Discover Uganda
The Pearl of Africa Awaits You
Curated safari experiences for delegates of the 2027 International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers' Associations Conference
Speke Resort Munyonyo
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. Plush furnishings, artisan crafts, and locally inspired décor create spaces that feel both luxurious and deeply rooted in African culture.
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 you choose al fresco dining beside the lake or an intimate candlelit dinner on the terrace restaurant, 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 the renowned Ugandan 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. Here, IFATCA 2027 delegates will find that the conference and the adventure are equally magnificent — a fitting base from which to explore the Pearl of Africa in all its glory.
Why Uganda is the Safari of a Lifetime
Winston Churchill called it the Pearl of Africa — and once you arrive, you'll understand why. Uganda offers an extraordinary convergence of wildlife, culture, landscapes, and warmth that few destinations on earth can match.
Uganda's National Parks
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, Queen Elizabeth straddles the equator and encompasses an astonishing range of habitats — from the open savannah of Kasenyi to the dense Maramagambo Forest and the spectacular Kazinga Channel. Famous for the world's only tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, it is also home to massive elephant herds, Cape buffalo, hippos, leopards, and over 600 bird species. The 32-kilometre Kazinga Channel boat cruise is one of the most thrilling wildlife experiences in Africa, offering close encounters with hundreds of hippos and Nile crocodiles.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa's oldest and most biologically diverse forests, Bwindi is the sacred home of Uganda's mountain gorillas. This ancient forest, over 25,000 years old, shelters more than half the world's remaining mountain gorilla population across four habituated family groups. Trekking through the dense, mist-covered vegetation to sit within ten metres of these magnificent, gentle giants is universally described as life-changing. Beyond gorillas, Bwindi hosts 350 bird species, chimpanzees, and 120 mammal species.
Uganda's largest and oldest national park, Murchison Falls is defined by the spectacular sight of the Nile River forcing itself through a seven-metre gorge to create one of the most powerful waterfalls on earth. The park's vast, open savannahs host large populations of elephants, giraffes, Cape buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, and lions. The Nile Delta area in the north is one of Uganda's premier birding destinations, famous for the prehistoric-looking shoebill stork. A boat cruise to the base of Murchison Falls is the highlight of any visit.
The closest national park to Kampala, Lake Mburo is a hidden gem beloved by serious birders and those seeking an intimate, uncrowded safari experience. The park is most famous for being Uganda's only park where you can track zebra, impala, and eland on foot — a thrilling alternative to vehicle-based game drives. The five lakes within the park attract enormous concentrations of hippos, Nile crocodiles, and waterbirds. Night game drives reveal leopards, servals, and civets. Horseback safaris offer a uniquely exhilarating way to explore the acacia-dotted savannah.
Uganda's Big Seven
While Africa speaks of the Big Five, Uganda proudly claims two extraordinary additions — the mountain gorilla and the chimpanzee — creating an unrivalled Big Seven that makes Uganda the continent's ultimate wildlife destination.
Food, Culture & People
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.
Uganda's Climate Calendar
Average temperature across Uganda: 20°C – 28°C year-round · Altitude 1,000m – 5,109m (Rwenzori peaks)
Our Safari Packages
Seven carefully crafted experiences, each designed to reveal a different facet of Uganda's extraordinary natural and cultural heritage. All tours depart from Speke Resort Munyonyo.
Route Map
Kampala to Queen Elizabeth — Safari Begins
Depart Speke Resort Munyonyo after an early breakfast at approximately 7:00am. Your journey southwest takes you through the rolling hills of Uganda's countryside, with a photo stop at the Uganda Equator — one of the few places on earth where you can stand simultaneously in both hemispheres. Continue through Mbarara, pausing 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, where elephants, Uganda kob, warthogs, and buffalo roam freely. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Kazinga Channel Cruise & Maramagambo Forest
Wake to an African sunrise with an early morning game drive across the Kasenyi Plains — prime lion and elephant territory. Return for 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 aboard your safari boat. After lunch, optional chimpanzee tracking in the Kyambura Gorge or further game drives through the beautiful crater lakes area. Sundowners overlooking the Rift Valley escarpment. Dinner and overnight.
