OVER VIEW
Embark on an unforgettable 7-day adventure through Uganda’s stunning landscapes. Explore the serene waters of Lake Bunyonyi, tucked within the picturesque Gorilla Highlands Region, and discover its tranquil islands.
Along the way, you’ll hike through lush hills and vibrant forests, immersing yourself in breathtaking views of Uganda’s natural beauty. This safari offers a perfect blend of canoeing, hiking, and exploration, allowing you to connect with nature while uncovering the charm of this unique destination.
Experience the rich culture, wildlife, and scenic vistas that make Lake Bunyonyi and the surrounding region an extraordinary adventure.
SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS
Upon your arrival in Entebbe, a company representative will warmly welcome you and transfer you to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Meal Plan: Dinner depending on time of arrival.
Accommodation: Papyrus Guest House
Comfort Level: Mid-range
Enjoy breakfast before departing for the Gorilla Highlands region. Make a stop at the Equator to witness the fascinating water flow demonstration, showcasing the differences between the northern and southern hemispheres. Continue your journey with a lunch stop in Mbarara before heading to Lake Bunyonyi, where you'll arrive in the evening.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Birdnest Lodge
Comfort Level: Mid-range
After breakfast, head to the meeting point for a 30-minute briefing, with paddling starting at 10 am. Your journey begins with a canoe ride to Bushara Island, where you’ll be greeted with a refreshing glass of organic juice. Take a scenic 30-minute walk along a forest trail, immersing yourself in a bird-watching session before continuing to Bwama Island, a historical site that once housed a leper colony established by Dr. Leonard Sharp in 1921.
Canoe past Punishment Island, where unmarried pregnant girls were once left to die, and then enjoy a picnic lunch with fresh fruit at Sharps Island. After lunch, head to Mama Bena’s place to set up camp using a traditional dugout canoe. With assistance from your guides, pitch your tents near her grass-thatched home, where you’ll be served a delicious evening meal.
For an extra adventure, take a short climb to the top of the peninsula for a view of one of the local primary schools and enjoy the stunning panoramic scenery of the area.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Mama Bena’s Camp.
Comfort Level: Camping
After breakfast at 7:30 am, you'll cross to Kyevu to begin your trekking adventure. The first hour will take you alongside a beautiful, expansive swamp, offering a peaceful start to your journey. Next, you'll meet the Batwa (Pygmies) for an engaging traditional dance experience and learn the fascinating skills of using a bow and arrow. From there, you'll tackle a steep slope leading up to Karembe Hill (2,478 meters).
The first hour of the climb is the most challenging, but once past that, the hike becomes gentler. In about 30 minutes, you’ll reach the summit where you'll enjoy a picnic lunch with panoramic views of Mt. Muhavura, a shared volcano between Rwanda and Uganda.
After lunch, descend for 3-4 hours, and along the way, you’ll be entertained by the Bakiga Group and have the opportunity to visit a local women’s crafts shop.
Later, you'll head to the Bufundi Peninsula, where you’ll board canoes for a scenic ride to Habukomi Island. From there, proceed to Tom's Homestay, where a campsite will be set up for the night. Enjoy a delicious dinner with the family and unwind around a campfire as they share local stories.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Tom's Homestead
Comfort Level: Camping
After breakfast, hike to the top of Habukomi Island, known as the Lake Bunyonyi pelican hideaway, and learn about its fascinating history. Next, embark on a canoe journey near Upside Down / Akabucuranuka Island, where you'll hear the intriguing legend of a group of male revelers whose canoe capsized after they refused to share their beer with a woman.
Continue to the Kyabahinga Peninsula, where you'll enjoy a local craft-making demonstration by Anna. Feel free to try your hand at creating some small crafts yourself.
Later, head back to the mainland for a delicious lunch and time to relax.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Birdnest Lodge
Comfort Level: Mid-range
After breakfast, begin your journey back to Entebbe, making a stop at the Home of Edirisa – Bakiga Museum. Here, you'll explore a traditional homestead and discover a fascinating collection of musical instruments, hunting tools, and traditional healing practices of the Bakiga people. The museum also offers outreach programs to engage youth and promote heritage preservation.
Along the way, enjoy a lunch stop before arriving in Entebbe in the evening for some well-deserved relaxation.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Papyrus Guest House
Comfort Level: Mid-range
After breakfast, depending on your flight details, take an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour at the Uganda Wildlife Education Center (UWEC), where you’ll get an insider’s look at the conservation efforts that help protect Uganda's wildlife. Meet dedicated staff and learn about animal rehabilitation, breeding programs, and educational initiatives aimed at preserving endangered species.
Get up close with the animals and discover how the center plays a vital role in wildlife protection and awareness. This behind-the-scenes experience provides a unique opportunity to engage with wildlife conservation in action.
Later you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight back home at the end of your Canoeing and Hiking Adventure in Uganda.
