Uganda Gorilla & Shoebill Adventure

In the Mabamba Wetlands near Entebbe, on the late afternoon of your arrival day. You set out at about 5 PM in a traditional motorised dugout canoe through papyrus channels. Along the way you may also see the papyrus gonolek, swamp flycatcher and white-winged swamp warbler. Shoebill sightings are never certain, but Mabamba is a well-known place to try.

Because the second trek is rarely a repeat. Gorillas move every day, the walk in can be very different, and you may meet a different family with its own dynamics. A second hour with the gorillas also gives you more time to simply watch rather than photograph. Both gorilla permits are included in this trip.

You fly. On day two a scheduled domestic flight leaves Entebbe at 7 AM and lands in Kisoro at about 9:30 AM, passing the Virunga volcanoes on the way. Your driver-guide then takes you to Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge. On day five you fly back from Kisoro at 8 AM. Scheduled times can change, and we confirm them before you travel.

Your first night is at Protea Hotel Entebbe. The next three nights are at Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge, a small lodge just outside Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with views over the forested hills. Staying three nights in one place means you unpack once for both trekking days and can rest properly in the afternoons.

You need to be comfortable on steep, slippery forest trails on two consecutive days. The terrain in Bwindi can be steep and the rainforest thick, and the length of each trek depends on where the gorilla family is that morning. Regular hill walking in the weeks before your trip helps. You're back at the lodge each afternoon to rest.

On the late afternoon of day two you join a guided community walk and meet local families who live alongside the gorillas. You learn about their traditions, music and daily life. It adds context to the treks and shows how conservation and local life are linked around Bwindi.

Yes, it runs as a private trip for your own group, and our team can adjust the dates or pace. You could add a night in Entebbe, for example, or more time near Bwindi. Tell us your preferred dates early, since gorilla permits are limited and need to be secured well in advance.

It starts and ends at Entebbe International Airport. Your driver-guide meets you on arrival and takes you to Protea Hotel Entebbe. On the last day your flight from Kisoro lands in Entebbe late in the morning, which leaves time to connect with an international departure. Our services end on arrival back in Entebbe.

Bring waterproof hiking boots with good grip, long trousers, a long-sleeved shirt, gardening gloves for gripping vegetation, a rain jacket and a small daypack for water and your packed lunch. Use a soft bag that suits the domestic flights, and add a warm layer for cool evenings. Check Uganda's current entry and health requirements before you travel.

The Uganda Gorilla & Shoebill Adventure is 5 days and 4 nights. The day-by-day itinerary on this page shows where you go and stay each day.

This trip visits Mabamba Wetlands and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

It is rated moderate: a reasonable level of general fitness is enough.

It runs for groups of 2 to 12 travellers.

Included: 2 gorilla permits, Flights Entebbe-Kisoro, 4 nights accommodation, Meals, Shoebill excursion, Community walk, Park fees and Guide, and more (see the full list on this page).

Not included: International flights, Visa fees, Travel insurance, Personal expenses, Gratuities, Alcoholic beverages and Laundry.