3 days Uganda cultural tour offers community cultural safaris in Uganda taking you through Kampala (Uganda’s capital city), Wakiso, Mukono, Jinja, and Buyende to discover Uganda’s rich and fascinating cultural heritage in three amazing days.
On this 3 days Uganda cultural tour safari trip, you will explore the rich cultural attractions and traditions of the ancient Buganda Kingdom which is one of the few remaining monarchies in Africa established about 700 years ago. Buganda is also one of the most active kingdoms today led by a supreme King known as the Kabaka.
His subjects, the 7.6 million-strong tribes of Buganda, are called the Baganda who speak the Luganda language, the most widely spoken language in Uganda.
You’ll tour several fascinating cultural sites, starting in Kampala with a visit to the Kasubi Tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring a magnificent dome-shaped grass-thatched hut that houses the tombs of four “Ssekabakas” (late Kings of Buganda). It is a place of belief, spirituality, and identity of the Baganda people.
Continue to Kabaka’s Palace (Lubiri) on Mengo Hill, one of the 7 magical hills of Kampala. Lubiri is the official residence of the current King of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II. Proceed to the Kabaka’s Lake before continuing to the Uganda National Museum, the oldest in East Africa, established in 1908.
Learn about the culture of all 56 different native tribes of Uganda, archaeology, history, science, and natural history of the country, all under one roof.
Next, move to Wakiso; visit Wamala tombs and Naggalabi Coronation Site, the birthplace of the Kingdom of Buganda, a place where Kintu, the first Buganda King killed his brother Bemba and declared himself Kabaka in the 14th Century.
Then it’s off to Ssezibwa Falls in Mukono which lies on Sezibwa River, a notable beauty spot and significant cultural site of Buganda. End this amazing 3 days Uganda cultural tour with a hike to the 3,048 meter-high Kagulu hill in Buyende, a magical sight for the adventure and culture of the Basoga people.
You can book or customize this fantastic 3 days Uganda cultural safari at an affordable price.
Explore the many cultural attractions of Kampala City, Uganda’s capital city
Learn about the fascinating culture, traditions, and history of the ancient Buganda Kingdom
Visit the Uganda National Museum to learn about the culture of different Uganda tribes archaeology, history, science, and natural history of the country
Discover Uganda’s rural life as you drive from Kampala outskirts to the eastern region of the country
Tour the Ssezibwa Falls, a notable beauty spot and significant cultural site of Buganda
Hike Kagulu hill, a magical sight for the adventure and culture of the Basoga people.
Drive through Kampala to the eastern region of the ‘Pearl of Africa’
Chatting about Uganda with our knowledgeable guide
Day 1: Kampala – Kasubi Tombs, Kabaka’s Palace, Kabaka’s Lake, Uganda National Museum & Craft Centres.
Day 2: Naggalabi Coronation Site & Wamala tombs
Day 3: Ssezibwa Falls & Kagulu Hill
Day 1: Do cultural tours in Kampala; explore Kasubi Tombs, Kabaka’s Palace (Lubiri), Kabaka’s Lake, Uganda National Museum & Craft Centres.
Day 1: Visit Naggalabi Coronation Site and Wamala tombs in Wakiso District.
Day 1: Drive to Kagulu Hill in Buyende district. Make a stop at Ssezibwa Falls en route.
Begin 3 days Uganda cultural safari in Uganda’s capital, Kampala (or ‘hill of Impalas’) with breakfast at around 7.30.
Then embark on a cultural tour of Kampala, a city that has grown out of the traditional capital of the Buganda kingdom, one of the last surviving intact African traditional monarchies, established about 700 years ago.
It’s also one of the most active kingdoms led by a supreme King known as the Kabaka. His subjects, the 7.6 million-strong tribe of Buganda, are called the Baganda who speak the Luganda language, the most widely spoken language in Uganda.
Explore the cultural sites to learn about some of the hidden and forgotten history of the Kingdom in addition to experiencing an authentic traditional culture. Visit the Kasubi Tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that features a magnificent dome-shaped grass-thatched hut that houses the tombs of 4 “Ssekabaka” (late Kings of Buganda).
It is a place of belief, spirituality, and identity for the Baganda people.
Tour the Kabaka’s Palace which is the former home of the Buganda King established in 1922. The palace also served as army barracks during the Obote and Amin administrations. Though you cannot enter the building itself, the guide will give you a good overview of the recent history of the kingdom and the palace grounds including a visit to the armory which was allegedly used by Amin’s henchmen as a torture chamber.
You can take a walk along the fascinating Royal Mile and connect to Bulange Parliament the traditional center for Lukiiko that demonstrates that Buganda already had an established Parliament even before the coming of Europeans.
Visit Kabaka’s lake, a manmade lake that was dug in 1880 by the Baganda people under the orders of their King, Mwanga as an escape corridor during British armed conflicts to connect to Lake Victoria, the world’s largest tropical lake. Relax and have your lunch.
In the afternoon, visit the Uganda National Museum one of the best museums in East Africa, exhibiting wonderful collections covering archeology, ethnography, geology, and natural history. There is also an interactive display of traditional musical instruments and even an old Model T Ford.
