9 Days Uganda Gorilla Trekking and Wildlife Game Drive

Arrival and Transfer to Kibale National Park

Meet your professional driver-guide in Kampala or at the agreed pickup location for a welcome briefing before beginning your journey west towards Kibale National Park. Enjoy views of Uganda's countryside, tea plantations, green hills and, weather permitting, the distant Rwenzori Mountains.

Stop in the Fort Portal area for lunch before continuing towards your accommodation near Kibale Forest. On arrival, check in and relax in preparation for the following day's chimpanzee trekking experience.

Activities: Safari briefing, scenic drive and countryside stops

Destination: Kibale National Park

Overnight: Chimpanzee Forest Lodge or Kibale Forest Camp, subject to availability

Chimpanzee Trekking and Bigodi Wetland Walk

After breakfast, head to the Kanyanchu Visitor Centre for your chimpanzee trekking briefing. Join experienced park guides and walk through the forest in search of wild chimpanzees. Observe their movements and social behaviour when the tracking team locates them, following all park instructions.

Return for lunch before visiting Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided nature walk. This community-managed wetland is known for its birdlife, monkeys, lush vegetation and other wildlife. Your guide will help you learn about the relationship between local communities and conservation.

Activities: Chimpanzee tracking and guided wetland walk

Overnight: Kibale Forest area

Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

After breakfast, depart Kibale and drive towards Queen Elizabeth National Park. Enjoy the changing scenery as you travel through western Uganda, with opportunities for photographs and short comfort stops along the route.

Arrive at your lodge and have lunch before heading out for a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, subject to the confirmed schedule. The channel connects Lake Edward and Lake George and is known for hippos, crocodiles, elephants along the banks and an impressive variety of waterbirds.

Activities: Scenic transfer and Kazinga Channel boat cruise

Overnight: Bush Lodge or Buffalo Safari Lodge, subject to availability

Morning Wildlife Experience and Evening Game Drive

Enjoy an early start for a morning wildlife activity in Queen Elizabeth National Park. Your guide will plan the day's schedule around the confirmed boat cruise and game-drive arrangements, giving you opportunities to enjoy the park's wildlife and landscapes.

Later, explore the Kasenyi Plains on a game drive. This open savannah habitat supports elephants, buffaloes, antelopes and a variety of other wildlife. Lions may be seen resting or hunting, although sightings are never guaranteed. Your guide will help identify animals and explain their behaviour and habitats.

Activities: Wildlife viewing and guided game drive

Highlights: Savannah landscapes, elephants, buffaloes and possible lion sightings

Overnight: Queen Elizabeth National Park area

Drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

After breakfast, leave Queen Elizabeth National Park and travel towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in southwestern Uganda. The journey reveals rolling hills, cultivated terraces, rural villages and beautiful highland scenery.

Enjoy a lunch stop along the route and continue to your selected lodge. Bwindi is internationally recognised for its mountain gorillas and exceptional biodiversity. Your accommodation location will depend on the confirmed gorilla trekking sector and permit allocation.

In the evening, relax at the lodge and prepare your trekking clothes, walking shoes, rain protection and daypack for the next morning.

Activities: Scenic road transfer and trekking preparation

Overnight: Gorilla Bluff Lodge or Buhoma Lodge, depending on the booked sector and availability

Mountain Gorilla Trekking and Batwa Cultural Experience

After an early breakfast, report to the designated park headquarters for your gorilla trekking briefing. Rangers will explain the trekking rules and allocate visitors to a gorilla family according to park procedures.

Enter the forest with your ranger guides to search for a habituated mountain gorilla family. The trek can take several hours and may involve steep, muddy or uneven trails. When the gorillas are located, visitors are allowed the observation time specified by current park regulations.

After returning from the forest, relax before an optional or pre-arranged Batwa cultural experience. Learn about Batwa history, traditional knowledge, crafts and the importance of community participation in conservation. Confirm the activity and its cost in your quotation.

Activities: Mountain gorilla trekking and Batwa cultural experience, as confirmed

Important: Gorilla permits must be confirmed for the correct date and trekking sector

Overnight: Bwindi area

Transfer to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

After breakfast, depart Bwindi and travel towards Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in the Virunga region. Enjoy scenic views of southwestern Uganda's highlands, terraced hills and mountain landscapes along the way.

Arrive at your accommodation and check in. Depending on your arrival time and arrangements, spend the afternoon relaxing or take an optional excursion around Lake Mutanda. The lake is known for its peaceful waters and impressive views of the surrounding volcanoes.

Activities: Scenic transfer and optional Lake Mutanda excursion

Destination: Mgahinga Gorilla National Park area

Overnight: Murehe Safari Lodge or Travellers Rest Inn, subject to availability

Golden Monkey Tracking in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park

After breakfast, head to the designated park meeting point for a briefing before your golden monkey tracking adventure. Accompanied by park guides, walk through the bamboo forest in search of these lively and distinctive primates.

When the golden monkeys are located, observe their behaviour and movement in their natural habitat while following the ranger team's instructions. The trek's duration and difficulty depend on the monkeys' location, weather and trail conditions.

Return to your lodge for lunch or a relaxing afternoon. If you would like to add another activity, discuss the available options with your safari consultant in advance.

Activities: Guided golden monkey tracking

Highlights: Bamboo forest, primates and Virunga scenery

Overnight: Mgahinga area accommodation

Return to Entebbe and Departure

After breakfast, begin the journey towards Entebbe, enjoying a final drive through Uganda's countryside. Depending on your route, road conditions and available time, stop at the Equator for photographs and a break.

Continue towards Entebbe International Airport for your onward flight. Because this is a long road transfer, your departure time should allow sufficient time for the journey and international airport check-in. If your flight leaves early, an additional overnight stay or a separately arranged transfer may be more appropriate.

Activities: Return road transfer and possible Equator stop

End of safari: Entebbe International Airport