only four(4) places in the world where one can observe these giants in their Natural habitats apart from Virunga National park in Congo and Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable National parks in Uganda. The name Volcanoes came after the volcanoes that surround the area. Besides gorillas, Volcanoes National park is a home for golden monkeys, a variety of birds, reptiles, antelopes among others plus a variety of plants that all combine to make a memorable experience for you while in Rwanda.

Akagera National Park in Rwanda as a Tourism Destination

Being one the oldest parks, Akagera was a forest reserve that was gazetted in1934 as a National park. The park lies in the Eastern part of Rwanda and was named after the Kagera river which flows in between Rwanda and Tanzania. The park is covered with the African savannah grasslands that are a home a variety of wildlife such lions, giraffes, zebras, hippos, elephants, rhinos, leopard and antelopes like the bushbucks, waterbucks, roan antelopes , impalas, elands among others.

Visitors to the park can engage in game drives, boat cruises along the Kagera River and lake Ihema. Birding is also an amazing activity one can engage in while in Akagera National park because of the variety of the bird species like the swamp flycatcher, egrets, crowned cranes, the red faced barbets , shoebill stock among many more.

Nyungwe Forest National park in Rwanda as a Tourism Destination

Located in the southwestern part of Rwanda, Nyungwe forest national park is one of the most protected montane rain forests in Africa . It is rich in biodiversity with a wide variety of animal species including 13 species of primates such as chimpanzees being the main attraction as there are over 400 individuals and tracking them happens daily.

More about Nyungwe Forest National Park

Other primates include L’Hoest monkeys, silver monkey, golden monkey, olive monkey among others. Also there are 75 mammal species mostly the small and nocturnal hence difficult to hunt. More than 300 bird species are in Nyungwe forest national park with about 27 Albertine rift endemics. Also16 are endemic and 121 are forest species such as the Barred long tailed cuckoo, chestnut owlet, rwenzori nightjar, kivu ground thrush, rwenzori batis, the white tailed blue -fly catcher among others.one can engage in chimpanzee tracking while on a safari in the park.

What to do in Nyungwe Forest National Park

Hanging out with primates isn’t the only thing to do in Nyungwe. The park is also home to the only canopy walk in East Africa, roughly a 90-minute hike from the Uwinka Visitor Center. You’ll walk across a 91-meter-long suspension bridge dangling more than 50 meters above the verdant rainforest, getting a dizzying view of the treetops and mountains in the distance. You can also engage in birding cultural encounters with the rich Rwandan culture.

Gishwati Forest National park in Rwanda as a Tourism Destination

Gishwati national park is 170 km from Kigali city which is approximately a 4 hour drive. It comprises two forest reserves that are Gishwati and Mukura reserves. It is the smallest park in the country sitting on a radius of 34 square kilometers. The park shelters around 20 chimpanzees alongside the golden monkeys, L’Hoest monkey, silver monkey, blue monkeys among others, it also has around 60 tree species and over 395 bird species. You can engage in various activities in the park such as golden monkey trekking, hiking, bird watching among others.

Lake Kivu in Rwanda as a Tourism Destination

Lake Kivu is Rwanda’s largest lake and 6th in Africa covering an area of 2700 km squared. It pours its waters into Ruzzi river that flows southwards to lake Tanganyika. It has a lively waterfront of sandy beaches mixed with resorts. Lake Kivu is also one of the safest lakes in Africa with no dangerous animals like crocodiles and hippos. The lake also has hundreds of islands with the most known being Napoleon Island. It is just outside Karongi which is a conservation area and home to one of Africa’s largest colonies of straw colored fruit bats. It has a lively waterfront, sandy beach, and stunning resorts including the Lake Kivu Serena Hotel. A few days in this peaceful town will leave you restored.

Congo Nile Trail

The Congo Nile Trail is a hiking and mountain biking trail along the Congo Nile Divide between Rusizi and Rubavu. This trial has 8 biking and 10 hiking stages where each stage takes one day to complete and there is accommodation at the end of each stage. The Trail passes through the wonderful scenery of Lake Kivu and the green Rwandan hills and 5 districts, Rubavu, Rutsiro, Karongi, Nyamasheke and Rusizi with 2 of Rwanda’s 5 national parks; Nyungwe Forest National Park and Gishwati-Mukura Forest National Park.

Kigali Genocide Memorial

Kigali Genocide Memorial is located in Gisozi, Rwanda, just outside central Kigali. These grounds are very important because they commemorate the Rwandan Genocide where over 250,000 people lost their lives. The center is a permanent memorial to those who fell victim to the genocide. In addition to that, it serves as a place where the bereaved buried their family and friends. Kigali Genocide Memorial includes three permanent exhibitions, the largest of which documents the genocide in 1994. Also, there is a children’s memorial, with life-sized photos. Accompanied by intimate details for example their favorite toys, last words in addition to how they were killed.

