Exclusive Safari Experiences for IFATCA 2027 Delegates & Families
From misty gorilla forests to thundering waterfalls and open savannahs alive with lions — Uganda is Africa's greatest secret, and we are your gateway.
Perched magnificently on the shimmering shores of Lake Victoria, Speke Resort Munyonyo stands as Uganda's most iconic luxury destination — a place where Africa's grandeur meets world-class sophistication. Named in honour of the intrepid British explorer John Hanning Speke, who famously discovered the source of the Nile just kilometres away, this legendary resort carries a legacy as rich and storied as the continent it celebrates.
Sprawling across 40 beautifully manicured lakefront hectares, the resort is a self-contained paradise that has hosted heads of state, international summits, and the most discerning travellers from every corner of the globe. As the official residence for the 2027 IFATCA World Conference, Speke Resort Munyonyo offers delegates not just accommodation, but an immersive experience that perfectly embodies Uganda's spirit of warm hospitality and breathtaking natural beauty.
Guests are welcomed into 308 exquisitely appointed rooms and suites, each designed to blend contemporary elegance with authentic Ugandan character. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame sweeping panoramas of Lake Victoria — the world's largest tropical lake — transforming every sunrise into a private spectacle of gold and amber light dancing across still waters.
Dining at Speke Resort is a journey in itself. Multiple restaurants and bars serve everything from elevated Ugandan cuisine — rolex wraps, matoke, tilapia fresh from the lake — to international gastronomy crafted by award-winning chefs. Whether al fresco dining beside the lake or an intimate candlelit dinner on the terrace, every meal is an occasion to savour. The resort's cocktail lounges and pool bar offer the perfect setting for after-conference sundowners where conversations flow as freely as Uganda's renowned coffee.
Recreational facilities are nothing short of extraordinary. A championship golf course, Olympic-sized swimming pools, watersports on the lake, a full-service spa, tennis courts, fitness centre, and one of East Africa's finest conference centres make Speke Resort Munyonyo the complete destination — a fitting base from which to explore the Pearl of Africa in all its glory.
Winston Churchill called it the Pearl of Africa — and once you arrive, you will understand why. Uganda offers an extraordinary convergence of wildlife, culture, landscapes, and warmth that few destinations on earth can match.
Each of Uganda's national parks is a world unto itself — distinct ecosystems hosting remarkable wildlife and offering experiences that range from thrilling to transcendent.
Uganda's most popular and most biodiverse national park straddles the equator, encompassing open savannah, dense forest, and the spectacular Kazinga Channel. Famous for the world's only tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, massive elephant herds, Cape buffalo, hippos, leopards, and over 600 bird species. The 32-kilometre Kazinga Channel boat cruise delivers some of the closest wildlife encounters on the continent.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa's oldest and most biologically diverse forests, Bwindi shelters more than half the world's remaining mountain gorilla population. This 25,000-year-old ancient forest hosts 350 bird species and 120 mammals. Sitting within ten metres of a silverback gorilla family is universally described as life-changing.
Uganda's largest and oldest national park is defined by the spectacular sight of the Nile River forcing itself through a seven-metre gorge — one of the most powerful waterfalls on earth. Vast open savannahs host elephants, giraffes, Cape buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, and lions. The prehistoric shoebill stork haunts the Nile Delta papyrus. A boat cruise to the base of the falls is unforgettable.
The closest national park to Kampala, Lake Mburo is a hidden gem beloved by birders and those seeking an intimate safari experience. Uganda's only park where you can track zebra, impala, and eland on foot. Five lakes attract enormous hippo, crocodile, and waterbird concentrations. Night drives reveal leopards, servals, and civets. Horseback safaris offer a uniquely thrilling perspective.
While Africa speaks of the Big Five, Uganda proudly claims two extraordinary additions — the mountain gorilla and chimpanzee — creating an unrivalled Big Seven that makes Uganda the continent's ultimate wildlife destination.
Uganda is a feast for all the senses — a mosaic of 56 tribes, royal kingdoms, vibrant markets, extraordinary cuisine, and some of the most genuine human warmth anywhere on earth.
Average temperature across Uganda: 20°C – 28°C year-round · Altitude 1,000m – 5,109m
Seven carefully crafted experiences departing from Speke Resort Munyonyo — each revealing a different facet of Uganda's extraordinary heritage. Click any package to expand its full itinerary.
Depart Speke Resort Munyonyo after an early breakfast at approximately 7:00am. Your journey southwest carries you through the rolling hills of Uganda's countryside. A photo stop at the Uganda Equator — one of the few places on earth where you can stand in both hemispheres simultaneously — marks the official beginning of your adventure. Continue through Mbarara town for lunch at a local restaurant. Arrive at Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon, check into your lodge, and enjoy your first afternoon game drive across the Kasenyi Plains. Elephants, Uganda kob, warthogs, and Cape buffalo roam freely here, often with lions resting in the shade of acacias. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Wake to an African sunrise before an early morning game drive across the Kasenyi Plains — prime lion and elephant territory in the golden hour light. Return for a full breakfast before embarking on the unmissable 2-hour Kazinga Channel boat cruise. This 32-kilometre inland channel connecting Lakes George and Edward hosts one of the world's greatest concentrations of hippos, Nile crocodiles, and waterbirds — all observed from remarkably close range. Buffalo herds, elephants, and monitor lizards crowd the banks. After lunch at the lodge, the afternoon is spent on game drives through the beautiful Explosion Crater Lakes area — a chain of circular emerald lakes formed by ancient volcanic activity, each shimmering against the Rift Valley backdrop. Sundowners overlooking the escarpment. Dinner and overnight.
