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Tour At-A-Glance;
Length: 14 days
Best time of year:All year round.
Key Sites:Namugongo, Bahai Temple.
ITINERARY:
Day 1: Arrival.
Stay at Lindsay Cottages.
Day 2: Rubaga/St. Mary's Catholic Cathedral and St. Paul's Cathedral, Namirembe
After an early breakfast, we will drive to Rubaga Cathedral, also known as St. Mary's Catholic Cathedral. This magnificent edifice, which stands on Rubaga hill overlooking the cityis, is of great importance to Catholics as this is the burial place of many great clergy. Built at the beginning of the century, the church houses the remains of the first African Catholic Bishop and the first African Archbishop of Kampala Diocese, Joseph Kiwanuka. Many faithful come to view them and to offer their prayers. This landmark cathedral was famously restored during the time of the Pope's visit to Uganda.
We will then proceed to Uganda's oldest cathedral, St. Paul's, in Namirembe. The brick-red structure with the impressive dome is also known as Lutikko. Our guides will tell you all about the interesting history behind this church. Like the Temple on Mt. Sinai, it was built following the loss of three previous structures through disaster and decay in a space of only 20 years. Interesting is the graveyard which includes the remains of Bishop Hannington, who was murdered in 1885, and the Cooks, who established Mengo Hospital.
After lunch, you will visit the Kibuli Mosque. It is one of the biggest mosques in Uganda with a beautiful view over Kampala. It is also regarded as a home for Muslims. A Buganda Royal and colonial collaborator owned most of the hill and donated the land atop the 3,973 ft hill so that the mosque could be constructed. Kibuli hospital was also constructed on top of this hill. Other notable features on this hill are the police headquarters and training school, several secondary schools and a teacher training college.
same accomodation.
Day 3: Monument at Kigungu Landing Gaba to see GabaMajor Seminary.
After breakfast, we will drive to Entebbe to visit Kigungu Landing site. The first Catholic missionaries to settle in Uganda landed at Entebbe on 17th February, 1879. Fr. Simeon Lourdel and Br. Amans Delmas had left Marseille with the first caravan of White Fathers on April 22, 1878. They landed in Zanzibar on 30th May and on 17th June the whole caravan ventured on foot into the interior of Africa, opening up their way through the wilderness.
From the South of Lake Victoria, two missionaries went northwards across the lake to explore the situation in Uganda. On their arrival at Entebbe, Lourdel and Amans landed on the Kigungu Peninsula. A modest monument still marks the spot.
On their way to Rubaga, they spent the night at Kisubi. When King Mutesa learnt of their arrival, he had them taken to Kitebi, three miles away from Rubaga. They spent 15 days in Kitebi, sometimes without food, shivering with fever, uncertain of the fate awaiting them. Summoned to the kabaka's court, Fr. Lourdel informed Mutesa that he and four others had been sent to establish a Catholic mission in Uganda. Mutesa consented to the coming of the Catholic missionaries to Uganda and promised to send canoes to retrieve them.
Other sites in Entebbe that could be of interest are the Zamugula site and the Muzinga square site. To date, many believers gather there for special prayers. Thereafter, drive to Gaba to see GabaMajor Seminary. This is the place where priests have their final stage in their journey to priesthood after which they are ordained as deacons and after a year, they are ordained priests.
Same accommodation.
Day 4: Murchison Falls National Park, Luwero Triangle, Budongo forest and the Western Arm of the Great Rift Valley.
After an early breakfast, we will embark on the long drive to Murchison Falls. This drive will take you through the famous Luwero Triangle, Budongo forest and the Western Arm of the Great Rift Valley. You will reach in the afternoon and drive to the top of the falls. This is where the Park derives its name and the Nile its beauty. At the top of the falls, you will see how the Nile forces itself through a narrow gorge to fall 150 ft below causing a thunderous roar of white water. The ferry will then transfer you to Paraa Safari Lodge for overnight.
Day 5: Murchison Falls National Park.
We will have an early morning game drive in the Park where you will see plenty of animals like Buffaloes, Hippos and Elephants and you may also have a chance to view a wide range of birds. After lunch, we will go for a boat ride. This launch cruise will take you downstream to the bottom of the Falls where you will see plenty of animals like Buffalos, schools of Hippos in the water, and Elephants. You may also have a chance to view a wide variety of birds.
Overnight at Paraa safari lodge.