More about Kigali Genocide Memorial

Also, there is an exhibition on the history of genocidal violence around the world. The Education Centre, Memorial Gardens and National Documentation Centre contribute to a meaningful tribute to those who perished. It forms a powerful educational tool for the next generation. While heartbreaking, an expedition to Kigali Genocide Memorial grounds is an important part of being a responsible tourist in Rwanda.

Ethnographic Museum

This museum holds Africa’s best ethnological and archaeological artifacts in Rwanda. The museum is located about 130 kilometers south of Kigali in the Huye District. Museum holds seven galleries that will take you back to pre-colonial Rwanda. In addition, these galleries hold a collection of woven baskets and traditional garments made from animal hides. They also hold woven grass spears and bows, in addition to musical drums from hundreds of years ago, and old farming tools.

King’s Palace Museum

This palace is one of Rwanda’s eight national museums. More so its star attractions are the inyambo (sacred cows) and their staggeringly large horns. Throughout the day, traditional singers lull the cows into a mellow state by belting poems. A ritual that’s unique to Rwanda. It exhibits a replica of a king’s palace from the 15th century with a thatched roof. Moreso unmarried women run the royal hut, and fresh milk huts.

Visitors enjoy the Rwandan Traditional Royal home and the INYAMBO/ Royal traditional cows. They also enjoy Traditional dances before proceeding to the residence of King Mutara III Rudahigwa.

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The common direct flights to Entebbe are from Nairobi (NBO) in Kenya and Kigali (KGL) in Rwanda. These two routes make up 28% of the monthly arrivals to Uganda. The longest direct flight to Uganda (Entebbe) departs from Amsterdam (AMS). It takes around 8 hours and 41 minutes covering  a distance of 3,948 km.

List of all direct flights to Entebbe

Some of the cities and countries that have direct flights to Entebbe, include Kenya which has the highest number of flights followed by Rwanda. Others include Dubai, Addis ababa, Juba, Dar er salaam, Johannesburg, Istanbul, Kinshasa, Doho, Amsterdam, Lagos, Mumbai, Mombasa, Harere, Brussels, Bujumbura, Cairo, Kilimanjaro, Abuja among others.

Airlines that fly to Entebbe

There are over 20 airlines that fly to Entebbe. Most flights to Entebbe are operated by Utair Express which connects 16 airports to Entebbe. In addition it is followed by BAR Aviation, the second biggest airline in terms of operated flight routes to Entebbe. Other Airlines that fly to Entebbe include; Brussels Airlines which makes 3 routes, Euro Airlines with 3 routes, Egyptair with 2 routes to EBB. Furthermore Turkish Airlines with 2 routes, KLM with 2 routes, Rwandair, Kenya Airlines, Emirates among others.

Types of Flights to Uganda

Business class flights

Over 23 airports have flights that fly to Uganda in Business Class and they include Kenya, Rwanda, Dubai, and Juba. In addition to Istanbul, Addis Ababa, Johannesburg among others.

First class flights

Dubai (DXB) is the only airport that has First Class flights to Entebbe.

Intercontinental flights

These are flights that fly between continents. In other words there are intercontinental flights to Entebbe International Airport (EBB) from Europe, the Middle-East and Southern Asia. Therefore, these flights help to connect flights from countries without direct services to Uganda. For example the United States, Canada, Southern America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Furthermore China, Japan, Eastern Asia, South-Eastern Asia, Central Asia or Oceania among others.

Non-stop flights to Uganda

a) From Europe:

These include, Brussels Airlines from Brussels , KLM from Amsterdam (AMS).

b) From the Middle-East / Western Asia

These include flights from Dubai (DXB) which are Air Arabia and seasonal flights from Dubai (Sharjah) (SHJ). Also other flights are Emirates, Flydubai, Qatar Airways from Doha (DOH), Turkish Airlines from Istanbul (IST).

c) From India / South Asia

Utair Express is the only airline flying non-stop from India and also Southern Asia to Entebbe. In addition, these flights fly year-round from Mumbai (BOM).

d) International flights

Brussels is one of the international cities in Belgium with direct flights to Entebbe offered by Brussels Airlines the Star Alliance. Equally another flight is KLM from Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

e) Domestic flights

Uganda has a total of 7 airports within Uganda that offer domestic flights to Entebbe. In addition, from Arua, Eagle Air offers direct flights, From Jinja, the only airline with direct flights is BAR Aviation. Nonetheless, you can fly non-stop with Aerolink Uganda or BAR Aviation from Kasese. And from Kihihi, the only airline with direct flights is BAR Aviation. Direct flights are offered by Aerolink Uganda from Kisoro. Finally you can fly with BAR Aviation from Mbarara and Pakuba airstrips.

