Ewaffe Cultural Village – a place to experience old Baganda traditions and culture

Ewaffe Cultural Village is the place to go (near Kampala) for one to experience authentic African traditions and cultures. This spot is not like many other cultural centers where a few items depicting African traditions and cultures are simply put on display for you to watch, but Ewaffe Cultural Village is a big project nicely set up in rural Uganda giving one an opportunity to experience the life of the local in the old African tradition society and to discover secretes of the Baganda tribe traditional family, for example, the intriguing way DNA of a child was carried out traditionally.

The cultural village spans several acres of rural land and on it are gardens of food that was particularly grown in the Buganda traditional community, a medicinal herb garden containing many herbs and plants that provided a source of medication for ailments, body enhancements and good fortune in life, a well that provides water for home use, small lake (read pond) that provides fish, a bushland and swamp teeming with birds, etc…

On arrival at Ewaffe Cultural Village the enthusiastic team dressed in Baganda traditional attire welcomes you with the traditional Kiganda dance performance, and banana juice served in the traditional gourd/calabash sipped with a bamboo straw. After the warm welcome you proceed to experience the rest of the activities here.

How far / location of Ewaffe Cultural Village

Ewaffe Cultural Village is located in Naggalama, Mukono District, along Kayunga Road. This is only one hour’s drive from Kampala, making it so easy to visit for a one day cultural and village tour. The easiest access route from Kampala is via Ntinda – Najjera – Bulindo – Kitukutwe – Gayaza – Kayunga Road – Naggalama.

From Jinja, it will take about 1.5 hours drive to there.

This convenient location also means it is an easy addition to a number of short trips going this direction such as; a day trip to the source of the Nile and Jinja, to a birdwatching expedition to Mabira forest, visit to Sezibwa falls, Sipi falls hiking tour.

Activities to do at Ewaffe Cultural Village

Traditional Kiganda dance performance

First activity you experience as soon as you set foot at the cultural village you are treated to a traditional Kiganda dance performance. You can join the group and take your first lesson at Kiganda dance or entertain yourself away.

Medicinal herb garden tour

Take the garden tour to learn about many herbs and plants what the traditional society used for a number of remedies such as cure of illnesses, bring good luck, enhance body performance, improve sex life, food and tea spices. Some of the herbs include: aloe vera (kigaji), Tameric (kinzali), Lemon grass (kisubi), Cactus (Kawumpuli), Pomegranate (koma mawanga), Shame plant (muko wewumbe), spear mint, under seed plant (kakumirizi), Sasame (olutungotungo), Alligator pepper (etunguulu), Lion ear (kifumufumu), Ginger bush (Kyewamala), Periwinkle (kamuli ko kumalalo), Bottle grass (nyambala butonya) etc…

Cooking class (preparing a local traditional delicacy Luwombo)

Learn how banana (matooke) is cooked the traditional Kiganda way, starting with peeling and then wrap the peeled banana in banana leaves before placing it in the saucepan.

Another cooking lesson is the preparing of the local delicacy called “Luwombo”, a kind of meal that was prepared for special occasions.

Banana juice and local brew (tonto) making

Learn the delicate process of making banana juice by squeezing with hands the ripe banana (“kayinja/musa”) and spear grass.

The banana juice is the one that then makes the local brew called “tonto”. This is by sprinkling sorghum flour onto the juice and then kept for about three days to ferment.

Basket weaving

In the traditional African home, women stayed home to look after the home, while the men went out to work to provide for their families. One of the ways women (mothers) occupied their free time at home was through basket weaving, a skill that is still present among lots of village women.

At Ewaffe Cultural Village you get to seat down with the ladies (mothers) for a weaving lesson using the local raw materials you will harness from the village.

Bark cloth making

In the African traditional society before clothes came with the foreigners Africans dressed with bark cloth which is made out of the bark of the trees. Even today bark cloth is still used for some traditional and cultural activities in some societies.

At Ewaffe Cultural Village you be taken through the process of making the bark cloth, right from harvesting the bark from the tree.

