Things to do in Western Region Uganda

Join our exciting walking tour around the vibrant Kampala city and get an intimate overview which is solely led by a local guide. The tour includes visiting the top attractions and hidden gems such as monuments, the chaotic markest, tasting fresh in-season fruits , and the famous Rolex on the streets of Kampala as we share our history and culture with you. Enjoy a more personalised and memorable lifetime experience with us as we take you around Kampala starting with visiting the monuments( Muteesa ll monument, independence monument, world war monument), Markets (Nakasero market, Fabric market, and Owino market), Religious sites( Hindu temple, optional Gaddafi Mosque) Book your experience with a local.

Trek up the mountains of the Mghahinga National Park in Uganda and get the opportunity to see the magnificent mountain gorillas in their natural habitat on a 1-day guided tour from Kigali. Get picked up at 3:00 AM from your hotel in Kigali and travel northwest to Mghahinga National Park for approximately 3 hours. Enjoy breakfast served ala-carte style with a variety of fresh pieces of bread, pastries, and hot and cold selections at a hotel close to the park.   Make a brief stop at the border to clear with customs and then continue to the National Park headquarters to meet your guides for the day. Embark on a once in a lifetime experience of tracking mountain gorillas. The trekking may be fairly strenuous; up to 3 hours or longer at a relatively high altitude.  Tracking the gorillas through the light mountain forest on the slopes of the Virunga is a magical experience. These massive primates are extremely rare, with less than 1000 living today. Once you spot the gorillas you are allowed to spend an hour watching them. You have an opportunity to get within meters of the families. This is perhaps one of the most breath-taking experiences on earth. Return and stop for lunch in town and later proceed to Kigali. If leaving Kigali, you will arrive in time to transfer to the airport for your onward flight, or if time allows, go on a last-minute shopping before departure.

Day 1: Departure from Kigali, Rwanda Depart from Kigali, Rwanda early in the morning with a knowledgeable guide and comfortable transportation. Journey through picturesque landscapes, passing by rolling hills, rural villages, and vibrant markets. Arrive at the border between Rwanda and Uganda, complete immigration formalities, and continue to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Day 2: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi and Return to Kigali Enjoy an early-morning breakfast before heading to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park headquarters. Receive a briefing from park rangers about gorilla trekking etiquette, safety guidelines, and expectations. Embark on an exhilarating trek into the dense forest, guided by experienced trackers who lead you to the habituated gorilla families. Spend an awe-inspiring hour observing the gorillas in their natural habitat, witnessing their behaviors and interactions. After the trek, return to the park headquarters for a debriefing before heading back to Kigali, reminiscing on the unforgettable experience amidst the beauty of Bwindi.

Embark on a 1-day tour of the Equator line in Lake Victoria’s island in Entebbe. Take a boat to Lwaji Island in the middle of Lake Victoria, and enjoy a sunset boat ride. Visit the Rock at Equator Entebbe and see other features like monitor lizards and otters. Start your tour with a pick-up from your hotel in Entebbe and head to the landing site where you will board the boat. Upon arrival at the Nakiwogo landing site, be briefed by your guide and captain about Lake Victoria and what to expect while on this Entebbe equator tour. Catch your boat to Lwaji Island in the middle of Lake Victoria. Lwaji Island is one of the three equator points found in Uganda. The other two points are found along the Kampala–Masaka highway at Kayabwe and in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Enjoy a breathtaking boat cruise on Lake Victoria. Keep an eye out for many bird species like the pelican, kingfisher, grey-headed gull, and yellow bill. Visit the Rock at Equator Entebbe and take the opportunity to take some pictures with your friends. See other features like monitor lizards and otters.

DAY 1 - Kigali • Mgahinga NP or Bwindi National Park Morning: Around 9am, we'll set off for Mgahinga No or Bwindi Nat Park, from Rwanda and travel northwest for approximately 3 hrs. You have a brief stop at the border to clear with customs and then continue your lodge. Depending on which hotel we stay at, we’ll likely be minutes from the main gate of Mgahinga NP or Bwindi National Park Park. Lodge amenities may include a restaurant and bar. Rooms include a private bath with shower. You’ll have time to settle in before dinner. DAY 2 - Mountain gorilla trek and Transfer back to Kigali Activity Note: Today’s mountain gorilla trek typically involves two to four hours of walking through thick brush over steep, rugged terrain at elevations ranging from 7,000 to 9,000 feet —and can include exposure to stinging nettles and re ants. As overexposure to humans is harmful to mountain gorillas, contact is limited to one hour—and there is the possibility that they may become agitated and retreat back into the bush in less than our allotted time. Any travelers showing signs of obvious illness may be refused entrance by park authorities. Breakfast: Served buffet-style at the lodge, beginning at 6am. Morning: At about 7:30am, we take a drive of about 30 minutes to the National Park headquarters at to meet your guides for the day. After completing our park formalities, we are embark on a once in a life time experience of tracking mountain gorillas. Once you spot them you are allowed to spend an hour watching your closest long lost cousin. This is perhaps one of the most breath-taking experiences on earth!!! You get so close to these awesome giant primates. You stare at each other blankly not knowing who to break the long silence first. Tracking the gorillas through the light mountain forest on the slopes of the Virunga is a magical experience. These massive primates are extremely rare, with less than 1000 living today. You will get within meters of the family, and be privileged to spend an hour amongst them. The trekking may be fairly strenuous; up to 3 hours or longer at a relatively high altitude. It is important to bring good hiking boots, long trousers, gloves for protection against stinging nettles, some snacks & sweets (for you, not the gorillas) as well as sufficient water as the rain forest gets hot and humid during the day. You will spend one hour with the gorillas, but it is an hour you will never forget. Depending on the length of our trek, groups will return to our lodge by about 1pm. Afternoon: Return back to Kigali and drop off at your hotel or airport for flight back home.