Ishasha Tree-Climbing Lions & Return to Kampala
After 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 almost nowhere else on earth. Spend the morning searching the Ishasha plains for these magnificent big cats as well as Uganda kob, topi, and herds of elephants. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the bush before beginning the scenic return drive to Kampala, arriving at Speke Resort Munyonyo by approximately 7:00pm.
Mweya Safari Lodge
Perched on a dramatic peninsula overlooking the Kazinga Channel and Lake Edward, Mweya is one of Uganda's finest lodges. Elegant cottages, infinity pool, gourmet dining, and guided walks. From ~$350/person/night.
Jacana Safari Lodge
Comfortable bandas and tents in a beautiful bush setting, full-board meals, attentive service, and excellent guiding. A superb value option. From ~$150/person/night.
✓ Included
- Return road transport from Speke Resort in 4WD safari vehicle
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- 2 nights full-board accommodation
- All game drives as per programme
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise (2 hours)
- All national park entry fees & activity fees
- Drinking water throughout
- Emergency travel assistance
✕ Not Included
- International & domestic flights
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Visa fees
- Personal drinks, minibar & laundry
- Gratuities & tips for guides and staff
- Optional chimpanzee tracking (Kyambura Gorge)
- Personal spending money
- Any meals not specified in programme
Flying Route
Fly to Kihihi — Gateway to Bwindi
Transfer to Entebbe Airport for your scheduled charter flight to Kihihi Airstrip (approximately 60 minutes). Meet your guide and transfer through tea plantations and terraced hills to your lodge at Bwindi. Afternoon orientation briefing on gorilla trekking protocols and conservation ethics. Enjoy a traditional welcome dinner at your lodge as the forest sounds of Bwindi envelope you in the sounds of the ancient forest.
The Gorilla Trek — The Moment of a Lifetime
After an early briefing at the UWA ranger station (6:30am), begin your trek into the impenetrable forest with expert guides and armed rangers. The trek duration varies from 30 minutes to 8 hours depending on gorilla family movement — it is entirely unpredictable, which makes the encounter even more profound. Upon locating the habituated family, you spend one magical hour observing silverbacks, mothers nursing infants, and juveniles playing in the undergrowth — all within ten metres. Return to your lodge for a celebratory lunch and afternoon of relaxation or optional village walks and cultural experiences with local communities.
Forest Morning & Return Flight
Morning nature walk in the forest or optional Batwa cultural experience — learning how the indigenous Batwa people lived in harmony with the forest before conservation. After a leisurely breakfast, transfer back to Kihihi Airstrip for your return charter flight to Entebbe. Transfer back to Speke Resort Munyonyo by early afternoon, arriving refreshed and transformed.
Road Route
Kampala to Bwindi — The Great South-West Drive
Depart Speke Resort at 6:00am for the scenic 8-hour drive through Uganda's magnificent southwestern highlands. Stop at the Equator for photos, lunch in Mbarara town, and tea at the Kabale highlands (elevation 2,000m), where terraced hillsides of tea and sorghum cascade into misty valleys. Arrive at Bwindi by late afternoon for check-in, orientation briefing, and dinner. The road journey itself is spectacular — a journey through Uganda's heartland of rolling hills, banana plantations, and volcanic peaks.
The Gorilla Trek — Life's Greatest Wildlife Encounter
Early briefing at 6:30am at the UWA ranger station before entering the forest. Gorilla permits allow a maximum of 8 visitors per gorilla family per day, ensuring an intimate and minimally intrusive experience. The trek may last anywhere from 1 to 8 hours through steep, dense, sometimes muddy forest terrain — but every exhausting step is forgotten the moment you lock eyes with a silverback. Your one magical hour with the gorillas is regulated and precious. Afternoon optional village walk, Batwa cultural performance, or birding in the forest margins.