Several different tribal huts have been constructed in the back garden which can, of course, be toured as well. The day is crowned by the tour to the craft centers along Buganda road, the Nommo gallery, and the National Theater to explore various art crafts made or sold in Uganda. Retire for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
The highlight of the day: – The fascinating cultural heritage of the ancient Buganda Kingdom
Upmarket/Luxury: – Speke Resort Munyonyo/Kampala Serena Hotel/Sheraton Kampala Hotel
Midrange/Standard: – Cassia Lodge
Budget/Basic: – Biyem Hotel/Nexus Resorts Nansana
Meal Plan: – Breakfast & Lunch
Wake for breakfast at around 7.30 am. Then drive to Naggalabi Coronation Site which is located on Buddo Hill in Wakiso District about 40 minutes drive from Kampala City. This breathtaking site is the place where the Kabakas of Buganda have been crowned for the past 700 years.
You attend to a themed interpretation from a local guide on how Naggalabi became a coronation site and the significance of various houses, the sites, and physical features among other aspects at the site of the Buganda kingdom and their role in the coronation process.
You explore the mound where Kintu, the first King/Kabaka of Buganda, killed his brother Bemba Musota and declared himself Kabaka in the 14th Century.
Also, at this wonderful Buganda Coronation Site, you will see the Buganda house in which the Kabaka stays for 9 days after the date of his coronation and also spot the other traditional houses that have an importance on the King’s Coronation in addition to Mbonelede Tree, that believed to be one of the oldest trees in the Buganda Kingdom and the Country in general.
The tree was used for several years as a traditional court during the time of the pre-colonial Buganda Kingdom (Kintu’s time). During Court sessions, suspects pleaded for mercy by saying “Mbonelede” meaning “I have learned my lessons” hence the tree was named after the phrase.
You retreat from Naggalabi before lunch and embark on a 1-hour drive to Wamala tombs a sacred burial place of Ssekabaka (Great King)Suuna II (1836-1856), who had 148 wives and 218 children.
King Suuna was the last King to be buried in his own palace and the last King of Buganda to have his jaw bone removed after death. You retreat from Wamala to retire for relaxation, dinner, and overnight.
The highlight of the day: – Discovering the fascinating cultural heritage of the Naggalabi Coronation site, the place where the Kings of Buganda are enthroned.
Upmarket/Luxury: – Speke Resort Munyonyo/Kampala Serena Hotel/Sheraton Kampala Hotel
Midrange/Standard: – Cassia Lodge
Budget/Basic: – Biyem Hotel/Nexus Resorts Nansana
Meal Plan: – Breakfast, Dinner & dinner
Have an early breakfast at around 6.00 am. Embark on a 154km (about 4 hours) drive east of Kampala to Kagulu Hill in the Busoga Kingdom.
You’ll break this journey after driving about 45km (1½) from Kampala at Ssezibwa Falls in Mukono which lies on Sezibwa River, a “ black-river water” that tumbles over the rocks into the pool below. It is a notable beauty spot and a significant cultural site of Buganda.
Legend has it that, the Sezibwa River is not a natural phenomenon, but the progeny of a pregnant woman called Nakkungu, who lived many centuries ago and belonged to the Kibe (fox) clan. She was expected to give birth to twin children, but instead what poured from her womb was a twin river.
These beautiful, spiritual falls have long been one of the favorite nature preserves for Buganda’s Kabakas. Ssekabaka Mwanga II planted a giant tree here to show his respect for the Ssezibwa Falls, and Muteesa II planted another.
Both trees are regarded as sacred gifts from the Kabakas. Also, here a traditional healer performs ceremonies for those seeking love, children, a good harvest, or a successful business deal.
From Ssezibwa, continue your journey through Mabira Forest a magnificent evergreen tropical rainforest that hosts a variety of monkeys and birds. It is also of significant value when it comes to the traditions of the Buganda Kingdom.
The Baganda people believe that the forest is home to their ancestors that bring rain and food. They also believe that the forest act as a guard for the Kingdom and in case of any hurricane coming from the eastern part can be stopped by the forest not to reach the palace of the Kabaka on Mengo hill in Kampala.
Proceed to Buyende district to hike the 3,048-meter high Kagulu hill past Jinja city which is the source of the Nile River, the longest river in the world. Upon arrival, you will be briefed by the local guide about the safety precautions.
It takes between 30 minutes to 1 hour to reach the top which offers jaw-dropping panoramic views of the Busoga region, Lake Kyoga, and waterfalls tricking from the rock.
The Kagulu hill marks the first settlement area for Basoga people who migrated from the Bunyoro Kingdom led by the then Prince Mukama Namutukula. At the site, other smaller hills are believed to be wives of Kagulu including Mawaale, Kagwese, Mpanga, Nkyeere, Butadewo, and Bukolimo.
In the north of the hill, there lies a traditional shrine of an aging oracle named Mandwa Kagulu Nabiryo who is noted to be haunted by 45 spirits who own and patrol the Kagulu hill. It is a magical site for culture and at the same time adventure and sightseeing. Retreat back to Kampala to mark the end of the experience.
The highlight of the day: – Hiking Kagulu hill a magical site for culture and adventure.
Meal Plan: – Breakfast & lunch
End Of The 8 Days Uganda Cultural Tour
Cate
Samuel
Robert
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