After an early breakfast, drive south to the remote Ishasha sector — home of the world-famous tree-climbing lions. These remarkable felines have developed the unique habit of lounging in the branches of enormous fig trees, a behaviour found in only two places on earth. Spend the morning searching the Ishasha Plains for these magnificent big cats alongside Uganda kob, topi antelope, and herds of elephants. A picnic lunch in the bush before the scenic return drive to Kampala. Arrive at Speke Resort Munyonyo by approximately 7:00pm, carrying memories that will last a lifetime.
Perched on a dramatic peninsula overlooking the Kazinga Channel and Lake Edward. Elegant cottages, infinity pool, gourmet dining, guided walks. From ~$350/person/night.
Comfortable bandas and tents in a beautiful bush setting, full-board meals, attentive service and excellent guiding. From ~$150/person/night.
Transfer to Entebbe Airport for your scheduled charter flight to Kihihi Airstrip (approximately 60 minutes of breathtaking aerial views over Uganda's hills and valleys). Meet your dedicated guide and transfer through tea plantations and terraced hillsides to your lodge at Bwindi. The afternoon briefing covers gorilla trekking protocols, conservation ethics, and what to expect during your encounter. A traditional welcome dinner at your lodge with the forest sounds of Bwindi as your soundtrack. Overnight.
This is the day that will stay with you forever. An early briefing at the Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger station (6:30am) before entering the impenetrable forest with expert guides and armed rangers. The trek duration varies from 30 minutes to 8 hours depending on gorilla family movement — entirely unpredictable, which makes the encounter even more profound. Maximum 8 visitors per family per day. Upon locating the habituated family, you spend one magical, regulated hour observing silverbacks, mothers nursing infants, and juveniles playing — all within ten metres. Afternoon optional village walks or cultural experiences. Overnight.
Morning nature walk in the forest margins or optional Batwa cultural experience — learning how the indigenous Batwa people lived in harmony with the forest before conservation. After a leisurely breakfast, transfer to Kihihi Airstrip for your return charter flight to Entebbe. Transfer back to Speke Resort Munyonyo by early afternoon, arriving refreshed and profoundly transformed.
Depart Speke Resort at 6:00am for the scenic 8-hour drive through Uganda's magnificent southwestern highlands. Stop at the Uganda Equator for photos. Lunch in Mbarara town. Tea stop in the Kabale highlands (elevation 2,000m), where terraced hillsides of sorghum and tea cascade into misty valleys of extraordinary beauty. Arrive at Bwindi by late afternoon for check-in and orientation briefing. Dinner at your forest lodge. The road journey itself is spectacular — a journey through the heart of Uganda.
Early briefing at 6:30am. Maximum 8 visitors per gorilla family ensures an intimate encounter. Trek duration 1–8 hours through steep, dense, sometimes muddy forest — but every exhausting step is forgotten the moment you lock eyes with a silverback. Your one magical hour is regulated, precious, and life-changing. Afternoon optional Batwa cultural performance, bird walk in the forest margins, or community visit with local villages around Bwindi.
Optional morning gorilla habituation experience (additional cost) or guided bird walk before departing after breakfast. The return drive via Kabale and Mbarara offers different views of beautiful Uganda. Lunch en route. Arrive at Speke Resort by approximately 7:30pm — tired, exhilarated, and changed forever.
Eight exquisite forest cottages perched above the canopy. Open fireplaces, private decks, Michelin-quality dining. From ~$900/person/night all-inclusive.
Community-owned at the forest edge. Comfortable bandas, excellent local cooking — your stay directly supports conservation. From ~$180/person/night.
Depart at 7:00am. Cross the equator for a photo stop then enter Lake Mburo National Park in the early afternoon — Uganda's smallest savannah park but arguably its most intimate. Afternoon game drive through acacia woodland searching for zebra, impala, topi, eland, buffalo, and hippos. Optional sunset boat cruise on Lake Mburo. Dinner and overnight at your lakeside lodge.
Morning guided walking safari with UWA rangers — thrilling close encounters with zebra and impala on foot. Return for breakfast before an optional 2-hour horseback safari. Afternoon lakeside birdwatching among 350 species including the rare African finfoot. Optional evening night game drive revealing leopards, servals, African civets, and porcupines. Dinner and overnight.
After breakfast and a final morning game drive, drive west through Mbarara past dramatic Ankole cattle herds. Arrive at Queen Elizabeth NP in the afternoon. Afternoon game drive across the Kasenyi Plains. Sundowners at the lodge terrace overlooking the Kazinga Channel. Dinner and overnight.