Forest Walks & Return to Kampala
Optional morning gorilla habituation experience (additional cost), bird walk, or community visit before departing Bwindi after breakfast. The return drive via Kabale and Mbarara offers different views of the beautiful Ugandan countryside. Stop for lunch en route and arrive back at Speke Resort Munyonyo by approximately 7:30pm — tired, exhilarated, and changed forever.
Bwindi Lodge (Abercrombie & Kent)
Eight exquisite forest cottages perched above the canopy with panoramic views. Open fireplaces, private decks, Michelin-quality dining. Gorilla permit included. From ~$900/person/night all-inclusive.
Buhoma Community Rest Camp
Community-owned, beautifully positioned at the forest edge. Comfortable bandas, excellent local cooking, and the knowledge that your stay directly supports forest conservation. From ~$180/person/night.
✓ Included
- Gorilla trekking permit ($700/person)
- Transport (road or flight as selected)
- Professional driver-guide throughout
- 2 nights full-board accommodation
- UWA ranger fees and park entry
- All meals as per programme
- Drinking water and snacks for trek
- Porters available at trailhead (tip expected)
✕ Not Included
- Gorilla habituation experience (extra cost)
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees
- Personal drinks and laundry
- Gratuities for guides and staff
- Optional Batwa cultural experience
- Personal spending money
- Any additional activities not specified
Route Map — 5 Day Grand Circuit
Kampala to Lake Mburo National Park
Depart Speke Resort at 7:00am, crossing the equator for the obligatory photo stop. 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 and open grassland searching for zebra, impala, topi, eland, buffalo, and the park's sizeable hippo population. Optional evening boat cruise on Lake Mburo. Dinner and overnight at your lakeside lodge.
Lake Mburo — Walking Safari, Horseback & Night Drive
Experience Lake Mburo as few visitors do — on foot. A morning guided walking safari through the grassland offers thrilling close encounters with zebra and impala, with expert rangers tracking wildlife on foot. Return for breakfast before an optional 2-hour horseback safari — one of Uganda's most exhilarating wildlife experiences. Afternoon lakeside birdwatching across 350 species. Optional evening night game drive revealing leopards, servals, African civets, and porcupines in the torchlight. Dinner and overnight.
Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast and a final morning game drive, depart Lake Mburo and drive west through Mbarara, passing the dramatic Ankole cattle herds and terraced Kigezi hills. Arrive at Queen Elizabeth National Park in the afternoon. Check in to your lodge on the Kazinga Channel peninsula. Afternoon drive through the Kasenyi plains where lion prides frequently rest in the open. Sundowners at the lodge terrace overlooking the waterway. Dinner and overnight.
Queen Elizabeth — Kazinga Channel, Crater Lakes & Lions
Full day exploration of Queen Elizabeth's highlights. Morning game drive through Kasenyi, followed by the famous 2-hour Kazinga Channel boat cruise — the most wildlife-dense waterway on the continent. After lunch, drive the Explosion Crater Lakes route — a stunning chain of circular emerald lakes formed by ancient volcanic activity. Late afternoon head to the Ishasha sector for the first tree-climbing lion search. Dinner and overnight at Queen Elizabeth lodge.
Ishasha Tree-Climbing Lions & Return to Kampala
Early morning drive through the Ishasha plains — the best time to find lions in the fig trees. Spend 2–3 hours in Ishasha before beginning the scenic return drive. Stop for lunch en route. Arrive back at Speke Resort Munyonyo by approximately 7:00pm, completing a grand safari journey through two of Africa's finest wildlife parks.
Mihingo Lodge + Mweya Safari Lodge
Mihingo: Rock-perched luxury tents with breathtaking views over Lake Mburo. Mweya: Uganda's most famous safari lodge on a channel peninsula. Combined from ~$400/person/night.
Rwakobo Rock + Enganzi Game Lodge
Rwakobo: Stunning hilltop setting, excellent value, great food. Enganzi: Well-positioned mid-range lodge with superb guiding. Combined from ~$180/person/night.
