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Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Volcanoes National Park
Tour Highlights
What makes this trip special
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Your trip, day by day
Arrival & Transfer to Hotel
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met by your driver-guide and transferred to your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe. Depending on arrival time, you can opt for a city tour visiting the Uganda Museum, Kasubi Tombs, or relax by Lake Victoria. Overnight at your lodge. Morning: Arrive at Entebbe International Airport (EBB). Clear immigration and collect your luggage. Your professional driver-guide will be waiting outside the arrivals hall holding a sign with your name. Entebbe sits on the shores of Lake Victoria, Africa's largest lake by surface area. The airport is conveniently located just 40 km from Kampala, Uganda's capital city. Afternoon: Transfer to your hotel in Kampala or Entebbe (30-60 minutes). If time permits, enjoy an optional city tour to the Uganda Museum, the Kasubi Tombs (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), or the vibrant craft markets in Kampala. Alternatively, relax by the shores of Lake Victoria at your lodge and watch the local fishing boats return with their catch. Evening: Check in and settle at your lodge. Enjoy a welcome dinner and a comprehensive briefing from your guide about the incredible adventure ahead. Recommended meal: Ugandan national dish of matoke (steamed green bananas) served with groundnut sauce and grilled meat. Your guide will also check your trekking gear and ensure everything is ready for the journey.
Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary & Murchison Falls
After breakfast, drive north to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in Uganda to see white rhinos in the wild. Track these gentle giants on foot with an armed ranger. Continue to Murchison Falls National Park and visit the top of the falls, where the Nile River squeezes through a 7-metre gap and plunges 43 metres. Overnight in Murchison Falls NP. Morning: Early breakfast followed by a scenic 4-hour drive north to Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary (170 km). The landscape transitions from urban Kampala to rolling countryside and sugarcane plantations. At Ziwa, embark on a guided walking safari with an armed ranger to track white rhinos on foot - the only place in Uganda where you can do this. Ziwa is also home to over 300 bird species and has successfully bred over 30 white rhinos since its establishment. Afternoon: Continue driving north to Murchison Falls National Park (another 1.5 hours). Stop at the top of the falls to witness one of nature's most powerful spectacles: the entire Nile River forced through a 7-metre-wide gorge, plunging 43 metres with a thunderous roar. Photography and guided commentary included. Wildlife tip: look for Defassa waterbuck and oribi along the park entrance road. Evening: Check in at your lodge inside Murchison Falls NP. Enjoy dinner under the African stars. Many lodges offer views over the Nile River - request a river-facing room. Packing tip: bring a warm layer as evenings near the river can be cool.
Game Drive & Nile Boat Cruise
Rise early for a morning game drive across the northern bank of the Nile. Look out for elephants, giraffes, lions, buffalo, and the rare Rothschild giraffe. In the afternoon, board a boat cruise to the base of Murchison Falls - hippos, crocodiles, and prolific birdlife line the banks. Overnight in Murchison Falls NP. Morning: Early morning tea or coffee at 6:00 AM, then depart for a 3-4 hour game drive across the northern bank of the Nile. This area is known for excellent wildlife density. Search for elephants, lions, giraffes, buffalo, and the rare Rothschild giraffe with your expert guide. The park is home to 76 mammal species including patas monkeys, olive baboons, and Jackson's hartebeest. Photography tip: morning light is ideal for wildlife photography between 7:00-9:00 AM. Afternoon: Return to the lodge for lunch and a short rest. At 2:00 PM, board a 2-hour boat cruise from the Paraa jetty to the base of Murchison Falls. The cruise along the Nile is a wildlife parade: observe hundreds of hippos, enormous Nile crocodiles basking on sandbanks, elephants drinking at the water's edge, and prolific birdlife including the rare shoebill stork, African fish eagle, and Goliath heron. Evening: Sundowner drinks at the lodge terrace overlooking the Nile River. Watch the sunset paint the sky in shades of orange and gold over the river. Dinner and overnight in Murchison Falls NP.