Fishing

Ewaffe Cultural Village has a large pond they have named Lake Ewaffe and it has lots of fish. Using the fishing line tied on one end to a stick (rod) and a hook on the other end where you put your bait of worm, you will have a good time catching fish for leisure. A local expert fisherman is available to guide you on how to fish.

Sex education and bedroom secretes of the Baganda

One of the must-not-miss activities for marrieds and soon-to-be marrieds is the “Ssenga and Kojja session”. Women (senga) and men (kojja) expert in the sex education will delve into secretes of the African traditional bedroom revealing ways of keeping a great sex life. This session is “x-rated” and only adults are allowed.

Testing DNA the traditional way

Using a basket, water and umbilical cord of a baby it was established if a child belong to the man the mother claimed to be the father. This was always carried by the family of the man. No science can explain this so it is a very intriguing tradition that was used in the African traditional society to test the DNA of a child and prove paternity. You will know all about it at Ewaffe Cultural Village.

Fetching water from the Well

Using a clay pot you will visit the well and fetch water, carrying it on your head like it is done in the African traditional society. It is an exciting village activity for those that have never experienced village life.

Luwombo Lunch

For lunch visitors are served a local dish, the tasty “Luwombo”. Easting “luwombo” at Ewaffe Culture Village is an experience of its own. The meal includes chicken, groundnut sauce, matooke (banana), and sweet potato.

Birdwatching

Away from the culture and traditions, the cultural village is nice place to birdwatch without any interruptions and you will be able to tick off a number of local species. The bushland, gardens, ponds, wetland have a lot of birds. Since the village is not settled, getting there early in the morning and being all by yourself in the place is a rewarding birding experience.

You can spend a couple of hours here before or after birding in Mabira forest.

2024 Uganda gorilla tracking ticket price increased to USD 800

Uganda has increased the gorilla tracking permit/ticket from $700 to $800. The new price of the gorilla tracking permit is effective from July 2024 when the new Uganda financial year starts. So for all purchases of gorilla trekking permits for tracking dates starting 1st July 2024 one has to pay $800. It has also been announced that those that had only deposited (and not paid full amount) on the gorilla permit(s) basing on the old price before this announcement will be paying the new price, hence top up amount should make $800. Only those that had paid the full fee of the old price will not be affected by the new price.

The increase in the gorilla permit means more finances available for conservation of the gorillas and their habitats, and also more revenue shared to the local communities near the gorillas. A percentage of the gorilla ticket money is sent to the communities near the gorilla parks and is used in projects that uplift the communities such building schools, hospitals, setting income generating projects, e.t.c…

The price of the gorilla tracking permit is revised every two years, so the new price of $800 is for the period of July 2024 to June 2026.

Take advantage of cheaper permit and book your gorilla trip before July 2024

The gorilla tracking will still cost $700 until June 2024 so this is the best time to book a gorilla trip to Uganda and take advantage of the old price. You will be saving $100 which can be spent on a nice budget accommodation.

Uganda still offers an affordable gorilla tour

Even with the $100 increase on the gorilla permit, the gorilla tour in Uganda is still more affordable than the gorilla tour in Rwanda where the gorilla tracking permit costs a whopping $1500.

More habituated gorilla families announced

At the start of 2024 the Uganda Wildlife Authority has also announced five more habituated gorilla families added for gorilla tracking. That would make more than 20 habituated gorilla families for gorilla tracking in Uganda. In total 194 gorilla tracking permits are available each day which improves availability even during the peak tourism season. Chances of tracking gorillas on ones dates, even for a last minute booking, are better now.

You do not need a visa to go to Kenya (starting 2024)

Kenya has done it! No visa required to visit Kenya, the land of the Masai Mara.

Towards the end of last year 2023, the President of Kenya, Mr. William Ruto, announced that from 2024 every traveler from any part of the world going to Kenya will not need a visa to visit the country. This effectively abolishes the visa fees and the bureaucracy requiring applying for the visa in advance.

A single entry visa into Kenya for tourism or business has been costing $51. This can now be saved and diverted toward some curio shopping after a safari trip to Masai Mara.