✓ Included
- Return transport from Speke Resort in 4WD vehicle
- Professional driver-guide throughout
- 4 nights full-board accommodation
- All game drives as per itinerary
- Kazinga Channel boat cruise
- Lake Mburo boat cruise
- Walking safari with UWA ranger
- All park entry fees and activity fees
- Drinking water throughout
✕ Not Included
- Horseback safari (optional extra)
- Night game drives (optional extra)
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees
- Gratuities for guides and staff
- Personal drinks and laundry
- Personal spending money
- Any activities not specified in programme
Lake Mburo Route
Kampala to Lake Mburo National Park
Depart at 7:00am, cross the equator with a photo stop, and arrive at Lake Mburo for afternoon game drives among zebra, impala, buffalo, and warthog. Optional sunset boat cruise on the lake with hippos and prolific birdlife. Dinner and overnight at your lodge.
Morning Walking Safari & Return to Kampala
Early morning guided walking safari with UWA rangers — the closest you'll get to wildlife on foot. Track zebra and impala through the acacia grassland. Breakfast at the lodge, departure, equator stop, and return to Speke Resort by afternoon.
Murchison Falls Route
Kampala to Murchison Falls
Depart at 6:00am for the 5-hour drive northwest. Optional stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary for white rhino tracking on foot. Arrive for afternoon game drive through the vast open savannah. Overnight at a Nile-view lodge with spectacular river sunsets.
Murchison Falls Boat Cruise & Return
Morning boat cruise up the Nile to the base of the falls — passing hippos, crocodiles, elephants drinking, and extraordinary birdlife including the shoebill stork. Walk to the top of the falls for dramatic views of the Nile forcing through the gorge. Return drive to Speke Resort arriving by evening.
Mihingo Lodge / Chobe Safari Lodge
Uganda's finest intimate safari lodges. Rock-perched tents, gourmet meals, superlative service. From ~$350/person/night.
Rwakobo Rock / Pakuba Safari Lodge
Comfortable, well-run lodges with great food and warm Ugandan hospitality at an accessible price point. From ~$130/person/night.
✓ Included
- Return 4WD transport from Speke Resort
- Professional driver-guide
- 1 night full-board accommodation
- Game drives and boat cruise
- All park entry and activity fees
- Drinking water throughout
✕ Not Included
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees
- Gratuities
- Personal drinks
- Optional rhino tracking at Ziwa
- Personal spending money
Route Map
Full Day at Jinja — Source of the Nile & Adventure Capital
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. Your first stop is the Source of the Nile — the point at Lake Victoria where the world's longest river begins its extraordinary 6,650-kilometre journey to the Mediterranean Sea. A boat ride out to the source marker provides a memorable moment on the shimmering lake, with fishermen, cormorants, and the great open water in every direction. Lunch at one of Jinja's excellent restaurants overlooking the Nile — fresh tilapia is the must-order dish. Afternoon activities are flexible — choose from thrilling Class 5 white-water rafting (one of the world's top rafting destinations), kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding on calmer stretches, a relaxing sunset boat cruise, or a walking tour of Jinja's colourful colonial-era town centre and vibrant craft markets. Drive back to Speke Resort arriving by 7:30pm.
✓ Included
- Return transport from Speke Resort
- Professional guide throughout
- Source of the Nile boat visit
- Lunch at a Nile-view restaurant
- Jinja town orientation walk
- Drinking water throughout
✕ Not Included
- White-water rafting (optional ~$125)
- Kayaking and watersports (optional extras)
- Personal drinks and snacks
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Personal spending in craft markets
Route Map
Kampala to Murchison Falls via Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
Depart at 6:30am for the 4.5-hour drive northwest. En route, stop at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary — home to Uganda's only wild white rhinos. A 90-minute guided walking safari brings you face-to-face with these magnificent prehistoric animals, which were reintroduced to Uganda after being poached to extinction. Continue to Masindi for lunch, then onward through lush tea estates and savannah to Murchison Falls National Park. Afternoon check-in and a short game drive through the park's open plains. Sundowners overlooking the Nile. Overnight.
