Day 1: Arrival – Shoebill Stork Tracking & Transfer to Lake Mburo – Night Game Drive

Your Ugandan safari begins with a memorable morning canoe excursion in Mabamba Swamp, one of the top birding hotspots in Africa. Glide through papyrus-lined channels in search of the elusive and prehistoric-looking shoebill stork, a true bucket-list species for birders. You may also spot other wetland gems like African pygmy geese, lesser jacanas, and papyrus gonoleks.
After your birding adventure, embark on a scenic drive southwest toward Lake Mburo National Park, a compact yet richly biodiverse park known for its tranquil landscapes and abundance of wildlife. Arrive in the late afternoon and check into your lodge.

In the evening, head out on an exciting night game drive, one of the few such experiences offered in Uganda. Under the cover of darkness, explore the savannah with spotlights in search of leopards, genets, porcupines, bush babies, and other elusive nocturnal creatures.
Accommodation: Mpogo Safari Lodge
Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Day 2: Walking Safari – Game Drive – Scenic Transfer to Kisoro

Start the day with a guided walking safari-a rare and exhilarating way to experience the African bush on foot. Led by a knowledgeable ranger, quietly approach zebras, elands, impalas, giraffes, and a variety of birdlife while learning about the park’s flora and ecology. This up-close encounter offers a deeper connection to nature.
Return to the lodge for breakfast before beginning a beautiful drive south toward Kisoro, winding through rolling hills, traditional homesteads, terraced farms, and the magnificent Kigezi Highlands. As you ascend into the southwestern corner of Uganda, enjoy panoramic views of the Virunga Volcanoes, which form the backdrop of this picturesque region. Arrive in Kisoro, a charming town nestled at the crossroads of Mgahinga Gorilla and Bwindi Impenetrable National Parks. Settle into your lodge for a well-earned rest.
Accommodation: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge – Kisoro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Golden Monkey Tracking in Mgahinga – Transfer to Rushaga (Bwindi)

After a hearty breakfast, set off to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda’s smallest yet scenically stunning park nestled within the Virunga Volcanoes. Embark on an unforgettable golden monkey tracking experience, trekking through mist-covered bamboo forests in search of these rare and playful primates, found only in this region. Watch them leap between branches, groom each other, and forage for bamboo shoots-moments that are both thrilling and highly photogenic.
After your trek, enjoy lunch with sweeping mountain views, then continue on a scenic drive to the Rushaga sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Known for hosting the highest number of habituated gorilla families, Rushaga also offers a rich cultural experience tied to the forest's indigenous Batwa pygmy community.
Arrive at your forest lodge in time to unwind and immerse yourself in the serene surroundings of Bwindi a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Accommodation: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge – Rushaga
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi – Batwa Cultural Experience

Wake up early and prepare for the life-changing experience of gorilla trekking. After a detailed briefing at the park headquarters, join your ranger guide and venture deep into Bwindi’s ancient rainforest, navigating dense foliage, rugged terrain, and misty glades. Once your assigned gorilla family is located, you’ll spend a magical one hour in their presence a soul-stirring, humbling encounter that connects you with nature in its purest form.
Return to the lodge for lunch and a bit of rest, then in the afternoon, take part in an immersive cultural tour with the Batwa people, the original forest inhabitants. During this insightful experience, they will share traditional hunting techniques, medicinal plant knowledge, dances, songs, and legends that have been passed down through generations.
Accommodation: Ichumbi Gorilla Lodge-Rushaga
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Transfer to Ishasha – Evening Game Drive in Search of Tree-Climbing Lions

After breakfast, journey north through scenic landscapes and rural communities toward the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, a remote and less-traveled region renowned for its tree-climbing lions-a behavior rarely seen elsewhere in Africa. These lions are often found lounging in giant fig or acacia trees, especially during the warmer hours of the day. Arrive in time for a late afternoon game drive, where you’ll also have the chance to spot other wildlife like elephants, topis, buffaloes, and Uganda kobs grazing across the savannah plains. The region’s wild beauty and peaceful setting make for an unforgettable experience.
Accommodation: Topi Lodge – Ishasha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Morning Game Drive – Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise

Start the day with a sunrise game drive through Ishasha’s open plains and woodlands, maximizing your chances of encountering big cats on the prowl and witnessing the park’s rich morning activity.
Continue north toward the Mweya Peninsula for a thrilling boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lake Edward and Lake George. This boat safari offers some of the highest concentrations of hippos in Africa, along with basking crocodiles, wallowing buffaloes, and herds of elephants coming to drink. The channel is also a haven for bird lovers, with sightings of African fish eagles, kingfishers, saddle-billed storks, and pelicans.
After the cruise, transfer to Elephant Hab Lodge, nestled near the park with sweeping views of the Rift Valley escarpments. Relax in the tranquil setting as you prepare for more adventures to come.
Accommodation: Elephant Hab Lodge – Queen Elizabeth NP
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7: Chimpanzee Trekking in Kyambura Gorge – Evening Game Drive in Kasenyi Plains

Begin the day with an adventurous chimpanzee trekking expedition in the Kyambura Gorge, a lush, sunken rainforest often referred to as the "Valley of Apes." Descend into this dramatic gorge carved into the savannah and follow expert guides in search of a resident chimpanzee community. Along the way, encounter other forest dwellers such as black-and-white colobus monkeys, vervet monkeys, and a rich array of birdlife. The gorge's unique landscape of underground rivers and dense tropical foliage makes the experience both challenging and deeply rewarding.
In the late afternoon, head out for a classic game drive in the Kasenyi Plains, the lion heart of Queen Elizabeth National Park. With the Rwenzori Mountains—Africa’s fabled "Mountains of the Moon"-providing a dramatic backdrop, you’ll scan the golden grasslands for the pride of lions, elusive leopards, herds of elephants, buffaloes, and antelopes. The plains are especially active during dusk, offering excellent photography opportunities.
Accommodation: Elephant Hab Lodge – Queen Elizabeth NP
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8: Scenic Drive to Entebbe – Tea Estate Views & Farewell

After a leisurely breakfast, begin your scenic journey back to Entebbe, taking in the beauty of Uganda’s fertile countryside. Wind through lush tea estates, banana plantations, crater lakes, and traditional villages, with several opportunities for photo stops and leg stretches along the way. Your guide will ensure a comfortable and picturesque route with a relaxed pace.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant en route before arriving in Entebbe in time for your international departure or an optional overnight stay near the airport.
As your unforgettable Ugandan safari comes to an end, you leave with a camera full of memories and a heart full of once-in-a-lifetime encounters.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch