UGANDA LUXURY Gorillas, Chimps, Rhinos & the Big Five: Uganda Flying Safari with Gorilla Doctors

Journey: 2025 - 2027 Duration: 10 Days Double Sharing Price: $8900 pp Single Room Price: $9900 pp Limited To: 4-16

BIG FIVE & PRIMATES

This 10-day Uganda Flying Safari with Gorilla Doctors reveals not only its extraordinary wildlife but also the living traditions of its people and historic kingdoms.

Trip Dates: 2nd and 4th Sunday of Every Month

Begin in Buganda, Uganda’s largest kingdom, where the Luganda language is widely spoken and Entebbe’s bustling markets frame your first glimpse of Lake Victoria. At Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, rangers guide you on foot to endangered white rhinos, symbols of a species once lost and now carefully restored. Continue north into Bunyoro, once a great empire, and today home to Murchison Falls National Park, where the Nile thunders through a six-meter gorge. Here, elephants and giraffes roam golden savannahs, buffalo graze in herds, and lions and leopards patrol the plains. On the river itself, hippos and crocodiles crowd the banks as African fish eagles soar overhead.

Turning south, the journey enters Toro Kingdom, a lush region of crater lakes and tea estates in the shadow of the Rwenzori Mountains. In Kibale Forest, chimpanzees call from the canopy while red colobus and mangabeys leap through the branches. Around the forest edge, villagers invite you into their daily lives — from basket weaving and banana beer brewing to coffee farming and herbal medicine. In Queen Elizabeth National Park, leopards stalk the Kasenyi plains, elephants march to the Kazinga Channel, and more than 600 bird species paint the skies. On the Channel itself, boat safaris bring you close to hippos, crocodiles, and vibrant fishing villages where people and wildlife coexist.

Continue into the remote Ishasha sector, where one of Africa’s rarest spectacles awaits — tree-climbing lions, sprawled across fig tree branches. Pause at a café run by reformed poachers, whose stories of transformation reveal the human side of conservation.

The journey culminates in the mist-shrouded ridges of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, within the highlands of Kigezi and Ankole. Here, long-horned Ankole cattle graze, terraced hills rise above valleys, and nearly half the world’s mountain gorillas find refuge. Trek into the forest for a once-in-a-lifetime hour with a gorilla family — silverbacks, mothers, and playful juveniles — before meeting the pioneering Gorilla Doctors, whose veterinary care ensures the future of these gentle giants.

Finally, a scenic flight from Bwindi to Entebbe crowns the journey. From above, the Rift Valley unfurls in greens and golds: crater lakes glinting like jewels, tea estates quilted across hillsides, and the volcanic Virunga peaks guarding the horizon — a breathtaking farewell to Uganda’s landscapes, wildlife, and people.

Upcoming Departures:

  • May 24 – June 2, 2026
  • June 14 – June 23, 2026
  • June 28 – July 7, 2026
  • July 12 – July 21, 2026
  • July 26 – August 4, 2026
  • August 9 – August 18, 2026
  • August 23 – September 1, 2026
  • September 13 – September 22, 2026
  • September 27 – October 6, 2026
  • October 11 – October 20, 2026
  • October 25 – November 3, 2026
  • November 8 – November 17, 2026
  • November 22 – December 1, 2026
  • December 13 – December 22, 2026
  • December 27, 2026 – January 5, 2027
  • January 10 – January 19, 2027
  • January 24 – February 2, 2027
  • February 14 – February 23, 2027
  • February 28 – March 9, 2027
  • March 14 – March 23, 2027
  • March 28 – April 6, 2027
  • April 11 – April 20, 2027
  • April 25 – May 4, 2027
  • May 9 – May 18, 2027
  • May 23 – June 1, 2027
  • June 13 – June 22, 2027
  • June 27 – July 6, 2027
  • July 11 – July 20, 2027
  • July 25 – August 3, 2027
  • August 8 – August 17, 2027
  • August 22 – August 31, 2027
  • September 12 – September 21, 2027
  • September 26 – October 5, 2027
  • October 10 – October 19, 2027
  • October 24 – November 2, 2027
  • November 14 – November 23, 2027
  • December 26, 2027 – January 4, 2028