The Falls, the Nile Cruise & North Bank Game Drive
This day begins before dawn. A full morning's game drive across the north bank of the Nile — Uganda's finest big game country, with open savannahs roamed by lions, giraffes, elephants, Cape buffalo, and Uganda kob in their thousands. After lunch, embark on the signature Murchison Falls boat cruise — a 3-hour journey up the Nile from Paraa to the base of the falls, past enormous hippo pods, basking Nile crocodiles, elephants drinking at the water's edge, and extraordinary birdlife. The shoebill stork — one of the world's most prehistoric and spectacular birds — is frequently spotted in the Nile's papyrus swamps. Arrive at the base of the falls as the Nile forces itself through a 7-metre gorge with thunderous power. Walk to the top of the falls before sunset. Overnight.
Delta Birding & Return to Kampala
Morning boat trip to the Nile Delta — one of Africa's greatest birding hotspots, where the river fans into dozens of channels through dense papyrus before entering Lake Albert. Shoebill, the African skimmer, and hundreds of water bird species congregate here. Return for breakfast, check out, and begin the return drive. Stop at Masindi for lunch. Arrive back at Speke Resort Munyonyo by approximately 6:30pm.
Chobe Safari Lodge / Paraa Safari Lodge
Two of Uganda's most celebrated lodges. Paraa: the original Murchison classic, perched on the Nile ferry crossing. Chobe: intimate tented luxury with Nile river frontage. From ~$300/person/night.
Pakuba Safari Lodge / Red Chilli Rest Camp
Pakuba: excellent mid-range lodge in a beautiful Nile-view setting. Red Chilli: budget-friendly with a lively atmosphere popular with independent travellers. From ~$120/person/night.
✓ Included
- Return transport from Speke Resort
- Professional driver-guide
- 2 nights full-board accommodation
- Ziwa white rhino tracking (90 min)
- Nile boat cruise to Murchison Falls
- All game drives as per programme
- Park entry and activity fees
- Drinking water throughout
✕ Not Included
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees
- Gratuities
- Personal drinks and laundry
- Hot air balloon (optional, seasonal)
- Personal spending money
- Any activities not in programme
City Route Map
Full Day — Kampala City & Cultural Immersion
Begin the morning 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 the Namugongo Martyrs Shrine — a place of profound spiritual significance where 22 young pages were martyred in 1886, now one of Africa's most important Christian pilgrimage sites. Mid-morning drive to the Gaddafi National Mosque on Old Kampala Hill for panoramic city views across Kampala's famous seven hills. Lunch at a traditional Ugandan restaurant — try matoke, groundnut stew, and fresh passion fruit juice. Afternoon at the extraordinary Owino Market — a vast, colourful covered market that is the beating commercial heart of Kampala. Your guide navigates you safely through the extraordinary sensory experience of fresh produce, fabrics, crafts, and street food. Visit the Uganda Museum for an excellent introduction to the country's cultural diversity and natural history. Final optional stop: the Ndere Cultural Centre for an exuberant evening of traditional Ugandan music, drumming, and dance from Uganda's different regions and tribes. Return to Speke Resort by 7:00pm.
✓ Included
- Air-conditioned transport throughout the city
- Professional cultural guide
- All entrance fees to sites listed
- Traditional Ugandan lunch
- Mosque visit with head coverings provided
- Drinking water throughout
✕ Not Included
- Ndere Cultural Centre dinner show (~$30)
- Personal shopping in markets
- Personal drinks and snacks
- Gratuities for guide
- Travel insurance
- Personal spending money
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
🇺🇬 Our team is on hand to assist with arranging all these excursions to make your family's stay as enjoyable and comfortable as possible. We look forward to welcoming you and your loved ones to the Pearl of Africa!
Book Your Uganda Safari
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Reserve Your SafariNTUNGO WILDLIFE SAFARIS LIMITED · Official Safari Partner · IFATCA 2027 Uganda
