Uganda Gorillas Adventure

Day 1 Kampala

Welcome to Uganda! Your gorillas adventure begins in the country’s capital, Kampala. A welcome meeting will take place at your hotel at 6pm tonight where you’ll meet up with your local leader and fellow travellers before finding out what to expect on your journey. If you get here early, why not head to the Uganda Museum to learn about the country’s cultural heritage, or perhaps head to a local craft market to browse the colourful stalls and chat to the vendors. Once the meeting’s wrapped up, you may like to get to know your group over dinner, or perhaps head to a street food market and sample the local favourites (grasshoppers are a popular snack here!).

Day 2 Kibale National Park

Leave the hustle and bustle of Kampala behind as you make the drive to Kibale National Park (approximately 6 hours). On arrival, head to the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, home to the largest concentration of chimpanzees in Uganda. Your first encounter with Uganda’s jungles and wildlife is sure to be one to remember. Follow your leader over wooden boardwalks as you learn about this diverse environment and look out for antelopes, otters, baboons, birds, and if you’re really lucky, chimpanzees. After your walk on the wild side, stop by a local village to gain an understanding of rural life in Uganda. Join a guide from the village as you learn about their traditions and customs, visit their church and homes, see how crops are grown and hear stories from a local mzee (village elder). The profits from all of today’s activities are shared among the local community.

Day 3 Kibale National Park

The day is yours to make the most of Kibale National Park and its surrounds. One of the absolute highlights of this region is chimp trekking – be sure to speak to your leader about this activity as it will need to be booked in advance. You can also arrange to take a hike around some seriously spectacular crater lakes and pay a visit to scenic tea plantations to learn about the production in the area. Your leader will be on hand to make arrangements and give tips on how to have a fantastic day here.

Day 4 Queen Elizabeth National Park

Say goodbye to Kibale and drive on to the Queen Elizabeth National Park (approximately 3 hours). Home to elephants, buffalo, Ugandan kobs and waterbucks. On arrival, enjoy some lunch then head out on a game drive in search of the varied wildlife within the park – a keen eye and a little patience is sure to reward you with some memorable sightings! Then get ready to see the park from a different perspective as you hop aboard a cruise down the Kazinga Channel, linking Lake Edward to Lake George. You’ll be joined by local guides who will fill you in on everything you could want to know about the landscape and the animals who live within it – be on the lookout for hippos basking on the shore, as well as crocodiles, herds of elephants and abundant birdlife.

Day 5 Kisoro

Head further south as you travel to Kisoro (approximately 6 hours) – the journey is like a game drive in itself, with the chance to spot zebras, antelopes, baboons and monkeys out the window. See another way of living when you head to the Ugandan countryside and visit the rural village of Mikozi. Browse the eye-catching stalls of the local market, enjoy a couple of drinks at the local bar and speak to a traditional Ugandan healer before continuing to your lodge in Kisoro.

Day 6 Kisoro (Gorilla Trek)

Join a local guide and trackers as you climb through the rugged, mountainous terrain of Bwindi National Park in search of mountain gorillas. A quick lock of eyes with these creatures is a truly primal moment and visits are strictly controlled to minimise disturbance. Make no mistake, tracking gorillas is no walk in the park – it's called Bwinidi Impenetrable National Park for a reason. It can be wet, muddy, strenuous and uncomfortable, but the indescribable elation at coming across a group of gorillas is worth the effort. Spend a mesmerising hour with the gorillas as they eat, sleep, groom and play as the male silverback watches over them, then return to the lodge for dinner and to reflect on this incredible experience.

Day 7 Lake Mburo

Travel from Kisoro to Lake Mburo National Park (approximately 6 hours). After a full-on day yesterday, your tranquil accommodation overlooking the park is the perfect place to relax and unwind. Tonight you’ll be staying in large safari-style tents, each with its own veranda so you can really soak up the view. If you’re keen to search for more wildlife, speak to your leader about the option to book a boat cruise on Lake Mburo.

Day 8 Kampala

Rise bright and early – it may be the last day of your adventure, but there’s still plenty to see! Lake Mburo National Park is one of the best spots in the country for a walking safari, so it would be a crime not to set out on foot while you’re here. Join a local park ranger who knows the area better than anyone and search for zebras, giraffes, elands, impalas, topis and much more (there’s no lions or elephants to worry about here, so you’re safe without a vehicle!). After your walking safari, head back to your accommodation for breakfast and take a final chance to enjoy the view, then make the journey back to Kampala (approximately 4 hours). If you’d prefer to finish your trip at Entebbe airport, just let your leader know as the group can make an extra stop on the way. Your adventure comes to an end upon your arrival in Kampala. If you’d like to spend some more time here, just get in touch ahead of time to arrange additional accommodation (subject to availability).