Day 1 - Arrive Entebbe

After disembarking from your flight at Entebbe International Airport and clearing customs and immigration you will be met by our representative who will transfer you to the Boma Hotel – a short drive away.

The Boma is an updated colonial era guesthouse located in the leafy suburbs of the lakeshore town of Entebbe. The hotel is within easy access of the airport as well as Entebbe's famous Botanical gardens. The tropical gardens within the hotel grounds are beautiful and there are many hidden alcoves and shaded spots where you can enjoy the diverse birdlife.

The welcoming team will check you in and get you settled for the night in preparation for your Uganda adventure the next day.

Overnight: Boma Guest House

Day 2 - Entebbe - Kibale National Park

After breakfast you will drive to Kibale National Park (which is approximately five hours away). You will arrive at Primate Lodge in time for lunch and then head out on your chimpanzee trek in the afternoon.

Kibale, 766  square kilometres is one of Uganda’s enchanting forested parks. Here, you can hike in the park for hours observing the drama of life in a rainforest. The park contains pristine lowland tropical rain forest, montane forest, and mixed tropical deciduous forest. In addition to forest, you will also notice areas of grassland and of swamp. The forest is rich in wildlife. It is most noted for its primate population. Some of these are red-tailed monkey, diademed monkey olive baboon, chimpanzee, as well as black and white colobus.  Some of the other mammals you might see are bushbuck, Harvey’s red duiker, blue duiker, bush pig and African civet. More difficult to spot are buffalo, waterbuck, hippo, warthog and giant forest hog. Herds of elephant once travelled back and forth through the area. These elephants have become more and more rare and are now seldom seen. The birdlife in the forest and grasslands of the forest is abundant. There are almost 300 species, which have been identified here. There are 144 species of butterfly in the park and a diverse population of moths and other insects. A system of trails has been developed within the park and tour guides are available to guide visitors.

Chimpanzee tacking is one of the most fascinating experiences to have in Uganda. Next to the gorillas, these primates are the top attraction for guests. Uganda has a population of close to 5,000 chimpanzees distributed in various forests and game parks. Habituated chimpanzees are accustomed to human presence and will not run off when they see you approach but will stay put while you watch them and take pictures, from a distance of course. Once you find the chimpanzee family you will have an hour to watch them play, groom and eat or perhaps swing their way through the trees.

Once you have finished your track you will walk back to your lodge for the night. The lodges 16 rooms are beautifully decorated in colorful Ugandan prints with spacious dining terraces and secluded lounge areas. You do not have to stray too far to witness Kibale Forest's extensive wildlife, as hornbills and red-tailed monkeys swing amongst the trees.

Overnight: Primate Lodge

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 3 - Kibale - Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast you will drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park which will take you about four hours. You will reach Mweya Safari Lodge in time for lunch which can be taken on the terrace so you can enjoy the stunning views out over the Kazinga Channel. After lunch jump back in your vehicle for an afternoon game drive.

Queen Elizabeth National Park spreads over an area of 1978 square kilometres in the western arm of the Great East Rift Valley. It is home to a variety of wildlife including elephants, lions, hippos, buffalos, Uganda kob, baboons and birds, all typical of riverine and savannah habitats. The northern part of the park is traversed by the equator and is dominated by crater lakes and open savannah plains.

Overnight: Mweya Safari Lodge

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 4 - Full day at Queen Elizabeth National Park

You are woken up early this morning with a tea or coffee before you depart for an early morning game drive – look out for elephants, buffalo and the unique Ugandan Kob whilst you are out. You will return to the lodge during the mid-morning and you will have time to relax and enjoy the facilities – a dip in the pool is always a welcome reprieve from the heat of the day.

After lunch there is time for a quick siesta if you wish or a chance to catch up on your book or dairy. Then you head back out on your afternoon game drive before returning to the lodge for dinner.

There is also the option to take a sundowner cruise on the Kazinga Channel which gives you a different perspective on the wildlife that calls this beautiful part of the world home.

The Kazinga channel is a wide, 32-kilometer long natural channel connecting two lakes; Lake Gorge and Lake Edward. The shores of this channel draw many wild animals, reptiles and birds throughout the year. It has one of the largest populations of hippos in the world and plenty of Nile crocodiles. Kazinga cruise is operated for two hours and is extremely rewarding for both birdwatchers and game viewers alike.

Overnight: Mweya Safari Lodge

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 5 - Queen Elizabeth National Park - Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

After an early breakfast you will do a game drive down the length of the Queen Elizabeth National Park giving you the opportunity to experience its range of diverse habitats. You will have a picnic lunch which you will stop to eat along the way. Once you exit through the southern gate of the national park you will drive up into the mountains of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. This is an exciting and every changing trip that gives you a glimpse into Uganda’s totally diverse and unique landscape.

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park is located in south-western Uganda, covering parts of Rukungiri, Kisoro and Kabale Districts. It is situated in a hilly countryside which, together with some remnant lowland forest outside the boundary, constitutes an important water catchment area for many rivers, supplying the agricultural land of the surrounding region. This is the richest forest in Uganda, in terms of the number of plant species, as the area is one of the few large expanses of forest in East Africa where lowland and montane eco-systems merge. The bottom of the valley contain a dense ground cover of herbs, vines, and shrubs with only a few trees hence its name, the impenetrable forest. This is one of the richest faunal communities in East Africa. About one half of the world’s population of the endangered mountain gorillas are found here. There are also several endangered species of birds with limited ranges. 

Overnight: Engagi Lodge

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 6 - Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

It's an early start today to make your way down to the headquarters for your gorilla tracking adventure.

The gorillas you will track belong to one of the 'habituated' family groups in Northern Bwindi. For several years each group has undergone an extremely delicate process that has gradually made them used to the presence of humans. Experienced guides will accompany the tracking, many of whom have been involved in the habituation process themselves. Once the gorillas are located, the group will be allowed a maximum of one hour with them. A look into the deep and expressive brown eyes of these giants is surely one of the most unforgettable wildlife encounters that Africa has to offer. 

In the afternoon you may have the time to head out on a community walk which will give you real feel for the singular nature of this place. Walk through tea plantations, have a go at brewing local banana beer, visit the local hospital and speak to the traditional medicine man and then cap it all off with a dance performance by the Batwa pygmies. On the way you could also experience some of the AK Philanthropy Projects which includes the Bwindi Community Hospital & Nursing School, the Ebenezer Primary School and the Women’s Bicycle Enterprise.

Overnight: Engagi Lodge

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 7 - Bwindi - Lake Mburo National Park

Today to will bid farewell to the forests and drive down the mountains back to the open plains of Lake Mburo National Park. You will reach Mantana Camp in time for lunch then there will be time to relax and take in the scenery before exploring the park on a nature walk.

Lake Mburo is Uganda’s smallest national park, located in the western part of the country. It is an ideal location for guided nature walks due to the lack of major predators in the area. Walks typically take about two hours with the main highlight being the salt lick where wildlife come to visit due to the salty nature of the rocks. During this walk, one can expect to see zebras, impalas, eland, crocodile, hippo and many more animals. This activity is a must if you would like to detach from technology and connect with nature.

Overnight: Mantana Camp

Meal Plan: B,L,D

Day 8 - Lake Mburo - Entebbe - Depart

Today you will bid farewell to Uganda – after breakfast you will drive to Entebbe International Airport where you will check in for your international flight home. .

Meal Plan: B