BEST EASTERN AND CENTRAL CIRCUIT CULTURAL TOUR

Volunteers are welcome for this chiefly community based tour

DAY 1
Arrive and proceed to Kampala depending on time of arrival we shall experience an exciting entertainment from the Ndere center in Kampala, see how amazing dancers wiggle their bodies to the cultural beats of the traditional instruments, dinner and o/n at Hotel Africana.

DAY 2
After a morning breakfast, visit the Kabaka’s lake and Palace at Mengo, then head to the Namugongo shrines where the Uganda Martyrs were burnt under the orders of King Mwanga, then have evening narration as you learn about the real history of what happened in Buganda, the transformations they have gone through and how the different cultures live without wrangles with one another, dinner and o/n at Hotel Africana.

DAY 3
After a morning breakfast have a tour around Kampala visiting the different cultural sites starting from Naggalabi Corronation Site which has the real history and origin of the Buganda Kingdom from there, proceed to Kasubi Tombs a burial place for the Baganda Kings, continue to the Wamala tombs a former palace of King Suuna II, then return to the hotel for dinner and o/n stay.

DAY 4
Have early morning breakfast, visit the Tombs of Mukajanga’s, one of the loyals to King Mwanga and among those who burnt the Uganda martyrs, then drive back to Kampala at mid morning, back to Ndere cultural center for various competitions. Winners are awarded prizes and certificates, evening entertainment by Ndere troupe dinner and o/n stay at Hotel Africana

Day 5
After breakfast, take a morning drive to the eastern part of the country, branch to the Ssezibwa falls which is reported to have been a favorite spot of King Mwanga and Mutesa II both of whom planted trees there that still flourish today , continue to the Mabira forest which extends even more than 300km2, the forest is primarily composed of most semi-deciduous forest in which more than 200 tree spp have been identified, proceed to the mighty Nile that is seven times the volume of the Zambezi, then to Bujagali falls, watch the real sparkling white water of the Nile as it forces its way through the stones to the Mediterranean sea, receive entertainment by the Budendo cultural group, see the white water rafters, learn the mysteries that surrounds Bujjagali falls lunch and o/n stay at Jinja Nile Resort.

Day 6
Visit the Source of the Nile where a British expedition led by Richard Burton and John Speke set out to find the great lakes shown on Ptolemy's map. After reaching Lake Tanganyika, the two men split up because Burton was ill. Traveling on for another month, Speke discovered Victoria Nyanza and was convinced that the White Nile flowed from it, After a boat ride on the source of the Nile, receive cultural entertain by the orphans of Balifunaki group and spend the whole afternoon at palace of Kyabazinga the king of the Basoga learning more about the Basoga and the death of Bishop Hannington, dinner and o/n stay at the Resort.

Day 7
After a morning breakfast, drive at ease eastwards to Pallisa, where we shall be welcomed by the ‘Namadu’ dancer a traditional dance of the Bagwere and later have dinner and o/n at country Inn.

Day 8
Take a morning excursion after breakfast to the beautiful Gogonyo palm garden and Kasodo, have a boat trip on Lake Lemwa, interact with the local fishermen and view how they extract fish from the lake locally then return to the Inn for lunch, with cultural dances in the afternoon, then dinner and o/n at the Inn.

Day 9
After morning breakfast, proceed to Agule, Kamake and Kibaale rocks, enjoy the scenery of these areas with the different cultural attachments to them then drive back to the Inn for dinner and cultural entertainment by the Itesots and the Namwoyo Tongoli group.

Day 10
Drive to Nabulanganga Primary School after breakfast to join the men and women in preparation of a rural wedding ceremony. Here the whole group will participate in the local activities. These include peeling bananas, fetching fire wood, constructing sheds, fetching water from the streams, and any other activities that will be identified. The group shall be divided into small groups each undertaking different activities. The activities shall be announced and the group members are free to choose where they have interest. We go back to the Inn for dinner and o/n stay.

Day 11
After breakfast at the Inn, drive back to the wedding site. Here we again join the community in the activities of the day. These include cooking, preparing the reception, Decorating, preparing the cake, welcoming guests, serving and being served. Dinner and o/n at the Inn

Day 12
Spend the day at Nabulanganga Primary School interacting with the community. This school has been built basically as a result of the Universal primary Education. We shall interact with the school children, the youth, women and men. This is the day for sharing experiences and visiting some homes and gardens, back to the Inn for dinner and o/n stay.

Day 13
After breakfast, visit the recommended Nyero Rock Paintings to anybody with a passing interest in archeology on human prehistory in Kumi, continue to Mbale for lunch at Wash and Wills if an even year, enjoy the Gishu circumcision ceremony, Dinner and o/n stay at Mbale Resort Hotel.

Day 14
After early morning breakfast, visit and learn about the fascinating story of the Abayudaya (simply meaning “Jews” in Lugandan), which starts with Semei Kakungulu, a prominent military and political figure in Ugandan history, who in the 1890s helped the British conquer territory and establish their rule in Eastern Uganda. Kakungulu became disillusioned with the British when they refused to install him as King of the newly conquered territories and so he joined the Malaki Christians, a dissident group that incorporated Jewish ideas into their religious practice. Dinner and over night stay at Mbale Resort Hotel

Day 15
Early morning visit to Sipi Falls which is a stunner and arguably the most beautiful waterfall in Uganda. The falls are about 55km north of Mbale, in the foothills of Mt Elgon and not far from the town of Kapchorwe.
Not only are the falls spectacular, so too are the views of Mt Elgon above them, and the wide plains of eastern and northern Uganda disappearing into the distance below. There are three levels of falls, but the two upper levels are fairly small compared with the main drop. It is well worth spending a night or two in this peaceful and appealing place.
There are some excellent walks on a network of well-maintained local trails, and beautiful scenery in every direction. Dinner and o/n stay at Kapkwai Forest Cottages or Lacam Lodge

Day 16
Interaction and enjoyment of the colourful traditional (Kadodi) dances, dresses and the handicrafts of the Gishu which are worthy seeing, visit the enormous caves, scenic peaks, gorges, and hot Springs, (optional). The village markets bustle with life, and local craftsmen work as they have done for generations. In this area you can discover the infinitive and variety of lifestyles and heritage which make Uganda so special. Then proceed to Tororo dinner and o/n at Rack Hotel.

Day 17
After breakfast, there will; be an optional hiking of the Tororo volcanic plug then depart for Kampala with a stopover at the Busitema forest Reserve for primate and bird watching, continue to Iganga for lunch at Mwana Highway Hotel then to Kampala, dinner and o/n stay Hotel Africana.