Ameera Africa Safaris’ Gorilla Tracking & Cultural Tour
Trip highlights.
Uganda is a Country with diverse amazing Cultures that are uncovered, a 7 days Mountain Gorilla and extraordinary Ankore African Culture tour will reward you with a one in a lifetime experience of encountering the Mountain Gorillas and appreciating the greatest History of the Ankore Kingdom-the former rulers of the Great Lakes Region that used to stretch right from Northern Tanzania in Karagwe, North Eastern DR Congo to the current Ssese Islands of Buganda Kingdom. From 700 BC to the 16th Century those were areas of governance of the Cwezi dynasty. The beliefs of the Ankore People (Cwezi) used to be accompanied by Supernatural powers like Clairvoyance, telekinesis, and telepathy to strengthen their faith. And whoever believes in Ruhanga (the creator), peace and stability of the world will always be termed as Omucwezi.
The ultimate experience is tasting the definition of Ankore Kaaro Karungi (Ankore the beautiful village) and understanding why Ankore is termed as the land of milk and honey.
You will drive through Katonga Bridge -the Jewel of Liberation of the ruling government which was a battlefield in December 1985 where hundreds of National Resistance Army (NRA) fighters lay in their defenses in the Southern edges, while Uganda National Liberation Army (UNLA) soldiers battled to break through from the Kampala direction, visit the unforgotten Ankore heritage sites like the first palace of the last King of the Cwezi Dynasty-Omugabe (King) Wamara Ruhanja Njojo Ibuga Ryabwe’ra at Itaaba Royal Palace, the Kyandahi, Nyakahondogoro caves, Orurembo-the physical and spiritual healing Centre of the Ankore people.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL AT ENTEBBE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (EBB)
Our professional tour guide will pick you up from Entebbe International Airport (EBB), brief you about your 7-day Mountain Gorilla and extraordinary Ankore African Culture tour, and transfer you to your hotel of residence for the first night and you rest till the next day.
DAY 2: TRANSFER TO BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST NATIONAL PARK.
The safari begins from Kampala or Entebbe at 7:00 am and drives towards western Uganda. A brief stopover at the Equator allows time for photographs and the Equator experience.
Proceed to Mbarara city for another stop at Igongo Ankole Cultural Centre for a lunch break.
After lunch, proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. This is the lushest highland rainforest on earth, filled with primates like Mountain Gorillas, monkeys, chimpanzees, forest Elephants, and exotic birds, valleys, hilltops, and papyrus swamps. Via the verdant countryside, you will pass traditional homesteads and have panoramic views of the surroundings.
DAY 3: GORILLA TREKKING IN BWINDI IMPENETRABLE NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast, prepare for your day’s gorilla trekking excursion with packed lunch boxes and proceed to the park headquarters for a briefing on the gorilla trekking etiquettes by Uganda Wildlife Authority guides and rangers -tacked in your trekking jungle boots, rain jacket with your walking sticks advance for the activity. Gorilla trekking is unpredictable, the excursion can take from 2 up to 8 hours. Be ready to walk long distances in steep and muddy conditions, the floor is always wet but exerting and so rewarding. Return to the lodge and rest.
Later in the evening, our professional tour guide will lead you for a community walk to meet the marginalized group of people who have coexisted with the mountain gorillas side by side in the same jungle for centuries known as the Batwa Tribe. You will be entertained by their cultural dancing group as you learn more about the Batwa people. Later return to the Safari Lodge for dinner and a night stay. Meal plan Breakfast, lunch & dinner).
Day 4: TRANSFER FROM BWINDI TO MBARARA CITY- Land of Milk &Honey.
You will have breakfast at 8:00 am and then set out on a drive back to Mbarara City. You will arrive in Mbarara City check-in at your hotel and rest till lunchtime.
Immediately after lunch, you will embark on your journey of 1 hour to Itaaba Royal Palace located in a place called Kyabanyoro-Nyakayojo division of Mbarara city, the first and last home of the great leader, father of Nkore/Ankore Kingdom, the first king of Nkore/Ankole and the last King of the Cwezi Dynasty; Great Lakes Region who was called Omugabe (King) Wamara Ruhanja Njojo Ibuga Ryabweera son to Omugabe (King) Ndahura and Nyakahima. This palace was founded in the 14th century and is served till today.
More of the history of the Great Kingdom will be heard en route your Palace tour and later proceed to milking the Ankore long-horned Cwezi cow (okukama ente ye’nyankore) at sundown from which you will be prepared an evening tea for you to enjoy and return to your hotel or lodge in Mbarara city or outside the town.
DAY 5: NYAKAHONDOGORO CAVES, HIKING & NATURE WALK.
After your morning breakfast, your guide will drive you to Nyakahondogoro caves in Rubindi Kazo district-one of the archaeological sites of Aba Cwezi along with Omu Cwezi Clairvoyant leader who will guide you enroute to the caves about rituals done there, the sacred prayers conducted therefrom, tell you the detailed antiquity of the site and the present day, after your arrival near the site-your Safari motor vehicle will have to be parked at the lower hills of the site and you will change the means of transportation by using local bodaboda ride that will aid you ascend to the foot of the Nyakahondogoro cave and later start your simple hike to the top of the caves where there is an entrance to the caves.
Upon reaching the top of the caves, you will have the utmost and perfect view of Buruga and Burengye bweizo’ba (East &west) of Ankore Kingdom, this will reward you with a magnificent scenery that allows memorable photos and there is a very high chance of encountering Aba Cwezi dressed in white clothes or veils, sounding drums while worshipping.
DAY 6: TRANSFER TO THE CITY OF THE LAND OF MILK AND HONEY- MBARARA
On this day after your morning breakfast, you will transfer to Mbarara City and proceed to a Suburb called Biharwe – a place known for Abahima settlers whose pride is in possession of thousands of herds of cattle, vast banana plantations to mention.
DAY 7: TRANSFER TO KAMPALA.
After your breakfast, you will transfer to Kampala/Entebbe.
End of safari.
Inclusions:
• Professional tour guide
• Transportation by a 4 x 4 safari vehicle.
• A bottle of mineral water per day while on the safari/tour
• Full board accommodation as per the itinerary
• Enroute lunches
• Guided nature walks to the caves
• Hiking (the Nyakahondogoro & Biharwe hill)
• Okukama (milking the cow -Men only)
• History of Ankore Culture
• All entry fees to different heritage sites as per the itinerary
• Anecdotes of Ankore Culture at Ishaazi
• Driver/guide subsistence allowance
Exclusions: – International and Domestic flights, Ticket expenses, expenses of personal nature like Alcoholic drinks, tips, telephone, any activities not highlighted in the itinerary cigars, etc.
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