Full day exploration. Morning game drive through Kasenyi, followed by the famous 2-hour Kazinga Channel boat cruise. After lunch, drive the spectacular Explosion Crater Lakes route. Late afternoon head to Ishasha sector for the first tree-climbing lion search. The sight of lions draped over fig tree branches against the Rift Valley sky is unforgettable. Dinner and overnight.
Early morning is the best time to find lions in the fig trees. Spend 2–3 hours in Ishasha before beginning the scenic return drive. Lunch en route. Arrive at Speke Resort by approximately 7:00pm, completing a grand safari circuit through two of Africa's finest wildlife parks.
Rock-perched luxury at Lake Mburo plus Uganda's most famous channel peninsula lodge at Queen Elizabeth. From ~$400/person/night combined.
Hilltop setting with great food at Lake Mburo, plus well-positioned mid-range lodge at Queen Elizabeth. From ~$180/person/night.
Depart 7:00am, cross equator, arrive Lake Mburo for afternoon game drives. Zebra, impala, buffalo, warthog. Optional sunset boat cruise with hippos and prolific birdlife. Dinner and overnight at lodge.
Early morning guided walking safari with UWA rangers. Breakfast, departure, equator stop, return to Speke Resort Munyonyo by afternoon feeling refreshed and rewarded.
Depart 6:00am for the 5-hour drive northwest. Optional Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary stop. Arrive for afternoon game drive across the vast open savannah. Overnight at Nile-view lodge.
Morning boat cruise up the Nile past hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and shoebill stork to the base of the thundering falls. Walk to the top. Return drive to Speke Resort by evening.
Rock-perched luxury tents with panoramic views. From ~$350/person/night.
Comfortable, well-run lodges with warm Ugandan hospitality. From ~$130/person/night.
Depart Speke Resort at 7:30am for the 2-hour drive east along the shores of Lake Victoria to Jinja — Uganda's second city and East Africa's adventure capital. First stop: the Source of the Nile — where the world's longest river begins its extraordinary 6,650km journey to the Mediterranean Sea. A boat ride to the source marker is a deeply moving experience. Lunch at one of Jinja's excellent restaurants overlooking the Nile — fresh tilapia is the must-order. Afternoon activities are flexible: choose from Class 5 white-water rafting (one of the world's top rafting destinations), kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, a relaxing sunset boat cruise, or a walking tour of Jinja's colonial-era town centre and vibrant craft markets. Return to Speke Resort by 7:30pm.
Depart 6:30am. Stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for a 90-minute guided walking safari with Uganda's only wild white rhinos — a deeply moving conservation encounter. Continue to Masindi for lunch, then onward through tea estates and savannah to Murchison Falls NP. Afternoon check-in and evening game drive. Sundowners over the Nile. Overnight.
Pre-dawn start for an early morning game drive across the north bank — lions, giraffes, elephants, Cape buffalo, and Uganda kob. After lunch, the signature 3-hour Murchison Falls boat cruise up the Nile past enormous hippo pods, basking crocodiles, elephants at the water's edge, and extraordinary birdlife. The prehistoric shoebill stork haunts the papyrus. Arrive at the base of the falls as the Nile forces through the 7-metre gorge with thunderous, primal power. Walk to the top. Sunset. Overnight.
Morning boat trip to the Nile Delta — one of Africa's greatest birding hotspots where the river fans through dense papyrus before entering Lake Albert. Return for breakfast, check out, and begin the drive back. Lunch at Masindi. Arrive Speke Resort by approximately 6:30pm.
Two of Uganda's most celebrated Nile-view lodges. From ~$300/person/night.
Excellent mid-range Nile-view lodge plus popular budget option. From ~$120/person/night.
Begin at the UNESCO-listed Kasubi Tombs — the sacred burial grounds of four Buganda Kings and the most important cultural site in Uganda. Your guide explains the rich history of the Buganda Kingdom, East Africa's most powerful pre-colonial empire. Continue to Namugongo Martyrs Shrine — where 22 young pages were martyred in 1886, now one of Africa's most important Christian pilgrimage sites. Mid-morning: the Gaddafi National Mosque on Old Kampala Hill for panoramic views across Kampala's seven hills. Lunch at a traditional Ugandan restaurant — matoke, groundnut stew, fresh passion fruit juice. Afternoon at Owino Market — a vast, colourful, extraordinary sensory experience of fresh produce, fabrics, crafts, and street food. Visit the Uganda Museum for an introduction to the country's cultural diversity. Optional final stop: the Ndere Cultural Centre for an exuberant evening of traditional Ugandan music, drumming, and dance from all of Uganda's regions. Return to Speke Resort by 7:00pm.
Absolutely! We warmly welcome you to bring your spouse and children to Kampala. To ensure your family has a memorable experience while you attend the conference, we have curated a rich selection of activities and excursions that showcase the very best of Uganda.
Exclusively for IFATCA 2027 delegates, families and guests — departing Speke Resort Munyonyo