Kenya will perhaps become the first African country to do away with a visa requirement for all visitors; a step which the country’s leadership hopes will open up Kenya for more opportunities coming in. It is expected more tourists will visit Kenya which is endowed with big game destinations and incredible attractions such as Masai Mara famous for the great migration safari and the unique Masai culture, Amboseli National Park the best place to see elephants and the Kilimanjaro Mountain of Tanzania, Nairobi National Park the only game park within a city, etc…

Africa is finally opening her doors to the world by easing access into the continent. Rwanda took the first step, allowing everyone to get their visas on arrival in the country instead of applying in advance which can be hindering for last minute travelers.

Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to replace the visa

In the place of a Visa, a digital platform called the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is to be used where travelers will need to register so that they are identified in advance.

By the start of January the ETA has yet to be implemented, so all travelers (except East African citizens) going to Kenya within this short period before the ETA is rolled out have to apply and pay for the Visa. The visa is applied for online through this link: https://evisa.go.ke/evisa.html

We will update this page once the ETA has been fully implemented and list the link provided for use.

UPDATE!!

Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is ready!

The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is ready, here is the link: https://www.etakenya.go.ke/en

What you need to have at hand before starting the application:

  • Valid passport for at least six (6) months after your planned date of arrival into Kenya, with at least one blank page
  • Selfie or passport-type photo
  • Contact information, email address and phone number
  • Details of your arrival and departure itinerary
  • Accommodation booking confirmation(s)
  • Credit card, debit card or other means of payment (you will be charged a processing fee of $34.09)

The processing time of the ETA is three (3) working days but could take longer

 

 

Rwanda is visa-free for all African citizens

Here is another momentous announcement out of Rwanda; all African citizens visiting Rwanda no longer require a visa. In other words, Rwanda is visa free for all Africans. The announcement was made by President of Rwanda H.E. Paul Kagame on Thursday, 2nd November 2023 at the 23rd Global Summit of the World Travel and Tourism Summit held in Kigali. This effectively opens up Rwanda to all of Africa, from Nigeria to Egypt to South Africa, all citizens will not need to pay for a visa to enter Rwanda. Previously only citizens in the East Africa community to which Rwanda belongs were exempted from visa payment.

This is another landmark announcement after recently Rwanda opened up for all travelers from the whole world to be able to acquire visas on arrival. Now, with this new announcement it even gets better for African citizens as they do not need to pay for visas at all. As an African citizen you just have to pack your bags, check the next flight to Rwanda and off to Rwanda, and arriving into one of the cleanest cities on the continent.

With the doors now wide open for African citizens, here is an opportunity for you as an African to experience the “land of thousands hills”.

As an African citizen, what do you know or have you heard about Rwanda? It is the clean streets, her beautiful ladies, the gorillas, the rolling landscape and volcanic mountains or her dark past of the genocide?

What interesting things can Africans do in Rwanda?

Here are some of the interesting things you can do as an African

City tour – experience an utopia in Africa

I have to say Kigali City is a must visit for any African, if not for anything but just to see that modern, clean and safe cities can be built by Africans. At least this may restore hope in you and make you feel good as an African because African cities are synonymous with dirt, crime, slums, bad infrastructure and all that.

Kigali City also has plenty of things to do and see, from wildlife reserves such as Umusambi Villaage Wildlife Reserve, historical places such as the museums about the genocide and history of Rwanda, car-free zones with free internet, amazing art galleries & crafts shops, nice building such as the iconic convention center, amazing nightlife with no worry about your safety anywhere, vibrant suburbs such as Nyamirambo, etc…

Visit Gorillas on special African rates

When it comes to wildlife, Rwanda is known for the gorillas and the gorilla trekking adventure, however the gorilla trek is also known as a very expensive activity that is largely left to the international travelers who can afford. Indeed the gorilla trek is quite pricy with international travelers having to pay $1500 for a gorilla tracking ticket/permit. However, at the moment Rwanda has given Africans a special discounted price of $500. So, visit Rwanda and enjoy the once in a lifetime opportunity to see the Silverback gorilla in the mountains.

