We offer you an itinerary for a unique journey through East Africa for 12 unforgettable days! You will overcome a long way, see picturesque landscapes, gorgeous sunrises, the beauty of pristine nature, original African culture, go rafting on the Nile, meet elephants in the savannah and feel the amazing atmosphere of the pearl of Africa – Uganda!

What you need on the trip

How to get there

It is better to plan a vacation in a few months, namely, to decide on the dates in advance and proceed to the search for air tickets. If you want to go on this unforgettable trip for the New Year holidays, do not put off buying tickets for a long time. For example, in April you can buy round-trip tickets to Entebbe at a price of 28,059 rubles per person. This is the price offered by Turkish Airlines.

The average flight duration is 15 hours, including a transfer in Istanbul. You can also consider flying via Amsterdam with KLM, Qatar Airways with a transfer in Doha, Hahn Air via Dubai, or Lufthansa, Air France, Heli Air Monaco, which offer a flight to Entebbe with two transfers.

Visa

As for a visa, Russian citizens can get it at Entebbe airport by paying $50, or apply in advance at the Embassy of the Republic of Uganda in Moscow, which is located at: Moscow, Mytnaya street, building 3, office No. 1, entrance No. 1, 4th floor.

To obtain a tourist visa in Moscow, you must provide:

The consular fee for a single entry visa is 1700 rubles (only cash is accepted for payment). The visa is valid for three months from the date of issue, and its processing takes 2-4 business days.

The Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation recommends vaccination before entering Uganda against yellow fever and hepatitis, prophylaxis against malaria. Vaccinations should preferably be done no later than 10 days before the planned entry into Uganda. This is just advice, the decision is always yours.

Now it remains to plan the route and places of stops for the night.

Day 1 – Fly to Entebbe

The whole day will take a flight to Entebbe. On the plane, you can keep yourself busy watching movies, reading books, chatting with fellow travelers, or trying to relax and sleep, as the journey is going to be very eventful.

Day 2 – Drive to Kampala

After a successful landing, we go to the airport building for passport control, pay $ 50 and get a visa if we didn't do it in advance. For reference, it was at Entebbe Airport in 1976 that Israeli special forces released more than 100 hostages taken by Palestinian terrorists.

You can come to your senses, gather your thoughts and tune in to move to the capital of Uganda – Kampala in a cafe where you will be served African tea made with milk. So, now we have to drive about 35 km to the destination.

Where to stay

You can stay in Kampala for the night in budget hostels:

If you do not save on comfort, we recommend the following hotels:

It is better to book the hotel in advance, especially if you are traveling during the high tourist season. Also, it would not be superfluous to clarify whether the hotel provides a transfer from the airport. If the hotel you have chosen does not provide such a service, then you can easily get to the desired place by taxi. You can and should bargain with taxi drivers. So you can get a discount of 20-50% of the declared value.

Car rent

In Kampala, you can rent a car for ease of movement. Car rental services are offered by companies:

CITY CARS, which has been operating since 1992. Tel. 041 268611, 0772 412001 E-mail: [email protected], [email protected].

“SAFARI EYE”: tel +256 414 576584, mob: +256 702 400804, E-mail: [email protected]

When ordering services, do not forget to bargain. You can get a significant discount. It is worth considering the fact that traffic in Uganda is one-way, and all cars are right-hand drive. If you doubt that you can handle it on your own, you can order a car rental with a driver-guide from the above companies. Believe me, it's very convenient.

Transport in Uganda

You can also travel around Uganda by other means of transport. The most popular are matatu. Be prepared that, despite the fact that the minibus is designed for 8-10 people, in fact the number of passengers can easily increase to 20. If you feel uncomfortable in cramped quarters, immediately take the front seat next to the driver.

If you are planning to visit neighboring cities or countries, you can use buses. Also everywhere, and sometimes even very persistently, local owners of motorcycles, which in Uganda are called “boda-boda”, offer their services. This is a great alternative to a taxi if you need to cover a short distance.

In areas remote from the center, bicycle taxis are a success. It is very budgetary to get to a store or other place.

Sights of Kampala

So, when the issue of transport is resolved, and you have already managed to accommodate and have a little rest from the road in your hotel room, you can go to explore the surroundings. Depending on the mood and the amount of time, we offer you several attractions that you can visit in Kampala.

