$2,702 pp (USD)
2 travelers on Start dateArrival
Arrival
Day 1
Kampala to Lake Mburo National Park via Ankole Cattle Farm
Kampala to Lake Mburo National Park via Ankole Cattle Farm
Depart Kampala after breakfast and journey southwest through Uganda's beautiful countryside. Stop at the Equator monument for photos and fascinating experiments demonstrating the Coriolis effect. Continue to a traditional Ankole cattle farm lodge where you'll have an immersive experience with the majestic long-horned Ankole cattle. Join local herdsmen in their daily routines—participate in grazing activities, learn traditional herding songs, and witness the milking process. These sacred cattle, with horns spanning up to 8 feet, are central to Banyankole culture and symbolize wealth and prestige. After lunch at the farm, continue to Lake Mburo National Park for an afternoon boat cruise spotting hippos, crocodiles, and abundant waterbirds, including the rare African finfoot. Evening game drive to search for zebras, impalas, elands, and buffaloes.
- Main Destination:
- Lake Mburo National Park
- Accommodation:
- Rwakobo Rock Lodge
Wildlife in Lake Mburo NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Morning Game Drive and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Morning Game Drive and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Begin with an early morning game drive or guided nature walk through Lake Mburo's acacia woodlands and savannah, offering close encounters with zebras, giraffes (recently reintroduced), and various antelope species. The park is also home to over 350 bird species, making it a birder's paradise. After lunch, depart for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, passing through the scenic Kigezi Highlands known as the "Switzerland of Africa" with its terraced hillsides and winding mountain roads. Arrive at your lodge nestled on the edge of the ancient forest.
- Main Destination:
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)
- Accommodation:
- Bweza Gorilla Lodge
Wildlife in Bwindi Impenetrable NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Mountain Gorilla Trekking and Ride 4 a Woman Cultural Experience
Mountain Gorilla Trekking and Ride 4 a Woman Cultural Experience
Trek through dense vegetation, steep valleys, and tangled vines. The forest is home to nearly half the world's remaining 1,000 mountain gorillas. Once located, spend a magical hour observing these gentle giants as they feed, play, and interact, an experience that changes lives. The trek can take 2-8 hours, depending on the gorilla location. After lunch and some rest, visit Ride 4 a Woman, an inspiring community-based organization empowering local women in Buhoma. Participate in hands-on cultural activities, including traditional basket weaving, cooking authentic Ugandan dishes, and learning traditional crafts. Enjoy performances of local dances and interact with the women artisans who share their stories and skills. This meaningful visit directly supports women facing economic challenges and provides insight into daily life in the Bwindi community.
- Main Destination:
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)
- Accommodation:
- Bweza Gorilla Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Batwa Cultural Experience and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Batwa Cultural Experience and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, participate in a meaningful cultural encounter with the Batwa pygmies, the forest's original inhabitants who lived as hunter-gatherers for millennia before conservation efforts relocated them. Learn about their traditional forest life, medicinal plants, hunting techniques, and enjoy their vibrant music and dance performances. This visit directly supports Batwa communities. Afterward, journey north through the scenic Ishasha sector toward Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda's most visited wildlife reserve. Pass through diverse landscapes with possible wildlife sightings en route. Arrive at your lodge in time for evening relaxation.
- Main Destination:
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Accommodation:
- Elephant Hab Lodge
Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Game Drive and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
Start the day with an early-morning game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park, exploring diverse ecosystems from open savannah to dense papyrus swamps and shady forests. Search for tree-climbing lions in the Ishasha sector (if staying south) or explore the Kasenyi plains for elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, and leopards. The park hosts over 95 mammal species and is renowned for its biodiversity. After lunch, embark on the famous Kazinga Channel boat cruise, a highlight of any visit to Queen Elizabeth. This natural channel connecting Lake Edward and Lake George teems with wildlife, with hippos yawning just meters away, enormous Nile crocodiles basking on the banks, elephants and buffaloes drinking at the water's edge, and an incredible array of waterbirds, including African skimmers, pelicans, and kingfishers. The channel has one of the highest concentrations of hippos in Africa.
- Main Destination:
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Accommodation:
- Elephant Hab Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
Transfer to Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, journey north to Kibale Forest National Park, renowned as the primate capital of the world. The scenic drive takes you through traditional villages, tea plantations, and the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains. Arrive at your lodge in time for lunch and afternoon relaxation. Optional late afternoon visit to a nearby cultural community or simply enjoy the forest ambiance from your lodge as the sounds of the jungle come alive.
- Main Destination:
- Kibale National Park (Chimps)
- Accommodation:
- Turaco Treetops Lodge
Wildlife in Kibale NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Chimpanzee Trekking and Return to Kampala/Entebbe
Chimpanzee Trekking and Return to Kampala/Entebbe
Early morning chimpanzee trekking in Kibale Forest, home to over 1,500 chimpanzees and 13 other primate species. Trek through the lush tropical rainforest listening for the distinctive pant-hoots of chimps before observing these intelligent creatures swinging through the canopy, grooming each other, and foraging for food. Kibale boasts the highest primate density in Africa, and you may also encounter red colobus monkeys, L'Hoest's monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabeys. After this unforgettable primate encounter and lunch, begin your journey back to Kampala or Entebbe, traveling through Fort Portal and scenic tea estates. Arrive in Kampala in the late afternoon for hotel drop-off or continue to Entebbe International Airport for evening departures.
- Main Destination:
- Entebbe International Airport (Entebbe)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