Trip Overview

  • Rhino Tracking at Ziwa – Walk on foot with rangers to see endangered white rhinos, alongside zebras and antelope.
  • Murchison Falls National Park (Bunyoro Kingdom) – Elephants, giraffes, buffalo, lions, and leopards across the savannah; the Nile forced through a six-meter gorge.
  • Private Boat Safari on the Nile – Hippos in vast pods, Nile crocodiles, African fish eagles, and shoreline elephants.
  • Kibale Forest (Toro Kingdom) – Chimpanzee trekking plus encounters with red colobus, mangabeys, and baboons. Cultural visits with basket weavers, coffee farmers, and herbalists.
  • Queen Elizabeth National Park – Lions hunting Uganda kob, elephants, leopards, buffalo, giant forest hog, and over 600 bird species.
  • Kazinga Channel – Africa’s highest concentration of hippos, Nile crocodiles, pelicans, and fishing villages along the shore.
  • Ishasha Sector – Search for Uganda’s famed tree-climbing lions, a phenomenon found in only two places on Earth. Visit a café run by reformed poachers, now advocates for conservation.
  • Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Kigezi & Ankole Kingdoms) – UNESCO site, home to nearly half the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. An awe-filled trek to spend an hour with a gorilla family.
  • Exclusive Gorilla Doctors Visit – Step behind the scenes with the only veterinary team in the world providing direct care to wild gorillas.
  • Scenic Flight Finale – A private domestic flight from Bwindi to Entebbe, with sweeping views of crater lakes, terraced hills, and the Virunga volcanoes.
  • Cultural Crossroads – Travel through Uganda’s four kingdoms — Buganda, Bunyoro, Toro, and Kigezi/Ankole — each adding its own heritage, landscapes, and warmth to the safari experience