Museum of Uganda

We recommend visiting the Uganda Museum, which was founded in 1908. Here you can see an interesting exposition, which presents exhibits from the field of culture, archeology, ethnography, science and music. A distinctive feature of this museum is the exhibition of folk musical instruments. Tourists can not only watch them, but even try to play them themselves. The Uganda Museum is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00. Address: Street Kira Road, Plot No. 5

Bahai Temple (Baha'i House of Worship)

Africa's largest temple completed in 1962. There are 9 doors in total. This is no coincidence. Each door symbolizes a particular revealed religion. You need to know that before entering the temple, you must turn off all mobile, audio and video devices. If you neglected our advice and decided to travel by public transport, then Baha'i House of Worship can be reached by taxi, which goes from the old park of Kampala or from Watoto Church. You need to get off at the Kanana gas station.

Gaddafi Mosque (Gaddafi National Mosque)

You can also visit the largest mosque in Uganda – Gaddafi National Mosque. Its construction was completed on March 19, 2008. For an additional fee, you will have a unique opportunity, which many locals do not even know about, to climb to the top of the minaret. From there you have a stunning view of the center of Kampala. Address: Plot 23/25, Old Kampala Road.

Temple of the Martyrs (Namugongo Martyrs Shrine)

You can visit in the village of Namugongo, Wakiso district, which is 15 km northeast of the center of the capital of Uganda. This Roman Catholic temple was erected on the site of the execution of two martyrs – St. Charles Luanga and St. Kizito, who were burned alive. By order of King Mwangi of Buganda in June 1886, more than twenty-two young people were burned for refusing to renounce Christianity.

Art Gallery Nommo Gallery

Here you can see the national collection of paintings and other works of art by masters of Uganda and artists from other countries. Address: Plot 4, Victoria avenue Nakasero, next to State Lodge Victoria Ave Kampala. On weekdays the gallery is open from 09:00 to 17:00, on weekends from 09:00 to 15:00.

National Theater

Leading cultural center of Uganda. He patronizes theatrical and musical groups. He also oversees the National Dance Company of Uganda, which performs in the country and abroad. Address: Plot 2/4/6 Dewinton Road, National Theater De winton St, Kampala POBOX 3187.

Forest park resort

It is interesting to spend time and really relax after a long flight in the Forest park resort. This place is the center of recreation in Uganda and is located in close proximity to Kampala. The recreation center has everything you need to have a good time together, with friends or family. Quite often, the Forest park resort hosts various shows, concerts, and entertainment events. The park is open daily: Mon-Thu from 8:00 to 23:00, Fri-Sun from 11:00 to 23:00.

Honor Center

Here you can enjoy great outdoor shows, national music, songs, dances and delicious dinner. The performance will appeal not only to adults, but also to children. Address: Plot 4505 Butukirwa, PO Box 11353, Kampala.

St. Paul's Cathedral (Namirembe Kathedrale)

Namirembe Kathedrale, also known as St. Paul's Cathedral, is the oldest cathedral in Uganda. Address: Namirembe Hill Side Road, Kampala.

Rubaga Cathedral

One of the leading religious and tourist attractions in Kampala. This religious center rises on Lubaga Hill and attracts not only pilgrims, but also tourists, because it is from there that a magnificent view of the city opens. Address: Mutesa Road, Kampala

Lubiri Palace

The official residence of the king, which was built in 1885 by order of King Mwangi. You will not be able to enter the residence itself, but experienced guides will be happy to give you a tour (about 40 minutes) and tell you a lot of interesting historical facts. Keep in mind that local guides will try to sell you artwork at an inflated price after the tour. Buy or not – you decide. Address: Mengo, Kampala.

Monument of Freedom (Independence monument)

Symbolizes the conquest of Uganda's independence. You can see it in the city center.

Botanical Garden

If you have the desire and strength, you can go to the Botanical Garden on the shores of Lake Victoria. This is where the very first Tarzan movie was filmed in 1947. In the Botanical Garden you can see several species of monkeys, watch green monkeys and colobuses.

Night clubs

Fans of noisy parties in the evening can go to a local nightclub. The most popular clubs in Kampala are Silk and Ange Noir, you can also visit the Rouge club in the city center. If you prefer bars, then we recommend visiting: The Junction Bar (Kiwatule Road), Fas Fas (Bukoto, Ntinda street), Mish Mash (28 Acacia Avenue), Planet Sports (Tirupati Mazima Mall, Gaba Road). Gambling lovers can pass the evening at Casino Simba (Garden city, Yusuf Lule road, Kampala 64-84).

