Day 1: Depart for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

This morning, we will leave for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home to the few remaining mountain gorillas. Bird life and primate life in Bwindi is quite superb, and there is an incredible variety of flora. Once continuous with the forests of the Virunga Volcanoes (Dian Fossey’s stomping ground), Bwindi is now an ecological island, surrounded by cultivation on the rich volcanic soils.

Dinner and overnight at:

Silver Back Lodge / Ruhija Gorilla Lodge (Luxury)

Lake Kitandara Tented Camp / Engagi Lodge (Midrange)

Buhoma Community Bandas / Kisoro Tourist Hotel / Wagtail Eco Lodge (Budget)

Day 2: Gorilla Trekking

We head to the park headquarters for a briefing from the Uganda Wildlife Authority before setting off to the forest see the gorillas. The ranger guides will take you through the forest to track gorillas, which can take from half an hour to five hours. A reasonable degree of fitness is required as well as a sturdy pair of walking shoes. If you have the afternoon free, you will take a guided village walk to see how the Ugandans live.

Dinner and overnight at:

Silver Back Lodge / Ruhija Gorilla Lodge (Luxury)

Lake Kitandara Tented Camp / Engagi Lodge (Midrange)

Buhoma Community Bandas / Kisoro Tourist Hotel / Wagtail Eco Lodge (Budget)

Day 3: Enroute to Queen Elizabeth National Park

This morning, we depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park. Queen Elizabeth is Uganda’s most popular game reserve. It boasts one or the highest bio diversity ratings of any game park in the world, from the open savannah to rain forest, dense swamps and beautiful crater lakes to the vastness of Lake Edward. Almost 100 species are found here including hippos, lions, buffaloes, leopards, hyenas, chimps, colobus monkeys and baboons.

Dinner and overnight at:

Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury)

Katara Lodge (Midrange)

Ihamba Safari Lodge / Simba Safari Camp (Budget)

Day 4: Chimpanzee Tracking and Boat Cruise.

We venture into Queen Elizabeth Park to view antelopes, hyenas, lion and other animals on the savannah. Also, we enter the Kyambura Gorge to track chimpanzees. In the afternoon, we enjoy the unique 2-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel and into Lake Edward. This trip passes through a high concentration of hippos, buffalo, elephants, crocodile and water birds, for fantastic photo opportunities.

Dinner and overnight at:

Mweya Safari Lodge (Luxury)

Katara Lodge (Midrange)

Ihamba Safari Lodge / Simba Safari Camp (Budget)

Day 5: Return to Kampala

We will depart to Kampala, with lunch en route, arriving in the evening.