Uganda is one of the only places left on earth where you can track mountain gorillas and chimpanzees in the wild within the same week, and this trip is built around exactly that. Over 10 days we travel through four of Uganda's best national parks, from the thundering Nile at Murchison Falls, to the forests of Kibale, to the open savannah of Queen Elizabeth and Lake Mburo, before the trip's two headline moments: a face-to-face encounter with a mountain gorilla family in Bwindi, and chimpanzee trekking through the tropical forest of Kibale.

This is a small, private group safari, just 14 of us, travelling together in two private 4x4 Land Cruisers with professional driver-guides, staying in comfortable safari lodges rather than camping, and moving at a pace that leaves room to actually take it all in. I'll be there hosting the group.

Beyond the gorillas and chimps, expect rhino tracking at Ziwa, boat cruises past hippos and crocodiles on the Nile and the Kazinga Channel, game drives in search of lions, elephants and the tree-climbing lions of Ishasha, and a stop at the Uganda Equator. Every permit fee on this trip goes directly towards the conservation work that has brought Uganda's gorilla and rhino populations back from the edge, so beyond being an incredible trip, it's one that genuinely supports the wildlife and communities you'll be visiting.

We know plans can change, so we’ve kept our cancellation policy clear and fair. A non-refundable deposit of 25% is required at booking, and your final balance is due 8 weeks before departure. If you need to cancel:

• 16+ weeks before your trip (112+ days): you’ll only lose your deposit

• 13–15 weeks before your trip (91–105 days): 50% of your trip cost is non-refundable

• 9–12 weeks before your trip (63–84 days): 75% of your trip cost is non-refundable

• Less than 8 weeks before your trip (under 56 days): no refund can be given

The deposit is non-refundable because planning, accommodation bookings and trip preparation begin immediately once your place is confirmed, often with upfront costs from the moment your booking is made, and it helps ensure everyone on the trip is committed.

Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be welcomed by your safari team and transferred to your hotel in Entebbe.

The first day has intentionally been kept relaxed to accommodate guests arriving on different international flights and to allow everyone time to recover from their journey before beginning the safari.

You will check in at Best Western Premier Garden Hotel Entebbe and have time to rest and settle in.

For guests whose flights arrive early enough, we can arrange an optional excursion to Mabamba Swamp, one of Uganda's best-known wetland birding destinations.

The excursion offers an opportunity to explore the wetlands by traditional canoe while searching for the famous shoebill stork and other wetland bird species.

Guests arriving later in the day can simply proceed to the hotel and relax.

Accommodation: Best Western Premier Garden Hotel Entebbe

Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
Optional Activity: Mabamba Swamp Excursion

After breakfast, meet your safari driver-guides and begin the journey north towards Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

Upon arrival, meet an experienced ranger for a guided rhino-tracking experience on foot.

The experience provides an opportunity to observe southern white rhinos while learning about conservation efforts and the work that has helped restore Uganda's rhino population.

After rhino tracking, continue towards Murchison Falls National Park.

On arrival in the park, visit the spectacular Top of Murchison Falls, where the mighty River Nile is forced through a narrow gorge before plunging dramatically downstream.

You will have time to enjoy the viewpoints, take photographs and experience the incredible power of the falls from above.

Afterwards, continue to your lodge for check-in, dinner and overnight. Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge – Murchison Falls

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Begin the day with an early morning game drive across the northern savannah plains of Murchison Falls National Park.

Your guides will search for giraffes, elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, hartebeests, warthogs and other wildlife.

There is also a possibility of encountering predators such as lions and leopards, although wildlife sightings always depend on animal movements.

After the morning game drive, return to the lodge for breakfast and some relaxation.
In the afternoon, proceed to the Nile for a boat cruise towards the bottom of Murchison Falls.

During the cruise, look out for hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes and numerous waterbirds along the riverbanks.

Afterwards, continue with an evening game drive.

Accommodation: Pakuba Safari Lodge – Murchison Falls

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, check out and begin the journey south towards the Kibale Forest region.

The drive takes you through western Uganda's countryside, passing rural communities, farms, tea-growing areas and lush green landscapes.

Upon reaching Kibale, check in at Turaco Treetops and have some time to settle in. Later, proceed to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided nature and community walk.

Bigodi is well known for its rich biodiversity and offers opportunities to encounter monkeys, colourful birds, butterflies and various plant species.

