$5,579 pp (USD)
2 travelers on Start dateArrival
Arrival
Day 1
Arrival & Mabamba Swamp Experience
Arrival & Mabamba Swamp Experience
Upon arriving at Entebbe, you will be greeted by your guide and escorted to your vehicle for a short drive to the stunning Mabamba Swamp. Here, you will embark on a peaceful canoe ride through winding papyrus channels, surrounded by the rich sights and sounds of the wetland. Keep watch for the exclusive shoebill stork, along with kingfishers, herons, and other fascinating bird species. The gentle glide through the swamp offers a perfect introduction to Uganda’s natural beauty and wildlife. After the excursion, return to your lodge in Entebbe to relax, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the exciting journey ahead.
- Main Destination:
- Mabamba Swamp (Uganda)
- Accommodation:
- Airport Link Guest House
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Journey to Kibale Forest
Journey to Kibale Forest
After an early breakfast, depart Entebbe and begin your journey westward toward Kibale National Park. The drive is long but incredibly scenic, taking you through vibrant towns, roadside markets, and lush countryside that gradually unfolds into rolling hills and expansive tea plantations. Along the way, enjoy stopovers for refreshments, stretching, and photography, offering glimpses into everyday Ugandan life. As you continue, the landscape becomes greener and more forested, signaling your approach to Kibale, often referred to as the primate capital of East Africa. Upon arrival in the afternoon, check into your lodge nestled near the forest and take time to relax, enjoy the cool atmosphere, and prepare for the next day’s chimpanzee trekking experience.
- Main Destination:
- Kibale National Park (Chimps)
- Accommodation:
- Turaco Treetops Lodge
Wildlife in Kibale NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Walk
Chimpanzee Trekking & Bigodi Walk
After an early breakfast, report to the briefing point in Kibale National Park for an introduction to chimpanzee tracking. Led by experienced rangers, you will enter the forest and follow calls and fresh signs, walking beneath the dense canopy until you encounter a habituated group of chimpanzees. Watching them feed, groom, and interact in their natural habitat is both exciting and deeply fascinating. After the trek, return to your lodge for lunch and a short rest. In the afternoon, visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided community walk through this rich wetland ecosystem, home to a variety of birds, monkeys, and local cultural experiences, before returning to your lodge for relaxation and overnight.
- Main Destination:
- Kibale National Park (Chimps)
- Accommodation:
- Turaco Treetops Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
After breakfast, depart Kibale National Park and begin your scenic transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The journey takes you through beautiful countryside dotted with crater lakes, rolling hills, and views of the distant Rwenzori Mountains, often called the “Mountains of the Moon.” Along the way, enjoy stopovers for photos and to take in the ever-changing landscapes. As you approach the park, the terrain gradually opens into wide savannah plains, signaling the start of your classic wildlife safari experience. Upon arrival, check into your lodge and relax before heading out for an evening game drive, where you may spot elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and possibly lions as the sun sets over the horizon, creating a perfect introduction to the park.
- Main Destination:
- Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda)
- Accommodation:
- Aardvark Safari Lodge
Wildlife in Queen Elizabeth NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Game Drive viewing & Kyambura Gorge
Game Drive viewing & Kyambura Gorge
After an early breakfast, set out for a morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, when wildlife is most active. Traverse the open savannah in search of elephants, buffaloes, antelopes, and predators such as lions, all set against the golden morning light. Your guide will help track movements and share insights into the park’s rich ecosystem, making every sighting meaningful. After returning for lunch and a short rest, proceed to Kyambura Gorge, a hidden forest carved beneath the savannah. Here, embark on a guided trek into the lush valley in search of chimpanzees and other primates. The contrast between the open plains above and the dense forest below creates a unique and memorable experience before returning to your lodge for relaxation.