Meal Plan: Breakfast
• Comfortable hiking boots and lightweight clothing.
• Rain jacket and a warm sweater for cooler evenings.
• Insect repellent and sunscreen.
• Reusable water bottle.
• Binoculars and a good camera.
• Personal medications and a small first-aid kit.
• Nature blending clothes
Uganda, deservedly dubbed the Pearl of Africa, is in the Great Lakes Region in central Africa and boasts an ecological diversity that rivals that of many larger countries. Here, the Eastern Savannah meets the West African jungle. Uganda offers visitors incredible diversity through its multitude of varying ecosystems. Bordered by the Rwenzori Mountains (often called the Mountains of the Moon, the third highest in Africa), the Virunga Mountains, and Africa's largest lake, Lake Victoria, it's a beautiful country bursting with birds and wildlife.
In no other African destination can one see a comparable variety of primates with so little effort - not just the great apes but also more than ten monkey species. And, if Uganda had primate enthusiasts grinning with satisfaction, it would have birdwatchers doing cartwheels. Uganda is, by far, the smallest of the four African countries in which more than 1,000 bird species have been recorded, and it is particularly rich in western rainforest specialists - undoubtedly the finest birdwatching in Africa.
For most, the highlight is found amongst the forests in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where facing endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is one of the most profound wildlife encounters you will ever experience. Discover tree-climbing lions around Ishasha in Queen Elizabeth National Park, trek chimps in Kibale Forest or Kyambura Gorge, or snatch massive Nile perch up north at Murchison Falls, where the mighty Nile cascades through a gap just seven meters wide. Adrenaline junkies will find Jinja simply exhilarating with its white-water rafting, kayaking, and bungee jumping activities. Jinja is rapidly emerging as East Africa's answer to the more southerly "adrenalin capital" Victoria Falls.
We invite you to explore Uganda, a diverse landscape with abundant wildlife, plenty to discover, and unique experiences. When recounting your time in this jewel of a country, you'll struggle to find the words that do justice to it.
Your passport must have a minimum of at least two full clear pages for visas and stamps and be valid for more than 6 months from the date of entry into Uganda.
Please check visa requirements prior to travel with your booking agent or Bush Wander, as requirements are regularly changed with little notice.
Most passports require a single-entry visa (US$55). Visas cannot be obtained on arrival. You must apply and pay for them online at https://visas.immigration.go.ug at least two weeks before your arrival.
You must upload clear copies of your current passport, a yellow fever certificate, and a passport photo.
Only Visa and Mastercard cards are accepted for visa payments. Once payment is made, the system will process your application and send you a barcoded email. Print out this email and bring it with you to Uganda. Upon arrival, you should present the barcoded email to the immigration officer, who will scan the barcode, take your fingerprints and photo, and place a visa in your passport.
Alternatively, the Ugandan High Commissions may issue visas where such commissions are located.
The following nationalities do not require a visa to enter Uganda: all nationalities from East African countries (Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, Burundi), all nationalities from COMESA countries (Angola, Eritrea, Malawi, Madagascar, Seychelles, Swaziland, Zambia, Comoros, Kenya, Mauritius, Zimbabwe), and passport holders from OTHERS (Antigua, Barbados, Fiji, Grenada, Lesotho, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, The Grenadines, Vanuatu, Cyprus, Bahamas, Belize, Gambia, Jamaica, Malta, Singapore, St. Vincent-Tonga and Ireland).
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If you are planning an East Africa trip to Uganda, Rwanda, and/or Kenya, it may be better to apply for a multiple-entry visa, which is valid for 90 days for tourists only. The cost is USD100 per visa. For more information go to: https://visas.immigration.go.ug/#/apply if you are entering Uganda first, or alternatively, the Government visa site for the East Africa country you will be first entering.
US Dollars cash is widely accepted and, in most cases, preferred as the currency that travellers should use to EXCHANGE into UGX on arrival for spending money on the road e.g. for drinks, curios, tips. Please note that USD bills older than 2009 are not accepted. Ensure your USD bills are 2009 or younger. Small USD bills are difficult to change – use Uganda shillings for small tips.
Credit cards can be used at some lodges and hotels, but a transaction fee of up to 5% may be charged. Ask first.
Travel, Transport, and Getting Around Flights:
Note that baggage allowance on all domestic flights is max 15 kgs in soft bags
Travellers require a Yellow Fever inoculation more than 10 days prior to your departure. The certificate will be checked on arrival in Uganda. If you have a history of liver disorders (hepatitis etc.), consult your physician first.
Tetanus and Cholera inoculations are recommended but not compulsory. Hepatitis inoculation is at the discretion of the traveler.
Malaria prophylactics are a must and can be purchased from your local pharmacy. Please consult your pharmacist/doctor.
Diarrhoea / Giardia - Bottled water is readily available throughout Uganda, however, it’s advisable to bring medicine just in case.
This is a guide only. Please check with your doctor or travel clinic for the latest information