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Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of Uganda’s most popular tourist destinations because of its beautiful scenery and diverse wildlife attracting tourists from all over the world. The park is home to a wide range of species including trees, animals, birds, savannah and the hardwood. It hosts about 95 mammal species, 600 bird species plus a lot more to offer to make your journey memorable and adventurous.

There are several reasons as to why you should visit Queen Elizabeth National Park and among them include;

Game Drives

Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park are one of the top remarkable Uganda safari activities you should experience. It’s one of the best ways to witness wildlife including four(4) of the (5) big animals in the park. The park has places where game drives mainly take place and that is the Kasenyi plains and Mweya plains  due to their  high concentration of animal species. Kasenyi plains  are famous because of the large number of Uganda kobs which attract lions, leopards and spotted hyenas. It is easy to access as it is adjacent to the main road. Kasenyi also has other interesting features like Lake George, craters and lots of birds

The Game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park are twice a day. In the morning from 6:30 to 10:30 and in the evening from 4:30 and is one of the exciting time of the safari as you watch leopards in trees protecting their catch, lots of Uganda kobs and waterbucks grazing, large herds of buffalos in many areas of the park, herds of elephants and warthogs. Those who go for the morning drive get a chance to catch the sunrise which is very colorful and those who head out for an evening game drive also capture very stunning views of the sundowner.

Boat Cruise

Queen Elizabeth national park has a large number of mammal species in the park, the boat cruise is one of the perfect ways to explore the whole life at a glance as you sail along the Kazinga channel. The Kazinga Channel is one of Queen Elizabeth National Park’s most spectacular sites and one of the water bodies in the park. It is a 32 km wide channel that connects lake George  to lake Edward. The Kazinga Channel  attracts most of the large mammals in the park which gather for swimming, eating and grazing along the shores, making it a great spot for watching wildlife.

The Kazinga channel hosts the largest number of hippopotamus, the world’s three highest in the world, visitors can also see Nile crocodiles, buffaloes, lions, monitor lizards and many antelope species along the Channel shores. A boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel also offers the best birding experiences in the park with over 58 species that harbor along the shores such as African Shoebill, African Skimmers, Black Bee Eaters, Black Crake, Crested Crane, Darters, Great and Long Tailed Cormorants, Great White and Pink-Backed Pelicans, Jacana, Marabou Stork, Open-Billed Stork, Pink-Backed Pelicans, Saddle Bill Stork and Yellow Billed Stork.

The wide range of animals and the Kazinga Channel’s birds made a boat cruise along the channel one of Queen Elizabeth National Park’s top activities. It has also helped to become the most visited Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda. The cruise cost $30 and takes place in two sessions between 9 a.m in the morning and lasts for 3 hours while the afternoon starts at 2:00 pm and lasts for 3 hours up to 5 p.m. respectively.

Kyambura chimp trekking

Uganda is the primate capital of Africa. This is because of the  several sites for chimpanzee trekking in the country. This activity is done in Kibale Forest, Budongo forest, Kyambura gorge and Kalinzu forest. These offer an opportunity to travelers who have interest in visiting the habituated chimpanzee families.

Lion tracking experience

This is another way of watching lions in the Kasenyi plains of Queen Elizabeth national park. Besides the usual game drives, this is more less a research about these predators in the area. Radio collars are placed in the necks of lions for easily monitoring of their movements. Researcher will explain to you the different things about the behaviors of these lions.

Lion tracking is done in the morning (8am) hours and is guided by a researcher. The activity involves searching for the location of the lions, learning about their behaviors and viewing them. Unlike the usual game drive, lion tracking is done by a few people. A lion tracking permit costs $50 for foreign tourists and UGX100,000 for citizens of East Africa.

Bird watching safaris

With over 1,000 bird species, Uganda is the best birding destination in Africa. It has vast places that offer extremely high satisfaction for the experience. Queen Elizabeth is one the places that offer extraordinary birding experiences. The park hosts over 600 bird species which are in several places. These include savannah, forests, wetlands and bushes and thickets and therefore a good destination for birders. Kazinga Channel is one of the places where several birds are seen. Common bird sightings at this site include Pied kingfishers, African fish eagle, Water-thick knee, Spoon-billed stork, Hammerkop, and African Jacana. Also, Great egrets, Little egret, Egyptian geese, Pink and White backed pelicans, Malachite kingfisher and many others.