Day 3 – Transfer to Jinja

To get to one of the most interesting and attractive cities for active tourists, you have to overcome a lock of 80 km. It is best to hit the road early in the morning in order to have time to embrace the immensity in Jinja. This city offers its guests rafting on the Nile, quad biking, horseback riding, trekking in the area, recreation on Lake Victoria, gorilla safari, rich nightlife and many other interesting entertainments. It is up to you to decide how exactly you will manage your time in Jinja, but believe me, you will remember this day for a long time. We have prepared various vacation options so that you can orient yourself in advance and draw up a rough plan.

We recommend stopping at Nile River Explorers – this is a proven option by many tourists. The campsite is located 8 km from the city on the banks of the Nile. At your service: several accommodation options, free pick-up from Kampala (for those who did not rent a car), hot showers, free WI-FI, satellite TV, inexpensive and delicious food, an excellent bar where you can enjoy a beautiful sunset and cold beer. You can book accommodation on the company's website raftafrica.com.

Another interesting stopover option is Wildwaters Lodge (Kalagala Falls, Jinja, Uganda), which is unique in its location. Here you are guaranteed: good food, friendly staff, beautiful views. Just an amazing place!

Nile River Explorers is one of the most popular companies in Uganda that organizes Nile rafting. You will spend several unforgettable hours, feel the adrenaline rush, children's delight and many more different feelings! Between the rapids you will have the opportunity to relax, swim and watch numerous birds.

If extreme is not for you, then you can just have a fun day, stroll through the park, watch animals and marvelous birds, or go on a day trip on Lake Victoria in a comfortable house on the water. Yes, and this company provides such services.

Nile River Explorers also offer tourists no less active entertainment than rafting or kayaking. You can take advantage of services such as: mountain biking, horseback riding, quad biking, fishing and much more. The prices are competitive.

What else is there to do in Jinja? Maybe you are ready to perform an exciting bungee jump from the bridge (44m)? You can book your adventure here adrift.ug. Children under the age of 13 are not allowed to jump.

Mini golf enthusiasts are welcome at Main Gate, Bujagali Falls. For such entertainment, you will need to pay $ 5.

How about getting up close and personal with mountain gorillas, which are listed in the international Red Book because there are no more than 700 of them left in the world? In Jinja you have a unique opportunity to take part in gorilla trekking. To visit the Bwindi National Park and see the largest and rarest primates, you will have to pay for a permit and guide services.

Here are a few companies that organize such exciting routes:

You probably already guessed that you will have to prepare very thoroughly for the trip, plan everything and pay for the necessary services, otherwise you may miss all the fun.

Day 4 – trip to Murchison Falls

Today you will be able to see exotic animals: crocodiles, hippos, buffaloes, giraffes, antelopes and many others, because you will have a trip to Murchison Falls National Park. Also, do not miss the opportunity to visit the famous and amazing Murchison Falls on the Nile. It is important to arrive in the morning in order to have time to take part in a national park safari, see the animals that go to the watering hole, and take an exciting cruise on the Nile.

You can stop by Paraa Safari Lodge, which is located on the territory of Murchison Falls National Park. Each of the rooms is a real oasis of style and tranquility. Here you can also book a boat ride on the Nile, fishing, safari in the park and other guided tours. If you want to merge with the surrounding nature together, then you can choose the Red Chilli Rest Camp for a stopover.

To visit Murchison Falls National Park and miss the opportunity to take part in the morning safari through the national park, means to come to Uganda in vain. During the safari you will see 76 species of wild animals and 450 species of extraordinary birds. Keep in mind that safaris are held on the opposite bank of the Nile from the entrance to the park, but there is a ferry.

After the safari, you can return to the hotel, have lunch and relax a bit, because further on we will have an unforgettable cruise to the Devil's Cauldron, as the foot of the Murchison Falls is called. But do not think that this is the last adventure of the day. Who said that it would be easy and measured? Ahead of an hour and a half rise to the top of the waterfall. Only from its highest point you can feel all the power, beauty and uniqueness of this place, see how the Nile makes its way between the mighty rocks. Well, now you can return to the hotel or campsite with a sense of complete satisfaction.

Day 5 – transfer to Fort Portal

We will leave this day as a spare, in case you did not have time to see everything, or missed the safari in the park. After lunch we move to Fort Portal (350 km) – a city named after Gerald Portal, where you can experience the exotic and flavor of East Africa.

In Fort Portal, you can stay overnight at Kalya Courts Hotel or Fort Motel. There are options for accommodation in mini-hotels, for example: Rwenzori View Guest House, Dutchess, Chimpanzee Forest Guesthouse.

