Day 1: Arrive Kampala, Uganda
Upon arriving at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our safari guide. After a quick briefing, you’ll transfer to your hotel in Kampala, approximately an hour away. If you arrive before midday, you can enjoy a half-day city tour of Kampala. This tour offers a fascinating look into Uganda’s culture and history, starting with landmarks like the Independence Monument, Mutesa II Monument, World War II Monument, and the Parliamentary Building. You’ll also visit the Uganda National Cultural Centre, established in 1959, and Nakasero Market, a vibrant spot founded in 1895 with sights of Hindu temples.
The tour continues along the Buganda Kingdom Trail, where you’ll explore Kabaka’s Palace, Buganda Clan symbols, Nantawetwa Monument, and Bulange Building. At Gadhafi National Mosque, you’ll enjoy a breathtaking 360-degree view of Kampala’s iconic seven hills. Next, visit the Kasubi Tombs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and spiritual centre for the Baganda people. Drive through Makerere University, Uganda’s oldest university (established in 1922) and one of the oldest in Africa, before concluding the tour at the serene Baha’i Temple (closed on Mondays). After the tour, return to your hotel to relax and recharge for the adventures ahead.
MEALS: Nil
OVERNIGHT: Gazelle Guest House or similar
Day 2: Kampala ~ Kibale National Park
After an early breakfast, you’ll be picked up at 6:30 AM to begin your journey to Kibale National Park, which takes approximately six hours. On arrival, enjoy a traditional lunch at Tinka’s Homestead, a perfect introduction to the local culture and cuisine.
After lunch, embark on the Bigodi Community Tour, where you’ll experience the vibrant traditions of the area. Activities include a hands-on coffee experience, tasting banana beer and local vodka, admiring local arts and crafts, and enjoying cultural songs and dances. You’ll also learn about the uses of various herbs during this insightful visit.
After the tour, head to your lodge to relax and enjoy the serene surroundings at your leisure.
MEALS: Breakfast, Dinner
OVERNIGHT: Turaco Treetops or similar
Day 3: Kibale National Park
Start your day with breakfast at the lodge before heading to the park for a briefing at 7:00 AM. The Chimpanzee Tracking Experience in Kibale Forest begins with an 8:00 AM briefing, followed by a trek to locate these incredible primates in their natural habitat. The popular Kanyanchu Primate Walk offers excellent chances of encountering habituated chimpanzee groups, with success rates as high as 95%. The trek lasts 1–2 hours once the chimps are spotted, offering an unforgettable opportunity to observe their behaviour up close. Kibale Forest is also home to an incredible diversity of wildlife, including over 120 mammals, multiple monkey species, and 370 bird species. Wear sturdy hiking boots, trousers, gloves, and carry plenty of water, as the rainforest can get hot and humid. Return to the lodge for lunch after the trek.
In the afternoon, embark on the Top of the World Hike, starting at Lake Nyabikere Crater. Learn about the formation of these crater lakes and the local legends surrounding them. The hike takes you through lush gardens, banana and coffee plantations, and offers stunning views of crater lakes, Fort Portal, Kibale Forest, and the Rwenzori Mountains. After the hike, relax back at the lodge.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
OVERNIGHT: Turaco Treetops or similar
Day 4: Kibale National Park ~ Kichwamba
Start your day with breakfast at the lodge before checking out at 8:00 AM. Begin your 2–3 hour journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park, arriving in time for lunch at Mweya Safari Lodge.
After lunch, enjoy a relaxing boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, a highlight of the day. During the cruise, spot a variety of bird species such as African fish eagles, flamingos, pelicans, and pied kingfishers, as well as animals like hippos, crocodiles, buffalo, and warthogs as they gather by the water to cool off.
Following the cruise, embark on a dusk game drive through the park. This is a great opportunity to spot nocturnal animals and other wildlife, including elephants, waterbucks, impalas, Kobs, and more. Return to the lodge in the evening to freshen up and enjoy dinner at your leisure.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
OVERNIGHT: Twin Lakes Safari Lodge or similar
Day 5: Kichwamba ~ Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Start your day early with breakfast before a 6:30 AM pickup to explore the highlights of Queen Elizabeth National Park, a stunning area established in 1952 and renamed after Queen Elizabeth II’s visit. The park is famous for its open savannah grasslands, rolling hills, crater lakes, and dramatic scenery, including Kyambura Gorge and views of the Rwenzori Mountains. It is home to over 95 mammal species, including lions, leopards, elephants, and chimps, as well as more than 600 bird species.
Begin your morning with a dawn game drive, where you can spot elephants, buffalo, hippos, antelopes, Kobs, warthogs, and a variety of bird species. Enjoy the scenic views of the park’s crater lakes, such as Nyamunuka, known as the “animal clinic,” and Munyanyange, a bird haven. Visit Lake Katwe to meet locals and learn about traditional salt mining, a unique activity at this saline crater lake, which supports no aquatic life but is vital for salt extraction and black clay used for treating skin ailments.
After the game drive, continue your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, with a lunch stop at a local restaurant. Arrive in the late afternoon, check in at the lodge, and enjoy dinner before a restful evening.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
OVERNIGHT: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge or similar
Day 6: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park – Gorilla Tracking Experience
Start your day with an early breakfast before picking up your packed lunch and mineral water to take with you. At 6:30 AM, head to the park office to complete the formalities for your Bwindi Gorilla Tracking experience.
This once-in-a-lifetime adventure takes you deep into the forest to track the endangered mountain gorillas. When you find the gorillas, you’ll spend 1–2 hours observing and photographing these gentle giants, including the magnificent silverback. This encounter is truly breathtaking, offering an up-close experience with one of the world’s most rare and majestic animals. With fewer than 700 mountain gorillas left, this opportunity to observe them in their natural habitat is unforgettable.
The trek can be physically demanding, lasting up to an hour or more at a relatively high altitude, so come prepared with proper hiking shoes, long sleeves, trousers, gloves, insect repellent, and plenty of water. Your ranger guide will ensure your safety throughout the experience and will choose a safe spot
for a picnic lunch. Afterward, you’ll either continue trekking or return to the lodge, depending on the situation.
Once back at the lodge, relax and enjoy some free time before dinner.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
OVERNIGHT: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge or similar
Day 7: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park ~ Lake Mburo National Park
After breakfast at the lodge, check out at 8:00 AM and begin your six-hour journey to Lake Mburo National Park. Enjoy lunch at a restaurant along the way before arriving at the park, where your adventure begins with a walking safari.
Lake Mburo National Park is unique as it is considered one of Uganda’s safest parks, with leopards being the only wild cats occasionally spotted, and they are generally shy of humans. Accompanied by a ranger guide, your walk starts from Rwonyo and leads to the salt licks, a popular spot for grazers like impalas, zebras, elands, buffaloes, Uganda kob, and the recently introduced giraffes. Along the way, you might also spot hippos returning from the lake to graze or hyenas heading back to their dens.
If time allows, visit an Ankole cattle farm to participate in traditional farm activities and learn about the significance of this unique breed in the region. Afterward, head to your lodge to relax and enjoy dinner.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
OVERNIGHT: Rwakobo Rock or similar
Day 8: Depart Lake Mburo National Park
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the lodge before checking out by 10:00 AM. Depending on your flight schedule, depart Lake Mburo National Park for Entebbe Airport. Along the way, stop at the Equator for lunch and a chance to take photos at this iconic landmark.
After your break, continue to Entebbe Airport, where you’ll check in for your departure flight. This marks the end of your memorable journey through Uganda.
NOTE: Ensure flights are booked for late afternoon early evening
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch
