9 Day Fly-In Uganda Gorillas, Chimps and Wildlife Safari

Arrive at Entebbe International Airport, where your Wild Compass Africa representative will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel.

Depending on your arrival time, you may spend the afternoon exploring Entebbe, visiting the Botanical Gardens, or simply relaxing at the lodge after your journey. If time and weather allow, a boat excursion toward Mabamba Swamp can also be arranged, offering the opportunity to search for the rare shoebill and other wetland birdlife.

The evening is free to relax and prepare for your flight into southwestern Uganda the following morning.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your scheduled flight to Kisoro. The flight provides a different perspective of Uganda as you travel southwest toward the Virunga region, with views of lakes, farmland and the volcanic landscapes surrounding Kisoro.

On arrival, meet your safari team and continue by road toward your lodge near Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The journey takes you through the densely cultivated hills of southwestern Uganda before reaching the forested mountains.

Settle into your lodge and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Depending on arrival time, weather and your interests, there may be an opportunity for a short community visit or local walk before dinner.

Today is dedicated to one of Uganda's most immersive wildlife experiences: the Gorilla Habituation Experience.

After an early breakfast, travel to the designated trailhead for briefing before entering Bwindi Impenetrable Forest with experienced trackers and researchers. Unlike standard gorilla trekking, habituation involves spending extended time with a gorilla group that is still becoming accustomed to human presence.

The trek can take several hours depending on the location and movements of the gorillas. Once the group is located, you can spend up to four hours observing their behaviour under the guidance of the research and tracking team.

Watch as the gorillas feed, move through the forest, interact with one another and respond to their surroundings. The experience also provides a deeper understanding of the work involved in habituating and monitoring mountain gorillas. Return to the lodge after the experience for lunch and time to relax.

After breakfast, return to the forest for a second gorilla experience, this time tracking a fully habituated gorilla family.

Your trek begins with a ranger briefing before entering the forest. Bwindi's terrain can be steep and challenging, with dense vegetation, muddy trails and changing conditions, but the experience of walking through this ancient forest is part of the adventure.

Once you locate your assigned gorilla family, spend the permitted viewing time observing them in their natural environment. Depending on the group you encounter, you may see adults feeding, youngsters playing, mothers caring for infants or the dominant silverback keeping watch over the family.

After the trek, return to the lodge to relax and reflect on two very different encounters with Uganda's mountain gorillas.

Leave the forests of Bwindi behind and drive toward the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

The landscape gradually changes from the steep cultivated hills of southwestern Uganda to open savannah and woodland as you enter the park. After lunch and check-in, head out for an afternoon game drive.

Ishasha is particularly known for its tree-climbing lions, which may be found resting in the branches of fig trees or other large trees. Sightings are never guaranteed, so the drive also focuses on the wider wildlife of the sector, including elephants, buffalo, Uganda kobs and topi.

Return to your lodge in the evening after exploring this quieter part of Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Begin the morning with another game drive through Ishasha, taking advantage of the cooler hours when wildlife is often active. Continue your search for the area's tree-climbing lions while also watching for elephants, buffalo, topi, Uganda kobs and other savannah species.

After the game drive, continue north through Queen Elizabeth National Park toward the Kasenyi plains. This area is known for its open grasslands and is an important wildlife-viewing area within the park.

Arrive at your lodge later in the day and have time to relax. As evening approaches, enjoy a sundowner overlooking the surrounding savannah before dinner.

Start with an early game drive across the Kasenyi plains, searching for wildlife in the cooler morning hours. The open grasslands provide opportunities to see Uganda kobs, buffalo, elephants and other savannah species, while lions may also be encountered depending on wildlife movements.

Later, continue toward the Kazinga Channel for a boat cruise connecting Lakes Edward and George. From the water, you can watch large numbers of hippos along the banks, together with crocodiles, elephants and buffalo coming down to drink. The channel is also excellent for birdwatching, with numerous waterbirds along the shoreline.

After the cruise, continue north toward Kibale Forest National Park. The landscape changes again as savannah gives way to greener, more densely cultivated countryside and forest. Arrive at your lodge in the evening and prepare for the following day's chimpanzee trek.

Today you enter Kibale Forest in search of one of Uganda's most famous primates: the chimpanzee.

After an early breakfast, meet your trackers and guides for a briefing before entering the forest. Follow established trails through the dense vegetation while listening for chimpanzee calls and watching the canopy for movement.

When chimpanzees are located, spend time observing their behaviour and interactions while following the guidance of your trackers. Kibale is also home to several other primate species, and the forest supports a rich variety of birdlife.

In the afternoon, continue to Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary for a guided community-based nature walk. The wetland is known for its birdlife, monkeys and other wildlife, while the project also demonstrates how local communities are involved in protecting and benefiting from the surrounding natural environment.