Trip Highlights

• Day 1. Arrival in Entebbe – Shoebill Excursion at Mabamba Swamp
• Day 2. Transfer to Kibale National Park – Bigodi Wetland Walk
• Day 3. Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale & Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Day 4. Game drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
• Day 5. Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest & Buhoma Pangolin Rescue Sanctuary
• Day 6. Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi
• Day 7. Batwa Cultural Experience & Transfer to Mgahinga National Park
• Day 8. Golden Monkey Trekking & Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi
• Day 9. Relaxation at Lake Bunyonyi
• Day 10. Departure

 

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe – Shoebill Excursion at Mabamba Swamp

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by Hillary Uganda Trips Guide and transferred to your lodge for check-in and a brief rest. After settling in, the adventure begins with an afternoon boat excursion to Mabamba Swamp, one of the best places in Africa to spot the rare and prehistoric-looking shoebill stork. As the canoe glides through the dense papyrus channels, you will also have the opportunity to see a variety of wetland bird species, including kingfishers, herons, and jacanas. This first excursion takes 3-4 hours and provides a fantastic start to your photographic journey, allowing you to capture one of Africa’s most sought-after birds in its natural habitat. After the tour, you will return to Entebbe for an evening at leisure, enjoying a well-prepared dinner at your lodge.

Accommodation: 2 Friends Beach Hotel (Lodge in Entebbe)
Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Transfer to Kibale National Park – Bigodi Wetland Walk

After an early breakfast, you will embark on a scenic journey towards Kibale National Park, often referred to as the Primate Capital of the World due to its incredible diversity of primates. The drive takes you through lush countryside, rolling tea plantations, and beautiful crater lakes, offering numerous opportunities for photography. Upon arrival in Fort Portal, you will have lunch before proceeding to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-run conservation area adjacent to Kibale Forest.

The guided Bigodi Wetland Walk is an excellent opportunity to encounter a variety of primates, including Red Colobus Monkeys, Black-and-White Colobus, L’Hoest’s Monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabeys. The area is also a haven for birdwatchers, boasting species such as the Great Blue Turaco and the Papyrus Gonolek. After the wetland exploration, you will check in at your lodge and relax, preparing for the chimpanzee trek the next day.

Accommodation: Isunga Lodge (near Kibale)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Drive time: 4-5 hours

Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale & Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Today’s adventure begins early as you head into Kibale Forest National Park for a thrilling chimpanzee tracking experience. After a briefing at 7:30am from Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers, you will enter the dense tropical forest in search of habituated chimpanzees. Once located, you will spend an hour observing these intelligent primates as they communicate, forage, and swing through the trees.

After an exhilarating morning with the chimps, you will return to the lodge for lunch before setting off on a scenic drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The park is Uganda’s most diverse and offers spectacular landscapes ranging from savannah plains to volcanic crater lakes. Upon arrival, you will embark on an evening game drive along the Kasenyi Plains, where you may encounter elephants, buffalo, antelopes, and possibly lions on the hunt. As the sun sets, you will check in at Enganzi Lodge or a similar high-quality lodge, enjoying a well-earned dinner.

Accommodation: Bush Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Drive Time: 2-3 hours

Day 4: Game drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

The day begins with a remarkable morning game drive to Kasenyi plains by 7am, a unique part of Queen Elizabeth National Park known for game viewing. This part is all savanna plain and offers a clear view of the park and vast numbers of different wildlife including the lions, topis, elephants, Uganda kobs, hyenas and buffaloes grazing in the open savannah.

You will return to your lodge for lunch before heading to Kazinga Channel for an afternoon boat cruise. This 32-kilometer channel connects Lake Edward and Lake George and is one of the best places to see hippos, crocodiles, and elephants at close range. The cruise is 2 hours and also provides excellent opportunities for photographing African fish eagles, pied kingfishers, and herons. As the sun sets over the water, you will return to the lodge for dinner and relaxation.

(You can opt to do a lion tracking experience which is highly recommended for lion sightings instead of a normal game drive with fewer chances)

Accommodation: Bush Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest & Buhoma Pangolin Rescue Sanctuary

After breakfast, you will embark on your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to more than half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. The drive is scenic, winding through terraced hills and lush forests. Upon arrival, you will check in at your lodge, have lunch and use the afternoon to visit the Buhoma Pangolin Sanctuary, where you will learn about the efforts to protect Africa’s most trafficked mammal, the pangolin. This conservation project educates visitors on the challenges facing pangolins and the work being done to ensure their survival.