If you still have the strength and desire to take a walk after a long journey, you can go to the city center to see the statue of its founder, buy souvenirs, and spend the evening in local bars. Fort Portal is the starting point for excursions to various national parks, such as the Rwenzori Mountains National Park, Kibale Park and Queen Elizabeth Park, so we will only stop here for the night.

Day 6 – Drive to Semliki National Park

Early in the morning you will drive through one of the most impressive mountains in the world – the Rwenzori Range. Our task is to get to the Semliki National Park, which will certainly impress, as there are unique species of birds, mammals, rare species of monkeys and many other fauna. You can also visit hot geysers.

In the evening we recommend going to Lake Nkuruba. Here you can stay in the camping hotel “Lake Nkuruba Nature Reserve”. For those who do not have their own tent, accommodation in gangs (houses) will be offered. Be prepared for the fact that there is no electricity here, but a kerosene lamp will be brought to you. Romance.

Day 7 – crater lake, walks, free time

You can relax on the shore and even swim in the crater lake. If you wish, you can make trekking through the forest and enjoy the local scenery. We stay at the campsite for the night.

Day 8 – trekking to Mahoma waterfall and transfer to Kasese

Today you have to make trekking to Mahoma Falls. The road, though short, but treacherous, it will be very easy to get lost. We recommend using the services of a guide. Along the way you will see banana plantations. If you have captured treats for local children or brought office supplies with you, then on the way you will have the opportunity to present gifts to recipients in local villages. African kids will be happy.

When you get to the waterfall, you can safely refresh yourself under it. You can also have a picnic and relax. Despite a busy day, it’s too early to think about fatigue, there is a transfer to Kasese ahead and a distance of 90 km.

You can stay at the White House Hotel, Virina Garden Hotel or Hotel Margherita. The choice is yours.

Day 9 – Safari in Queen Elizabeth Park

In the morning you can head towards Queen Elizabeth National Park for a new safari adventure. In the park you can meet 95 species of mammals, except for rhinos, and over 600 species of birds. Unfortunately, even in Uganda, rhinos are rare. The pearl of the park is the most faithful bird – the crowned crane. And this is due to the fact that only this bird remains faithful to a spouse even after his death.

Once this place was visited by the Queen of Great Britain Elizabeth II herself, and the park was named in her honor. She came, of course, to look at the animals and admire the beauty of local birds. She was very pleased with the visit, and this is not surprising, because there is something to see! There are special tracks in the park and you should not leave them, as you can be fined $ 150 for this.

When the feeling of indescribable delight subsides, you can go to the forest of Chambura, where you will do a real search… no, not a treasure… but a chimpanzee. Now you can return back to the hotel. The program has been completed to date.

Day 10 – excursion along the Kazinga canal and walks in the forest

Today you will again see the unique beauties of nature, animals in their familiar environment and birds that are not at all afraid of people and fly very close, which means that you will have several dozens or even hundreds of unique photos.

All this can be seen by sailing on one of the sightseeing double-decker boats that travel with tourists several times a day along the Kazinga Canal. This channel connects lakes Edward and George. Tickets must be purchased in advance at the Mweya Information Centre. You can find it by following the signs if you enter through the central gate of Kabatoro Park.

Near the shore you will see whole families of hippos. Males rest imposingly and do not worry about anything, in general, they feel absolutely comfortable. Even if he did not rest! There are almost two dozen females per male. That's the kind of family they have. In Uganda, you can try hippo dishes, but these places are not accessible to the average tourist.

If impressions are not enough for you today, then you can go to the Maramagambo forest – an ideal place for hiking. And here again you will be met by birds of paradise and rare animals. Also only here you can see how pythons hunt bats. Well, at least some variety. You can spend the night at Mweya Hostel.

Day 11 – climbing lions and swamps in Ishash

Have you ever seen tree-climbing lions and topis (a rare species of antelope) live? Then today you will have this opportunity as we are going to Ishasha. You can easily recognize male tree-climbing lions by their black mane. In general, if you find out, then run, maybe you'll get lucky. From the park we will escape to the city of Mbarara. Here you can taste delicious milk. Be careful on the roads, as there are enough riders who ignore traffic rules.

Day 12 – taking pictures at the equator, buying souvenirs, returning to Kampala

It is the final one, which means it’s time to return to Kampala, but we won’t be sad, because a lot of interesting things await us along the way. In Masaka, you should definitely make a stop, because here you will find yourself on the equatar. Don't miss the opportunity to capture this important moment. Here you can also buy memorable souvenirs that will remind you of a unique, bright and eventful vacation. Now you can keep your way to the airport.