Day 6: Kibale Forest — Chimpanzee Tracking & Bigodi Wetland Walk

After an early breakfast, head to the park headquarters for a briefing before embarking on a chimpanzee tracking adventure. Led by experienced rangers, you’ll trek through tropical forest alive with bird calls and rustling monkeys. The thrill of encountering a troop of wild chimpanzees — watching them swing, play, feed, and communicate — is electrifying. You’ll spend up to an hour in their company, observing their fascinating behavior.

In the afternoon, visit Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a community-managed reserve rich in biodiversity. Walk along boardwalks and forest trails with a local guide, spotting colobus monkeys, hornbills, kingfishers, and the famous Great Blue Turaco. Return to your lodge for a relaxed evening surrounded by forest serenity.

Day 7: Kibale → Queen Elizabeth National Park & Kazinga Channel Cruise

This morning, journey south into the famous Queen Elizabeth National Park, where lush rainforest gives way to open savannah dotted with acacia trees. After lunch at the lodge, enjoy a boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lakes George and Edward.

The cruise reveals astonishing concentrations of wildlife: elephants at the water’s edge, buffalo cooling in the shallows, and hippos wallowing in huge pods. The birdlife is equally spectacular — kingfishers, fish eagles, and pink-backed pelicans among many others. Dinner and overnight at a lodge inside or near the park.

Day 8: Queen Elizabeth Game Drive → Ishasha Tree-Climbing Lions → Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

At dawn, set out on a game drive in the Kasenyi plains, where lions hunt among large herds of Uganda kob. After breakfast, continue south through the Ishasha sector, famous for its population of tree-climbing lions that lounge in fig trees during the heat of the day.

Enjoy a picnic lunch before driving onward to the misty highlands of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, arriving at your lodge in the late afternoon. The cool mountain air and the thick, ancient forest set the stage for one of the most remarkable wildlife experiences on earth — gorilla trekking.

Day 9: Bwindi — Gorilla Trekking Adventure

This is the highlight of your safari! After a detailed briefing at the park headquarters, you’ll set out in a small group with rangers to track a family of endangered mountain gorillas. The trek can last from 2 to 6 hours, moving through dense, rugged forest terrain, but the reward is extraordinary.

When you finally encounter the gorillas, you’ll spend a magical hour observing them — from a massive silverback watching protectively over his family to playful youngsters tumbling in the undergrowth. The intimacy of this moment, so close to our wild relatives, is an experience that stays with you forever.

Return to your lodge, tired but elated, and spend the evening recounting your incredible encounter.

Day 10: Bwindi → Lake Bunyonyi

After breakfast, take a scenic drive to Lake Bunyonyi, one of the most beautiful lakes in Africa, dotted with over 20 green islands. Known as the “lake of little birds,” Bunyonyi is tranquil and picturesque, offering canoe rides, island visits, or simply relaxation by the water.

You’ll spend the day at leisure, taking in panoramic views from your lodge, swimming in the bilharzia-free waters (safe in designated spots), or exploring local villages by canoe. This is your chance to unwind after the demanding gorilla trek.

Day 11: Lake Bunyonyi → Lake Mburo National Park

After breakfast, depart for Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda’s smallest savannah park but a gem for its biodiversity. Arrive in time for lunch, then embark on a game drive or guided walking safari. This park is unique for its populations of zebra, impala, eland, topi, buffalo, and abundant bird species.

In the evening, enjoy a sundowner overlooking the lake, with hippos grunting below and fish eagles calling from the acacia trees. Overnight at a lodge within or near the park.

Day 12: Lake Mburo → Kampala / Entebbe — Departure

On your final morning, take an optional early nature walk or short game drive to savor your last glimpses of Uganda’s wildlife. After breakfast, set out on the return journey to Kampala or Entebbe. Stop en route at the Equator crossing for photos and souvenirs before continuing to the airport for your onward flight.

As you bid farewell, you’ll carry with you unforgettable memories of primate encounters, dramatic landscapes, and Uganda’s warm-hearted people.