Drive to Kibale Forest
Depart after breakfast and journey south through the lush countryside of western Uganda. Pass through Fort Portal, the "Switzerland of Africa," with views of the Rwenzori Mountains. Arrive at Kibale Forest National Park in the afternoon. Evening nature walk around the lodge grounds. Overnight in Kibale area. Morning: Breakfast at the lodge at 7:00 AM. Depart for a scenic 5-hour drive south through western Uganda's lush countryside. The route passes through verdant tea plantations stretching across rolling hills, traditional villages, and the burgeoning town of Hoima. Along the way, look out for troops of olive baboons and black-and-white colobus monkeys in the roadside trees. Afternoon: Stop at Fort Portal, known as the "Switzerland of Africa," for panoramic views of the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains - the legendary "Mountains of the Moon." Enjoy lunch with a view. Continue to Kibale Forest National Park and check into your lodge. Fort Portal is also famous for its crater lakes - a side detour is available if time permits. Evening: Guided nature walk around the lodge grounds with an experienced naturalist guide. This is an excellent opportunity to spot nocturnal wildlife such as bush babies, pottos, and tree hyraxes. Dinner and overnight in the Kibale area.
Chimpanzee Tracking & Bigodi Walk
After an early breakfast, head into Kibale Forest for the highlight: chimpanzee tracking. Walk with experienced guides to find habituated chimp families, observing their social behaviour up close. In the afternoon, visit the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided community walk - home to red colobus monkeys, butterflies, and over 200 bird species. Overnight in Kibale area. Morning: Early breakfast at the lodge at 6:00 AM. Head to the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre for a briefing, then enter Kibale Forest with your guide and ranger for chimpanzee tracking. Walk through the tropical rainforest (795 sq km) in search of habituated chimp families. Kibale is home to over 1,500 chimpanzees - the highest concentration in East Africa. In addition to chimps, you may encounter red-tailed monkeys, L'Hoest's monkeys, grey-cheeked mangabeys, and the occasional forest elephant. Afternoon: Return to the lodge for lunch. At 2:00 PM, visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided community walk. This pristine wetland is managed by the local community and home to red colobus monkeys, black-and-white colobus, vervet monkeys, over 200 bird species (including the great blue turaco), and spectacular butterflies. Photography tip: the wetland boardwalk provides excellent close-up bird photography opportunities. Evening: Relax at the lodge. Dinner and overnight in the Kibale area, surrounded by the sounds of the tropical forest at night.
Transfer to Queen Elizabeth NP
A short scenic drive takes you to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda's most biodiverse park. Check in to your lodge and enjoy an evening game drive through the park's grasslands. Look for elephants, Uganda kobs, and lions before sunset. Overnight in Queen Elizabeth NP. Morning: Breakfast at 7:00 AM and check out from Kibale. Enjoy a scenic 3-hour drive through the Rwenzori foothills to Queen Elizabeth National Park. The route passes through the Kyambura Gorge, a lush riverine forest that is home to a chimpanzee community. The drive offers spectacular views of the Rwenzori Mountains on clear days. Afternoon: Arrive at Queen Elizabeth NP (1,978 sq km) and check in at your lodge. Enjoy lunch with views over the savannah. Take some time to relax - many lodges have swimming pools overlooking the park. Queen Elizabeth is Uganda's most popular national park and was named after Queen Elizabeth II during her 1954 visit. Evening: Evening game drive from 4:00 PM to sunset through the park's grasslands. Search for elephants, Uganda kobs (the national animal of Uganda), bushbuck, waterbuck, and lions before sunset. The evening light provides excellent photography conditions. Return to the lodge after dark for dinner.
Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Cruise
Morning game drive in search of lions and leopards along the Kasenyi Track. Afternoon boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, a 32 km natural channel connecting Lake Edward and Lake George. Expect to see hundreds of hippos, elephants drinking at the shore, and a stunning variety of waterbirds. Overnight in Queen Elizabeth NP. Morning: Early morning game drive (6:30 AM departure) along the Kasenyi Track, the prime predator-viewing area of Queen Elizabeth NP. Search for lions and leopards with your experienced guide. This area is also excellent for spotted hyenas, side-striped jackals, and large herds of Uganda kobs. The Kasenyi plains offer some of the best big cat photography in Uganda, especially in the early morning golden light. Afternoon: Lunch at the lodge. At 2:00 PM, board a 2-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel. This 32 km natural channel connecting Lake Edward and Lake George has the highest concentration of hippos in the world - over 5,000 individuals. Witness elephants drinking and bathing at the shoreline, buffalo wading in the shallows, and a stunning variety of waterbirds including great white pelicans, pink-backed pelicans, yellow-billed storks, saddle-billed storks, and African fish eagles. Evening: Return to the lodge for dinner. An optional night game drive (available at extra cost) offers the chance to spot nocturnal wildlife such as leopards, porcupines, genet cats, white-tailed mongooses, and the elusive pangolin. Night drives use a spotlight with a red filter to avoid disturbing wildlife.