Nature walks

With nature walks, you get the best of hidden treasures within Queen Elizabeth National Park. The Nature walks are done in Maramagambo forest, Kyambura Gorge, and Mweya peninsular.

The Best Time to Visit Queen Elizabeth National Park

The best time to visit queen Elizabeth national park is during the dry season. This runs from June to October and also December to February when there is little or no rain. During this season, it is easier to access the park through the tracks leading to the inner parts of Kasenyi. The steep slops and sides of Kyambura gorge are also much easier to climb during the dry season.

How to get to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Queen Elizabeth national park is located in southwestern Uganda in many districts. These are Kamwenge, Rubirizi, Ibanda, Rukungiri and Kasese along the western arm of the east African rift valley. The park is very accessible by either road or air transport.

By Road

It takes about 6 hours to reach Queen Elizabeth national park on the Masaka-Mbarara-Kasese highway. There is an option of passing via Mityana-Fort Portal-Kasese highway which takes about 8 hours. This route offers a chance to view this beautiful tourism city which is also the cleanest town in Uganda.

By flight

Charter aircrafts operate from Entebbe international airport or Kajjansi to Mweya airstrip. You can also choose to land in Kasese airfield and drive to Queen Elizabeth national park for about an hour.

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Africa’s Big 5 in detail

Africa’s Big 5 are among the mammal species found in all savannah Parks of Uganda. Book with Vibrant Holiday Safaris and our specialists will craft for you the most amazing Itinerary to witness these unique species. The Big 5 mammals are the most dangerous and hardest to hunt among hunters and they include; Buffaloes, African Elephants, Lions, Leopards, and Rhinoceros. The most abundantly present in Uganda are the Elephants and Buffaloes. This is because the other three are endangered and their population is declining overwhelmingly.

Several efforts have been taken in with support from the Uganda wildlife Authority. Furthermore, donations from good Wishers, and the different stakeholders in the tours and travel industry to immensely help to conserve the remaining species. And besides the thrill of encountering the big five in Uganda, during your visit makes a positive difference in the conservation of these endangered species.

Members of the Big 5

Leopard

This is a very rare animal to spot during a safari. Leopards are in Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls, and Kidepo Valley National Park to mention but a few. Leopards are tree climbers, where they camouflage with the tree branches making it difficult to spot. With the help of a professional tour guide and a game ranger, you will be able to spot the leopards.

African elephant

Elephants are the largest land animals in the whole world. They are two species of Elephants that are the savannah and Forest elephants. Uganda shelters mostly the savannah elephants because of its vast Savannah grasslands found in its National parks. Visitors can see them in Kibale forest and Bwindi impenetrable forest National parks. The savannah elephants are bigger in size and mostly move in large herds. Elephants are very deadly and dangerous, they display high levels of intelligence with great emotions. In addition, elephants have the biggest memory among other members of Africa’s Big 5.

One can easily spot the Elephants during your game drive and they are present in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kidepo Valley National Park, and Murchison Falls National Park and other wildlife reserves.

Rhinoceros

Rhinos are one of the animals that have gone extinct in Uganda. Uganda Wildlife Authority has put conservation efforts through the Ziwa Rhino sanctuary and the Uganda Wildlife conservation education center. The efforts are to ensure breeding and multiplication of the Rhinos since they are the two places in Uganda to see rhinos.

Rhinos are large herbivorous mammals identified by their horned snort, massive body and stumpy legs. In order to complete your big 5 experience in Uganda, visit either (UWEC) or Ziwa Rhino sanctuary. At Ziwa, you have an opportunity to track the rhinos on foot. The sanctuary is also a great stopover for tourists travelling to Murchison Falls National Park.

Buffaloes

A Buffalo is a cross of an ox and a cow. An African buffalo, also known as a cape buffalo has thick horns that protrude from each side of its head. This makes it one of the best animals to see on your Uganda Safari. These buffaloes are usually dark gray in color or black and lighter undersides of its body. You may not see this because they are usually very dirty from wallowing.

Uganda shelters two types of buffaloes which include the small forest and savannah buffaloes. Small forest buffaloes are common in Semliki national park. Savannah buffaloes are in savannah parks of Murchison falls, Queen Elizabeth and Kidepo Valley National Parks.

Lions

Also known as the king of the jungle, Lions dominate Uganda’s National parks especially Queen Elizabeth National Park. In addition, Ishasha sector is famous for tree climbing lions which capture the hearts of travelers. Uganda’s lions exhibit unique behaviors and adaptations to the various landscapes they inhabit, like Savannah grasslands and dense woodlands. This makes tracking and observing them a thrilling experience.

