OVER VIEW
Step into Uganda’s natural beauty and rich culture with this unforgettable eco-tourism adventure. Your journey begins at a scenic Coffee Farm Estate in Fort Portal, where you'll explore the fascinating process of coffee production. Then, venture to Bwindi National Park for a life-changing Gorilla Trekking experience, getting up close with the majestic mountain gorillas. Along the way, immerse yourself in the vibrant Ugandan culture at the Igongo Cultural Centre, adding a unique cultural twist to your adventure.
SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS
- Gorilla Trekking: Encounter majestic mountain gorillas at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
- Coffee Cultural Experience: Visit local coffee plantations and learn the coffee process of Uganda’s finest coffee.
- Scenic Landscapes & Nature: Explore Uganda's stunning landscapes, including lush forests, hills, and plantations, with opportunities for bird watching and wildlife spotting.
- Cultural Immersion: Discover Arts, Crafts and Photos of the History of Southwestern Uganda.
- Comfortable Accommodations: Stay in hand-picked, midrange accommodations that support sustainable and responsible travel.
- Responsible Tourism: Support conservation and local communities through responsible travel with Travelers Link Africa.
The 8 Day Coffee and Gorilla Experience starts at Entebbe Airport, where you will be met by a company representative/guide who will transfer you to your place of overnight stay. Depending on the time of your arrival, you may visit the Gorilla Conservation Cafe in Entebbe to learn more about Coffee in Uganda.
Gorilla Conservation Coffee is a social enterprise of Conservation Through Public Health, an award-winning NGO and nonprofit supporting local farmers and helping to protect endangered gorillas and their fragile habitat.
Meal Plan: Dinner depending on time of arrival.
Accommodation: Papyrus Guest House
Comfort Level: Mid-range
Today set off for Clarke’s farm and Coffee Estate situated on 1500 acres of land. The Clarke farm has seven hundred acres of coffee, mainly Robusta, with a few hectares of Arabica.
It was set up to teach both smallholder and large-scale farmers expert agronomy practices. It also acts as a tool for educating non-farmers or school children on how Ugandan food and Robusta coffee are produced. You will arrive in the evening for relaxation at the lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: The Coffee Lodge
Comfort Level: Mid-range
After a relaxed breakfast head out for the coffee farm tour. Get immersed on the farm tour led by experienced farm staff. You will be driven through the coffee forest and taken to the nursery and coffee factory where they can learn.
Learn how coffee is grown and prepared for the market. Activities on this tour include picking your coffee cherries or potting coffee trees. The session ends with a unique coffee-tasting and cupping experience in the coffee lab as you discover the flavors of coffee in a whole new way!
After lunch, spend the day participating in activities at the farm. You may embark on scenic walking with amazing hilltop views as you head out for nature river walks, jogging, and mountain biking trails of various difficulty levels, bouldering/ rock climbing.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: The Coffee Lodge
Comfort Level: Mid-range
Spend this day at leisure or partake in any other activities you may have missed out on the day before.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Queen Elizabeth Bush Lodge
Comfort Level: Mid-range
The journey from Clarke Farm to Bwindi Forest takes you through scenic landscapes, starting with a drive southwest towards Bwindi. As you pass rolling hills, lush greenery, and rural villages, you'll be treated to breathtaking views. The final stretch becomes more rugged, with winding roads leading into the dense, mist-covered rainforest of Bwindi, setting the stage for your gorilla trekking adventure.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Mwebesa Guest House
Comfort Level: Mid-range
In the early morning, you will be briefed on gorilla tracking at the park headquarters and assigned groups of 8 people per group. Accompanied by a guide and your packed lunch, you will go in search of the gorillas in a small group. You walk through the forest, sometimes you descend again and then climb up a slope again. The duration of gorilla tracking is unpredictable.
The walk can be quite strenuous due to the muddy trails and mountainous areas and can take up to 8 hours depending on how far the gorillas have moved in search of food. It is worth it and what awaits you, in the end, is indescribable.
For an hour you can admire these peaceful ‘Gentle Giants’ as they go about their daily activities of grooming, feeding, and playing. It is a once-in-a-lifetime memorable experience.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Mwebesa Guest House
Comfort Level: Mid-range
Breakfast and you head to Igongo Cultural Center arriving in time for late lunch / have lunch en-route. You may make use of the spa and wellness center for relaxation. Alternatively, check out the Cultural Museum and discover art, crafts, photos and History of Southwestern Uganda.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Igongo Cultural Center and Country Hotel
Comfort Level: Mid-range
The day begins with a visit to the Igongo Museum to explore Ankole's cultural heritage, followed by a stop at the Nkwanzi Crafts Shop.
