The journey
Overview
An unforgettable wildlife experience as we tour four of Uganda’s fabulous national parks, search for the Big Five, and track the silverback gorillas in their Impenetrable Forest. "You climb up a railway instead of a beanstalk and at the end is a wonderful new world.” So said Winston Churchill of this awesome country. Coming face to face with a mighty mountain gorilla, in its own natural habitat, is a magical, memory-making moment, which we save for last on this stunning Ugandan safari. On a round-trip from easy-tempo Entebbe, we first journey north to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary on the way to Murchison Falls National Park, bisected by the Victoria Nile racing through a tight gorge before plunging over the falls, and famed as the location of the classic ‘50s film, The African Queen. Next, we reach Kibale National Park, boasting the highest diversity of primates in Africa and celebrated as a premier destination to track wild chimpanzees. Continuing onward, we transition into the sweeping savannahs and dramatic volcanic craters of Queen Elizabeth National Park where we watch for its legendary tree-climbing lions. From these sun-drenched plains, our journey leads to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to an estimated 400 mountain gorillas—about half of Earth's total population. Not quite ‘impenetrable’ but no stroll in the park, we track the gentle giants along rough tracks and rock-strewn streams, beneath dense, bird-filled tree canopies.
Unforgettable moments
Highlights
01
Gorilla trekking at Bwindi Forest
02
Boat trip to Murchison Falls
03
Track chimpanzees at Kibale National Park
04
Look for rare tree-climbing lions
05
Boat safari on the Kazinga Channel
06
White rhino trek at Ziwa Sanctuary
Your itinerary
Day by day
- Day1
Join tour at Entebbe Airport; Group transfer to Kampala+
Arrive at Entebbe, Uganda’s capital during colonial times. Spread across a deeply indented promontory on Lake Victoria, the city is splashed with greenery and hemmed with beaches, botanical gardens and a Wildlife Conservation park. It is a relaxed and friendly place with cafes and eateries in Victoria Mall, a maze of stalls in the Craft Village and offers water’s edge walks and sunset cruises.
- Day2
Visit a rhino sanctuary before continuing to Murchison Falls+
Visit Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, a private, non-profit sanctuary, which re-introduces the Southern White Rhinos to the wild, and is home to the only wild rhinos in Uganda. Continue through rural scenery to Murchison Falls (6hrs), the largest of Uganda’s National Parks, its diverse ecosystems forming the habitats for 76 mammal species and over 400 species of birds. Two nights at the Paraa Safari Lodge, or similar.
(B, L, D)
- Day3
Enjoy a game drive and a boat ride along the Victoria Nile+
With its 80km run of rapids and a 43m cascade into the ‘Devil’s Cauldron’, complete with roaring crash and rainbow spray, Murchison Falls’ wild residents include lions and leopards, hyenas, elephants, and buffalo. Seek them out on a game drive across its savannah grasslands and Borassus Palm Forest, to the shore of Lake Albert; and enjoy a boat ride along the Victoria Nile, with an opportunity to visit up the falls.
(B, L, D)
- Day4
Travel to Kibale National Park, with a tea plantation stop+
Travel to Kibale National Park (8 hrs), recognised as one of Africa’s richest ecosystems, stopping enroute at the vibrant and welcoming town of Fort Portal, the gateway to Kibale, nestled in mountain foothills; and visiting a tea plantation to meet the pickers and learn how the tea is grown and harvested. Two nights at Tabebuia Spa & Safari Resort or similar.
(B, L, D)
- Day5
Explore the park on a forest trek and nature walk+
Kibale’s huge variety of trees form evergreen and semi-deciduous forests, hosting 300 species of birds and 60 of mammals, among them Big Cats; 13 types of monkeys including the threatened Red Colobus and rare L’Hoest monkey; and, most famously, Uganda’s largest population of the region’s endangered chimpanzees. Discover the park on a forest trek (2-3hrs), and an intriguing nature walk in the wetlands of Bigodi; and later relax at the lodge or join a community walk to a local village.
(B, L, D)
- Day6
Kasenda Crater Lakes and Queen Elizabeth National Park game drive+
After breakfast we drive (5 hrs) to Queen Elizabeth National Park. En-route you will visit the Kasenda Crater Lakes, an area formed by volcanic activity 10,000 years ago, as well as the Rwenzori Sculpture Foundation, a rural centre for arts that offers sculptors the opportunity to have their work cast into bronze in well-equipped studios. Queen Elizabeth National Park is home to an incredible array of wildlife, from majestic elephants and leopards to its iconic tree-climbing lions and hundreds of bird species. Enjoy an evening game drive and a lecture from a conservationist to learn about the steps being taken to protect this fragile park. Two nights at Mweya Safari Lodge, or similar.
(B, L, D)
- Day7
Game drives and Kazinga Channel boat cruise+
We begin the day with an early morning game drive across the open savannah to spot lions, buffaloes, spotted hyenas, and the elusive giant forest hogs. We have the middle of the day to relax at the lodge before an afternoon boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, offering close-up views of massive pods of hippos, Nile crocodiles, and diverse waterbirds. Later we have a final evening game drive through the park's varied ecosystems.
(B, L, D)
- Day8
Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park+
Head south toward Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (4hrs). In the mountainous southwest corner of Uganda, shrouded in mists and cloaked in rainforest, ferns, and jungle foliage, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is home to spectacular birdlife and a hundred mammal species, the endangered silverback gorillas the stars of the show. Learn about these remarkable residents this evening with a lecture from a Primatologist. Two nights at Engagi Lodge, or similar.
(B, L, D)
- Day9
Experience gorilla trekking+
An early start for gorilla trekking in search of the ‘gentle giants’ (2-6hrs), led by an experienced and informative ranger, and only ever tracked by a restricted number of visitors. Making contact with these awe-inspiring mountain apes is one of the most exciting and affecting wildlife encounters you could ever experience. Later, visit a local community.
(B, L, D)
- Day10
Fly to Entebbe; Tour ends at the airport+
(B)
Peace of mind
What's included
- ✦9 nights’ accommodation
- ✦Meals Included: breakfast daily, 8 lunches, 8 dinners
- ✦Transportation in 4x4 Land Cruiser
- ✦Entrance fees
- ✦chimpanzee trekking permit, gorilla trekking permit
- ✦local guides, porterage, services of guides and local representative
- ✦Itinerary as described
- ✦Interested in adding flights to this tour?
- ✦Find out more
- ✦Flights from the UK can be added — ask your adviser