Day 1 - Arrive in Entebbe

On arrival at Entebbe International Airport you will disembark and clear customs and immigration. Once you have collected your baggage you will be met by our representative and transferred to Hotel No 5 – mere minutes away from the airport.

Huddled within the verdant suburbs of energetic Entebbe, Hotel No. 5 enhances these charming surroundings with its own style and comfort. The hotel has been completely cocooned by a well-maintained garden, which can be enjoyed from one’s private terrace or balcony, available in all rooms and apartments. The gardens are so lush that several indigenous birds have made themselves at home amongst the trees – including African Grey Parrots. A swimming pool, spa and gym help guests to sink deeper into the hotel’s atmosphere of complete relaxation. Hotel No. 5 also offers a creative menu which has been extremely well-reviewed, and from the terrace a lovely sunset view can be admired whilst sipping on cocktails. With its great location – only 10 minutes from Entebbe International Airport and very close to the city’s best attractions – and exceptionally accommodating staff, Hotel No. 5 is a must for those visiting Entebbe.

Overnight: Hotel No. 5

Meal Plan:

Day 2 - Fly to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

After an early breakfast you will fly to the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. On arrival you will be met by a driver and transferred to Clouds Lodge in time for lunch.

Perched 2,000 metres above sea level on a ridge beside Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge quite literally sits amongst the clouds. This height lends itself to incredible views stretching across the Virunga Volcano range of Rwanda and into the Congo. The lodge oozes elegance; high-beamed ceilings and enormous windows fill the volcanic stone buildings with natural light, whilst double-sided fireplaces and large, cream sofas invite guests to sink into its warm atmosphere. Each of the 8 cottages have been individually styled and showcase work from a renowned Ugandan artist. A personal maid and butler are assigned to each cottage, and this high level of service defines one’s stay at Clouds, where hand massages are received upon arrival. The lodge was established as a partnership between the Africa Wild Foundation, International Gorilla Conservation Programme, and the Nkuringo community and, since its opening in 2008, has benefitted over 30,000 local people. Whilst a fantastic base for visiting the 6 gorilla families nearby, Clouds is an experience in itself.

Once you have had some time to relax you can head out on an afternoon community tour – this includes a tour of the village and meeting members of the community including a visit to a traditional homestead to encounter local women who do craft work, a local healer, a community school and a blacksmith.

Overnight: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 3 - Gorilla Habituation Trek

Today you will take part in a Gorilla Habituation Trek – an in credible, and highly exclusive, experience. During this trek you will assist the gorilla researchers train wild gorillas to become used to the sight of people. It involves different groups of people like the trackers, conservationists, researchers and rangers among others and the process of habituating a gorilla family takes on average two to three years.. This is an exciting learning experience that has just recently been opened up to visitors on a small scale. Unlike Gorilla trekking that limits one’s interaction with the gorillas to only an hour, Gorilla Habituation allows a you to spend four hours in the company of the gorillas. You are also accompanying researchers on the trek which means you will have the chance to talk and learn from people who are highly knowledgeable about the gorillas.

You will arrive back at the lodge in the late afternoon where you can enjoy a lovely hot bath and a delicious meal.

Overnight: Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 4 - The Ivy Trail

It is time for another big adventure in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest - today you will walk the Ivy Trail which will take you from the southern reaches of the forest through to the north. - The walk takes three to four hours and along the way you will see monkeys, bush pigs, butterflies, birds and the local people.

Once you arrive in the northern part of the forest you will check into Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp in time for lunch.

In the afternoon you can visit the Bwindi Nursing School and The Bwindi Women Bicycle Enterprise – both of which are projects supported by AK Philanthropy. A perpetual shortage of nurses has had a serious effect on the impact of the Bwindi Community Hospital, a facility that literally began under a tree a decade ago and, with the help of AKP and the Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, has grown to a 112-bed facility providing health care for 40,000 patients annually. The dedicated staff also sends outreach teams to surrounding villages to ensure all people have access to health care and health education. After a tour of the children’s ward and maternity wing, meet the local nursing school’s students and explore their learning lab, gaining insights into their training and inspiring personal goals.

The Bwindi Women Bicycle Enterprise employs six local women living in communities around Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Used, donated bikes were collected and shipped from the United States, and, upon its arrival, the shipping container itself was converted into the bike shop. The selected women have gone through an extensive training program to teach them business skills and how to be bike mechanics. Experience the shop at work and learn how these inspiring entrepreneurs have partnered with AKP to repair and resell second-hand bicycles as a means to support their families, broaden the community’s mobility, and sustain a host of community outreach programs. You then have the option to grab a bike and ride out to explore the village with a guide.

Overnight: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 5 - Batwa Experience

Today you will take part in the full day Batwa Experience. This experience was created by the displaced Batwa pygmies to educate their children and to share their amazing heritage and traditions with the world. You will enjoy an incredible day’s hike in the rain forest with Batwa guides, see how the Batwa lived and hunted, learn about medicinal plants, and watch for animals and birds. They will share a traditional meal with the Batwa, hear ancient legends and traditional songs, and join in on a mock hunting party.