During a morning or afternoon game drive, one can easily spot these predators. In the warm sunlight, you can spot lions basking and exhibiting their legal presence in the territory. You can also spot the lions hunting their prey since one of their role is to balance the ecosystem. The thrill of encountering these predators in their natural habitat is truly unforgettable.

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More about Kibale Forest National Park

Kibale Forest National Park joins Queen Elizabeth National Park from the south creating a 180 km-long corridor for wildlife exchange between the two parks. The purpose of gazetting Kibale into a National Park in 1993  was to purposely conserve its biological diversity consisting of tree species, birds, mammals and butterfly species. The Park is a haven to more than 70 mammals including 13 primate species  which makes it a Primates Capital of the World, over 350 bird species, 351 tree species and more than 200 species of Butterflies. Visitors can enjoy all these attractions through a guided nature walk in the park.

Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park

Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest National Park is one of the Vibrant Holiday Safaris you wouldn’t want to miss during your Safari. The forest is one of the best Chimpanzee trekking destinations in Uganda among others which include; Budongo, Kyambura Gorge, Kalinzu Forest and Bugoma Forest. Kibale forest inhabits the biggest portion of chimpanzees compared to other national parks in East Africa  hosting over 1500 chimps and this makes it the ultimate place for chimpanzee tracking in the world.  

What is involved

Chimpanzee Trekking in Kibale Forest National Park can be done in 2 sessions, the first session starts in the morning and the second one in the afternoon. In addition, Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale forest National Park involves hiking into the forests with experienced guides who are well versed with the forest and its inhabitants. Once you locate a group, a maximum of 1 hour is allowed in the presence of these primates to observe and photograph them quietly without disturbing them.

The adventure starts at 8am with a briefing from the rangers at the visitor’s center in Kanyanchu. It covers important aspects of the activity like what to expect, length of the activity and how to behave in the presence of the chimpanzees.

When to go chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park

Visitors can go Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park throughout the year. However, the best time for the activity is during the dry season in the months of June to August and also December to February.

Cost of Chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest National Park

Chimpanzee trekking permits cost $250 for foreign non-residents, $200 for foreign residents and Ugx 180,000 for East African citizens. Visitors should note that these rates include park entrance, guide fee, and a Nature walk.

Other Activities to do in Kibale Forest National Park.

Chimpanzee Habituation

Besides Chimpanzee Trekking, visitors can engage in a chimpanzee habituation experience. This is quite similar to the normal chimpanzee trekking. However, it involves spending 4 hours in the presence of the chimpanzees. It starts very early in the morning at 6:00am as you follow up the chimps while they run their day. The Uganda Wildlife Authority has set aside four chimp communities for research and tourism purposes. These are Kanyanchu which is the most visited, Kanyawara with over 60 individuals and Sebitoli.

Bird watching

Kibale Forest national park is one of the most rewarding birding destinations. In addition, it inhabits about 470 bird species and coming across more than 100 species on a single track is a great experience. You will spot them during a nature walk in Bigodi sanctuary and they include African Pitta, Green-breasted Pitta. In addition, you will spot White-naped Pigeon, Crowned Eagle, Red-chested Owlet, Black Bee-eater, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, African Grey Parrot. Also, the Blue-headed Sunbird, Collared Apalis, Dusky Crimsonwing, Purple-breasted Sunbird, Yellow Spotted Nicator, Black-eared Ground Thrush and the Abyssinian.

Cultural encounters

A Safari to Kibale Forest National Park can never go complete without Cultural Encounters. These allow visitors to engage with the nearby local communities like Bigodi. You will get to learn about their lifestyles, traditions, practices and taste some of the local gins brewed from bananas. Furthermore, the locals will entertain you with local dances.

Nature and Forest walks

Nature and Forest Walks are among the most interesting activities in Kibale Forest. The activity runs for about 6-7 hours through the savannah grasslands, riverine forest, tropical forest and the swamp regions. Nature walks start from Kanyanchu visitor center giving you an opportunity to spot mammal species like bush bucks.

How to get to Kibale Forest National Park

Finally, visitors can access Kibale Forest National Park by Road and Air transport means.

By Road

Kibale Forest National Park is about 308.1km from Kampala, approximately 5 hours drive. There are several routes like Kampala-Mubende-Fort portal, Kampala-Hoima-Kyenjojo or Kampala-Mbarara-Kamwenge route.

By Air

For those Visitors who have limited time or would prefer a luxurious feel, can book flights with Aero-link. This can be from Kajjansi or Entebbe International Airport to kasese airstrip which only takes 1 hour.

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