In August and September, I went on a trip to Uganda with a good friend. Chinobay is from Uganda, and is a world class musician. We met at LEAF about fifteen years ago, and our friendship has grown across that time. Several times over the years, Chinobay has said, “David, you really need to come to Uganda!” This year, we finally put it on the calendar. It was an amazing trip.
From February 1 to February 15, we are going back, and you are invited to join us! Here is the tentative itinerary. Plans in Uganda have a way of shifting a bit, and a degree of flexibility is definitely a requirement for the trip, but our experience will be very close to this (click on the image to open the PDF, and feel free to print it out).
We will have several days of culture and connection in Kampala, including concerts from top-notch African musicians, then travel to Murchison Falls National Park, where we will spend three nights and two full days with the wild animals there, and have a concert from Chinobay and David in the game park.
We will meet children who are supported by World Bridge Foundation, which Chinobay and his wife Stella founded and now run. We will also go to Jinja, in Eastern Uganda, and see the headwaters of the Nile, visit the equator, and learn about drum-making.
For all of that, though, this will not be a tourist trip, as we often think of them. All human life began in Africa, and even for paler-skinned people, a trip to Africa has an element of homecoming. More than many trips to Africa, you will be traveling and spending a lot of time with Ugandan people, and be exposed to a great deal of local music and culture up close, and just by coming on the trip, you will be supporting children in Uganda (a portion of the proceeds will go to World Bridge Foundation, which Chinobay founded).
Trip Costs
The trip cost is all-inclusive (the only exceptions being souvenirs, alcoholic drinks, and air travel). We will cover all travel from the Kampala airport on. For in-c0untry travel, all lodging, food and all activities, the cost is $3850 for shared accommodation ($7700 for a couple), or $4650 for an individual private room.
Please book your own air travel to arrive (not depart!) on February 1, 2026, though we are happy to help if you have any questions. In order to enjoy the lower trip rate, we encourage you to find a travel partner!
How to Apply
Based on the personal conversations we have been having about this adventure, it seems that this trip will fill up very quickly. Please fill out a trip application. We will prioritize applications based on the order in which they are received and the deposit is paid. After your application is reviewed and accepted, we will send you a link to pay a $1000 deposit, or pay in full, if you prefer. When the trip fills up, we will keep a waiting list for cancellations.
Refunds: We understand that life happens, and sometimes plans change last minute. At the same time, there are costs involved in arrangements and the need to replace a tour participant at the last minute. Refunds will be available on the following schedule: if a trip participant cancels before December 1, we will refund all but 20% of the deposit. If they cancel by Jan. 1, we will refund all but 50% of the deposit. If trip participants cancel after Jan. 1, the deposit will be forfeited, but any other fees paid will be fully refunded. In the highly unlikely event that Chinobay and David have to cancel the trip for any reason, all payments will be 100% refunded.
Along with the wildlife, the beauty of the people we will meet, the things we will learn, the music, the food, the art, the bustling cities, and the astounding Ugandan countryside, we will also come to know each other. More than a tourist trip, this will be a learning journey. Maybe even a pilgrimage.
If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to send a note.
We look forward to having a grand adventure with you!
— David LaMotte and Chinobay