Uganda

A Safari Adventure and Cultural Immersion with Luke Ketterhagen

Trip Dates: Feb 2 - 15, 2027

Normal Rate: $7,200
Child Rate 0-11 is $6,200 | 12-15 is $6,400

Trip Duration

14 Days

Activity Level

Moderate

Group Size

Max 20

Pre Register Here

Or call (570) 904 3834

Adventure Overview

Join us on an extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime journey into the heart of Uganda—now extended for an even richer, more intentional experience. Walk alongside the cacao and coffee farmers who supply us, engaging directly in our transparent and impactful Direct Trade practices. This immersive trip offers invaluable insights into the lives of these farmers, allowing you to actively participate in the harvesting and processing of beans. Deepen your understanding of ethical sourcing while contributing to sustainable, fair trade practices that uplift farming communities.

New for 2027, we’re honored to partner with renowned yoga teacher Luke Ketterhagen, who will guide us through Uganda with daily yoga and meditation woven into each day of the journey. Amid the stunning landscapes of Uganda, you’ll have the chance to ground yourself each day through mindful movement and reflection, creating space for deeper presence, integration, and inner calm. Throughout the trip, you’ll witness breathtaking wildlife across the Ugandan landscape, with the possibility of encountering lions, zebras, giraffes, hippos, and elephants. This adventure offers a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in Ugandan culture—join in traditional singing and dancing, try your hand at basket weaving, and witness the intricate process of coffee roasting, among many other vibrant local traditions.

Experience gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, one of the only places on Earth where you can see mountain gorillas in the wild. Enjoy a mystical morning walking safari in Lake Mburo, coming face-to-face with giraffes and other wildlife. We’ll conclude with a visit to our partner chocolate factory, Latitude Craft Chocolate, and spend time craft shopping in Kampala before returning home deeply transformed.

Highlights

Cacao harvesting, tasting and farm experience
Coffee Tasting and Farm Tour
Chimp tracking in Kibale National Forest ($250 permit is included)
Safari in the Plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park
Boat Safari on the Kazinga Channel
Exploring and Canoeing on Lake Bunyonyi
Gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest ($800 permit is included)
Morning walking safari in Lake Mburo National Park
Night Safari in Lake Mburo National Park
Chocolate factory tour and shopping in Kampala

Itinerary

Every day in Uganda will bring exciting new adventures. From harvesting cacao and coffee alongside farmers, to encountering wildlife on safaris, we plan to do it all on this trip. Prepare for you and your family to be blown away by the animals we'll see and the cultural experiences we'll have in Uganda.

Day 1: Arrive at Entebbe International Airport

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport in Uganda, where you will be warmly welcomed and assisted with your transfer to a charming boutique guesthouse. Once there, you'll check in and settle into your comfortable accommodations. Spend the evening unwinding, enjoying the serene surroundings, and preparing for the exciting adventures that await you in the days ahead.

‍Accommodations: Entebbe Guesthouse

Day 2: Journey to Kibale National Park

After breakfast and a group orientation at the guesthouse, we will embark on a scenic drive to Fort Portal, where we'll stop for lunch before continuing our journey to Kibale Forest.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

‍Accommodations: Isunga Lodge

Day 3: Chimp Tracking at Kibale Forest National Park

Start the day with fresh Ugandan coffee. Afterwards we will journey to Kibale Forest National Park for a chimp tracking expedition where there are over 1500 chimpanzees. Kibale Forest contains 13 species of primates, with the highest concentration in all of Africa.

‍Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

‍Accommodations: Isunga Lodge

Day 4: Cultural Walk Through Bigodi Community

Start the day with a trek through the wildlife-rich Bigodi wetland sanctuary. Experience a local lunch and then take a cultural walk through Bigodi Community. Meet "Banana Man," who makes various banana drinks, a village of basket-weavers who sing and dance and watch as farmers process and roast coffee.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

‍Accommodations: Isunga Lodge

Day 5: Hands-On Cacao Farming and Coffee Cooperative

We'll kick off the day with a drive to Kasese, where we'll have the pleasure of meeting our dear farming partners, Latitude Trade Company. Spending the morning with Latitude farmers, we'll immerse ourselves in the process of harvesting cacao pods and splitting them open to extract the beans destined for cacao collection points. It's a chance to forge connections with the farmers while tasting chocolate made from the very beans they've grown. Later, we'll venture to the coffee cooperative, our source for premium beans, for an enlightening tour and hands-on experience in the coffee production process.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

‍Accommodations: Ihamba Safari Lodge

Day 6: Cacao Fermentary and Optional Safari

In the morning, we'll journey to Latitudes fermentation center. There, we'll lend a hand in fermenting cacao beans, indulge in a chocolate tasting session, and participate in planting trees. After enjoying lunch with the Latitude team, we'll head back to the lodge for a leisurely afternoon or opt for an exciting safari adventure.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodations: Ihamba Safari Lodge

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Day 7: Land Safari and Boat Safari

Following breakfast, we'll set out for an unforgettable morning game drive safari across the plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Then, in the afternoon, we'll embark on a leisurely boat ride along the Kazinga Channel, where the possibility of encountering a diverse range of wildlife awaits us.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

‍Accommodations: Ihamba Safari Lodge

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Day 8: Journey to Lake Bunyonyi

We'll journey to Lake Bunyonyi, Africa's second-deepest lake, where we will explore in canoes and relax in this charming lake community.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

‍Accommodations: Birdnest Resort

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Day 9: Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Today, we embark on a journey deep into the lush jungle of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Along the way, we'll be treated to breathtaking views of some of East Africa's most expansive mountain ranges. Our destination is the charming village of Rushaga, renowned for its dedication to the conservation of the famous Mountain Gorilla. Here, we'll settle in and immerse ourselves in the tranquility of this remote corner of the world.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

