Day 1: Pickup from Entebbe or Kampala – Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

Wake up early and take your breakfast as you wait for a representative from Mission Africa Safaris. You will then start the 7-hour Journey to Lake Bunyonyi while making several stoppages along the highway. Southwestern Uganda has arguably the best scenery in Uganda. You will marvel at the beautiful countryside, vast swamps and the Mpanga forest. Prepare to catch sight of the local people tending their gardens and looking after their long-horned Ankole cattle. There will be a stop at the equator crossing in Kayabwe for photos, refreshments and an opportunity to buy local souvenir. The Equator crossing allows you to put one foot on the earth’s southern and another on the northern hemisphere. Lunch will be in Mbarara town before proceeding to Kabale and finally to Lake Bunyonyi.

After check-in at the hotel, you should head out to explore the lake, walk along the shores or enjoy the beautiful scenery. Depending on which accommodation facility you choose, you should prepare for evening entertainment by local traditional dancers as you sit around a camp fire.

Dinner and Overnight at Bunyonyi Overland Resort (Budget), Bunyonyi Safaris Resort (Mid-range) and Arcadia Cottages (Luxury).

Day 2: Visit the Local Communities, cave exploration, tour the Islands using a canoe, birdwatching and sightseeing

Wake up and take your breakfast as you prepare for a day full of fun. The first thing to do is enjoy the beautiful sounds of birds in the morning. The lake has an amazing collection of birds including the African harrier, egrets, grey crowned cranes, hawks, herons, levillant cuckoo, Rufus breathed wryneck, weaver birds and the white tailed blue monad among many others. Take a stroll along the lake shores to spot some of the birds as you wait for the Driver/Guide. The Guide/Driver will take you to visit the Batwa and Abaheesi Community of blacksmiths. The Batwa of Lake Bunyonyi live mostly in the Orugano forest, Echuya Forest and surrounding areas. Spend time and interact with them as learn about how they make ends meet. You might also find visiting the Bukora Cave interesting.

Afterwards, you can walk back to the hotel/lodge for lunch before proceeding for a boat ride or canoeing. You will be taken to visit the beautiful islands where you will get even better views of the lake, surrounding areas, rolling hills and terraces. Most of the islands are named after the dominant bird species there. One particular island is known as the punishment island. The Bakiga tribe living in the area once had a cruel culture of abandoning all girls who got pregnant before marriage in this particular island. They were left there to die since most couldn’t swim. Most of the girls were eventually rescued by the men who had impregnated them or bachelors who couldn’t who couldn’t pay the bride price required by parents of virgins.

While at the islands, you will interact with the people, visit some of the schools and health facilities. If you are the inquisitive type, you might want to visit the local traditional healer in one of the islands. After you are done with the activities, the boat will bring you back ashore for refreshment and relaxation at the lodge. The evening should be reserved for relaxation and short walks along the lake shores.

Dinner and Overnight at Bunyonyi Overland Resort (Budget), Bunyonyi Safaris Resort (Mid-range) and Arcadia Cottages (Luxury).

Day 3: Travel back to Kampala/Entebbe with a visit to the Igongo Cultural Centre, Equator crossing and Buganda royal drum makers.

Wake up early for breakfast and go out for nature walks to enjoy the beautiful scenery/landscapes as you wait to begin the Journey back to Kampala. The Lake Bunyonyi area is green throughout the year with beautiful trees and vegetation which are worth exploring. Lunch will be in Mbarara preferably at the Igongo Cultural Centre. After visiting the Centre, you will continue to Kampala and have another stop at the Equator or the Buganda Royal Drum Makers. Expect to reach Kampala or Entebbe late in the evening.

End of Tour