Take a boat cruise out on Lake Victoria to Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary and have a chance to view chimpanzees feeding. You will also be treated to sights of monitor lizards, birds, and photographic opportunities. We arrange both half and full day trips and our boats leave at either 9:00am or 12:45pm. Upon arrival at the sanctuary, you will be directed to our visitor’s center where you will be introduced to the project, its history, our residents and their plight. On each of the two types of day visits, you will receive a personal orientation by a chimpanzee caregiver and view a feeding of the chimpanzees from the visitors’ raised platform area along the edge of the sanctuary fence. Ngamba Island situated on a 95 hectare of forested Island on Lake Victoria originated from a fishing village, which fostered to the establishment of the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary in 1998 by a number of local and international organizations with the aim of providing a safe haven for the orphaned and rescued chimpanzees. Chimpanzee tracking at Ngamba Island The chimpanzees are rescued by the Uganda wildlife Authority (UWA) from poachers and because they are unlikely to survive if reintroduced back into their natural homes, Ngamba Island is therefore used to provide safety and care to them.

Start the tour with an early morning pick up from your hotel or accommodation in Kampala or Entebbe. Then, head to Kayabwe for your breakfast stop after which you will be taken to Lake Mburo National Park, located in Kiruhura District in the Western Region of Uganda (approximately 240 km west of Kampala). Once in the park, embark on a 3-hour game drive in search of the many species the park has to offer. The park has a variety of animals such as zebra, hippopotamus, impala, warthog, common eland, African buffalo, jackal, lion, African leopard, and over 300 bird species. You will have the option to leave the vehicle and go on a guided walk along the walking trail. After the game drive, enjoy the chance to relax in the shade while lunch is served. After lunch, head to the lakeshore to enjoy a 2-hour boat trip. During the cruise, spot hippos, hornbills, and papyrus gonaleks. Finally, head back to Kampala, stopping at the Equator to experience being in both hemispheres at the same time. Be sure to take some pictures here of this unforgettable experience. Once back in Kampala, get dropped off back at your accommodation to conclude the tour.

Find your guide at Victoria Mall and set off for your Entebbe city walking tour. Discover popular and less-known landmarks, and visit the local markets to taste Uganda's Local fruits Visit the rolex area and learn all about the rolex snack - a local street food. The Rolex combines vegetables and an omelette wrapped in chapati. See first-hand how Rolexes are made before you sample one (for an additional fee). Continue to the Chimpanzee Trust to learn about chimpanzee conservation. Hear about the history of and current efforts of the Ngamba Chimpanzee Trust as they seek to protect this majestic animal. Walk to Muzinga Square, visit Muzinha Park, and view the Colonial governor’s mansion (now the official residence of the president). Cross over to the first Anglican church, founded by colonial missionaries, then head to Entebbe’s famous botanical gardens. Later walk toward Nambi to meet the ladies that sell fresh fish by the lake side, you will have a coffee break at Gorilla conservation coffee (Pay to take Coffee) before going to visit pearl craft village where you will do shopping at souvenirs for your people back home. Your Guide will later escort you back to Victoria mall or back to your hotel.

Embark on a full-day tour of the crater lakes of Fort Portal. Spot monkeys at Lake Nkuruba, take in the views from the "Top of the World," and swim in some of the crater lakes. End your day with a visit to the Mahoma Waterfalls. Begin your day with a pickup from your hotel in Fort Portal at 9:00 AM. Drive 11 km to your first crater lake, Lake Nkuruba. There, spot four types of monkeys, including the Black and White Colobus, Red Monkeys, Vervet Monkeys, and Red-Tailed monkeys. Descend through a forest to the crater lake below, and then begin a long ascent to the "Top of the World." On a clear day, take in views of three crater lakes, Kibale National Park, the Rwenzori lower ranges, Queen Elizabeth National Park, as well as Fort Portal City Centre. From the "Top of the World," travel to the south of Fort Portal where you will visit more crater lakes. End with a steep descent to Mahoma Waterfalls, fed by the First Glacier Lake in the Rwenzori Mountains. If you like, take a swim in some of the crater lakes.

Transfer from Kigali at 3:00 AM and Arrival at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park: • Time: Around 7:00-8:00 AM • Details: Upon arrival at Bwindi, you will head straight to the park headquarters for a briefing. Here, park rangers will provide an orientation on the rules and guidelines for gorilla trekking. This is crucial to ensure both your safety and that of the gorillas. Gorilla Trekking Experience: • Time: Around 9:30 AM • Details: The trek to find the mountain gorillas can take anywhere from 1 to 6 hours, depending on the location of the gorilla family you're tracking. The trek involves hiking through dense jungle terrain, which can be steep and challenging but is immensely rewarding. Once you locate the gorillas, you are allowed to spend one hour observing them in their natural habitat. Take pictures as you watch them nurture babies, the babies playing in the branches, as they forage in their natural habitat. Lunch in the Forest: • Time: Early Afternoon • Details: After the trek, you'll lunch in the nearby town or at a nearby lodge. This is an excellent time to relax and reflect on the incredible experience of seeing the gorillas up close. Return to Kigali: • Time: Around 2:00-3:00 PM • Details: After lunch, you will begin the drive back to Kigali. The journey offers another opportunity to enjoy the stunning scenery of both Uganda and Rwandan countryside. 6. Evening Arrival in Kigali: • Time: Around 6:00-7:00 PM • Details: You will arrive back in Kigali in the evening, where you can be dropped off at your hotel or the airport, depending on your travel plans.