Focus on global environmental stewardship with a week in Kampala followed by a safari through southwestern Uganda. A well-supervised program develops global citizenship in American and Ugandan youth, while adults build a community water pump and share their children’s experiences. Highlights include field trips to a chimp sanctuary and the source of the Nile, plus opportunities to track endangered mountain gorillas.
Cost:
The land cost for this 14-day trip includes all activities, accommodations and three meals a day. Please call for pricing.
Included:
– Accommodations for 8 nights in Kampala and 5 nights on safari (see below)
– Airport transfer at arrival and departure
– Ground transportation for all program activities
– Entrance fees for all excursions described in itinerary
– Three meals per day
– Trip leader and trip guides
– Costs of children's and adult programs
– Pre-trip reading list and resources
– Pre-and post-trip meetings
– Global Buddies T-shirts
– Modest donations to our local host organizations
– End-of-trip photo book
Not Included:
International flights; visa fees; travel insurance (highly recommended); optional activities including gorilla trek permits, Kyambura Gorge chimp walk and Kazinga Channel cruise; personal expenses, including local purchases and alcoholic beverages; tips; optional room upgrades.
Accomodations:
In Kampala, we stay in a lovely, conveniently located boutique hotel. On safari, lodging is in luxurious tented camps and wilderness lodges. Prices are based on double occupancy. Optional room upgrades available for some accommodations.
Airfare:
The cost of flights to Uganda varies depending on which airline you fly and when tickets are booked. The earlier you book, the more you save. Youth fares may be available for children under 13.
PLEASE NOTE: Trip costs are based upon current tariffs, fuel costs and currency exchange rates. While we will do everything possible to maintain the listed price, it is subject to change. Due to fluctuations in oil prices, it may become necessary to add a fuel surcharge. We will confirm final costs within 60 days prior to departure.
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ARRIVAL: You will be met at Entebbe International Airport and transported to your accommodations in Kampala, where Global Buddies will greet you and orient you to the area. American families gather for opening dinner. |
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PROGRAM BEGINS: American families get a taste of the local spirit with an optional morning visit to a Bahai temple, followed by exploring Kampala craft markets. Ugandan and American Global Buddies meet in the afternoon for a community ceremony, dinner and dance performance at the Ndere Cultural Centre. |
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A full day at UYDEL, where children's program begins and adults start service project. A festive group dinner concludes the day. |
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American and Ugandan families are invited to visit homes in the village, walking through the community to see how people live and grow their food. |
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Journey to the Jinja, source of the Nile, to enjoy a gentle float trip. On the way, we'll visit a rural village that is home to one of the Ugandan Global Buddies. |
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Children's program continues at Uydel, while adults continue with service project. |
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Adults finish service project, while children's program wraps up at at Uydel, followed by a visit to the Ngamba Island Chimp Sanctuary for the whole group. |
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Day 8 Closing ceremony at UYDEL celebrates Global Buddies and the building of the water pump. Community lunch and performance by American and Ugandan children. |
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Leave Kampala for safari in southwestern Uganda. First stop is Queen Elizabeth National Park, where optional activities include tracking chimps in Kyambura Gorge or cruising the Kazinga Channel. Overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge. |
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Head to the remote Ishasha region, where a game drive may give a view of Ishasha's famous tree-climbing lions or herds of migrating elephants. Visit Kololo Primary School and Ishasha Community Project. Overnight at Ishasha Wilderness Camp. |
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Depart for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to half of the world's 700+ remaining mountain gorillas. Forest walks, community meetings and optional treks to see Bwindi's majestic gorillas (ages 15 and up). We offer access to highly restricted gorilla permits - limited number available. Two nights at Buhoma Lodge. |
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Continue on to Lake Mburo National Park, where choice of activities includes boat ride, bush walk or game drive. Overnight at Mantana Tented Camp. |
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DEPARTURES: Return to Entebbe International Airport via the Equator - get your picture taken with one foot in the northern hemisphere and one in the southern! Families may explore further on their own or begin their journey home. |
We reserve the right to adjust individual items on this itinerary as needed; the main components will not change.