Take a safari trip to Akagera National Park

Rwanda is perhaps not popular as a safari country but the country’s only savannah region protected in the Akagera National Park is fast developing into a credible big game destination having all the big five (Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Elephant, Buffalo) and plenty of other wildlife. This in addition to amazing scenery with diverse habitats and landscapes of large wetlands and lakes, savannah, grassy hills and forests, create an amazing safari experience with more than just animals.

The park is also just 2.5 hours’ drive from Kigali City making it so accessible that you can do a day trip and have a chance to see all the big five.

How about a beautiful getaway to Lake Kivu

Lake Kivu, Rwanda’s biggest lake located along the western border with the Congo, is an excellent place for a getaway and spend relaxation time in resort along the beautiful lake shore from where you can take a boat ride and enjoy the breathtaking scenery along the shore and across the lake visiting the islands. There are also exciting water adventures you can do in Lake Kivu such as paddle boarding, kayaking, fishing, etc…

Here are ideas on short trips you can do in Rwanda

Is Uganda safe after the (ADF) attack on tourists?

On 17th October gunmen believed to be of the rebel outfit the ADF – Allied Democratic Forces (a designated terrorist organization with links to ISIS)  killed two tourists and their tour drive while on safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park. This tragic incidence sent shockwaves through the tourism industry and the country’s leadership. Never before has the ADF had the motivation to attack foreigners, let alone tourists. This has impacted the tourism industry immensely as tour operators are reporting booking cancellations by tourists who had planned trips to Uganda.

How and why the ADF managed to attack the tourists in Queen Elizabeth National Park?

The country’s security infrastructure was caught off-guard by this incidence, as perhaps it was never imagined the ADF would have such motivation to target tourists or foreigners.  But, this has been explained by the head of state, stating that the attack on tourists in Uganda by the ADF was a desperate act by the group facing defeat. The government of Uganda launched a campaign into Congo to wipe out the ADF where it has been basing to carry out the attacks in Uganda. And as such, the group has been dealt a huge blow by the campaign, having its fighters killed and bases annihilated within the Congo degrading it heavily and sending the remnants of its forces into disarray. The disintegrated group had some of its remnants sneak back into Uganda and it is from these about 5 terrorists killed tourists in Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Why the group managed to sneak into the park? It is because the park is shared along the border with Congo, and so it is the easiest place they could have managed to sneak in, attack and probably sneak quickly back into Congo.

How safe is Uganda after the attack and should I cancel the trip?

After the surprise attack the Ugandan government has massively increased deployment in and near Queen Elizabeth National Park as the army and other security agencies continue to comb the area of any insurgencies.

Security measures have also been upped in other national parks and tourism destinations such as Bwindi National Park, Murchison Falls National Park, Lake Mburo National Park, etc… However the likelihood of the rebels repeating such an attack in another park is very slim to impossible because they would not have an easy escape back into Congo before they are netted. Other parks are also not close to the conflict zone like Queen Elizabeth National Park that is extends into both countries.

Should you cancel your trip in Uganda? Definitely you should not. Uganda is stable and safe, the attack on tourists can be treated as a one off and has motivated the government even further to increase surveillance in the parks and to also commit to wipe out the ADF in Congo or degrade it to the point it can no longer pose any threat in future.

Should I exclude Queen Elizabeth National Park from my Ugandan tour?

At the moment, perhaps there is no safer place in Uganda than Queen Elizabeth National Park. The park has been combed of any possible threats from the ADF, and more security personnel have been deployed in the park especially the border regions. Also new safety measures have been put in place as the security agencies eliminate the threat of the rebels. For example, all game drives in are escorted by an armed security personnel, and game drives are done between 7am and 5.30pm.

However, if you think you will feel tense and won’t enjoy the safari in Queen Elizabeth Park then you can exclude the park which is often combined with a gorilla trek in Bwindi forest or chimpanzee trekking Kibale forest. You can instead visit Lake Mburo National Park on your way to the gorillas or chimpanzees.