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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
Entebbe to Lake Mburo National Park
Your adventure begins with a drive south to Lake Mburo, Uganda's smallest savannah park but one of its most beautiful. Stop at the Equator for a unique experiment before continuing to the park. Check in and enjoy an afternoon boat cruise on the lake, where you'll see hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of waterbirds. As night falls, we may take a night game drive to look for elusive leopards and nocturnal life. Morning: Pick up from your hotel in Entebbe at 7:00 AM. Drive south through rolling Ugandan countryside with views of tea plantations and traditional villages. Stop at the Uganda Equator for a memorable photo opportunity and a fun water experiment demonstrating the Coriolis effect. Afternoon: Arrive at Lake Mburo National Park (370 sq km) and check into your lodge. Enjoy lunch with views of the lake. At 3:00 PM, board a boat cruise on Lake Mburo to see hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of waterbirds including African fish eagles, kingfishers, and herons. Evening: Optional night game drive to spot leopards, porcupines, bush babies, and other nocturnal wildlife. Dinner and overnight at your Lake Mburo area lodge.
Game Walk & Drive to Bwindi Forest
Experience the savannah on foot with an early morning nature walk - walking among zebras and impalas is an exhilarating experience. After breakfast, we drive further west into the Kigezi Highlands, arriving at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in the evening. The air turns cool and the forest mist begins to descend as we check into our lodge. Morning: Early morning guided nature walk at 6:30 AM accompanied by an armed ranger. Walk through the savannah among zebras, impalas, elands, and buffalo - a thrilling experience that brings you closer to nature. Photography tip: the early morning light is perfect for landscape and wildlife photography. Afternoon: Return to the lodge for breakfast and check out. Drive west through the stunning Kigezi Highlands, often called the "Switzerland of Africa" for its steep green terraced hills. The scenic drive takes approximately 5 hours with stops for lunch and photo opportunities along the way. Evening: Arrive at Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park by late afternoon. Check into your lodge perched on the forest edge. Enjoy a comprehensive briefing about tomorrow's gorilla trekking experience. Dinner and overnight in Bwindi.
The Gorilla Trekking Experience
After a briefing by park rangers, enter the ancient rainforest in search of mountain gorillas. Trekking through the thick canopy is an adventure in itself, but meeting a silverback and his family is a life-changing encounter. Spend an hour in their presence before returning to the lodge for a well-deserved rest and an evening cultural tour with the Batwa people. Morning: Early breakfast at 5:30 AM with packed snacks. Transfer to the park headquarters at 6:30 AM for a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. Enter Bwindi's misty forest with your trekking group, lead guide, trackers, and armed rangers. The trek can take 1-5 hours through steep, dense, and muddy terrain. Porter services are available for hire. Afternoon: Once the gorilla family is located, spend one unforgettable hour in their presence. Watch the silverback protect his family, mothers nurse their infants, and juveniles play-fight. After the hour, trek back to the trailhead. Return to the lodge for lunch and a well-deserved rest. Photography tip: use a fast lens and high ISO in the dark forest conditions. Evening: Evening cultural tour with the Batwa people - Uganda's indigenous forest dwellers. Experience their traditional dance, storytelling, and learn about their ancient forest way of life. Receive your gorilla trekking certificate. Celebratory dinner and overnight in Bwindi.
To the Savannah of Queen Elizabeth NP
We leave the forest and drive north to the open plains of Queen Elizabeth National Park. We'll pass through the Ishasha sector, looking for the famous tree-climbing lions. In the afternoon, we embark on a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel, seeing one of the world's highest concentrations of hippos and crocodiles. Morning: Breakfast at 7:00 AM and check out from Bwindi. Drive north to the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth NP (about 2 hours). Game drive through Ishasha in search of the famous tree-climbing lions that lounge in fig trees - a unique behaviour rarely seen elsewhere in Africa. Afternoon: Picnic lunch in the Ishasha sector. Continue to the main area of Queen Elizabeth NP and check into your lodge. At 2:00 PM, board a 2-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, a 32 km natural channel connecting Lake Edward and Lake George with over 5,000 hippos, crocodiles, elephants at the shoreline, and prolific birdlife. Evening: Sundowner drinks at the lodge overlooking the savannah. Optional night game drive (available at extra cost) to spot leopards, hyenas, and other nocturnal wildlife. Dinner and overnight in Queen Elizabeth NP.
Kasenyi Tracking & Crater Exploration
Spend the morning tracking lions and leopards in the Kasenyi plains, where the wildlife is most active at dawn. In the afternoon, we explore the spectacular explosion craters - vibrant lake-filled basins formed by ancient volcanic activity. It is a day of dramatic wildlife and geological wonders. Morning: Early morning game drive at 6:30 AM on the Kasenyi plains, the prime predator-viewing area of Queen Elizabeth NP. Track lions and leopards with your experienced guide. This area is also excellent for spotted hyenas, side-striped jackals, and large herds of Uganda kobs. Photography tip: morning golden light on the Kasenyi plains offers exceptional wildlife photography conditions. Afternoon: Return to the lodge for lunch. At 2:00 PM, explore the spectacular explosion craters of Queen Elizabeth NP - vibrant lake-filled basins formed by ancient volcanic activity. The panoramic views from the crater rims are breathtaking and offer excellent birdwatching opportunities. Evening: Return to the lodge for dinner. Enjoy a final evening under the African stars at your Queen Elizabeth NP lodge.
Final Safari & Return to Entebbe
Enjoy a final morning game drive or a walk in the Maramagambo forest before beginning the drive back to Entebbe. We stop for lunch and final souvenir hunting at the Equator, arriving in the capital by sunset for your departure. Morning: Final morning game drive at 6:30 AM or a guided nature walk in the Maramagambo forest to search for primates and birds. Alternatively, visit the Kyambura Gorge for a final wildlife experience. Return to the lodge for breakfast and check out. Afternoon: Depart for the drive back to Entebbe (approximately 6-7 hours). Stop for lunch en route. Visit the Uganda Equator for final souvenir shopping and photos standing with one foot in each hemisphere. 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.
What's Included & Excluded
Know exactly what your package covers
Included
- Kilimanjaro National Park entry & camping/hut fees
- KPAP-certified mountain guides, cooks and porters
- All meals on the mountain (breakfast, packed lunch, dinner, hot drinks)
- Mountain camping equipment or hut accommodation (route-dependent)
- Treated drinking water throughout the climb
- Government rescue fees
- Airport transfer on arrival/departure
- Pre-climb briefing and equipment check
- All national park entrance fees
- 4x4 safari vehicle with pop-up roof for game viewing
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Full board accommodation at camps/lodges
- Game drives per the itinerary
- Bottled drinking water in the vehicle
- Airport transfers
Not Included
- International flights
- Tanzania visa
- Travel & medical evacuation insurance
- Tips for guides, cooks and porters
- Personal climbing gear (boots, jacket, sleeping bag)
- Alcoholic drinks and snacks
- Hotel accommodation before/after the climb (unless stated)
- Travel insurance
- Tips for driver-guide and camp/lodge staff
- Alcoholic beverages
- Optional activities (hot air balloon, cultural visits) unless stated
- Personal expenses
Best Time to Travel
The clearest, driest climbing conditions fall in two windows: late June through October, and January to mid-March. Kilimanjaro can be climbed year-round, but the short and long rains (November, and April-May) bring wetter trails and lower summit visibility.
Mountain camping/huts + safari lodges and tented camps
Full board throughout — mountain meals during the climb, lodge/camp meals on safari
What to Pack
Suggested gear for this trip
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