Next, you’ll head to Entebbe, with a stop at the Equator for photos or shopping and enjoy lunch on the way. Upon arrival in Entebbe, you'll have time to relax before your departure.
Depending on your flight time, a day room is available for freshening up before heading to the airport.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
• 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
Included in the Itinerary
- Ground transportation in a safari customized 4WD Toyota Landcruiser with gasoline/fuel
- Clarke Farm Activities
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Igongo Cultural Museum
- Drinking water / refillable water bottle
- English-speaking Guide
- Accommodation and Meals
- All Park Entrance Fees.
Excluded in the Itinerary
- International Airfares;
- Visa Fees;
- Drinks and Beverages
- Tips, and Gratuities for your Driver/guide and hotel staff
- Jinja Activities white-water rafting, kayaking, tubing, or even quad biking.
- Optional activities unless specified as included
- Any other services not expressly shown in the itinerary or indicated as included.
Uganda – The Pearl of Africa’s Untamed Beauty
Uganda, aptly named the Pearl of Africa, is a land Gifted by Nature. It is located in the Great Lakes Region with breathtaking landscapes, extraordinary biodiversity, and unforgettable adventures. This remarkably diverse country is where the East African savannah meets the lush West African jungle, creating an ecological paradise unlike any other.
Towering over Uganda’s landscapes are the majestic Rwenzori Mountains, Africa’s third-highest range, and the dramatic Virunga Volcanoes, while the shimmering waters of Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake, cradle its southern border. Lying in a basin between the eastern and western branches of the Rift Valley, Uganda’s elevated position gives it a more temperate climate than its equatorial location might suggest. Most of the country sits over 1,000 meters above sea level, with a landscape that is largely flat apart from the forested mountain ranges that often define its borders.
One of Africa’s most water-rich nations, Uganda’s lakes, rivers, and wetlands cover 25% of its surface, keeping the landscape lush and green for most of the year—though the northern region gradually transitions into semi-desert.
Nowhere else on the continent can travelers witness such a rich variety of primates with such ease. From great apes—mountain gorillas and chimpanzees—to over a dozen monkey species, Uganda is a primate lover’s paradise. But it’s not just primates that thrive here. With over 1,000 bird species, Uganda is a birder’s wonderland, home to rare rainforest specialists and some of Africa’s most sought-after birds.
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.
Entry Requirements:
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$50). Visas cannot be obtained on arrival. You must apply and pay for them online 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.
Visa Exempt Countries:
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).
East Africa Tourist Visa:
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, valid for 90 days at USD 100 per visa. For more information go through the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration if you are entering Uganda first, or alternatively, the Government visa site for the East Africa country you will be first entering.
Money and Currency:
Before you travel, call your credit card companies to let them know you will be traveling. This will help to ensure the credit card company won’t flag any of your vacation expenses. ATMs are available in major towns or cities though at times may not be reliable due to a limited amount of money to be withdrawn.
- Credit cards are widely accepted within Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda. Major hotels and restaurants accept VISA and MasterCard. AMEX and others are not recommended as establishments usually don’t support them. Note that a surcharge of 5% is attached to their usage.
- Local Currencies are recommended to use while on safari. There are many forex bureaus and banks in the capital cities and the main towns. Smaller denominations than US$100 may attract a less favorable rate of exchange. Notes older than 2010 may not be accepted in the country.
- Forex Bureaus are located in major towns or cities and have regular banking hours Monday to Friday from 08:30hrs to 16:00hrs. Saturdays are open from 09:00hrs to 12:00hrs. Traveler’s Cheques may be changed in major towns/cities. American Express cheques are accepted but they do attract a low rate. If you can, forego this option. Note: A purchase receipt and a passport are often asked for by the bank and forex bureaus as proof of ownership.
Health and Medical Information
Travelers require a Yellow Fever inoculation more than 10 days prior to your departure otherwise you won't obtain a visa. The certificate will be checked on arrival in Uganda. On top of that it is also advised you get vaccinations for DTP, Hepatitis A and malaria. Some organizations may advice you to take Typhoid, Cholera, Hepatitis B and Rabies as well. Please consult your pharmacist/doctor.
Travel Insurance on tour
It’s highly recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical expenses, trip cancellation, lost luggage, and other unforeseen circumstances. Ensure that your insurance policy provides adequate coverage for your entire trip duration and the activities you plan to undertake, such as wildlife viewing and adventure sports.
Flights & Getting Around
If you need assistance with flight bookings, Travelers Link Africa offers an inflight service—simply share your travel dates, and we’ll take care of the rest!
