When planning a safari to Uganda, the first thing that usually comes to mind is the wildlife-protected areas. Uganda is also rich in culture, which can also be encountered during a safari.
Uganda is made up of over 60 cultural communities situated around the country. These communities have different norms and beliefs, which travelers learn about during safaris.
Uganda has one of the most welcoming, happy, and hospitable communities that travelers on safari can comfortably engage with. While in these communities on a Uganda cultural tour, travelers learn about the lifestyle of these local communities through storytelling, cultural dances, coffee tours, and many others.
While on the Uganda cultural tours, travelers get the opportunity to learn about the true African lifestyle.
What travelers should follow during the cultural tours in Uganda?
While travelers plan a cultural tour in Uganda, there are several things that travelers should follow to ensure successful cultural tours and some of these include;
- Descent dressing is one of the key points that travelers should make on their cultural tours in Uganda since indecent dressing is seen as a form of disrespect.
- Following the cultural norms and beliefs of the community visited.
- Always listen and follow the guidelines put by the cultural guide during the safari.
- Respect for the cultural leaders and elders in the community.
- Always be aware of the cultural etiquette where there is no pointing at people, no having direct eye contact, and always acquire permission to take photos.
What are the cultural communities that travelers can visit in Uganda on their cultural tours?
There are several cultural communities that travelers on their safaris to Uganda can visit and these communities include;
entanda cultural community.
This cultural community is located within central Uganda in the Mityana district in Entanda village which is about 3 hours of travel away from Kampala. In this community, travelers are always welcomed by the elderly people who lead them to the venue through the passway that has both sides of cultural dancers entertaining the visitors.
On arrival at the venue of the community, travelers start over with the fruit buffet of the local fruit harvest within the community. The activities that travelers engage in this community include coffee roasting, sex education, preparation of the local cuisine, and many others.
Bwata communities.
The Bwata communities are one of the indigenous communities that are within southwestern Uganda. These communities of the Bwata used to live with the gorillas in the dense forests of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
These people were believed to be hunters and food gathers in the past as they were living within the forests of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Travelers in these communities engage in coffee roasting, cultural dances, and many others.
The other communities of the Bwata are found in the Semuliki National Park in western Uganda.
Buganda royal mile in Mengo.
The Buganda Royal Mile is another interesting attraction that travelers can learn about and more about the Buganda kingdom. It with in the heart of Kampala in Mengo which starts from the Buganda parliament to the palace in Mengo which is one mile away.
This mile walk starts from the parliament where travelers are highlighted how parliament sessions are done and then after go for a mile walk. During the mile walk, travelers see several sculptures of the different clans in the Buganda kingdom and travelers are given insight about each clan.
Travelers can know the beliefs, norms, and totems of each clan. Then after visiting the palace of Buganda and the Amin torture chamber.
The other destination that travelers can visit during the mile walk is Kabaka’s man-made lake.
Empako cultural village.
This is another interesting destination that travelers can encounter on their safaris is Fort Portal in western Uganda and it holds a world Guinness record for having the largest pot. During the visit to this community, travelers learn about the naming of the pet names in the Tooro kingdom and also the evolution of the kingdom. Some of the pet names in the Tooro kingdom include Amooti, Akiiki, Abwooli, Adyeri, Atwooki, Apuuli, and many others.
Tooro palace.
This is located within the heart of Fort Portal in Karuzika Hill in western Uganda. In this palace, travelers start with the briefing at the gate which is headed by the royal guide of the palace.
Then you will go ahead with the walk around the palace where travelers get the history and evolution of the kingdom. On the lucky day when the king is around the kingdom, you can enter into royal palace.
Karamoja community.
Karamoja community is one of the isolated communities that is found within northeastern Uganda within the Kidepo Valley National Park. This community largely depends on the cattle and they do less cultivation.
As travelers in the Karamoja community, they will engage in cultural dances, cultural fashions, cattle rearing, homestays, and many others.
Ewaffe cultural village.
This cultural village is in central Uganda in Mukono which is not far away from Kampala city. In this village, there is the showcasing of the Buganda culture through several activities like cultural dances, storytelling, preparation of the local cuisine, cultural games like Omweso, and many others.
Igongo cultural centre.
Igongo Cultural Center is in western Uganda in Mbarara near the Lake Mburo National Park where this center showcases the Ankole culture. You will see several artifacts and materials that were used during the reign of the Ankole kingdom.
While in the center, you will also engage in the hike to the eclipse monument that has three pillars that present 3 kingdoms that is Ankole, Buganda, and Bunyoro kingdom.
Kasubi tombs.
This is another area that travelers on their cultural tours can visit to learn more about the Buganda kingdom which is located within the central region of Kampala city. In this area, travelers will learn about the leaders of the Buganda kingdom and this will be evidenced by their graves within the area.