 Return to your lodge for a rest in preparation for the next day’s Gorilla Habituation Experience.

Accommodation: Buhoma Gorilla Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Drive Time: 4-5 hours

Day 6: Gorilla Habituation Experience in Bwindi

Today offers one of the most exclusive wildlife experiences in the world, the Gorilla Habituation Experience. After your morning breakfast, you will be driven to park visitors’ centre for your activity which is about 6 minutes from lodge for briefing at 7:30 am. It’s recommended to take a packed snack from lodge and enough drinking water from your guide. Unlike standard gorilla trekking, which allows one hour with the gorillas, the habituation experience grants four hours in the presence of a semi-habituated gorilla family, accompanied by researchers and expert guides. This extended interaction allows for in-depth observation of gorilla behaviour, making it a dream come true for photographers and primate enthusiasts.

After an unforgettable day in the jungle, you will return to the lodge to unwind and reflect on your once-in-a-lifetime experience. Use the afternoon for relaxation.

Accommodation: Buhoma Gorilla Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Batwa Cultural Experience & Transfer to Mgahinga National Park

In the morning, you will engage in the Batwa Cultural Experience, learning about the ancient forest lifestyle of the Batwa people, who were the original inhabitants of Bwindi before conservation efforts relocated them. This interactive tour includes storytelling, traditional hunting demonstrations, and songs lasting for about 2 hours.

Following this cultural immersion, you will transfer to Mgahinga National Park, the only place in Uganda where Golden Monkeys can be tracked. Upon arrival, you will check in at your lodge and relax with breathtaking views of the Virunga Volcanoes.

Accommodation: Ichumbi Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Drive Time: 6-7 hours

Day 8: Golden Monkey Trekking & Transfer to Lake Bunyonyi

After an early breakfast, you will be driven to the park entrance gate for your briefing at 7:30am and embark on a Golden Monkey Trek Tracking these lively and colourful primates through the bamboo forests of Mgahinga National Park takes between 2-6 hours depending to how far they have moved and finding them and watching them with cheeky faces is an exhilarating moment. You spend an hour watching them and start your trek back to the meeting point for your graduation ceremony.

Following the trek, you will transfer to Lake Bunyonyi, a serene destination famous for its 29 islands and crystal-clear waters. Upon arrival, you will enjoy a canoe ride or an optional island exploration boat tour before settling in for a relaxing evening by the lake.

Accommodation: Arcardia Lodge Bunyonyi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Drive Time: 2-3 hours

Day 9: Relaxation at Lake Bunyonyi

This day is dedicated to relaxation, allowing you to enjoy the tranquil beauty of Lake Bunyonyi. Optional activities include cycling into communities, hiking to the top of the world, birding, boat cruise to punishment island, or a community walk.

Accommodation: Arcardia Lodge Bunyonyi
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10: Departure via Kigali International Airport – Rwanda

After breakfast, you will begin the scenic Kigali International Airport, Rwanda’s main airport which is about 3 hours drive from your lodge. Stopping for lunch en route before heading to the airport for your departure flight. Depending on your flight schedule, you can leave your lodge in Uganda after lunch.

Optional. Drive back to Entebbe International Airport (about 7-8 hours) from lodge

Drive Time: 3 hours (Kigali Airport) &7-8 hours (to Entebbe Airport)

End of your Trip

 

 

 

Inclusions.

• 1 Gorilla Habituation permit
• 1 chimpanzee permit
• 1 golden monkey permit
• all accommodations stated in itinerary
• all park entry fees,
• all activities stated in itinerary,
• all meals as per itinerary,
• services of a full-time English-speaking driver/guide,
• customized full time 4×4 safari vehicle,
• all fuel throughout the safari,
• bottled drinking water in your car,
• pick up and drop off to the airport

Exclusions;

• • Tips and gratuities.
  •  Travel insurance,
  •  international flights,
  •  entry visa,
  •  all optional extras,
  • all other services of personal nature,
  • laundry,
  •  phone and bar bills,