A travel experience like no other

Curated journeys of festivals, celebration, culture, and exclusive experiences

  • Rhino Tracking at Ziwa – Walk on foot with rangers to see endangered white rhinos, alongside zebras and antelope.
  • Murchison Falls National Park (Bunyoro Kingdom) – Elephants, giraffes, buffalo, lions, and leopards across the savannah; the Nile forced through a six-meter gorge.
  • Private Boat Safari on the Nile – Hippos in vast pods, Nile crocodiles, African fish eagles, and shoreline elephants.
  • Kibale Forest (Toro Kingdom) – Chimpanzee trekking plus encounters with red colobus, mangabeys, and baboons. Cultural visits with basket weavers, coffee farmers, and herbalists.
  • Queen Elizabeth National Park – Lions hunting Uganda kob, elephants, leopards, buffalo, giant forest hog, and over 600 bird species.
  • Kazinga Channel – Africa’s highest concentration of hippos, Nile crocodiles, pelicans, and fishing villages along the shore.
  • Ishasha Sector – Search for Uganda’s famed tree-climbing lions, a phenomenon found in only two places on Earth. Visit a café run by reformed poachers, now advocates for conservation.
  • Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (Kigezi & Ankole Kingdoms) – UNESCO site, home to nearly half the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. An awe-filled trek to spend an hour with a gorilla family.
  • Exclusive Gorilla Doctors Visit – Step behind the scenes with the only veterinary team in the world providing direct care to wild gorillas.
  • Scenic Flight Finale – A private domestic flight from Bwindi to Entebbe, with sweeping views of crater lakes, terraced hills, and the Virunga volcanoes.
  • Cultural Crossroads – Travel through Uganda’s four kingdoms — Buganda, Bunyoro, Toro, and Kigezi/Ankole — each adding its own heritage, landscapes, and warmth to the safari experience
Day 1
  • Private airport welcome and transfer
  • Convenient hotel just minutes from the airport
  • Optional included excursions for those with early arrival: shoebill stork safari, Botanical Gardens, Ngamba Island chimpanzee sanctuary
  • Sunset over Lake Victoria
  • Relaxed lakeside dinner and overnight stay
Day 2
  • Scenic drive northwest through Uganda’s countryside
  • Rhino tracking on foot at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
  • Spotting giraffes, zebras, warthogs, and birds at the sanctuary
  • Visit to the Top of Murchison Falls, where the Nile crashes through a six-meter gorge
  • Arrival at a boutique riverfront lodge on the Nile
Day 3
  • Dawn game drive across Murchison’s savannahs
  •  Wildlife sightings: Rothschild’s giraffes, elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, antelope, and over 450 bird species
  • Private boat safari upriver on the Victoria Nile
  • Close encounters with hippos, Nile crocodiles, and elephants at the water’s edge
  • Spectacular finale at the base of Murchison Falls
  • Evening sundowner game drive in golden light.
Day 4
  • Scenic drive through the Rift Valley escarpments
  • Sweeping views over Lake Albert
  • Insight into everyday life in Ugandan villages
  • Local farm-to-table lunch at a countryside restaurant
  • Afternoon stop at tea plantations and factory for harvesting and tasting experience
  • Arrival in the lush highlands of the Toro Kingdom
  • Overnight in an eco-luxury lodge on the edge of Kibale Forest
Day 5
  • Scenic drive into the Kibale Forest region, with views of crater lakes, tea plantations, and village life along the Rift Valley
  • Guided chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park — observe families foraging, grooming, and calling through the forest canopy
  • Farm-to-table lunch at the lodge, featuring fresh, locally grown ingredients
  • Afternoon Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary Walk, a community-run conservation area rich with monkeys, birds, and lush vegetation
  • Cultural immersion with the Batooro people: basket weaving, banana beer brewing, coffee farming, and traditional medicine practices
  • Overnight at Chimpundu Lodge, an eco-luxury forest retreat
Day 6
  • Guided trek in Kibale Forest
  • Observe forest life, monkeys, and birdlife
  •  Scenic transfer through crater lake landscapes
  • Glimpse daily life in Kasese town
  • Equator crossing at Kikorongo — stand with one foot in each hemisphere
  • Evening game drive on the Kasenyi plains: elephants, kob, buffalo, and lions
Day 7
  •  Morning game drive on the Kasenyi plains, rich in Uganda kob and lions
  • Wildlife sightings: elephants, buffalo, kob, warthogs, and abundant birdlife
  • Afternoon boat safari on the Kazinga Channel, home to Africa’s highest concentration of hippos
  • Encounters with Nile crocodiles, elephants, and prolific birdlife
  •  Scenic views of the Rwenzori Mountains and crater lakes
  • Evening relaxation and fireside dining at your lodge
Day 8
  • Scenic drive through Maramagambo Forest and along Lake Edward
  • Mid-morning game drive in the Ishasha sector, famed for tree-climbing lions
  • Lunch at Simba Café, supporting reformed poachers and community conservation
  • Visit to the Pangolin Rescue Centre (Buhoma sector)
  • Arrival in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Overnight at Mahogany Springs Lodge, overlooking the forest
Day 9
  • Dawn gorilla trek in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
  • One awe-filled hour with a gorilla family — silverbacks, mothers, and playful juveniles
  •  Exclusive conservation visit with the Gorilla Doctors team
  • Learn about veterinary care, disease monitoring, and global gorilla protection efforts
  • Optional visit to Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH) and Bwindi hospital
  • Evening relaxation at Mahogany Springs Lodge, overlooking forest canopy
Day 10
  •  Morning scenic flight from Bwindi (Kihihi/Buhoma airstrip) → Entebbe
  • Aerial views of crater lakes, terraced hills, and Rift Valley escarpments
  • Assistance with international connections at Entebbe
  •  Optional activities (included) for late departures:
  • Mabamba Swamp: canoe ride through papyrus channels in search of the rare shoebill stork, with insights into wetland conservation
  • Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary: meet rescued chimps, observe feeding sessions, and learn about rehabilitation from dedicated conservationists
  • Optional (NOT included in tour cost) day room in Entebbe for comfort ahead of departure
  • Optional day-use room in Entebbe
  • Farewell dinner overlooking Lake Victoria
Itinenary Map
Day 1

Arrival in Uganda at Entebbe International Airport

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport, where you are warmly welcomed by your private guide. Most flights land in the evening, making this a gentle beginning to your journey. If you arrive earlier, optional excursions can include a visit to the Mabamba Swamp in search of the rare shoebill stork, a stroll through the Botanical Gardens, or a boat transfer to Ngamba Island, a sanctuary for orphaned chimpanzees rescued from poachers.
Your first evening in Uganda is intentionally calm — designed to let you rest after a long journey while beginning to take in the equatorial atmosphere of Lake Victoria. Enjoy dinner on the terrace, watch the sun soften over the water, and prepare for the days of discovery ahead

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport, where you are warmly welcomed by your private guide. Most flights land in the evening, making this a gentle beginning to your journey. If you arrive earlier, optional excursions can include a visit to the Mabamba Swamp in search of the rare shoebill stork, a stroll through the Botanical Gardens, or a boat transfer to Ngamba Island, a sanctuary for orphaned chimpanzees rescued from poachers.

