Accompanying Persons’ Tours

Monday 10 July

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Botanical Gardens

Surrounded by the peaceful waters of Lake Victoria, the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is home to 52 orphaned and rescued chimpanzees. The group will travel by coach to Entebbe, where they will take a boat across to the sanctuary which provides an exceptional opportunity to closely observe these fascinating great apes in a unique setting. You will spend time viewing the chimpanzees and learning about their rehabilitation and the work of the Chimpanzee Trust.

Lunch will served on the Island before the return trip by boat to Entebbe, where participants will then visit the expansive and tranquil Botanical Gardens. Walking through the gardens, there will be an opportunity to see plenty of wildlife, including black and white colobus monkeys, tree squirrels and some of the 115 species of birds (which include the famous shoebill bird, as well as colourful crowned cranes) Between the native trees, plants and flowers, there are also pockets of thick rainforest.

Tuesday 11 July

Ssezibwa Falls, Mabira Forest and the Source of the Nile

Heading East on the second day, participants will make a first stop at the spectacular Ssezibwa Falls. These waterfalls were created by the river flow being constrained by a narrow opening of rocks. The tour will then continue to the Mabira Forest, where there will be a chance see hundreds of butterfly and bird species, as well as a wide range of animals including primates.

The group will then continue to Jinja for lunch, before visiting the Source of the Nile Park with its great historical significance. There will be a boat trip on the lake to view the source itself.

Wednesday 12 July

Traditional tea making and craft paper from banana leaves

On the final day, the group will be shown how to make a cup of traditional Ugandan sweet tea and enjoy taking part in the process of making craft paper from banana leaves. Following an early start, the group will be taken to a local farm outside Kampala where they will begin the day by milking cows! From here they will take part in the traditional process of brewing and tasting the sweet milk tea, which is a local speciality.

After an early lunch, participants will continue to Papercraft, an environmentally friendly local factory where they will have the opportunity to take part in the various stages of creating craft paper, from cutting down the banana leaves to forming a piece of craft paper. Having had an early start, the group will return to the Speke resort in good time to rest before the Farewell Dinner in the evening.

Accompanying persons are also invited to the evening social events, and can book for the cultural excursion in Kampala for all participants, on Monday 10 July.