Uganda Gorilla & Wildlife Safari

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport on the shores of Lake Victoria. Transfer to your hotel in Entebbe, a charming colonial-era town surrounded by botanical gardens and lake beaches. Enjoy a welcome dinner and briefing on your ten-day Ugandan adventure. If time permits, stroll through the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre or Entebbe Botanical Gardens.

Drive north to Uganda's largest national park, Murchison Falls, where the mighty Nile forces itself through a narrow 7-metre gap in the rocks before plunging 43 metres into the gorge below. The drive passes through lush countryside and the Budongo Forest (home to chimpanzees). Arrive at your safari lodge overlooking the Nile in the afternoon.

Morning game drive on the north bank of the Nile through savanna dotted with giraffes, elephants, lions, and Uganda kob. In the afternoon, board a boat for an unforgettable cruise upstream to the base of Murchison Falls. The three-hour cruise passes hippo pods, massive Nile crocodiles, and extraordinary birdlife including the rare shoebill stork. Optionally hike to the top of the falls for a dizzying view.

Depart Murchison Falls and drive south to Kibale Forest National Park, known as the 'Primate Capital of the World' with 13 primate species. The long drive crosses the Albertine Rift and passes through Fort Portal, a picturesque town surrounded by tea estates and crater lakes. Arrive in the evening at your forest lodge near Kibale.

Early morning chimpanzee tracking through Kibale's lush tropical rainforest. With over 1,500 chimpanzees, Kibale offers the best chimp-tracking experience in East Africa. Expert guides lead you through the forest canopy, following calls and signs until you encounter a chimp community — swinging through trees, grooming, and using tools. Afternoon Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary walk for more primates and birding.

Drive south to Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda's most popular parks straddling the equator. En route, stop at the equator crossing for photos. Arrive in time for an afternoon game drive on the Kasenyi Plains, known for lion sightings. The park's diverse habitats — from savanna to wetlands to crater lakes — support an incredible 600+ bird species.

Morning boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel connecting Lakes Edward and George — one of Africa's greatest boat safari experiences, with hippo schools, elephants bathing, and enormous Nile crocodiles on the banks. After lunch, drive south to the Ishasha sector, famous for its tree-climbing lions that drape themselves in the branches of giant fig trees.

Drive from Ishasha through the stunning Kigezi Highlands — often called the 'Switzerland of Africa' — to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to roughly half the world's remaining mountain gorillas. The winding mountain road offers breathtaking views. Arrive at your forest lodge and prepare for tomorrow's gorilla trek.

The pinnacle of your Uganda safari. After an early briefing, trek into Bwindi's dense, mist-covered forest with rangers to find a habituated gorilla family. The trek can take two to eight hours through steep, tangled vegetation — challenging but profoundly rewarding. Your one-hour encounter with these magnificent creatures, watching a silverback tend his family, is one of the world's greatest wildlife experiences.

Depart Bwindi and drive to Lake Bunyonyi, one of Africa's deepest and most beautiful lakes, dotted with 29 islands and surrounded by terraced hillsides. Enjoy a brief canoe ride on the serene lake before continuing the long drive back to Entebbe via Kabale and the main highway. Arrive in the evening for your departure flight or overnight stay.