Your first evening in Uganda is intentionally calm — designed to let you rest after a long journey while beginning to take in the equatorial atmosphere of Lake Victoria. Enjoy dinner on the terrace, watch the sun soften over the water, and prepare for the days of discovery ahead

Hotel:
Protea Hotel Entebbe

  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Day 2

Entebbe to Murchison Falls via Ziwa Rhino sanctuary- 8 hours drive

Journey northwest through Uganda’s countryside, stopping at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to track endangered white rhinos on foot, before continuing to Murchison Falls National Park to witness the mighty Nile crashing through its gorge

Depart Entebbe and drive through the suburbs of Kampala, skirting city traffic before heading into the northwestern lowlands. The journey passes farmlands, rolling hills, and bustling roadside villages — a vivid glimpse of daily Ugandan life.

Your first stop is Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where endangered white rhinos have been successfully reintroduced since 2005. Guided by expert rangers, walk on foot for an up-close view of these giants in their woodland savannah habitat. The sanctuary also shelters Nubian giraffes, zebras, warthogs, and abundant birdlife, making it a conservation success story as well as a remarkable wildlife encounter.

After lunch, continue into Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest protected area. Here the Nile forces its way through a dramatic six-meter gorge before plunging into the “Devil’s Cauldron” below. Visit the Top of the Falls, where spray and rainbows rise from the chasm — a sight that awed Victorian explorer Sir Samuel Baker, who renamed the cataract after Sir Roderick Murchison of the Royal Geographical Society. Locally, the falls are still called Kabalega Falls, honoring the powerful king of Bunyoro.

By evening, arrive at your riverside lodge, perfectly placed for the days of safari to come

Hotel:
Pakuba Safari Lodge

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Day 3

FULL DAY IN MURCHISON FALLS NATIONAL PARK-Game Drives & Boat Safari to the Base of Murchison Falls

A full day in Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest park: a dawn game drive in search of giraffes, elephants, and lions; an afternoon boat safari upriver to the thundering base of the Falls; and a golden-hour game drive across the savannah

Rise at dawn for your first full day of safari in Murchison Falls National Park, once named Kabalega National Park after the legendary king of Bunyoro. Spanning nearly 3,900 square kilometers, this is Uganda’s largest and oldest reserve, famed for hosting the country’s largest population of Rothschild’s giraffes as well as vast herds of elephants, buffalo, and an extraordinary diversity of wildlife.

The morning game drive begins as the sun lifts over the savannah. Towers of giraffes stride against the horizon, elephants move in family groups, and buffalo gather in great herds. Lions patrol the grasslands, while leopards may be glimpsed resting in the shade. Jackson’s hartebeest, Uganda kob, warthogs, and a kaleidoscope of birdlife — from bee-eaters to the African fish eagle — enrich the scene.

Return to your lodge for lunch before setting out on a private boat safari along the Victoria Nile. Drifting quietly upriver, you pass pods of hippos wallowing in the shallows and crocodiles basking on sandbanks. Elephants and buffalo often come to the water’s edge to drink. The journey builds to an unforgettable finale at the base of Murchison Falls — the spot where the world’s longest river explodes through a six-meter gorge with astonishing force, sending spray and rainbows into the air. Seen from below, the raw power of the Nile is breathtaking.

As the day cools, enjoy an evening game drive across the plains. The golden light and soft air bring wildlife into the open once more, and the atmosphere of the African savannah at sunset is an unforgettable close to your day

Hotel:
Pakuba Safari Lodge , Murchison Falls National Park

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Day 4

Scenic Transfer from Murchison Falls to Kibale National Park-7 hr drive.

Travel through Uganda’s western countryside, climbing from the Rift Valley escarpments above Lake Albert into the lush, green foothills of the Toro Kingdom. En route, enjoy a local farm-to-table lunch and a tea estate visit before arriving at your forest lodge near Kibale.

After breakfast at the lodge, depart Murchison Falls for a day of scenic driving and cultural discovery. The route leads through the western arm of the East African Rift Valley, a volcanic landscape shaped millions of years ago. Pass through the Lake Albert escarpments, with panoramic views over the water below, before climbing steadily from 610 meters above sea level to more than 1,500 meters as you approach the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains.

