What is HopeKitchen and how does my visit help?

HopeKitchen is a community project in Buhoma supported by Hope on the Road gGmbH. Local women cook together, children receive educational support, and visitors contribute directly through their visit fee. Your presence also provides motivation and connection for the community. Every visit makes a tangible difference — it is not charity, it is partnership.

What is the Batwa heritage trail?

The Batwa are the indigenous forest people of Bwindi who were displaced when the national park was created. The heritage trail is led by Batwa guides who share their traditional knowledge, demonstrate forest skills, and tell the story of their community. It is a respectful, eye-level cultural exchange that provides income and recognition for the Batwa community.

Is this voluntourism?

No. This is responsible tourism, not voluntourism. You are not building schools or painting walls — you are visiting real communities, sharing genuine experiences, and contributing economically. Every community activity is designed to benefit locals directly and is conducted with full respect and consent. We believe the best way to support communities is to visit them, spend time with them, and ensure money stays local.

Can I make additional donations to the projects I visit?

Yes, but it is never expected or requested during your visit. If you feel moved to contribute further after your trip, we can connect you with Hope on the Road gGmbH or the specific community projects. We can also help you sponsor a child's education or contribute to specific HopeKitchen programs.

How much does the Uganda With Purpose safari cost?

From $2,400 per person based on two travelers sharing mid-range accommodation. This excludes the gorilla trekking permit ($800) and chimpanzee trekking permit ($200). A portion of your tour fee goes directly to the community projects you visit. Contact us for a detailed quote.

7 days / 6 nights

Uganda With Purpose — 7 Days

More than a safari. Gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, HopeKitchen, Batwa heritage, school visits and community projects — travel that changes lives, including yours.

Route

EntebbeKibale ForestQueen ElizabethBwindi / BuhomaBwindi / BuhomaLake BunyonyiEntebbe

Quick Facts

Duration

7 Days / 6 Nights

Gorilla Trekking

Included (permit $800 extra)

Chimpanzee Trekking

Included (permit $200 extra)

Accommodation

Mid-Range

Start Location

Entebbe

End Location

Entebbe

Private Safari

Yes

Best For

Travelers who want meaningful community engagement

Community Visits

HopeKitchen, Batwa Trail, School Visit, Buhoma Walk

Social Impact

Portion of fee supports community projects directly

Last updated: June 2025. Information reviewed every 90 days.Sources: Uganda Wildlife Authority, Uganda Tourism Board, direct operator information.

About This Tour

This is the tour that no other operator offers — because no other operator has the community roots we do. Uganda With Purpose combines world-class wildlife with genuine social impact. You will trek to see gorillas and chimpanzees, but you will also spend meaningful time with the communities that live alongside these endangered animals.

In Buhoma you will visit HopeKitchen, where local women cook together and children receive educational support through our partner Hope on the Road gGmbH. You will meet the Batwa — the indigenous forest people who were displaced when Bwindi became a national park — and hear their story in their own words. You will visit a local school, join a community walk, and understand how conservation and community development are two sides of the same coin.

This is not voluntourism. It is respectful, eye-level engagement with real communities. Every activity is designed to benefit both travelers and locals. You leave with a deeper understanding of Uganda. The communities receive direct economic benefit and recognition.

If you believe travel should leave the world better than you found it, this is your safari.

Included

Private 4x4 safari vehicle with experienced driver-guide
6 nights mid-range accommodation
All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) throughout
Drinking water in vehicle
All park entry fees (Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Bwindi)
Gorilla trekking permit arrangement (permit fee extra)
Chimpanzee trekking permit arrangement (permit fee extra)
Porter hire for gorilla trek
Kazinga Channel boat cruise
HopeKitchen community visit (extended half-day)
Batwa heritage trail experience
Local school visit
Community walk in Buhoma
Canoe trip on Lake Bunyonyi
Airport pick-up and drop-off

Not Included

Gorilla trekking permit ($800 per person, paid to Uganda Wildlife Authority)
Chimpanzee trekking permit ($200 per person)
International flights
Uganda visa ($50, arranged online before travel)
Travel insurance (required — must cover gorilla trekking)
Tips for guide, porters and lodge staff
Alcoholic beverages
Personal expenses and souvenirs
Optional donations to community projects (appreciated but never expected)

Meals served at lodges are included as specified. Meals, snacks and drinks purchased during road transfers or stopovers are not included unless specifically mentioned.

Browse lodges along this route on lodgesofuganda.com

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival & Transfer to Kibale Forest

Pick-up from Entebbe airport. Drive west toward Kibale National Park through lush countryside and tea plantations. Stop for lunch on the way. Arrive at your lodge near Kibale in the late afternoon. Evening briefing about the week ahead. Overnight near Kibale.

5–6 hoursLunch, Dinner

Day 2

Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Wetland Community Walk

Morning chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest — spend up to one hour with a habituated chimp community. Afternoon walk through Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-managed conservation area that provides income for the surrounding village. Meet the local guides who run the sanctuary and learn how community-based tourism works. Overnight near Kibale.

None — trekking dayBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3

Queen Elizabeth National Park — Game Drive & Kazinga Cruise

Morning transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Afternoon game drive on the open savannah, followed by a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel at golden hour. Watch hippos, elephants and pelicans from the water. Overnight in Queen Elizabeth.

2–3 hoursBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4

Transfer to Bwindi — Through Ishasha

Morning drive south through the Ishasha sector, scanning fig trees for tree-climbing lions. Continue through the dramatic landscapes of southwest Uganda to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Arrive at your lodge in Buhoma and meet the team. Evening community walk through Buhoma village — visit homes, meet families, see daily life. Overnight in Buhoma.

5–6 hoursBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

Gorilla Trekking & HopeKitchen (Extended Visit)

Early breakfast and gorilla trekking in Bwindi. Spend one unforgettable hour with a mountain gorilla family. Return to Buhoma for lunch. Extended afternoon at HopeKitchen — cook together with the women, join the children for activities, share stories over local coffee and chapati. This is not a 30-minute stop. It is a genuine half-day of connection. Dinner at your lodge.

None — trekking dayBreakfast, Packed Lunch, Dinner

Day 6

Batwa Heritage Trail, School Visit & Lake Bunyonyi

Morning Batwa heritage trail — walk through the forest with Batwa guides who share their ancestral knowledge, traditional songs and the story of their displacement. A powerful, moving experience. Visit a local primary school to meet students and teachers. Drive to Lake Bunyonyi for an afternoon of canoeing and reflection. Overnight at Lake Bunyonyi.

1.5–2 hoursBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7

Lake Bunyonyi & Return to Entebbe

Final morning at the lake. Time for a last canoe ride or swim. Depart for Entebbe with a stop for lunch along the way. Arrive in Entebbe for your departure flight or hotel. You leave Uganda with more than photographs — you leave with connections and a deeper understanding of this extraordinary country.

7–8 hours (with stops)Breakfast, Lunch

Photos

Frequently Asked Questions

Guest Reviews

“Dieses Safari war anders als alles, was ich je erlebt habe. Die Gorillas waren unglaublich, aber der Nachmittag in der HopeKitchen hat mich am tiefsten berührt. Gemeinsam kochen, Geschichten austauschen — das war kein Tourismus, das war echte Begegnung.”

Anna-Lena S.Germany

“We have done safaris in Kenya and Tanzania, but this was completely different. The community visits transformed the entire experience. The Batwa trail was profoundly moving, and cooking at HopeKitchen felt like visiting friends. Duncan, thank you for creating something this meaningful.”

David & Claire R.Canada