Coffee growing communities of the rwenzori mountains of uganda

Developed in collaboration with Glen Lyon Coffee Roasters. A unique journey linking international coffee lovers to the smallholder coffee farming communities of the beautiful and lush foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains. An exploration of coffee that also provides a deep insight into the people, cultures, landscapes and wildlife in one of the most beautiful areas of Equatorial Africa.

Journey Essentials

14 days/13 nights starting in Kigali (Rwanda) and finishing in Entebbe (Uganda)
Internationally and locally led and with a Glen Lyon coffee expert
5 nights in hotels - 2 nights in Kigali, 1 night lakeside lodge in Bunyonyi and 2 nights in Entebbe.
4 nights in lodges: 2 in a safari lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park, and 2 in a Nkuruba Conservation Area
4 nights camping and hosted by communities: 3 nights in the Rwenzori area in Safari style tents with folding camp beds and 1 on an Island in Lake Bunyonyi.
Involving moderate walking around the Rwenzori area and during Chimpanzee trekking. .
Price: US$ 4800 (about £3650)

Journey Dates:

2027 Journeys

28th February to 13th March 2027

2027 Journeys

February March (dates to be confirmed)

Journey Highlights

Discover the coffee growing communities of Rwanda and the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains of Uganda

Start your journey in Kigali Rwanda visiting coffee growers in the area for a first experience of African small holder coffee production.
Cross the border to the SW Highlands of Uganda staying beside Lake Bunyonyi – a stunning lake and then explore the lake and its many islands by boat and potentially local dugout canoe .
Explore the local cultures and beliefs of the local Abakiga people and be hosted by a family o the last locally owned island on the lake.
Stay in Queen Elizabeth National Pak, seeing Africa’s iconic wildlife (elephant, hippo, buffalo, crocodile and much more) and stunning birdlife at close quarters on a chartered boat watching.
Track and see chimpanzee in the forests of Queen Elizabeth.
Be hosted for 3 nights in a community camp (with safari style tents) in the foothills of the lush Rwenzori.
Visit the coffee buying and processing facilities and sample coffee varieties at source (cupping)
Walk through the beautiful Rwenzori foothills visiting and being hosted by smallholder coffee farmers.
Gain a deeper understanding of the local Bakonjo people of the area and the importance of coffee growing to local livelihoods.
Stay in the community camp at the beautiful and forested Lake Nkuruba Conservation Area alive with numerous monkeys and unforgettable birdlife.
Finish the journey in Entebbe on the shores of relaxing Lake Victoria.

Itinerary summary

See downloadable brochure for a detailed itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Kigali (Rwanda) and welcome dinner Night in Kigali hotel
Day 2: Visit Coffe farmers and buyers/processors near Kigali (2nd night in Kigali)
Day 3: Travel by vehicle across the border and up to beautiful Lake Bunyonyi. Stay in a lakeside lodge
Day 4: Exlore the lake Bunyonyi area by foot and boat, and experience local Abakiga culture. Stay on the last locally owned island on the Lake, hosted by a local family
Day 5: Cross the lake by boat or dugout canoe and then travel by safari vehicles to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Stay in a Safari Lodge in the park
Day 6: Half the group undertakes a chimpanzee trek/ half undertaking a wildlife drive. The whole group then rejoins and to board a wildlife boat to experience Africa's iconic large game and stunning bird and wildlife at close quarters. 2nd night in the Safari Lodge .
Day 7: The other half of the group undertake the chimpanzee trek with the others undertaking a wildlife drive. After lunch, we drive to the foothills of the Rwenzori to a camp set up in the lush coffee growing areas. 1st Night in a camp with Safari style tents
Day 8: An exploration of the coffee growing communities of the Rwenzori and visiting the collection and buyinh facilities of Agri Evolve.2nd night in the community camp.
Day 9: A walk through the fields and homesteads in the Rwenzori foothills to the coffee washing station at Nyabirongo. Coffee Cupping (tasting) at the facility. Return for our 3rd night at the community camp.
Day 10: Travel to the lake Nkuruba conservation area stopping at local basket makers. Stay in huts beside a stunning crater lake populated by various species of monkeys and stunning birdlife.
Day 11: Explore the Lake Nkuruba area with local guides and stay a 2nd night at the huts in the conservation area
Day 12: Drive from Lake Nkuruba to Entebbe, cross by ferry to stay in a hotel beside vast Lake Victoria.
Day 13: Optional boat trip to view Shoebill Storks and bird life, and relax and explore Entebbe with its botanical gardens. Final farewell dinner.
Day 14: Departure day

Background of this journey

Exclusive small group accompanied trips with Ugandan and coffee experts through one of the most stunning and diverse areas of Africa

Glen Lyon Coffee Roasters is a B Corp certified (social and environmental standards) company supplying speciality coffee which sources traceable and ethically produced coffee, paying fair prices and building long term relationships with producers at origin.

Nomadic Skies Expeditions is a travel company founded on the principles of promoting travel that deepens links with remote communities and benefits those communities.

This 14 day journey to the coffee communities of the Rwenzori Mountains area is a collaboration between Glen Lyon and Nomadic Skies. Brining together the experience of Glen Lyon in sourcing the high quality Kalingwe Coffee beans from this area of Uganda and Nomadic Skies extensive experience in travel in Western Uganda in collaboration with local and indigenous guides and local communities.