Your local guide will also explain how community tourism contributes to conservation and local livelihoods.

After the experience, return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Accommodation: Turaco Treetops – Kibale

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After an early breakfast, transfer to Kibale National Park for your chimpanzee trekking experience.

Following registration and a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers, enter the tropical forest with experienced guides in search of a habituated chimpanzee community.

Once the chimpanzees are located, enjoy the permitted viewing time observing them feeding, grooming, communicating, climbing and interacting.

Later, transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Upon arrival, check in at Buffalo Safari Lodge and relax for the evening.

Accommodation: Buffalo Safari Lodge – Queen Elizabeth National Park

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Begin the morning with an early game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park, exploring the Kasenyi plains and surrounding wildlife areas.

Your safari guides will search for elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kobs, waterbucks, warthogs and other savannah wildlife.

The park also supports predators such as lions, leopards and hyenas, although sightings depend on their movements on the day.

After the morning game drive, return to the lodge for breakfast and relaxation. In the afternoon, head to the Kazinga Channel for a boat cruise.

The channel connects Lake Edward and Lake George and provides excellent opportunities to see hippos, elephants, buffaloes, crocodiles and numerous bird species along the shoreline.

After the cruise, continue with an evening game drive.

Accommodation: Buffalo Safari Lodge – Queen Elizabeth National Park

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After breakfast, check out from Buffalo Safari Lodge and begin the journey south towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Your route passes through the Ishasha Sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, an area particularly famous for its tree-climbing lions.

While travelling through the sector, your driver-guides will keep watch for tree-climbing lions and other wildlife that may be visible along the route.

If the lions are in accessible areas close to the route, there may be an opportunity to stop and observe them.

Continue towards Bwindi, where the landscape gradually changes from open savannah to rolling hills, farmland and dense tropical forest.

Upon arrival, check in at your lodge and spend the remainder of the afternoon relaxing and preparing for the following morning's gorilla trekking experience.

Accommodation: Gorilla Leisure Lodge – Bwindi

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

After an early breakfast, transfer to the designated gorilla trekking briefing point.

Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers will provide a briefing about trekking procedures, safety and gorilla conservation before assigning guests to their trekking groups.

Enter Bwindi Impenetrable Forest accompanied by experienced rangers and trackers in search of your assigned mountain gorilla family.

The duration of the trek varies depending on the location and movements of the gorillas on the day.

Once the gorillas are located, spend the permitted viewing time observing them feeding, resting, grooming and interacting in their natural environment.

After completing the trek, return for refreshments and prepare for the onward journey.

Instead of travelling to Lake Bunyonyi, the group will transfer directly from Bwindi to Lake Mburo National Park.

The exact departure time from Bwindi will depend on when the gorilla trek finishes.

Upon arrival in the Lake Mburo area, check in at your lodge, have dinner and rest after the day's activities and transfer.

Accommodation: Rwakobo Rock – Lake Mburo National Park

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Begin the day with an early morning game drive in Lake Mburo National Park.

Explore the park's open savannah and acacia woodland while searching for zebras, impalas, elands, topis, giraffes, buffaloes and other wildlife.

After the game drive, continue with a guided walking safari accompanied by an experienced ranger.

The walking safari offers a different perspective of Lake Mburo National Park and provides an opportunity to learn about wildlife tracks, vegetation, animal behaviour and the wider ecosystem.

After completing the morning activities, return to the lodge, have breakfast and prepare for the journey to Entebbe.

Begin the road transfer towards Entebbe, stopping along the way at the Uganda Equator.

There will be time for photographs, refreshments and an opportunity to browse local craft and souvenir shops.

After the Equator stop, continue to Entebbe.

Upon arrival, check in at Best Western Premier Garden Hotel Entebbe and spend the remainder of the evening relaxing.

Accommodation: Best Western Premier Garden Hotel Entebbe

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Enjoy a relaxed final morning in Entebbe.
After breakfast, there will be time to prepare for departure and check out of the hotel.

Your safari team will then transfer the group to Entebbe International Airport in good time for check-in and departure formalities.

With the group already staying in Entebbe the previous night, guests can comfortably book an international flight departing for any time of the day or early morning.

This marks the end of your memorable 10-day Uganda gorilla, chimpanzee and wildlife safari.

Meal Plan: Breakfast