8-Day Uganda Gorilla and Wildlife Safari with Kibale and Bwindi

You will meet a representative at Entebbe International Airport, who will warmly welcome you and guide you through all arrival formalities and the next steps. You will then be transferred to your hotel.

Depending on your time of arrival, you are advised to change your money before setting off for the countryside, and we will assist you with this. You may choose to enjoy optional activities around Entebbe, such as a visit to the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre at an extra fee of $15 per person, a visit to the Botanical Gardens of Entebbe, or simply relax at your hotel.

Main Destination: Entebbe International Airport (Entebbe)

Accommodation: Papyrus Guest House or mid-range guest house located in or near Entebbe.

You will have an early morning pick-up from your hotel and drive to Fort Portal, passing through traditional communities and farms. Fort Portal rests in the shadow of the fabled Mountains of the Moon and enjoys a cooler climate, which makes it ideal for farming. The drive takes approximately 5 hours.

You will arrive at the lodge just in time for a late lunch. You will have the afternoon free to relax, or you can explore the local tea plantations or take a community walk.

Main Destination: Kibale Forest National Park (Chimps)

Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp (Safari Tent) - Mid-range tented camp located just outside Kibale NP

Meals & Drinks: All meals included

After breakfast at the lodge, you will drive to the starting point of your chimpanzee tracking experience in Kibale Forest National Park. This park is known to have the greatest variety and highest concentration of primates in East Africa. The most famous among its 13 species is the chimpanzee, man's closest relative. Kibale NP has over 1,450 chimpanzees, representing Uganda's largest population of these endangered primates. Other primates include the black-and-white colobus, blue monkey, grey-cheeked mangabey, red-tailed monkey, olive baboon, among others.

After lunch, you will go for a nature walk at Bigodi Swamp. A local development organization established Bigodi to protect the 4 sq km Magombe Swamp, which is home to around 200 species of birds. Highlights include the papyrus gonolek, white-winged warbler, and great blue turaco. It's a great way to explore the unique nature of the area.

Main Destination: Kibale National Park (Chimps)

Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp (Safari Tent)

Meals & Drinks: All meals included

After breakfast, proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park, following the mystical Rwenzori Mountain Ranges. As you go through the park, you will have a game drive on your way there, and you might spot animals like elephants, buffaloes, bushbucks, Uganda kobs, antelopes, warthogs, birds, among others.

You will have lunch in the afternoon, after which you will enjoy a 2-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, a 42 km channel joining Lake Edward and Lake George. This trip passes through possibly the highest concentration of hippos. It offers an exciting opportunity for photography, birdwatching, and game viewing. The plentiful birdlife is colourful and extremely impressive, with over 500 bird species. You will also have the opportunity to spot many crocodiles and hippos and, if you are lucky, there might also be elephants waiting for you to see.

Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Accommodation: The Bush Lodge (Banda) - Mid-range lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP

You will have an early morning game drive where you will have the chance to view the massive Rwenzori as the backdrop. Queen Elizabeth National Park's diverse ecosystem of grassy plains, tropical forest, rivers, swamps, lakes, and volcanic craters is home to an incredible abundance of wildlife. You will have excellent opportunities to spot lions, leopards, giant forest hog, Cape buffalo, elephants, waterbuck, Uganda kob, topi, and bushbuck. It would be even more exciting if you have your camera ready for these amazing sightings.

After lunch, you will enjoy an afternoon scenic drive along the crater. Marvel through the thickets as you view the beautiful topography dominated by birds and wildlife, or you may choose to relax at the lodge.

Main Destination: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Accommodation: The Bush Lodge (Banda) - Mid-range lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP

Meals & Drinks: All meals included

After breakfast, you will depart for Bwindi Impenetrable National Park with a stopover to view the famous tree-climbing lions and other mammals in the Ishasha Sector, the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park. This area is known for its great wildlife opportunities, and the chances of seeing animals are relatively high.

You will have lunch in Ishasha and later take a drive through the Kigezi Highlands, with their terraced hillsides and winding roads. You will arrive at the lodge in Bwindi late in the afternoon, with time to relax.

Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)

Accommodation: Gorilla Valley Lodge (Mid-range lodge bordering Bwindi NP)

Meals & Drinks: All meals included

After an early morning breakfast, you will depart to the starting point for a briefing about your gorilla trekking adventure. Thereafter, you will be led by experienced gorilla trackers on the slopes of the volcanoes. Although the hike can be physically demanding, the anticipation of the exciting experience ahead is amazing. The beauty of the gorilla forest and its inhabitants is quite fascinating. One of Africa's major highlights is when you encounter these gentle apes. It is a humbling experience to stand just metres from man's distant relatives as they eat, rest, play, and bond with their young ones.

Importantly, please carry your rain gear, packed lunch, plenty of water, gloves, hat, and a waterproof bag to protect your camera, phones, and any other gadgets in case of rain.

Main Destination: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)

Accommodation: Gorilla Valley Lodge (Mid-range lodge bordering Bwindi NP)

Meals & Drinks: All meals included

After an early morning breakfast, you will be driven back to Entebbe to catch your late-night flight to your onward destination. You will have a lunch stop on the way at the equator, where you will have an opportunity to stand in 2 hemispheres simultaneously. It's also a great stop to buy unique souvenirs.

Main Destination: Entebbe (City)

Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)

Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.

You will be dropped off at the airport.