Uganda

High School Program

Uganda is one of our most unique and inspiring opportunities for students looking to develop a deep understanding of global development issues.

Poverty Reduction & Innovation

Uganda is home to a plethora of innovative organizations working to reduce poverty. The country is known to be one of the most entrepreneurial in the world, and in the absence of social services provided by the state, individuals have stepped up to create inspired solutions.

Students joining us in Uganda will participate in hands on, immersive and reflective workshops, learning directly from change makers. Depending on the themes chosen (typically 2 to 3 depending on trip duration), students will be immersed in locally led, rich content covering that field.

Students exploring poverty reduction and innovation as a primary theme can expect to connect with a girls-led skills sharing program, visit a goat co-op, contribute to a youth outreach program centered through sport, learn from organization’s granting micro loans, experience organic vegetable gardening, and so much more.

About Uganda

Uganda, commonly known as ‘the pearl of Africa’ is known for its diverse activities such as gorilla trekking, boat and land safaris, mountain treks and crater lakes. Beyond the abundant wildlife and geographic diversity, our programming in Uganda dives into the cultural diversity, the strength of communities and the innovation of foundations and nonprofits that strive to support gender equality, poverty reduction and so much more. Ugandans are known for their hospitality and friendliness towards each other and visitors alike as well as their strong sense of pride surrounding their cultural heritage.

Uganda was where Insight was originally founded. We have been delivering custom, immersive experiences in the region since 2013, and would be excited to work with your group to build a transformative experience.

Additional Themes

Fully customizable authentic experiences

At Insight, our program itineraries are as unique as your students. All our program itineraries are customized with teacher chaperones to ensure that it meets the needs of your students.

With the support of a variety of local vendors and NGO’s, we promise that your students will get an authentic, local experience.

Program costs

We make it simple. No hidden fees or itinerary exclusions.

Roundtrip airfare
All accommodations
All meals and water
All programs activities and experiences
All teacher chaperone costs at an 8:1 ratio
Comprehensive travel insurance (medical, travel and cancellation)
Curriculum units to accompany program themes
Global and locally-based facilitators
Pre-program orientations and post-program debriefing

Program highlights

Embark on a canoe tour of Lake Bunyonyi. Canoes have been the modes of transport for island settlers for years. Participate in this daily ritual for yourself.
Participate in workshops that give women employable skills. Learn what one nonprofit organization is doing to reduce poverty.
Go on land and boat safaris! Have your camera ready to capture animals in their natural habitat including lions, leopards, elephants, antelopes, and more.
Explore the base of the Virunga Volcanoes on a walk guided by Batwa who demonstrate some of their traditional living, hunting, and foraging practices along the way.

How it works

Want to take your students outside the classroom? Review our program locations and suggested themes.

Connect with one of our High School Educators who will help custom design your program.

With our assistance, submit required paperwork and details to your Administration and School Board.

Announce the trip to your students! (We’ll provide all the materials you need).

Invite us to your school to host a Student & Parent Info Night! We will be there to answer questions and support student sign-up!

Sample Itinerary

Day 1: Home → Kampala

Travel to Kampala, Uganda.

Day 2: Kampala

Head to the 22 STARS office and learn about the small business and micro loans group. Meet some of the members who will share their stories and businesses. Afterwards, visit the businesses. Then enjoy lunch together as a group.
In the afternoon, take on local soccer stars at a football match with Youth Sports Uganda.

Day 3: Kampala → Masaka

Learn about gender equality and education while working hands-on with our partner community in Tekera Village.

Day 4: Masaka → Kabale

Settle in for an 5-hour journey to western Uganda’s beautiful Lake Bunyonyi. Also called the ‘place of many little birds,’ Lake Bunyonyi is one of the deepest lakes in Africa. It encircles 29 islands with colorful histories including a former leper colony. Hop aboard a boat tour of Lake Bunyonyi. Explore some of the islands on the lake and learn more about the history of the area.

Day 5: Kabale

Paddles up! Time for a traditional canoe tour of Lake Bunyonyi. Canoes have been the modes of transport for island settlers for years. Students canoe to school and parents canoe to do their shopping. Participate in this daily ritual for yourself. End the day with a guided sunset hike in the hills surrounding Lake Bunyonyi.

Day 6: Day trip: Kisoro

Take a short drive to Kisoro to experience the Batwa Trail, the name given to the forest hike passages that lead to Batwa communities and homesteads. Explore the base of the beautiful Virunga Volcanoes on a 4-hour walk guided by Batwa who demonstrate some of their traditional living, hunting, and foraging practices along the way.

Day 7: Kabale

Visit a nonprofit organization working to reduce poverty through skills sharing. Meet some of the girls that participate in the program who will share what the program has meant to them. Visit a few of the women in the goat co-ops and hear about what the goats mean to them.
Take a hike to a village in the hills in the late afternoon or opt to take a dip in the lake.

Day 8: Kabale → Queen Elizabeth National Park

Depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park! Take an afternoon boat ride along the Kazinga Channel. Keep an eye out for local wildlife including different bird species, buffalo, crocodiles, elephants, and hippos.

Day 9: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Breakfast will be served at the wee hours of 6 am. At 6:30 am, the first game drive will kick off. Have your camera ready to capture animals in their natural habitat including lions, leopards, elephants, antelopes, and more. Relax in the afternoon before the evening game drive. As the sun sets, different animals may be spotted.

Day 10: Queen Elizabeth National Park → Fort Portal

Situated at the base of the Rwenzori mountains, Fort Portal is surrounded by lush rolling hills, rocky crater lakes, and tea plantations. Take an afternoon tour of local crater lakes. This region was shaped by volcanoes millions of years ago and has the most crater lakes in Uganda.

Day 11: Fort Portal

Get to know Kelele Africa, a nonprofit organization that focuses on the future for women, achieving quality education for children, and making safe healthcare a reality. Partake in sewing and basketry workshops that provide women with employable skills.
Depart for Kampala.

Day 12: Kampala →Home

Begin your journey home.

What people are saying

I traveled with Insight to East Africa. This trip challenged us to think differently and we all became really close friends as a result. Learning about climate change and sustainability in the Global South inspired me to study environmental management in university. This trip expanded my world view, and I will never forget it!

Rudi, Student

We have successfully partnered on two international trips to Uganda and Rwanda with the team at Insight… Not only was the curricular content appropriate and meaningful, but it provided our staff and students a caliber consistent with preparation for post-secondary studies. Insight Global Education’s philosophy of meaningful change is reinforced in such a way that the impact upon students will be long-lasting, not simply educational tourism.

Steve Rauh, Principal, West Vancouver Secondary

This trip allowed me to learn about International Development from a truly global perspective. This was way more than I could have learned in the classroom and I’m so grateful to all our guides and my teachers for taking us.

Brianna, Student