Day 6: Fort Portal Transfer.
After an early breakfast, we will travel to Fort Portal. You will arrive in the late evening.
Stay at Ataco Country Resort, or Nature Lodge.
Day 7: Kibale Forest National Park, Virika Parish in Fort Portal.
After an early breakfast, drive to Kibale Forest National Park visitor center for briefing about chimpanzee tracking. This is an exciting experience and one that you cannot afford to miss. Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale gives one an opportunity to track down chimpanzees and view them in their natural habitat. In the afternoon, visit Virika Parish in Fort Portal. Other places of interest are Virika Hospital.
Day 8: Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Travel to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Arrive in time for lunch and then have an afternoon boat trip along the famous Kazinga Channel which joins Lakes Edward and George. You will have close views of schools of Hippos, Buffaloes and Crocodiles close to the water side. Queen Elizabeth National Park is 1978 sq. km large and enjoys a stunning location on the rift valley floor where it rises 481 m from 91 m at the Kazinga Channel to 1390 m in the explosion crater field. It is located between Lakes George and Edward where a mosaic of habitats supports 95 mammal species and a whopping 612 bird species. This diversity is as a result of an impressive range of habitats. Fifty seven vegetation types have been identified in these main ecotypes: forest, grassland, bushy grassland, acacia woodland and lakeshore/swamp vegetation.
Overnight at a Mweya Safari lodge.
Day 9: Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kasese Catholic Diocese headquarters.
After breakfast, you will go for a morning game drive in the Park. You may view mammals like Elephants, Buffaloes, Lions, Bush Bucks, Kobs, Giant Forest Hogs and Hyenas. After lunch, we will visit Kasese Catholic Diocese headquarters. Overnight at Mweya safari lodge.
Day 10: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
After breakfast, we will transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable via the seasonal Ishasha sector. This provides greater chances of viewing the Tree Climbing Lions on a lucky day. This is a rather long journey and we shall have frequent stops to stretch legs. Overnight at Gorilla Resort.
Day 11: Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Gather at the Park Headquarters for a briefing in regard to gorilla tracking. This is the most exciting lifetime experience of all time. This exercise sometimes involves walking on steep and slippery slopes. The gorillas are gentle animals and it is an unforgettable experience to photograph them as they interact.
Overnight at Gorilla Resort.
Day 12: Kanungu, Site of Infamous Kibwetere Cult Massacre.
After an early breakfast, we will visit Kanungu, a remote town where, in 2000, a religious cult led by Joseph Kibwetere burnt to death thousands of Catholics after brainwashing them with the story that they were going to heaven. Members of the Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments (MRTC), a religious cult had been promised that they would go to heaven come 2000. As the year approached, they were asked to sell all their property and belongings and give the proceeds to the cult leaders. The MRTC was led by Joseph Kibwetere, Credonia Mwerinde, Angelina Mugisha, Fr Joseph Kasapurari and Fr Dominic Kataribabo. As the days of 2000 passed one by one and the believers did not depart for heaven, they were promised that the Lord would soon come and take them with him. Some believers of the cult started asking questions. The leaders then decided to lock their flock in their prayer palace and set it on fire. It was only later that it dawned on the world that worse had happened before the fire. What actually shocked the world more was the discovery of mass graves of more believers of this cult in different parts of Uganda in places far from Kanungu that included Kampala. Shortly after the Kanungu massacre, six bodies were discovered in a pit next to where the leaders lived. As Ugandans and the world were coming to terms with how easily the cult had fooled everybody, 153 bodies were found under the floor of the cult's building at Buhinga, Rutoma, and Rukungiri on March
25th 2000. 155 more bodies were discovered in Rugazi, Bunyaruguru-Bushenyi on March 27th 2000 under Fr. Kataribabo's house. Continue to Lake Mburo National Park.
Overnight at Mihingo lodge.
Day 13: Game Drive in Lake Mburo National Park.
After breakfast, we will have a morning game drive around the Park where you will spot herds of Zebra, Topi, Elephant, Eland, Buffalo and primates like the Vervet Monkeys and the Olive Baboons. We will then transfer to Entebbe via Kampala arriving in the late evening.
Overnight at Lindsay Cottages.
Day 14: Departure/End of Tour.
After breakfast, we will transfer to the airport arriving in time for your departure flight.
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Bird Uganda Safaris Ltd
