9 Days: Amatsiko’s Western Uganda with Impact Experience

A 9-day Western Uganda journey that blends bucket-list wildlife (including gorilla trekking) with powerful community experiences: cooking with local women, supporting schools, planting trees, visiting beehives and farms, and connecting with artists, youth, and Batwa communities. Every activity is tied to real impact across education, conservation, women’s empowerment, and sustainable livelihoods.

Travel with purpose — every activity directly supports education, conservation, women’s empowerment, and sustainable livelihoods.

Positive Impact Tourism Logo

 

 

 

Your Positive Impact

  • Supports education for orphans and vulnerable children

  • Provides new beehives and sustainable agriculture support for farmers

  • Contributes to conservation through clean-ups, tree planting, and wetland restoration

  • Strengthens women’s cooperatives and youth arts groups

  • Creates on-the-job training for young trainee guides

Yes — Uganda is generally a very safe country to visit, especially when traveling with an organized tour like ours. On our trips, you’ll be with trusted private guides and drivers who know the areas well, so you can focus on enjoying your adventure.

As with any destination, it’s wise to take basic precautions: avoid exploring cities like Kampala or Entebbe alone at night, keep valuables secure and close to you, skip wearing flashy jewelry, and store important documents such as passports in your hotel safe. Follow these simple tips, and you’ll be free to enjoy Uganda’s beauty and warm hospitality with peace of mind.

Every trip with Amatsiko Tours is designed to be more than a holiday — it’s a meaningful connection to Uganda. We blend unforgettable experiences like gorilla trekking, game drives, and cultural encounters with the knowledge that your visit directly supports local communities. A portion of every booking funds education through Amatsiko Preparatory School and community projects like clean water and sustainable farming. You’ll travel with warm, knowledgeable local guides, enjoy carefully chosen accommodations, and leave knowing your journey has made a real difference.

Absolutely. At Amatsiko Tours, we believe every journey should be as unique as the traveler. We start by listening to your interests, travel style, and must-see moments, then design an itinerary that fits you perfectly. You can build your trip from scratch or use one of our popular tours as inspiration — either way, our team will fine-tune every detail so your Uganda adventure feels truly your own.

Yes! Uganda offers the chance to see the Big Five — lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino — along with plenty of other incredible wildlife. On safari, you might also spot hyenas, hippos, zebras, the unique Ugandan kob, and over 1,000 bird species in every shape and color. And if you love primates, you’re in the right place: Uganda’s forests are home to 24 species of monkeys, from nocturnal galagos to striking blue monkeys — and, of course, the unforgettable mountain gorilla.

9 Days: Amatsiko’s Western Uganda with Impact Experience Overview

Price

Meals

Best Time

June to August and December to February

Included

  • All accommodation
  • All activities listed in the itinerary, including cultural visits, workshops, conservation projects, and community experiences
  • Lake Mburo nature walk and wildlife experience
  • Gorilla trekking
  • Canoe or kayak experience on Lake Bunyonyi
  • Donations to rangers, farmers, schools, and women’s groups (included in the tour fee)
  • All regional transfers and transport from start to finish
  • Professional local guide throughout the journey
  • Community impact experiences and hands-on activities with partner projects

Excluded

  • International flights
  • Visa fees for Uganda or Rwanda
  • Gorilla trekking permit
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses such as drinks, snacks, and souvenirs
  • Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
  • Tips for guides, rangers, and community hosts

Good to know

This is a community-focused, partly rural itinerary with simple, comfortable accommodation and hands-on activities that change with the season. Expect some bumpy roads, early starts, and active days including farming, canoeing, and walking. Gorilla trekking requires good mobility, and permits should be secured early. Dietary needs can be accommodated with advance notice.

Ready to create memories that last a lifetime?


You can customize your trip. Our sample itineraries are adjustable to your preferences. Our specialists work with you to create your dream journey!

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Entebbe and Pick Up
– Warm welcome at Entebbe International Airport by your Amatsiko Tours guide. Then travel to the booked for an overnight stay in Entebbe or Kampala

Day 2- Entebbe to Mpanga Nature & Masaka Cultural Evening
– Morning breakfast, then travel to Mpanga
– Walk among towering trees and birdlife at Mpanga Nature Reserve for a gentle introduction to Uganda’s natural world.
– Stop at the equator for iconic photos and lunch.
– Purchase ranger and school supplies along the way, ready to be donated during your journey.
– Arrive in Masaka for an immersive arts or music workshop with a local creative group (with part of your fee supporting free youth classes).
– Share a traditional dinner, music, and storytelling before resting overnight in Masaka.

