4-Day Trip to the Switzerland of Uganda

 This is the travel day. Early in the morning of 26^th December 2025 at about 6:00am Uganda time, the team sets off to from Kampala. Set off point will be agreed upon by the team through a WhatsApp group that will be created towards the D-day aimed at harmonizing communication. Yes prepare your mind for an exciting trip that takes 6-10 hours to arrive to the last point which is Kisoro district. The trip starts from Kampala. From Kampala to Kisoro is about 500kms. Interestingly, the journey will be full of fun, making stopovers for photos in the unique and great places such as the equator, Mbarara City which is at the moment the fastest growing new City next to Kampala capital. There will be stoppers for coffee, tea, and snacks. It’s a moment one would not want to miss. The trip grants the traveler an opportunity to see the equator in Mpigi Kayabwe, the nice country side scenery of the steep hills, valleys, grassland, meandering roads and one of the country-side border visit to have just an interaction with people of the neigbouring country. Driving the long high way through Mpigi, Masaka, Mbarara city, Ntungamo town, Kabale town, Rubada District and then Kisoro. The trip ends in Kisoro District town where they will stay for 4 days and 3 nights while participating in all the other planned activities. Arrive in Kisoro at about 6-7pm, report to your hotel that will already have been booked, refresh, have dinner and then have rest. 1 Night
The equator point: This is at Kayabwe in Mpigi District. It is along the main road and travelers will have a stop-over to take photos.

As you travel to Kisoro from Kabale, you will be able to see a popular Kanaaba-Kisoro corner. Commonly said to have failed a dog running, to navigate.

Early in the morning of 27^th December 2025, at 6:00am, the team sets off from hotels of residence to Mount Muhabura where the hiking will be conducted from.  This activity takes a whole day. The distance from Kisoro town to Mount Muhabura (one of the Virunga volcanoes is about 14–18 km by road and, it takes about 30-45minutes drive to get there. The team will gather at the starting point (Wild Life Offices) by 7:00am for briefing.  From the trailhead, the hike to the summit of Mount Muhabura is roughly 5Kms (one way) which is 10Kms round trip with a steep ascent that usually takes 5-7hours to climb and descend. 1 Night

This activity takes 3-4 hours. Early in the morning of December 28^th 2025, at about 7:00am, the team sets off to the Batwa communities at the slopes of Mount Muhabura where a briefing will be done from by the guide and a team from Uganda Wild Life Authority (UWA).  The Batwa of Kisoro, often called the ‘keepers of the forest,’ are one of the oldest indigenous groups in East Africa. For generations, they lived in the dense forests of Bwindi and Mgahinga, hunting small animals with bows and arrows, gathering fruits, honey, and medicinal herbs, and passing down rich traditions through songs, dances, and storytelling. The Batwa believed the forest was sacred, and their lives were deeply connected to its rhythms. However, with the creation of national parks to protect endangered gorillas, the Batwa were displaced from their ancestral land, leading to great challenges. Today, the Batwa community continues to preserve and share their culture with visitors. Through guided experiences, they demonstrate traditional hunting skills, share forest legends, and perform dances that celebrate their heritage. For tourists, engaging with the Batwa is not only a cultural highlight but also an opportunity to support a resilient community striving to keep its traditions alive.

Activity 4: Visit to Bunagana Border

This activity is planned to take 2 hours strictly. Members of the team should pack some snacks and drinks as they proceed to the border. This is to save time so that from the border they straight away head to Lake Mutanda. Please note that you access the junction to Mutanda along the way to Bunagana. BunaganaBorder is a small but lively border point that connects Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), located about 15 km from Kisoro town. It serves as an entry and exit point for travelers heading to Virunga National Park in DRC or exploring the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda.

What to Expect:

• A bustling trading center with shops, fresh produce markets, and friendly locals.
• Views of the Virunga Volcanoes in the distance, creating a stunning backdrop.
• Easy access to cultural encounters, especially with the local Bafumbira, Batwa communities and Congolese.
• A taste of cross-border life, where Ugandan and Congolese cultures meet.

Tips:

• Carry your valid travel documents (Passport, National IDs).
• It is great spot for photography, sightseeing, and experiencing local life.

Activity 5: Boat cruise to the Punishment Island:

On 28^th December 2025, in the afternoon at about 2:00pm set off from Bunagana border to Lake Mutanda for the boat cruise to the Punishment Island. The journey to Lake Mutanda from Bunagana will take 20-30 minutes. 1 Night                                                                                  

Punishment Island 

           Lake Mutanda                                                 

Activity 6: Zip lining on Lake Mutanda:

This activity may be conducted concurrently with boat cruise in the afternoon of 28^th December 2025. Some people may go for boat cruise while others go for ziplinning. Members will make their preference. Briefly, Ziplining is an adventure activity where a person is safely harnessed to a pulley attached to a strong cable, and then glide from one point to another — often across a lake, forest, or valley — using gravity. It’s like flying through the air, giving you thrilling speed and stunning panoramic views. Usually, depending on speed, setup / safety briefing, getting into harness, etc., the actual ride will take roughly 1-3 minutes. But, the overall activity from arrival, briefing, gearing up, etc., could take maybe 30 minutes or so. During the activity, you will be able to view erial views of Lake Mutanda and its islands, natural lakeshore forests, wetlands / papyrus edges, birdlife on or near the lake and the the Virunga / volcanic mountains (Muhabura, Sabinyo, Gahinga) surrounding in the distance.   1 Night

On 29^th December 2025 at about 7:00am, the team sets off from Kisoro town to Kampala. Expected arrival time in Kampala is 7:00pm

END OF THE TRIP. THANKS FOR BEING A GREAT TRAVELLER!