Along the way, pass through communities and villages that offer an authentic glimpse of everyday Ugandan life. Fields of maize, banana groves, and roadside markets line the route, and your guide will share stories of the people and traditions of this region. Stop for a local-style lunch at a restaurant renowned for its farm-fresh dishes — “garden to the kitchen” cuisine — with a chance to sample both Ugandan flavors and familiar western options. A freshly brewed cup of Ugandan coffee is the perfect way to ease into the afternoon’s journey.

Continuing south, you enter the Toro Kingdom, where rolling hills are covered with tea plantations. Stop to stretch your legs, photograph the brilliant green patchwork of the estates, and visit a tea factory to learn about harvesting and production. This is one of Uganda’s most important agricultural regions, and the views of the estates flowing over the hillsides are unforgettable.

By late afternoon, arrive at your lodge near Kibale Forest National Park, known as the primate capital of Africa. After the long but rewarding journey, relax, dine, and prepare for tomorrow’s adventures with chimpanzees and community encounters.

Hotel:
Chimpundu Lodge, Kibale National Park

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Day 5

CHIMPANZEE TRACKING & COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE. (KIBALE NATIONAL PARK)

Step into the emerald depths of Kibale Forest, Africa’s primate capital, to track wild chimpanzees. In the afternoon, explore the Bigodi Wetland and meet local communities whose traditions and livelihoods are closely tied to the forest.

Today begins early with breakfast at your lodge before setting out for chimpanzee tracking in Kibale National Park, home to the greatest diversity of primates in Africa. Kibale’s forests shelter more than 1,400 chimpanzees, as well as red colobus, black-and-white colobus, mangabeys, and olive baboons.

After a briefing by your ranger guide, you will join a small group for the trek into the forest. The walk is moderate and the altitude relatively low compared to gorilla tracking, but the terrain can be uneven. For those who need assistance, a support team is available to make the trek more manageable. Chimpanzees, being closely related to humans, are susceptible to many of the same diseases, so masks are required when you approach them — part of Uganda’s careful efforts to protect these endangered primates. Treks may take up to 4–5 hours, before experiencing the unforgettable moment of observing a chimpanzee family as they forage, groom, and communicate in the canopy and on the forest floor.

Return to your lodge for lunch and some relaxation before the afternoon’s experiences. Explore the Bigodi Wetland, a community-managed sanctuary teeming with birdlife and smaller primates. This swamp acts as a vital corridor for wildlife moving between forest patches, and is also a thriving community conservation project.

Later, visit the neighboring villages to meet the people of the Toro Kingdom. Participate in traditional daily activities: women weaving baskets, farmers demonstrating how bananas are turned into local beer, coffee growers explaining their craft, and traditional healers sharing herbal knowledge. These interactions reveal how deeply people here are connected to the forest, and how conservation and community livelihoods go hand in hand

Hotel:
Chimpundu Lodge, Kibale National Park

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Day 6

AM Kibale Forest Trek & Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Begin the day with a trek in Kibale Forest, then travel south through crater lake country, cross the Equator, and finish with an evening game drive across the Kasenyi plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park

Rise at dawn and meet your trackers for a morning trek into Kibale Forest, the primate capital of East Africa. The forest stirs with life at first light: the chest-beating calls of chimpanzees echo through the canopy as families forage, play, and groom one another. With luck, you may observe them on the ground as well as in the trees — a vivid encounter that offers a window into our closest relatives in the wild. Kibale is also home to red colobus, mangabeys, black-and-white colobus, and dozens of forest bird species, making the walk an immersive natural experience.

After your trek, return to the lodge for lunch before beginning the transfer south to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The journey takes you through a dramatic landscape shaped by the Rift Valley’s volcanic past, dotted with explosive crater lakes that glitter like mirrors in the green hillsides. Pass through Kasese town, a lively hub beneath the Rwenzori Mountains, before pausing at the Equator crossing at Kikorongo — a chance to stand with one foot in each hemisphere.

By late afternoon, enter Queen Elizabeth NP for your first game drive across the Kasenyi plains. The park is one of Uganda’s most diverse ecosystems, home to elephants, buffalo, Uganda kob, lions, leopards, and over 600 bird species. As the sun sets, the golden light sweeps across the savannah, bringing your day to a spectacular close

Hotel:
Mweya Safari Lodge, Queen Elizabeth National Park

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Day 7

Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Spend the day immersed in Queen Elizabeth National Park: a morning game drive across the Kasenyi plains, rich in Uganda kob and lions, followed by an afternoon boat safari along the Kazinga Channel, home to Africa’s highest concentration of hippos. With elephants, buffalo, crocodiles, and more than 600 bird species set against the Rwenzori Mountains and crater lakes, the park reveals its diversity before you return to your lodge for fireside dining.