Ishasha Sector & Bwindi
Travel south to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth NP, famous for its tree-climbing lions that lounge in fig trees. After a game drive through Ishasha, continue to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, home to half of the world's mountain gorillas. Overnight in Bwindi area. Morning: Early breakfast at 6:30 AM. Depart for the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth NP (about 2 hours south). Game drive through Ishasha in search of the famous tree-climbing lions that lounge in the fig trees. This unique behaviour is rarely seen elsewhere in Africa. Ishasha is also home to large herds of topi and buffalo. Photography tip: tree-climbing lions are best photographed from a distance with a 200mm+ lens to capture them lounging in the fig tree branches. Afternoon: Picnic lunch in the Ishasha sector overlooking the savannah. Continue south (about 2 hours) to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, passing through the stunning terraced hills of the Kigezi Highlands. This region is known as the "Switzerland of Africa" for its steep green hills and neat farming terraces carved into every slope. Evening: Arrive at your Bwindi area lodge by late afternoon. Comprehensive briefing from your lead guide about the gorilla trekking experience scheduled for tomorrow. The briefing covers trekking rules, gorilla etiquette, what to pack for the trek, and photography tips in the forest. Enjoy a hearty dinner and an early bedtime - gorilla trekking starts at sunrise.
Gorilla Trekking Experience
The day you have been waiting for! After an early briefing, enter Bwindi's misty forest with your gorilla trekking group. The hike can take 1-5 hours depending on the gorilla family's location. Once you find them, spend one unforgettable hour observing the mountain gorillas - watching them feed, play, and interact. This is a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounter. Overnight in Bwindi area. Morning: Early breakfast at 5:30 AM with packed snacks for the trek. Transfer to the park headquarters at 6:30 AM for a final gorilla trekking briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. Groups of 8 visitors are assigned to specific gorilla families. Enter Bwindi's misty forest with your group, lead guide, trackers, and armed rangers. The trek can take 1-5 hours through steep, dense, and often muddy terrain. Porter services are available for hire (approximately $15-20) - highly recommended even if you are fit, as they help carry your daypack and assist you on steep sections. Afternoon: Once the gorilla family is located, spend one unforgettable hour in their presence. Watch the silverback protect his family, mothers nurse their infants, juveniles play-fight, and the entire group feed on bamboo shoots and forest vegetation. This is widely considered one of the most profound wildlife encounters on Earth. After the hour, trek back to the trailhead. Photography tip: use a fast lens (f/2.8 or wider) and high ISO in the dark forest conditions. Turn off your flash - it is prohibited. Evening: Return to the lodge to celebrate your gorilla trekking achievement. Receive a gorilla trekking certificate from the Uganda Wildlife Authority. Enjoy a celebratory dinner and share stories with your trekking group. Overnight in Bwindi. Gorilla trekking is a physically demanding but deeply rewarding experience that stays with you for life.
Departure back to Entebbe
After a final breakfast, depart Bwindi for Entebbe. The drive takes you through Mbarara town and across the Equator, where you can stop for photos and shop for local crafts. Continue to Entebbe for your airport transfer or onward connections. End of tour. Morning: Final breakfast at the lodge at 7:00 AM. Depart Bwindi for the journey back to Entebbe. Drive through the scenic Kigezi Highlands and Mbarara town, the heart of Uganda's cattle-keeping region. The rolling green hills dotted with long-horned Ankole cattle provide a beautiful backdrop for the final day of your safari. Afternoon: Stop at the Uganda Equator for photos and souvenir shopping at the local craft markets. This is a memorable photo opportunity standing with one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and one in the Southern Hemisphere. Enjoy lunch en route at a lakeside restaurant. Continue the drive to Entebbe, passing through the sprawling suburbs of Kampala. Evening: Arrive in Entebbe (approximately 5:00-6:00 PM). Transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your departure flight or onward connections. End of tour. We recommend booking flights departing after 8:00 PM to allow ample time for the drive and any unexpected delays.
What's Included & Excluded
Know exactly what your package covers
Included
- Gorilla trekking permit
- Park entrance fees
- Professional trekking guide and armed ranger
- Lodge accommodation
- Full board meals
- Ground transport
Not Included
- International flights
- Visa
- Travel and medical evacuation insurance
- Tips
- Porter fee for carrying bags on the trek (optional but recommended)
- Alcoholic drinks
Best Time to Travel
Gorilla trekking is possible year-round. The driest, easiest trekking conditions fall June-September and December-February.
Lodges near the park
Full board at lodges
What to Pack
Suggested gear for this trip
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