Day 1 – Drive from Kampala or Entebbe to Kibale Forest National Park

Your adventure begins early as you depart from Kampala or Entebbe and travel westward through tea plantations, crater lakes, and rural homesteads. The scenic drive, approximately 5–6 hours, leads you to the lush rainforests of Kibale National Park — Uganda’s renowned Primate Capital of the World.

Upon arrival, you’ll check into your lodge surrounded by tranquil greenery and birdsong. In the afternoon, take a guided nature walk through the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary — a community-managed area teeming with birds and monkeys. You might spot red-tailed monkeys, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and colorful species like the great blue turaco. The day ends with dinner and an overnight stay amidst the soothing forest sounds.

Recommended Lodges:

• Luxury: Crater Safari Lodge or Kyaninga Lodge

• Mid-range: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge or Turaco Treetops

• Budget: Kibale Forest Camp or Rweteera Safari Park

Day 2 – Chimpanzee Tracking & Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, head to the park headquarters for your chimpanzee tracking experience. Accompanied by expert rangers, you’ll venture deep into the tropical forest in search of a habituated chimpanzee community. The forest comes alive with the calls of birds, rustling leaves, and distant pant-hoots echoing through the canopy. Once you find the chimpanzees, you’ll observe them for an hour as they swing through branches, groom each other, and display their remarkable intelligence and energy.

After this exhilarating experience, you’ll have lunch and begin your drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda’s most diverse savannah reserve. The journey takes you past the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains and through scenic crater lakes. You’ll arrive in time for an evening game drive or a relaxed dinner overlooking the park’s open plains.

Recommended Lodges:

• Luxury: Mweya Safari Lodge or Elephant Plains Lodge

• Mid-range: Enganzi Game Lodge or Twin Lakes Safari Lodge

• Budget: Irungu Forest Safari Lodge or Pumba Safari Cottages

Day 3 – Game Drive & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Rise early for a morning game drive across the Kasenyi plains, where you’ll spot herds of elephants, buffaloes, and antelopes, along with predators like lions and hyenas. The soft morning light and open landscapes make this a perfect time for photography. After breakfast, relax at the lodge before heading out for an afternoon boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel.

This natural waterway connecting Lake George and Lake Edward offers one of Africa’s greatest concentrations of hippos and crocodiles. You’ll see elephants coming down to drink, buffaloes cooling off in the shallows, and countless birds decorating the shores. The cruise offers a close-up view of wildlife and a peaceful atmosphere that complements the morning’s adventure. Return to your lodge for dinner and rest.

Day 4 – Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, embark on a scenic drive southward to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park — home to nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Depending on your route, you may pass through the Ishasha sector, famous for its rare tree-climbing lions lounging in fig trees. Keep your eyes open for these elusive cats as you continue toward Bwindi’s highlands.

Arrive at your lodge in the evening, where the cool mountain air and mist-shrouded forests signal your arrival in gorilla country. You’ll settle in, enjoy dinner, and prepare mentally for the next day’s once-in-a-lifetime encounter.

Recommended Lodges:

• Luxury: Buhoma Lodge or Gorilla Forest Camp

• Mid-range: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge or Gorilla Mist Camp

• Budget: Ruhija Gorilla Friends Camp or Bwindi View Bandas

Day 5 – Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi & Return to Kampala or Kigali

Wake early for breakfast and head to the park headquarters for a briefing by Uganda Wildlife Authority rangers. You’ll then embark on your gorilla trek — an unforgettable journey through thick forest, tangled vines, and steep ridges. The trek can take anywhere from one to six hours, but the reward is beyond measure.

When you finally encounter a gorilla family, you’ll spend up to one hour watching them feed, groom, and interact — a moving and intimate moment that connects you deeply with nature. After your trek, you’ll return to your lodge for lunch before starting your journey back to Kampala or crossing into Rwanda via Kisoro or Cyanika if your tour concludes in Kigali.