Coffee & Cocoa Safaris in Uganda
Coffee in Uganda
Most people don't think that Uganda is a major coffee producing country, but Uganda is the 8th largest coffee producer in the world. Coffee in Ugandan is grown in the Central, Western, South-Western, Northern and Eastern regions. Coffee growing in Uganda in is unique in that both types of coffee (Robusta and Arabica) are grown. Coffee is a major crop in Uganda, employing about 1.7 million smallholder farmers who either specialise in coffee growing or intercrop the coffee with other crops. All this coffee heritage make Uganda one of the best places to do a Coffee Safari either as a stand alone experience or incorporated into a Uganda Safari. Have a look at some itinerary examples below.
5 Day / 4 Night Coffee Safari
Summary Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive in Uganda - Overnight in Entebbe
Day 2 - Drive to Mount Elgon Region - Overnight in Sipi Falls
Day 3 - Coffee Experience in Sipi Fals - Overnight in Sipi Falls
Day 4 - Drive to Murchison Falls - Overnight in Murchison Falls
Day 5 - Morning Game drive in Murchison Falls & return to Entebbe
7 Day / 6 Night Coffee Safari
Summary Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive in Uganda - Overnight in Entebbe
Day 2 - Drive to Kibale Region and visit Nakooja Farm - Overnight in Kibale
Day 3 - Chimpanzee Trekking & Bee Farm Experience - Overnight in Kibale
Day 4 - Drive to Ruwenzori Region for Been to Cup Coffee Experience - Overnight in Ruwenzori Region
Day 5 - Ruwenzori Been to Cup Coffee Experience - Overnight in Ruwenzori Region
Day 6 - Ruwenzori Been to Cup Coffee Experience - Overnight in Ruwenzori Region
Day 7 - Return to Entebbe
9 Day / 8 Night Coffee Safari
Summary Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive in Uganda - Overnight in Entebbe
Day 2 - Drive to Kibale Region and visit Nakooja Farm - Overnight in Kibale
Day 3 - Chimpanzee Trekking & Bee Farm Experience - Overnight in Kibale
Day 4 - Drive to Ruwenzori Region for Been to Cup Coffee Experience - Overnight in Ruwenzori Region
Day 5 - Early morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park - Overnight in Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 6 - Drive to Buhoma Region of Bwindi and Coffee Experience - Overnight in Bwindi
Day 7 - Gorilla Trekking - Overnight in Bwindi
Day 8 - Drive to Mbarara & visit Valley Wines
Day 9 - Morning Game Drive - Return to Entebbe
Cocoa in Uganda
Most people don't think that Uganda is a major coffee producing country, but Uganda is the 8th largest coffee producer in the world. Coffee in Ugandan is grown in the Central, Western, South-Western, Northern and Eastern regions. Coffee growing in Uganda in is unique in that both types of coffee (Robusta and Arabica) are grown. Coffee is a major crop in Uganda, employing about 1.7 million smallholder farmers who either specialise in coffee growing or intercrop the coffee with other crops. All this coffee heritage make Uganda one of the best places to do a Coffee Safari either as a stand alone experience or incorporated into a Uganda Safari. Have a look at some itinerary examples below.
10 Day Cocoa Safari
Day 1 - Arrive in Uganda
On arrival into Entebbe International Airport you will be met by a Let's Go Travel representative who will escort you to your vehicle and transfer you to you hotel for the evening.
Overnight at Boma Hotel in Entebbe on a bed & breakfast basis.
Day 2 - Fort Portal
Your cocoa safari experience will begin with a transfer to Fort Portal City, also known as the Tourism Capital of Uganda and the seat of power of the Tooro Kingdom. On arrival in to Fort Portal you will have the opportunity to visit to the Tooro Kingdom Palace before proceeding to you hotel for a relaxing evening.
Overnight at Nyaika Hotel in Fort Portal on a full board basis
Day 3 - Masongora Cocoa
Today will see you have your first Cocoa Experience with a planting activity at Masongora Fam which is situated on outskirts of Fort Portal. At the farm you will visit the seedling nursery as well as the main plantation and get the chance to plant your own cocoa trees. After a fun and knowledgable visit you will return to your hotel for a well earned rest.
Overnight at Nyaika Hotel in Fort Portal on a full board basis
Day 4 - Bundibujyo Cocao
After learning about planting cocoa today you will learn about cocoa harvesting. Cocoa pods are harvested manually by making a clean cut through the stalk with a sharp blade.
The pods on a tree do not ripen together; harvesting needs to be done periodically through the year. Harvesting occurs between three and four times weekly during the harvest season.
Overnight at Nyaika Hotel in Fort Portal on a full board basis
Day 5 - Kibale Forest
Having explored the planting and harvesting aspects of cocoa you will spend the next two days exploring the incredible wildlife fo western Uganda. Beginning with an early morning transfer to Kibale Forest National Park for morning or mid-morning chimp trek. This will be followed by lunch at Primates Lodge before transferring to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Overnight at Parkview Safari Lodge on a full board basis
Day 6 - Queen Elizabeth National Park
The day begins with an early morning game drive where you will be on the look out for Lion, Leopard and Uganda Kob.
After lunch you will head out on the Kazinga Channel ( a natural waterway that connects Lake Edward to Lake George ) the channel is famous for Elephant, Buffalo, Hippo and Crocodile. We will have you back at your lodge in time for a lovely dinner.
Overnight at Parkview Safari Lodge on a full board basis
Day 7 - Bwindi Forest
With the Kazinga Channel and the Game drives ticked off your list, It will be time to leave Queen Elizabeth National Park and continue your journey towards Bwindi and the Gorillas, where the adventure of a lifetime awaits you!. To get to Bwindi you will first pass through the southern section of Queen Elizabeth National Park known as the Ishasha Sector which is famous for tree climbing lions. After the game drive you will continue into Bwindi Forest.
Overnight at Mahogany Springs on a full board basis
Day 8 - Gorilla Trekking
Your Gorilla Trekking experience is finally here, hope your camera is charged and you are ready for what lies ahead. An early start will see you transfer to the Park Headquarters for a briefing with the Uganda Wildlife Authority guides.
For conservation purposes, the amount of time allowed with the Gorillas is 1 hour. Once you have completed the trek you will return to the lodge, for a well-earned rest and time to reflect on a truly magical experience.
Overnight at Mahogany Springs on a full board basis
Day 9 - Kampala
Your incredible cocoa safari experience is coming to an end. Today will see you transfer back to Kampala, where you have the rest of the day to relax in your hotel.
Overnight at Kampala Serena hotel on a breakfast and lunch basis
Day 10 - Entebbe
On your last day in Uganda you will get to visit a mini cocoa factory in Kampala where you will get to see some of the processing techniques used to add value to the raw cocoa beans. There will then be time for lunch after which you will have a choice of activities like, a city tour, visit to Entebbe Botanical Gardens or a visit to the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre all of which will culminate with dinner in Entebbe followed by a transfer to the airport.
