Our 10-day safari allows guests to experience trekking the gorillas in both Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and the Virunga mountains of Mgahinga National Park. You will also see the endangered golden monkeys, experience the ancient Batwa culture in Mgahinga, search for the chimpanzees in the Primate Capital of the world-Kibale, before finishing your safari in the savannah of Queen Elizabeth National Park to see the famous tree-climbing lions.
Detailed itinerary
DAY 1: Arrival & transfer to the hotel
Arrive at Entebbe airport where a staff representative will assist you with the check-in and transfer to your domestic flight to Kisoro which departs at 7am. Upon arrival at Kisoro you will be welcomed by your expert guide who will provide knowledge and assistance throughout your journey.
The lodge is located at the foot of the Virunga Volcanoes and near the entrance to the national park. Enjoy your pre-dinner cocktails on the terrace with stunning views of the Volcanoes or warm yourself inside by the cozy fire.
DAY 2: Mountain Gorilla trekking & Visit the Batwa Cultural Village
After enjoying an early breakfast, you set off gorilla tracking. Trekking through the steep, densely forested hills and then finally coming across the gorillas camouflaged in the vegetation is an inspiring and privileged moment.
After a climb of between one and three hours the moment you find the gorillas camouflaged in the vegetation is an inspiring and privileged one. You will spend one hour in the company of the majestic and gentle mountain gorillas before returning to the lodge in time for a late lunch.
Gorilla trekking requires stamina and can sometimes take a full day, especially if it is wet and muddy.
Later in the afternoon visit the Batwa Village and experience the culture and history of one of Africa’s oldest tribes. On your tour, you will visit their new village and community Centre and will participate to the Batwa Heritage tour to gain insight into their traditional life as hunter gatherers in the forest.
Overnight at Mount Gahinga Lodge (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
DAY 3 : Golden monkey trekking
A relaxed morning during which you can track the rare golden monkeys through the bamboo forests of the mountains. The monkeys travel in large groups and are as energetic as they are photogenic, often seen playing in the high branches or foraging on the ground for bamboo shoots.
If time allows, you can visit the Batwa Vocational Center, opt to hike the Gisozi caldera in the afternoon. The lodge has beautiful terraced gardens where you can choose to sit and relax while enjoying afternoon drinks and canapes.
Accommodation: Mount Gahinga Lodge (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
DAY 4
After an early breakfast transfer from Gahinga Lodge to Kisoro airstrip. Fly to Kihihi and transfer to Bwindi Lodge. Spend the day relaxing at the lodge and exploring the walks in the gardens along the stream, have a signature ‘Rungu’ massage in the Bwindi Humula Forest Spa, and enjoy a demonstration of our local tea processing cooperative.
Enjoy pre-dinner cocktails on the veranda that overlooks our namesake forest with the calls of more than 150 bird species echoing in the distance.
Driving time approximately 2 to 3 hours. Flying time 20 minutes.
Accommodation: Bwindi Lodge (lunch, dinner)
DAY 5
After enjoying an early breakfast, you set off gorilla tracking. Trekking through the steep, densely forested hills and then finally coming across the gorillas camouflaged in the vegetation is an inspiring and privileged moment. Tracking in the Bwindi forest can be steep and requires stamina as some gorilla families can be more elusive, and tracking can take a full day, especially if it is wet and muddy.
Visit the award-winning Bwindi Bar on the way back to the lodge after your gorilla trek and celebrate with the signature Gorillini cocktail! Bwindi Bar provides hospitality training to young disadvantaged youth from the neighbouring communities.
Accommodation: Bwindi Lodge (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
DAY 6
Take a guided walk in the rainforest to a beautiful waterfall.
Visit a local village and learn about community life.
Visit the Bwindi Community Hospital.
Visit Conservation Through Public Health to learn about their gorilla conservation programs.
Enjoy a demonstration of our local tea processing cooperative at Bwindi Lodge.
DAY 7: Transfer game drive in the Ishasha Plains to the Northern Sector of the park
Your safari now continues to Kyambura Gorge Lodge. Travelling via Ishasha you can observe the unusual behaviors exhibited by the tree-climbing lions. The journey through the rapidly changing landscape takes you through Queen Elizabeth National Park and to Kyambura Gorge Lodge.
In the afternoon you can visit the Kyambura Gorge wildlife buffer zone and plant a tree seedling. See how coffee is grown and then processed by hand by the Kyambura Women’s Coffee Cooperative. Walk back to the lodge through the Kyambura wetland reclamation project.
Enjoy pre-dinner drinks on the veranda overlooking the savannah plains with the magnificent Rwenzori Mountains on the horizon.
DAY 8 : Guided game drives & Sundowner Experience
Enjoy an early breakfast and set out for a morning game drive for the best wildlife viewings in the park. Depending on the season the wildlife seen varies. The Kasenyi plains are excellent for sighting lion and large herds of Uganda kobs. The Mweya peninsula is one of the best places to look for leopard, which live in the dense, scrubby thickets.
After lunch, you will walk from the lodge directly down into Kyambura Gorge, to search for the ‘Lost Chimpanzees of Kyambura’. The gorge is an extraordinary natural environment and forms a stark contrast to the surrounding grasslands. Here you can track one of our closest animal relatives: the chimpanzee. This group of isolated chimps are quite mobile and viewing can be unpredictable but the walk itself is exciting and enchanting.
DAY 9: Chimpanzee trekking & Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise
After a bush breakfast overlooking the savannah will go for a second chimpanzee trek in Kyambura Gorge.
In the afternoon take a cruise on Kazinga Channel, which flows between Lakes Edward and George. Kazinga is home to one of the greatest concentrations of hippo in Africa and herds of elephant, buffalo and other animals come to drink at the water’s edge. The channel is a magnet for water birds, with great flocks of pelicans and others birds on the shore, and a great spot to see African fish eagle.
After your boat cruise harvest honey with the Kyambura bee-keeping cooperative, see a performance from the Omumushaka Dance Group, and go on a gorge walk to see birds, monkeys and other wildlife around Kyambura Gorge Lodge.
DAY 10: Fly Kasese to Entebbe & Depart back home
After breakfast at the lodge transfer to the Kasese airstrip. Leave with the morning or afternoon return flight to Entebbe and connect in time for your international flight.
Driving time approximately 2 hours. Flying time 1 to 1.5 hours.
End of 10 Days Classic Uganda Wildlife & Primate Safari by Nyumbu Beyond Safaris