- Main Destination:
- Queen Elizabeth National Park (Uganda)
- Accommodation:
- Aardvark Safari Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Ishasha Sector – Tree-Climbing Lions
Ishasha Sector – Tree-Climbing Lions
Begin your day with a scenic drive to the remote Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, a quiet and less-traveled part of the park known for its unique wildlife encounters. Upon arrival, embark on a game drive through the open savannah and along riverine fig trees, where you’ll search for the famous tree-climbing lions, often seen resting lazily on branches, offering incredible photographic moments. Along the way, keep an eye out for elephants, buffaloes, topis, and a variety of birdlife that thrive in this peaceful wilderness. The atmosphere here feels raw and untouched, allowing you to truly connect with nature without crowds. After a rewarding exploration, settle in for a relaxed evening, surrounded by the sounds of the wild and the beauty of Ishasha’s untamed landscape.
- Main Destination:
- Ishasha Sector (Queen Elizabeth NP, Uganda)
- Accommodation:
- Ishasha Jungle Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Journey to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Journey to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
After breakfast, begin your journey from the savannah plains toward the misty highlands of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, one of Africa’s most iconic rainforest destinations. The drive is scenic and ever-changing, passing through rolling hills, local villages, and terraced farmlands that reflect the beauty of rural Uganda. As you ascend, the air becomes cooler and the landscape transforms into dense, green forest, signaling your arrival into gorilla territory. Along the way, enjoy brief stops for photos and to take in the breathtaking views. Upon arrival, check into your lodge near the forest, where you can relax and soak in the peaceful surroundings. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, preparing for the next day’s unforgettable gorilla trekking experience.
- Main Destination:
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)
- Accommodation:
- Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
Wildlife in Bwindi Impenetrable NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 8
Gorilla Trekking Experience
Gorilla Trekking Experience
After an early breakfast, report to the park headquarters in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for a detailed briefing before setting off into the dense forest. Guided by experienced rangers and trackers, you will hike through thick vegetation, following signs and calls that lead you closer to a habituated family of Mountain Gorillas. The trek can be challenging, moving through steep and sometimes muddy terrain, but every step builds anticipation. Once the gorillas are found, you will spend one magical hour observing them as they feed, groom, and interact in their natural habitat. The experience is calm, powerful, and deeply moving. Afterward, you will trek back to the starting point and return to your lodge for a well-deserved rest and reflection on this extraordinary encounter.
- Main Destination:
- Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)
- Accommodation:
- Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 9
A Cross over to Volcanoes National Park in (Rwanda)
A Cross over to Volcanoes National Park in (Rwanda)
After breakfast, depart Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and begin your scenic cross-border journey into Rwanda. The drive is both short and rewarding, passing through rolling hills, vibrant local communities, and beautifully terraced landscapes that give Rwanda its nickname, “the land of a thousand hills.” After completing border formalities, continue toward Volcanoes National Park, where the dramatic Virunga volcanoes rise in the distance, creating a breathtaking backdrop. Upon arrival, check into your lodge and take time to relax, enjoy the cool mountain air, and soak in the peaceful surroundings. The rest of the day is at leisure, allowing you to unwind and prepare for the next day’s golden monkey trekking experience.
- Main Destination:
- Volcanoes National Park (Gorillas)
- Accommodation:
- Tiloreza Volcanoes Ecolodge
Wildlife in Volcanoes NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 10
Golden Monkeys & Departure via Kigali
Golden Monkeys & Departure via Kigali
After an early breakfast, head to Volcanoes National Park for a briefing before setting off on a guided trek in search of the lively Golden Monkeys. Moving through the bamboo forest at the base of the Virunga volcanoes, you’ll encounter these playful primates as they leap between branches, feed, and interact in their natural habitat. Their energy and charm offer a light and joyful finale to your safari. After the trek, return to the lodge to freshen up before beginning your drive to Kigali. Depending on your schedule, you may enjoy a brief city tour or lunch before being transferred to the airport for your departure, marking the end of a truly memorable East African adventure.
- Main Destination:
- Kigali International Airport (Kigali, Rwanda)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