‍Accommodations: Rushaga Lodge

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Day 10: Gorilla trekking in Bwindi National Park

Today, our focus is on trekking through the jungle to seek out and observe the magnificent Mountain Gorilla. This is for those who seek an authentic and less-traveled experience, where the harmony with local cultures, environmental conservation and untouched wildlife is evident at every turn.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

‍Accommodations: Rushaga Lodge

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Day 11: Travel to Lake Mburo and Night Safari

Today, we'll make our way to Lake Mburo and get comfortable at a Safari Lodge situated in Mburo National Park. After dinner we will set out for a night safari.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

‍Accommodations: Rwakabo Lodge

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Day 12: Morning walking safari

Today, we'll set out on an exciting walking safari adventure, filled with anticipation as we hope to have the unforgettable experience of walking alongside graceful giraffes in their natural habitat. Optional afternoon safari.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

‍Accommodations: Rwakabo Lodge

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Day 13: Drive to Kampala

We will set out on a scenic drive to Kampala, the vibrant capital city of Uganda

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

‍Accommodations: Fairview Hotel

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Day 14: Chocolate Factory Tour, Shopping, and Departure

In the morning, head to Latitude Craft Chocolate factory for a tour and lunch. Enjoy souvenir shopping at the local markets that offer a variety of goods handmade in Uganda. Drive to Entebbe and have our farewell dinner. Participants depart from Entebbe Airport.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Direct-Trade Partners

Origin Adventures started as a way to take you to meet the farmers who grow the cacao and coffee beans we use in our products. These trips are the ultimate way to experience a transparent, direct-trade supply chain - from farmer and raw bean, all the way to finished product. At the heart of every Origin Adventure are our farming partners - they're the reason we do what we do.

We're ecstatic to introduce you to the dedicated team at Latitude Trade Company, our cacao sourcing partner. On this trip, you'll gain direct experience of a transparent supply chain, and even get to harvest and ferment cacao side by side with farmers. Latitude pays farmers significantly more than standard market rates which reflects in the quality of their cacao - quality that we'll experience first hand through the chocolate we taste made from their beans. Bukonzo Joint Coop, our Ugandan coffee sourcing partner, will give us a tour of one of the farms they collect beans from and we'll learn where coffee really comes from.

Yoga in the Heart of Africa

Amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Uganda, deepen your connection to self through daily yoga and meditation. We’re excited to partner with renowned teacher Luke Ketterhagen to incorporate mindful movement and inner stillness throughout the journey. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or new to the mat, this experience invites you to move, breathe, and reflect in one of the most awe-inspiring settings on Earth.

For over 26 years, Luke Ketterhagen has been teaching yoga and meditation while traveling the globe to share these practices with others. One of his greatest passions is integrating yoga, relaxation, and meditation into the travel experience—bringing depth, balance, and inner connection to each journey.

Luke’s teaching is rooted in helping people live a more centered, peaceful, and compassionate life. His approach to yoga supports emotional healing, stress relief, and self-awareness—offering a pathway to connect with the parts of ourselves that often go unaddressed in day-to-day life.

To Luke, travel is more than exploration—it’s an invitation into the homes, meals, traditions, and hearts of the people we visit. It’s a chance to exchange humanity and build connection across cultures and continents. The combination of yoga and travel, as Luke shares it, is nothing short of transformational. We are honored to have him co-lead this special journey through Uganda in 2027.

About Luke Ketterhagen

Luke was raised in rural WI by his parents - a couple of ex hippies – an educator and a nurse. Their home was imbued with a passion for spirituality and wellness, driven by a longing to create a community of like-minded people. This love of knowledge and all things natural was a catalyst for Luke. After graduating magna cum laude with a degree in biomedical sciences from Marquette University, Luke immersed himself in the studies and practices of the Himalayan Tradition. He spent seven years in residence at the Himalayan Institute to study with his teacher, yoga and meditation master Pandit Rajmani Tigunait. This fueled Luke’s passion to share this powerful knowledge with others. Trained in the yoga teacher program in August of 1999, Luke became part of the teaching faculty at the Himalayan Institute. Luke and his wife, Kourtney proceeded to open yoga studios in Dallas, TX, the Hudson Valley in NY, and in Venice, CA, where they hosted traditional fire offerings (havan) to support the propagation of benevolent forces throughout the world. Luke continued to travel and train teachers internationally, from the Grand Cayman Islands and Dominican Republic to Brussels and the UK. Inspired by his first visit to India during the Maha Kumbha Mela, Luke founded Experience India, a cultural and spiritual excursion to help others to see outside of their world, expand their view, and create an understanding of the connection we have with people all over the world. A founding teacher on the platform, Luke has created content for YogaInternational.com since 2007 and has amassed a library of 100+ yoga classes, guided relaxations and meditations and workshops.

In addition to leading retreats at the Himalayan Institute, Luke facilitates yoga teacher training programs to help studios build community. His website, LukeKetterhagen.com has a relaxation you can download for free.

Luke and his wife Kourtney live on their organic blueberry farm in southwest Michigan. Each summer they help continue the family's 57 year legacy of delivering “little drops of blue medicine” to the world while their two young adult children attend college and strive towards their dreams.

Accommodations & Food

This trip provides plenty of time to relax, swim, experience culture and enjoy local food. All participants will share lodging with immediate travel partners, or with a same-gender roommate. We'll be staying in comfortable lodgings throughout our journey.

Accommodation Styles: Boutique Lodges for 12 nights; Hotel for 1 night. All bookings are double-occupancy minimally with families being the exception.