Wake up at 6:00am for a warm cup of African coffee, prepare for your long-awaited trek. At 7:00am, hike to the visitors briefing area, which is a few minutes’ drive from your place of accommodation. Meet with the head ranger and other visitors for a general briefing on the do’s and don’ts while conducting this memorable trek.

It is during this briefing that you’ll be allocated a specific group of gorillas to track together with a ranger, guide and porter in case you need one to carry your luggage.

The trek starts at 8.30am with simple forest hikes through designated trails and depending on the gorilla family, trekking experience can last for about 2-8 hours. The trek may become strenuous depending on the weather and how far the gorillas have moved, but the epic one-hour encounter with a habituated family is truly refreshing.

Later, return back to the starting point with fellow trekkers, meet your guide or have a quick picnic lunch and transfer to Lake Bunyonyi immediately. 

This is one of Africa’s deepest lake (2nd only to Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania). While here, you will admire the sweeping terraced hills on the backdrop of over 28 islands that make up Lake Bunyonyi, each island with a unique story that you will learn when you take a local dugout canoe under the guidance of local tour guide.

There are many activities that you might indulge in while here, including canoe experience, boat cruise, hiking, community walks, island hopping, birding and swimming (the lake is bilharzia free).

End the day at the lodge with dinner and a peaceful night stay.

After breakfast on the shores of Lake Bunyonyi, leave at leisure via Mbarara-Kabale highway; pass via Mbarara city for lunch and the equator for memorable photos and shopping. You’ll be dropped off in Kampala or at Entebbe airport later in the evening for overnight stay or departure flight depending on your schedule.