Day 3 – Lake Mburo Safari, Museum Visit & Transfer to Kabale
– Begin the day with a guided nature walk in Lake Mburo National Park, spotting zebras, impalas, and rich birdlife.
– Present your donated supplies to the rangers, supporting their daily conservation work.
– Continue your scenic drive south, stopping at the Igongo Cultural Museum to discover Uganda’s history and heritage.
– Arrive in Kabale by evening and enjoy a warm welcome dinner of traditional Rukiga dishes.
– Overnight stay in Kabale.

Day 4 – Amatsiko Preparatory School & Organic Farming
– Morning visit to Amatsiko Preparatory School: join art and storytelling sessions with the children.
– Help prepare and serve lunch, then share the meal with the students.
– Afternoon: hands-on visit to a Go Organic Africa-supported farm. Depending on the season, you may plant beans, harvest sweet potatoes, or help with rabbits and beekeeping.
– Dinner at a cozy, locally owned restaurant in Kabale.
– Overnight stay in Kabale.

Day 5 – Farm-to-Table & Women’s Empowerment
– Visit a lively livestock market in the morning, purchasing a goat, chickens, or rabbits to gift to a host family — a heartfelt gesture that strengthens community bonds.
– Cooking session with local women: learn traditional preservation techniques such as sun-drying, smoking, and condiments.
– Afternoon at a women’s cooperative with the choice of basket weaving, tailoring, or crafts (chosen in advance).
– Learn herbal medicine and traditional cooking with village elders
– Special evening: enjoy dinner together with cooperative members, sharing stories and laughter.
– Overnight stay in Lake Bunyonyi

Day 6 – Lake Bunyonyi, Conservation & Beehives of Hope
– Glide across the glassy waters of Lake Bunyonyi by canoe or kayak.
– Join a lake clean-up activity from your canoe, helping preserve this pristine environment.
– Take part in conservation activities such as tree planting or wetland restoration (depending on the season).
– Visit a community apiary, where guests not only taste and purchase honey but also contribute to donating new beehives to local farmers, empowering them to protect nature while earning a sustainable income.
– End the day with a campfire dinner hosted by local families, complete with cultural storytelling, music, and dancing under the stars.
– Overnight stay at an eco-lodge on Lake Bunyonyi.

Day 7 – Buzaniro Village: Agriculture & Community Life
– Travel to Buzaniro Village for a day of connection and community impact.
– Roll up your sleeves and join families in light farming activities — planting beans, harvesting vegetables, or tending rabbits.
– Contribute to school improvement through light repairs (painting classrooms or helping set up learning spaces).
– Take part in cooking a shared meal with families, then enjoy an evening of storytelling, music, and dance.
– Continue the journey to Bwindi and overnight at an eco-lodge near the forest, ready for tomorrow’s adventure.

Day 8 – Bwindi Gorillas & Batwa Culture
– Rise early for a once-in-a-lifetime gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (permit required).
– In the afternoon, meet the Batwa community and learn about their forest traditions through music, dance, and storytelling.
– Overnight stay at an eco-lodge near Bwindi.

Day 9 – Departure
– Enjoy a final breakfast of fresh farm produce.
– Transfer to Entebbe or Kigali for your onward journey.

2 day lake bunyonyi map

Highlights

Trek endangered mountain gorillas in Bwindi and connect with Batwa culture through music and storytelling. Immerse yourself in real community life through farming, cooking, school visits, and women’s cooperatives. Canoe across Lake Bunyonyi and take part in hands-on conservation, from tree planting to beehive donations.

Packing Tips

Pack light, breathable clothing, sturdy walking shoes/boots, a warm layer for cooler highland evenings, a reusable water bottle, insect repellent, and a small daypack for village visits and treks.

Read our What to Pack for Uganda: The Complete Traveler’s Checklist

Traveller experiences

 
“This was the most meaningful trip I’ve ever taken. From the gorillas to the community days, every experience felt real, grounded, and deeply inspiring. I left Uganda changed for the better.”
— Mick, Canada

Why travel with Amatsiko Tours?

With Amatsiko Tours, you’ll experience Uganda in a deeper, more meaningful way—guided by locals, welcomed like family, and part of something bigger.

  • Private, purpose-led safaris – Tailored adventures that directly support local communities
  • Expert English speaking local guides – Passionate storytellers who bring Uganda’s landscapes and culture to life.
  • Travel that gives back – 20% of your fee funds Amatsiko School, helping over 400 children.
  • Real support, every step – Friendly, honest advice from people who genuinely care about your journey.

Ready to create memories that last a lifetime?


You can customize your trip. Our sample itineraries are adjustable to your preferences. Our specialists work with you to create your dream journey!