ADay 1, January 31st, 2024: Arrival Entebbe International Airport, Uganda

After arriving to Entebbe International Airport we will transfer you to the Boma Hotel for our overnight stay and dinner. The hotel is situated some 20 minutes from the airport.

BDay 2, February 1st, 2024: Mabamba Swamp & Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary

After an early breakfast we leave the Boma Hotel and drive west to the Mabamba swamp on the shores of Lake Victoria. Mabamba is one of the few remaining wetlands in the country protected by the local communities. An extensive papyrus swamp, classified as an Important Bird Area (IBA), it is criss-crossed with channels and lagoons and home to Uganda’s most famous avian resident – the enigmatic shoebill stork. We explore the swamp on an open boat. After lunch (B on Map) we continue on to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, the only home of Uganda’s remaining white-rhinos. Our arrival time will determine the rest of the day’s activities and may include a night walk. However even from the lodge, which is set in a savanna / woodland system we can see Uganda kobs, olive baboons and a host of other wildlife and birds. Overnight Amuka Lodge.

EDay3, February 2nd, 2024: Rhino tracking to Murchison Falls

After breakfast we go rhino tracking on foot in the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary from our base of Amuka Lodge. Rhinos of course are our target but while tracking them we will also see a host of other game and birdlife in the sanctuary. It is a privilege indeed to be on foot with rhinos! We continue in the afternoon to the famous Murchison Falls National Park, about 2-3 hours on a tarred road, stopping enroute to enjoy the people. Murchison Falls is Uganda’s largest national park, famous for its plentiful big game, spectacular scenery and the falls themselves. We stay for 3 nights in the tented Twiga Safari Lodge, overlooking the Nile River and set in a savanna / woodland / grassland area. Overnight Twiga Safari Lodge.

EDays 4 – 5, February 3rd & 4th, 2024: Murchison Falls NP

For two full days we will explore the Murchison Falls National Park, either by boat on the Nile River or in safari vehicles morning and afternoon. There is so much that we will see here apart from the magnificent falls themselves and this includes elephant, buffalo, lion, possibly leopard, oribi, Bohar reedbuck, Jackson’s hartebeest (Kongoni), Rothschild’s giraffe, warthog, Defassa waterbuck, Nile crocodiles, Patas monkeys and a plethora of new and exotic bird species.
Overnights Twiga Safari Lodge

FDay 6, February 5th, 2024: Kibale NP for primates

After leaving Murchison Falls National Park we drive to the famous Kibale National Park. On arrival we check in to the Guereza Canopy Lodge for our 2 night stay. Our first activity is an impressive primate walk into the forest to see red colobus monkeys, black and white colobus, Uganda mangabeys, red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest monkeys and olive baboons. Overnight at Guereza Canopy Lodge.

FDay 7, February 6th, 2024: Kibale NP Chimpanzee time

This is a very special day. We plan to spend the morning in the forest with a group of habituated chimpanzees. We stay with these amazing creatures watching their comings and goings. Expect to get close to them! We are hoping that this will be a life-changing day! Overnight at Guereza Canopy Lodge.

GDay 8, February 7th, 2024: Kibale to Queen Elizabeth NP & boat cruise

Leaving Kibale we head to the riches of the Queen Elizabeth National Park. After checking in to our lodge we have a beautiful boat cruise looking for big game such as elephant, hippo, crocodile and buffalo on the Kazinga channel. The park is extremely diverse and boasts ecosystems ranging from savanna, to acacia woodlands, tropical rainforest, papyrus swamps and lakes.
Overnight Elephant Plains.

GDay 9, February 8th, 2024: Queen Elizabeth National Park game drives

We do two game drives in the park today, always expecting the unexpected but may pick up more lion, spotted hyena, leopard (our best chance), mongoose and again myriad birds. Overnight Elephant Plains.

HDay 10, February 9th, 2024: Ishasha and tree-climbing lions

After breakfast we leave for the Ishasha section of Queen Elizabeth National Park where we will search for the world famous tree-climbing lions. Leaving them to doze we continue on to Bwindi and the Impenetrable Forest area. We check in for our three nights stay at Haven Lodge. This afternoon we will socialise with the locals. Firstly the women who sew and weave, making crafts to support their families and possibly range further to see ex-poachers producing coffee and even visiting the relocated Batwa pygmy community. Overnight at Haven Lodge.

HDay 11, February 10th, 2024: Bwindi NP; Gorilla trekking

Today is a big day, we spend the day trekking for the indomitable gorillas! We will be fully briefed beforehand but expect to trek the day through a rainforest. Once again we hope for another life-changing day! Of course we will also come across other forest denizens including birds and perhaps colobus monkeys, blue monkeys and duikers. Overnight at Haven Lodge.

HDay 12, February 11th, 2024: Bwindi NP & optional extra day Gorilla trekking

A second day of gorilla trekking for those who chose the option. Overnight at Haven Lodge.
Anyone wanting to do the gorillas for a second day please indicate to us via email as soon as possible as we need to secure the permits which are on an individual basis only and non-transferable. Cost of permit is US$700.00 per person.

IDay 13, February 12th, 2024: Drive to Mburo NP & new species

This morning we drive to Lake Mburo National Park, the only place in Uganda to see the more southern species which will now include zebra, eland, impala, jackal, bushbuck, topi and again the chance for lion and leopard. We will have an afternoon safari drive. Expect hippos around your grass thatched cottages at night. This area is also well known for the herds of very impressive Uganda long-horned cattle. Overnight at Kigambira Lodge.

ADay 14, February 13th, 2024: Entebbe via the Equator

Today we head back to Entebbe stopping at the Equator enroute and enjoying the local flavour at this well-known attraction. We end up back at the Boma Hotel where it all began for our final night in Uganda or freshen up in the room before departing later in the night. Overnight Boma Hotel. Some international flights will leave later this evening.

ADay 15, February 14th, 2024: Flights home

After breakfast in the hotel, for those that did not fly out the previous evening, transfer to Entebbe International airport for our return flights home. Here the trip ends.