At dawn, head out on a game drive across the Kasenyi plains, the beating heart of Queen Elizabeth National Park. Here, vast herds of Uganda kob graze the open savannah, attracting prides of lions that stalk silently in the early light. Elephants stride across the plains, buffalo gather in their hundreds, and warthogs dart between the grasses. Above, bee-eaters, hornbills, and martial eagles add color and movement to the skies. The distant peaks of the Rwenzori Mountains, known as the “Mountains of the Moon,” frame this timeless African landscape.

Return to the lodge for lunch and a short rest before setting out on the water. The Kazinga Channel, a natural link between Lake Edward and Lake George, is one of the most extraordinary wildlife corridors in East Africa. As you cruise its length, you’ll encounter the largest concentration of hippos on the continent, Nile crocodiles sunning themselves on the banks, and elephants that wade into the shallows to drink. The birdlife is equally dazzling — pied kingfishers hover and dive, while African fish eagles patrol the treetops.

By evening, return to your lodge, where the sun sets over crater lakes and the Kazinga Channel. Relax with a drink on the terrace or by the pool before sitting down to dinner by the fire. Tomorrow, your journey continues deeper into the park’s remote Ishasha sector, one of the only places in the world where lions climb into fig trees — a fitting continuation of your Queen Elizabeth safari.

Hotel:
Mweya Safari Lodge, Queen Elizabeth NP

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Day 8

Ishasha Tree-Climbing Lions & Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Travel south through the forested corridors of Queen Elizabeth National Park into the remote Ishasha sector, famed for its tree-climbing lions. After a conservation-focused community lunch, continue to the misted ridgelines of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home of the mountain gorilla

After breakfast, begin your journey from Queen Elizabeth National Park to Bwindi, a drive often called an “African massage” for its rugged and adventurous stretches. The route follows the lush Maramagambo Forest and skirts the shoreline of Lake Edward before reaching the Ishasha sector, a remote corner of the park.

Here, the savannah landscape gives way to fig trees where lions are uniquely known to rest high in the branches during the heat of the day — one of only two populations in the world with this remarkable behavior. With luck, you may see them draped languidly in the canopy, their golden coats blending with the leaves. Ishasha’s open plains are also home to topi, buffalo, and elephants, offering a wild and remote safari atmosphere.

Midday brings a stop at Simba Café, an NGO-run initiative that supports reformed poachers who now earn livelihoods through basket weaving and conservation work. Their stories provide a moving perspective on how community engagement helps protect Uganda’s wildlife.

Continue into the highlands, where the road climbs into the mist-covered ridges of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and sanctuary for roughly half the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Along the way, stop at the Pangolin Rescue Centre (Buhoma sector only) to learn about efforts to save the world’s most trafficked mammal — another reminder of how deeply conservation defines this region. By late afternoon, arrive at your forest lodge, tucked among lush hillsides where gorillas roam

Hotel:
Mahogany Springs Lodge – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Day 9

Gorilla Trekking & Exclusive Gorilla Doctors Visit !

A once-in-a-lifetime experience awaits as you trek deep into Bwindi to spend an hour with a mountain gorilla family. Later, meet the Gorilla Doctors and conservation leaders working tirelessly to ensure these gentle giants endure for generations

This morning marks the climax of your Ugandan journey. Rise early for a hearty breakfast before transferring to the park headquarters for a full briefing. Permits are strictly limited — with only 8 visitors allowed per gorilla family per day — ensuring an intimate and carefully managed experience. You’ll be joined by expert rangers who will guide your group into the forest.

The trek itself is an adventure: depending on the gorillas’ location, you may spend 4–8 hours navigating Bwindi’s steep ridges, tangled vines, and mist-shrouded slopes. The effort is richly rewarded when your guide signals that the gorillas are near. Suddenly, the forest opens to reveal a gorilla family at rest — a silverback surveying his domain, females grooming one another, juveniles tumbling and playing under the watchful eyes of their mothers. For one precious hour, sit quietly and witness their rhythms, their expressions, their humanity. It is a humbling and transformative experience, often described as life-changing.

In the afternoon, continue your immersion in conservation with an exclusive visit to the Gorilla Doctors, the only organization dedicated to providing veterinary care to wild gorillas. Meet the veterinary team and learn how they monitor health, treat injuries, and safeguard the fragile future of these great apes. Their work is at the forefront of wildlife medicine and a critical part of ensuring that mountain gorillas survive for generations to come.

