5 Days: Back-to-Basics Nature Experience

This 5-day experience is all about stripping life back to what really matters. I invite travellers to slow down, live simply, and reconnect with nature, community, and themselves. From canoeing across Lake Bunyonyi and cooking over open fires to joining village farming, forest walks, and drumming circles under the stars, every moment is rooted in simplicity, sustainability, and genuine connection. Guests stay in eco-lodges and homestays, live close to the land, and experience a way of life that feels grounding, peaceful, and beautifully human.

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Your Positive Impact

  • Practice sustainability by living simply and supporting eco-lodges and homestays.
  • Contribute to conservation through tree planting, clean-ups, and wetland restoration.
  • Support community farming and share meals with local families.
  • Empower youth and musicians by participating in drumming and cultural workshops.
  • Provide income to host families and local farmers.

 

Back-to-Basics Nature Experience- A guest eating a roasted maize with a cap on his head
Western Uganda impact tour
Culinary Themed Regional Experience
Uganda Immersion Tour
Back-to-Basics Nature Experience
A young child in a blue skirt and dark sweater stands by a water spout, filling a basin. The background shows colorful clothes drying on a line and lush greenery. Uganda Amatsiko Tours
Lake Bunyonyi
Back-to-Basics Nature Experience

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.

5 Days: Back-to-Basics Nature Experience Overview

Price

From $2099 USD

Meals

All meals & water included

Best Time

June to August and December to February

Included

  • Canoe transfers, eco-lodge or homestay accommodation, and all meals with local hosts.
  • Community activities like farming, cooking on open fires, village walks, and storytelling.
  • Nature experiences including forest walks, birdwatching, and simple survival skills workshops.
  • Cultural exchanges such as drumming, dancing, and shared meals with local families.
  • Conservation projects including tree planting, lake clean-ups, and support for community initiatives.

Excluded

  • International flights
  • Visa fees for Uganda or Rwanda
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses (souvenirs, extra drinks, snacks)
  • Optional activities not listed in the itinerary
  • Tips for guides and community hosts

Good to know

This is a simple, nature-focused experience with eco-friendly accommodation and hands-on activities that vary with the season. Expect early mornings, open-fire cooking, basic village tasks, and canoe transfers that may involve stepping in and out of the water. Roads can be bumpy, and phone signal is limited, making it perfect for a true digital detox. 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!

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Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival at Lake Bunyonyi
– Scenic canoe transfer to your eco-lodge or community homestay.
– Orientation session on simple living, digital detox, and how your visit supports the community.
– Evening campfire dinner made from locally grown produce, shared with your hosts.
– Overnight at Lake Bunyonyi.

Day 2 – Simple Living & Community Farming
– Sunrise yoga or meditation by the lake.
– Join your hosts in collecting firewood, fetching water, and preparing meals on an open fire.
– Visit nearby fields and take part in farming activities such as planting, weeding, or harvesting seasonal crops.
– Afternoon guided hike through neighboring villages, visiting sustainability projects like organic gardens, composting, and rabbit farming — with opportunities to help out.
– Cooking workshop: learn to prepare traditional Ugandan dishes, then invite local community members to share the meal together.
– Evening storytelling under the stars.
– Overnight at Lake Bunyonyi.

Day 3 – Forest Immersion & Cultural Rhythm
– Morning guided forest walk with birdwatching, plant identification, and lessons in medicinal herbs.
– Workshop on survival skills: building simple shelters, water filtration, and fire-making using natural methods.
– Evening drumming and dance exchange with a local music group. Guests not only watch but join in drumming and dancing alongside the artists. A donation supports community music classes for children.
– Overnight at Lake Bunyonyi.

Day 4 – Giving Back to Nature & Shared Feast
– Canoe across the lake to a conservation site. Activities may include:
– • Tree planting (always available)
– • Wetland restoration (seasonal)
– • Lake clean-up (collecting trash while paddling canoes)
– Afternoon relaxation: swim, paddle, or enjoy the peaceful lake views.
– Help in community gardens to harvest fresh produce for a cooking class.
– Cooking workshop followed by a shared feast with local families — celebrating farm-to-table traditions.
– Overnight at Lake Bunyonyi.

Day 5 – Reflection & Departure
– Morning journaling or reflection circle overlooking the lake.
– Farewell brunch prepared with fresh produce from the garden.
– Departure transfer to Kigali or Entebbe.

1 day lake bunyonyi map

Highlights

Cultural drumming and dance evening where guests join local musicians and support youth music programmes. Forest immersion walk with birdwatching, medicinal plant lessons, and hands-on survival skills. Community farming and shared cooking with local families, ending in a farm-to-table feast by the lake.

Packing Tips

Pack light, breathable clothing, sturdy walking shoes, a warm layer for cool evenings, insect repellent, a reusable water bottle, and a small daypack for hikes, canoe rides, and daily community activities.

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

Back-to-Basics Nature Experience- A guest eating a roasted maize with a cap on his head
Western Uganda impact tour
Culinary Themed Regional Experience
Uganda Immersion Tour
Back-to-Basics Nature Experience
A young child in a blue skirt and dark sweater stands by a water spout, filling a basin. The background shows colorful clothes drying on a line and lush greenery. Uganda Amatsiko Tours
Lake Bunyonyi
Back-to-Basics Nature Experience

Traveller experiences

 
“I booked the Back-to-Basics Nature Experience because I wanted a break from constant noise and busyness, but I had no idea how much it would shift my perspective. Staying by Lake Bunyonyi, helping with cooking on open fires, joining families in their gardens, and canoeing across the lake every day made me feel more connected than I have in years.”
Elena, 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.
Take a look at our excursions

    • 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!

    Request this trip now