Overnight: Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 6 - Fly to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast you will drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The transition from the mountain forests to the open savannah plains is a fascinating sight to behold.

You will arrive at Ishasha Wilderness Camp in time for lunch and, if you wish, an afternoon siesta.

Ishasha Wilderness Camp sits tucked away on the shores of the Ntungwe River in Queen Elizabeth National Park. The lodge is ideal for those looking to enjoy the classic safari experience; ten glamping tents, surrounded by the bush, look over the river, which plays host to a wealth of birds and butterflies, and occasionally even water buffalo and hippo. Whilst the tents are designed for their guests’ optimum comfort, the lodge also strives to minimise its impact on the environment; the rooms run on solar energy and use hot ‘bush’ showers and eco-friendly flushing toilets. The communal restaurant and lounge encapsulate a chic Ugandan style, decorated with local art. However – true to its wild heart – meals are often served al fresco by the river, and guests can enjoy sundowners around the outdoor fireplace. Take a step further into the wilderness with a game drive and “bush breakfast”, trek through Kyambura Gorge in search of chimpanzees, or engage with the local community on a village tour.

In the afternoon jump in your 4x4 for a game drive out on the open plains.

Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of Uganda's most popular game conservancies; within its 2 000 square kilometers it harnesses savannah, fertile forest, lakes and wetlands which means it offers refuge to a huge diversity of game. The endless Ishasha plains are hunting grounds for lion. The Kasinga Channel is thought to home the planet's largest concentration of hippo, the wetlands and forests 600 species of bird including the pouting shoebill which stands 4 foot tall. Rare sitatunga antelope live here and so does the Uganda Kob, with his graceful rearward leaning horns. The Kyambura Gorge to the north east of the park, with its thick tree top canopy strung with vines, and the Maramagambo Forest, south of the Kasinga Channel are both chimp country.

Overnight: Ishasha Wilderness Camp

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 7 - A cultural and cooking tour

Today you will have a taste of the local life in Uganda. First you will visit Deo’s farm – you will be taken around the farm and homestead by Deo himself and he will show you how he grows the various staple crops for his family. Then you will visit Agartha’s house where you will be shown how they take millet, grind it down and turn it into porridge and bread. Get involved in the cooking and at the end try out your creations.

This is a lovely way to experience the day in the life of a local Ugandan who lives on the edge of the national park.

Overnight: Ishasha Wilderness Camp

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 8 - Coffee Farm and Gallery Visit in Northern QENP

After breakfast you will catch your private charter flight to Northern Queen Elizabeth National Park. On arrival you will be transferred to a local Coffee Farm where you will see the transformation of coffee beans into delicious Ugandan coffee – all done by hand, by local community members and you will even get to sample the finished product for yourself. At the end of the tour you have the opportunity to purchase some of the coffee, which makes a great souvenir and supports the local community.

From here you will visit the Rwenzori Sculpture Foundry & Gallery which was set up by Damien Hirst.. Sculptures by rising Ugandan artists sit alongside works by leading European sculptors, the result of collaborations and artist residencies. All works are inspired by the people, culture, wildlife and landscape of Uganda, and make the perfect memento to mark an unforgettable journey.

From here you will drive to Kyambura Gorge Lodge – your home for the next two nights. Once an old coffee store, and recently upgraded and renovated, Kyambura Gorge Lodge sits on the edge of Queen Elizabeth National Park. The location means that each of the 8 bandas – each named after one of the Kyambura Gorge chimpanzees - overlook either rolling savannah or the dramatic gorge. The enormous rooms - 4 of which are deluxe – are beautifully and individually designed to reflect local influence whilst maintaining a stunning, contemporary design. To further enhance a visitor’s experience, each guest is offered a personal butler (available 24 hours a day) and complimentary massage. A wealth of activities is available in the area, including chimpanzee trekking, game drives and boat cruises along the Kazinga Channel.

Overnight: Kyambura Gorge Lodge

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 9 - Chimpanzee Trekking

Your second day in Northern Queen Elizabeth will be spent Chimpanzee Trekking. During the trek you must cross the river using natural bridges in order to keep up with the chimps, so although the walk usually lasts only two – three hours, descending the steep gorge and crossing the log bridges over the river requires some agility and fitness. Once you reach the chimp family you will have an hour with them to watch them groom, eat, play and sometimes squabble! This is a fantastic experience and it is fascinating to observe the differences between them and the larger gorillas.

In the late afternoon you can take a boat cruise down the Kazinga Channel. This is a 32-kilometer long channel, rich in wildlife, that links Lakes Edward and George. Boat trips down the channel depart from Mweya Safari Lodge (about an hour’s drive through the park from Kyambura Gorge Lodge) and last three - four hours. The boat cruise provides a wonderful opportunity to photograph the many animals that come to cool off at the waters’ edge, which can include; lion, buffalo, hippo, elephant, and leopard.

Overnight: Kyambura Gorge Lodge

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 10 - Fly to Entebbe - depart

Today you will bid a fond farewell to this wonderful country. After a leisurely breakfast you will catch your flight to Entebbe where you will have a day room at a near by hotel where you can relax, have lunch and freshen up before your flight home in the evening.

Overnight:

Meal Plan: B