Discover Uganda

This morning’s flight on a light aircraft to Kihihi airstrip takes just over an hour. Transfer through local villages and along mountain roads to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a World Heritage site, taking approximately 90 mins to get there.  

Considered the most diverse forest in Uganda, Bwindi is one of the richest ecosystems in East Africa and is home to over 120 mammals, 345 species of birds, 200 species of butterflies and 160 species of trees. The park contains an estimated half of the world’s population of the endangered Mountain Gorilla, making it an extremely valuable conservation site.

Set within the National Park and just steps away from the Gorilla Trekking headquarters, Buhoma Lodge offers cosy accommodation in wooden chalets with uninterrupted views of the pristine rainforest canopy. Renowned for its warm welcome and attentive service, Buhoma is an eco-friendly lodge operating on solar power. Each of the ten wooden chalets has a private verandah and enormous windows, giving spectacular views over the forest. Awaken to chattering birds, and watch out for the occasional mountain gorilla that has ventured right in to visit the lodge. For the next 3 nights you will be staying at Buhoma Lodge with all meals and local drinks included.

Gorilla Trekking – Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Few words can describe the thrill of today’s lifetime experience! Coming face to face with mountain gorillas is a rare wildlife encounter that is exhilarating, humbling and enthralling. Experienced guides and trackers will accompany your party on an early morning trek into the dense rain forest on the steep mountain slopes. Please note that gorilla trekking is strenuous with treks ranging from 45 mins up to eight hours, at high altitudes in hot African conditions. The thrill of the hour you spend quietly observing these gentle giants once you find them is so worth the trek to get there! Although mountain gorillas are wild animals and sightings cannot be guaranteed, viewing success rates are over 95%.

Head back to Buhoma Lodge for a complimentary massage after your trek, or explore the surrounding Bwindi community.

*Please note that days 3 and 4 are interchangeable depending on when we can secure gorilla permits *

On the final day, those with additional pre-purchased permits will depart for a second gorilla trekking experience. Guests not trekking have the day free to explore the Bwindi area – optional activities include forest walks, a visit to a local school/orphanage/hospital or Batwa pygmy village, and some local curio shopping.

Depart Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park this morning and travel to Ishasha in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park (a 2-3 hour drive), with a brief stop en-route at a community project near Ishasha Village.
Located in the western arm of the Great Rift Valley, the park is home to a wide variety of wildlife including elephants, leopard, lions, hippos, buffalo, Uganda kob, baboon, and many species of birds. With both a riverine and savannah habitat, the southern Ishasha area includes the massive Maramagambo, one of the largest surviving natural forests in Uganda, and is home to the tree climbing lions typically found in the area. Afternoon game drives will be enjoyed in the Ishasha area, looking for the huge herds of buffalo, elephant, Uganda kob and of course the famous tree-climbing lion typically found in the area. Overnight at Ishasha Wilderness Camp including all meals and local drinks.

This exclusive 10 tented camp offers the only luxury accommodation in the remote southern sector of Queen Elizabeth. Set on the banks of the Ntungwe River, the eco-friendly Ishasha Wilderness Camp is an idyllic retreat for people who truly enjoy remote wilderness. The thatched central lounge and dining area offers a comfortable area for guests to enjoy wholesome dining, although meals are often served ‘al fresco’ next to the river. The outdoor fireplace is the perfect place for guests to relax with sundowners and wind down after an exciting day’s game viewing. Highly recommended to book in advance are the bush sundowners and the bush breakfast, both hugely memorable experiences in beautiful settings.

If you have booked the 6-day safari, you will be transferred in the morning to the airstrip for your return flight to Entebbe. For those who have booked the 8 or 10 day safari, spend today enjoying game drives in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, rounding things off with scenic bush sundowners including drinks and snacks. This is what memories are made of!

Head north toward the ‘Mweya’ sector of the park to enjoy a leisurely boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a 32-kilometre-long natural channel linking Lake Edward and Lake George. Kazinga’s shores are dotted with herds of lazy buffalo, pods of hippos wallowing without a care, and countless bird species. Drift past local fishing villages, and soak up the peaceful tranquillity of this beautiful African day. The cruise normally departs at 14h00, although this depends on availability when booking and is subject to change –no drinks/snacks are provided on the boat. Overnight at Mweya Safari Lodge, located on a peninsula overlooking the Kazinga Channel on one side and the spectacular Rwenzori Mountains on the other.

Early morning start today, with the highlight being your Chimpanzee trekking in Kyambura Gorge. The forest is alive with noise! Chimpanzees can be quite active and may move quickly through the forest canopy… or, if you are lucky, you may find them resting or eating near the forest floors. It’s an exhilarating walk, in beautiful scenery. As with gorilla trekking, sightings cannot be guaranteed.

For those who have booked the 8-day safari, after this activity, we depart to the nearby Mweya airstrip for your return flight to Entebbe.

For those on the 10-day safari, a 3-4 hour drive takes you to Kibale Forest, comprising an interesting blend of lowland tropical rain forest, montane forest, and mixed tropical deciduous forest. In addition to forest, you will also notice areas of grassland and swamp. The forest is rich in wildlife and is most noted for its primate population.

These include red-tailed monkeys, diademed monkeys, olive baboons, chimpanzees, and black and white colobus. The birdlife is also abundant, with close to 300 species identified here. The forest is also home to 144 species of butterfly and a diverse population of moths and other insects Overnight at Primate Lodge or similar including all meals.

Your Kibale Forest chimp trek will generally take place in the morning. The forest is alive with noise! Chimpanzees can be quite active and may move quickly through the forest canopy… or, if you are lucky, you may find them resting or eating near the forest floors. It’s an exhilarating walk, in beautiful scenery. As with gorilla tracking, sightings cannot be guaranteed even though the chimps are habituated to humans. Your guides will be able to show you different bird species and will give details of the plant species within the forest. The trek allows you to spend 1 hour observing the chimps once you have found them. Rest of the day at leisure.

Bigodi Swamp Walk – Optional extra
Considered one of Uganda’s best bird-watching locations, Bigodi Swamp’s rich ecosystem makes it a spectacular venue for viewing numerous primate and bird species in their natural habitat. This two to three-hour walk can be tailored to individual schedules and interests.

In the morning depart after an early breakfast for the drive back to Entebbe, arriving back late afternoon to allow for onward flights home.