For guests with a special interest, there is also the opportunity to learn from Conservation Through Public Health (CTPH), a Bwindi-based initiative that links community health with gorilla conservation — and even visit the local Bwindi hospital for insight into the challenges of delivering healthcare in such a remote region.

Return to your lodge in the late afternoon, where the forest hums with evening sounds. Tonight’s dinner carries a special weight — you’ve joined the very small circle of travelers who have met the mountain gorilla face-to-face.

Hotel:
Mahogany Springs Lodge

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Day 10

Scenic FLIGHT from Bwindi to Entebbe & International Departure

After breakfast, board a scenic domestic flight from Bwindi to Entebbe, soaring over crater lakes, terraced hills, and the Rift Valley escarpments. Depending on your onward flight, enjoy optional excursions — from shoebill tracking in Mabamba Swamp to a visit with rescued chimps on Ngamba Island — before concluding your Ugandan journey

Domestic Flight! Morning the guide will transfer you to a near by airstrip, this flight is in small plan upto 15 seaters, well maintained and with experienced Pilots doing this with Love, the aerial views of this region will sum up what you missed as you did land transfers.

This morning, enjoy a final breakfast in the highlands before transferring to the nearby airstrip. Board your scenic scheduled flight — a small but comfortable 12–15 seater aircraft flown by expert pilots — bound for Entebbe. From the window, the landscapes you crossed by road unfold from above: shimmering crater lakes, patchworks of tea plantations, volcanic escarpments, and the deep greens of the Rift Valley. It is a breathtaking aerial farewell to Uganda.

On arrival in Entebbe, depending on your international departure time, optional excursions can be arranged. Explore Mabamba Swamp, one of East Africa’s best wetlands for birding, in search of the rare and prehistoric-looking shoebill stork. Alternatively, transfer by boat to Ngamba Island, home to Uganda’s only dedicated chimpanzee sanctuary. Here, orphaned chimps rescued from poaching and trafficking live in safety, and you can observe their feeding sessions and learn about the ongoing challenges of primate conservation.

If time allows, enjoy a final dinner at a restaurant overlooking Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest freshwater lake, to reflect on the journey you’ve just completed. Later, transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your flight home.

  • Breakfast
Day 1

Protea Hotel Entebbe

A refined lakeside retreat on Lake Victoria, just minutes from the airport, with stylish rooms and a pool terrace for relaxing arrivals and departures.

Day 2, Day 3

Pakuba Safari Lodge

Pakuba Safari Lodge is set deep withinMurchison Falls National Park, on the easternbank of the Albert Nile, where the savannah meets riverine forest. Built on the site of aformer 1970s presidential retreat, the lodge offersspacious, en-suite rooms and familycottageswith private verandas that open to views of the Nile and surrounding wilderness.What sets Pakuba apart is itswildlife-rich location. It is not uncommon to spot giraffes,elephants, antelope, warthogs, and even lions wanderingacross the lodge grounds—making the property itself feel like part of the safari. A swimming pool and shaded terraceoffer welcome respite during the heat of the day, while the open-air restaurant and barserve a mix of Ugandan and international cuisine.Pakuba’s strength lies in itsstrategic location inside the parkand its warm, hospitablestaff. The lodge also works in partnership with Uganda Wildlife Authority, supporting thepark through concession fees that directly contribute toconservation andanti-poachingeffortswithin Murchison Falls

Day 4, Day 5

Chimpundu Lodge – Kibale Forest

A luxury retreat tucked into the rolling hills near Kibale, offering stylish cottages with private verandas and sweeping views. Its spa, pool, and gourmet dining make it a restorative base after chimpanzee trekking and cultural encounters.

Day 6, Day 7

Mweya Safari Lodge

Queen Elizabeth National Park
Perched on a peninsula above the Kazinga Channel, Mweya Safari Lodge is one of Uganda’s most iconic properties. Its elevated setting ensures panoramic wildlife viewing, while its elegant rooms, infinity pool, and open terraces embody classic safari comfort.

Day 8 , Day 9

Mahogany Springs Lodge

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Nestled along the Munyanga River with mist-draped forest views, Mahogany Springs blends rustic beauty with understated luxury. Spacious cottages, attentive service, and proximity to gorilla trekking trailheads make it a tranquil haven in Bwindi

 

Inclusions

Road transfers.

