Overview
This 12-day safari will take you from the whispering forests of Kibale to the misty mountains of Bwindi and Mgahinga, you will meet chimpanzees, gorillas, and golden monkeys in their natural homes. Along the way, enjoy game drives, boat cruises, and even horseback safaris, all while staying in handpicked lodges that blend luxury with nature. Each day is paced with care allowing time to explore, rest, and truly take in Uganda’s beauty.
Day 1
Arrival in Entebbe
Upon arrival at Entebbe Airport, your driver-guide will be waiting to receive you. You will then be driven to your hotel, where you can check in, freshen up, and rest after your flight. Enjoy a quiet evening with dinner at the lodge as you prepare for the exciting days ahead.
Main Destination:
Entebbe (City)
Accommodation:
No.5 Boutique Hotel
Luxury hotel located in Entebbe (City)
Hotel Number 5 - Entrance
Meals & Drinks:
Dinner (Breakfast & lunch not included)
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 2
Fly to Kibale
After your breakfast, your driver will pick you up and take you to the airport for your flight to Kibale National Park.
Upon arrival, you will be picked up and transferred to your lodge, a peaceful haven surrounded by birdsong and the rustle of monkeys in the trees. Settle in and let the forest welcome you.
Main Destination:
Kibale National Park (Chimps)
Accommodation:
Kyaninga Lodge
Luxury lodge located less than 1hr drive from Kibale NP
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 3
Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Swamp Walk
After early morning breakfast, your driver/guide will drive you to Kibale National Park office where you will be briefed about the activity of tracking chimpanzees in the wild.
You will then go on a guided primate walk in search of chimpanzees and 12 other primates including l’ Hoestes, Red colobus, blue, red-tailed monkeys, brown monkeys, and grey-cheeked mangabey.
The park rangers will provide detailed explanations, not only on primates but on all the forest fauna and flora, and will ensure that your walk is informative and enjoyable.
After finding the chimps, you will spend 1 hour with them before heading back to the park offices.
You will go back to the lodge for lunch & refreshments.
After lunch, you will visit the community and take a walk in Bigodi Swamp – which is the home of the great blue Turaco bird. The swamp is home to around 200 bird species and 8 primate species. Later, return to your accommodation for dinner & overnight stay.
Main Destination:
Kibale National Park (Chimps)
Accommodation:
Kyaninga Lodge
Luxury lodge located less than 1hr drive from Kibale NP
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 4
Drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park
Enjoy a scenic drive through Uganda’s countryside. You will pass through rolling tea plantations, traditional villages, and beautiful crater lakes tucked into the hills. On arrival, settle into your lodge and take in sweeping views of the savannah and the Rwenzori Mountains in the distance.
Main Destination:
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation:
Buffalo Safari Lodge
Mid-range lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP
Dining
Spacious rooms
Deluxe bathroom
Morning breakfast
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 5
Game Drive and Boat Cruise
After your breakfast, set out on a game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park. With your guide’s help, keep an eye out for lions lounging in the grass, elephants moving in family groups, and buffalo grazing near the tracks. The early hours are ideal for spotting wildlife at its most active.
After lunch, enjoy a cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural link between Lake Edward and Lake George. This peaceful boat ride offers close-up views of hippos wallowing in the water, crocodiles sunning on the banks, and a dazzling array of birds—from kingfishers to African fish eagles.
Main Destination:
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Accommodation:
Buffalo Safari Lodge
Mid-range lodge located just outside Queen Elizabeth NP
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 6
Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Travel south through the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth, known for its rare tree-climbing lions. Keep your eyes on the fig trees—they sometimes lounge in the branches, especially on warm afternoons. Continue into the lush highlands of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. On arrival, settle into your forest lodge and enjoy the cool air, birdsong, and views of the canopy.
Main Destination:
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)
Accommodation:
Gorilla Leisure Lodge
Mid-range lodge bordering Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas) without fences
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 7
Gorilla Habituation Experience
Today is the big day! Prepare yourself for an encounter with the gentle giants; the rare mountain gorillas.
For most people, this is the absolute highlight of their tour. You will go into the forest in groups of not more than 4 in search of mountain gorillas. En route, your guide will point out previous signs of gorilla activity such as dung, nests, and chewed bamboo shoots.
Your trek will be an exciting journey along forested slopes, entwined vines, bushes, and bamboo. Upon finding the gorillas, you will spend a maximum of 4 hours with them after which you will be led back to the starting point.
Main Destination:
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (Gorillas)
Accommodation:
Gorilla Leisure Lodge
Mid-range lodge bordering Bwindi Impenetrable NP (Gorillas) without fences
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 8
Drive to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
After breakfast, drive to Mgahinga, a beautiful park located near the Virunga volcanoes. The journey takes you through hills, villages, and scenic valleys. When you arrive, check into your lodge surrounded by cool mountain air and stunning views. It’s a peaceful place to rest before your next adventure.
Main Destination:
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (Gorillas)
Accommodation:
Imbogo Safari Lodge
Luxury lodge located less than 1hr drive from Mgahinga Gorilla NP
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 9
Gorilla Trekking in Mgahinga
This morning, you’ll head into the forest with your guide to track another gorilla family. The walk takes you through bamboo groves and misty mountain trails, with beautiful views all around. It’s quiet, calm, and full of birdsong, a peaceful way to meet these gentle giants in their natural home.
In the evening, you will go for a community visit and cultural experience of the local people that live in this area. You will learn about their lives, history, and traditions.
Main Destination:
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park (Gorillas)
Accommodation:
Imbogo Safari Lodge
Luxury lodge located less than 1hr drive from Mgahinga Gorilla NP
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 10
Golden Monkey Trek and Drive to Lake Mburo
Start your morning in the forest, tracking golden monkeys as they leap through the trees — playful, curious, and always on the move.
After the trek, you will head back to your lodge for lunch and set off to Lake Mburo.
Upon arrival, you will check in to your lodge and head out for a game drive. This small but beautiful park is known for its open grasslands, gentle hills, and zebra-dotted plains — a peaceful contrast to the misty mountains.
Main Destination:
Lake Mburo National Park
Accommodation:
Kigambira Safari Lodge
Luxury lodge located inside Lake Mburo NP
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 11
Horseback Safari and Boat Ride
After breakfast, you will start your day with a guided horseback ride through Lake Mburo’s open plains, where zebras and antelopes roam freely.
In the afternoon, unwind with a peaceful boat trip across the lake, perfect for spotting hippos, kingfishers, and other water birds.
Main Destination:
Lake Mburo National Park
Accommodation:
Kigambira Safari Lodge
Luxury lodge located inside Lake Mburo NP
Meals & Drinks:
All meals included
Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 12
Nature Walk and Drive to Entebbe
Enjoy a relaxed morning safari walk with your guide, discovering the plants and wildlife that make Lake Mburo so special. Afterwards, begin your scenic drive back to Entebbe, arriving in time for your international flight.
Main Destination:
Entebbe International Airport (Entebbe)
Accommodation:
No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks:
Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
Drinks not included
Included
Park fees
(For non-residents)
Gorilla permits
(One per person, non-resident)
Chimp permits
(One per person, non-resident)
All activities
(Unless labeled as optional)
All accommodation
(Unless listed as upgrade)
A professional driver/guide
All transportation
(Unless labeled as optional)
All flights during the tour
All Taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
Meals
(As specified in the day-by-day section)
Drinks
(As specified in the day-by-day section)
Excluded
International flights
(From/to home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips
(Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
Personal items
(Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Some meals
(As specified in the day-by-day section)