Rhino Tracking Permit at Ziwa Rhino reserve.

Visit top of falls at Murchison Park.

Private boat cruise to the falls.

Game drive in Murchison falls.

Chimpanzees permit at Kibale Park.

Private boat in Queen Elizabeth at Kazinga Channel.

Experiential lion game drive in Queen Elizabeth Park.

Gorilla tracking permit in Bwindi

Domestic Flight.

Customised 6-seater capacity 4X4 full time safari Jeep.

Fuel and English-speaking guide.

Drinking water and meals enroute.

All soft drinks at the Lodges and on the road.

All meals at all lodges, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Exclusions

East African Tourist Visa.

Anything identified as not included (day room on last day)

Soda and alcohol

Tips and other allowances.

Laundry services.

Important Note

Uganda Travel Fact Sheet

    •  Capital: Kampala
    • Official Language: English, Swahili (official); Luganda and other local languages widely spoken
    • Currency: Ugandan Shilling (UGX)
    •  Time Zone: UTC +3
    •  Passport must be valid for at least 6 months.
    • Visa required for most travelers; available online as an e-Visa or on arrival.
    •  Yellow Fever vaccination certificate required for entry.
    • Required: Yellow Fever vaccination.
    • Recommended vaccines: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies, and routine immunizations.
    • Malaria prophylaxis is strongly advised.
    • Drink bottled or purified water only.
    • Travel insurance strongly recommended.
  • Season Months Avg. Temp (°C/°F) Notes
    Dry Season Dec – Feb 17°C to 28°C (63°F to 82°F) Best for wildlife viewing
    Wet Season Mar – May 18°C to 26°C (64°F to 79°F) Heavy rains, lush landscapes
    Dry Season Jun – Aug 16°C to 27°C (61°F to 81°F) Excellent for gorilla trekking
    Wet Season Sep – Nov 17°C to 26°C (63°F to 79°F) Short rains
    • Lightweight, breathable clothing for warm days.
    • Long-sleeved shirts and pants for mosquito protection.
    •  Sturdy walking shoes/boots for trekking.
    •  Rain jacket for wet seasons.
    •  Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen.
    •  Binoculars for wildlife viewing.
    •  Power adapter (Type G plug, 240V).
    • Personal first aid kit and malaria medication.
    •  Main international airport: Entebbe International Airport (near Kampala)
    • Domestic flights: Charter and domestic flights connect Entebbe with national parks such as Bwindi, Kidepo, and Murchison Falls
    •  Voltage: 240V, Frequency: 50Hz
    •  Plug type: Type G (UK-style)
    •  Universal adapters recommended.
    •  Restaurants: 5–10% if not included.
    •  Guides: $10–20 per person/day.
    •  Drivers: $5–10 per person/day.
    •  Rangers/Trackers: $10–15 per trek per person.
    • Hotels: Small tips for porters and housekeeping.
    •  Ugandan cuisine is hearty, with matoke (steamed bananas), posho (maize porridge), and beans as staples.
    •  Grilled meats and fish from Lake Victoria are common.
    •  Chapati and rolex (chapati with egg) are popular street foods.
    • Fresh tropical fruits widely available.
    •  Ugandans are warm and hospitable.
    •  Greetings are important; shake hands when meeting.
    •  Dress modestly in rural areas and religious sites.
    •  Always ask before taking photographs of people.
    •  ATMs available in major towns; carry cash in rural areas.
    •  Internet improving in cities but limited in remote areas.
    • English widely spoken.
    •  Travel between parks often involves flights due to long road distances.
  • Men's Safari Wear
    • Lightweight long-sleeve shirt (neutral colours) Cargo trousers / safari pants
    • Wide-brim hat
    • Comfortable hiking shoes
    • Light jacket/fleece for morning drives
    Women's Safari Wear
    • Breathable long-sleeve blouse or t-shirt Safari trousers or leggings Safari hat/cap
    • Light scarf (dust & sun protection) Neutral-colour layered outfit for cold mornings
    Kids' Safari Wear
    • Soft, breathable shirts (neutral colours) Comfortable shorts/pants
    • Sun hat with neck flap
    • Closed shoes or sneakers
    • Light jacket for early drives
    General Safari Tips Wear layers - mornings are cold, afternoons hot Bring sunglasses, sunscreen & insect repellent Choose neutral earthy tones for comfort & better wildlife viewing

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