The Secrets of Uganda: Gorillas and Chimpanzees

Upon your arrival in the morning at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met by a driver and a guide. From there, your journey will begin northward through Uganda to the Ziva Rhino Sanctuary, the only place in the country where you can go in search of wild rhinos on foot.

Accompanied by an experienced guide, you’ll set out on a walking trek to see the rhinos. This is a rare opportunity to see these majestic animals up close in their natural habitat and learn more about Uganda’s successful rhino conservation program.

After lunch, the journey will continue to Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda’s largest and one of its most impressive national parks. Upon arrival, you’ll visit the top of Murchison Falls. Here, the mighty Nile narrows into a gorge just 7 meters wide, then plunges 43 meters down, creating an incredibly powerful torrent of water.
After the tour, you’ll check in, have dinner, and rest.

Early in the morning, you’ll set out on a safari through the vast savannas of Murchison Falls National Park. The cool morning hours are considered one of the best times for wildlife viewing. Here you may encounter lions, elephants, Rothschild’s giraffes, buffalo, Ugandan kob, kongoni, oribi, and, if you’re lucky, leopards.

After the safari, you’ll return to camp for breakfast and a short rest before lunch.

In the afternoon, you’ll set out on a cruise along the Victoria Nile to the base of Murchison Falls. From the water, you can spot hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, buffalo, and numerous birds along the banks. As you approach the falls, the power of the Nile becomes increasingly apparent as it rushes through a narrow gorge, creating one of Africa’s most impressive natural spectacles.
In the evening, you’ll return to camp, have dinner, and rest.

After breakfast, you will leave Murchison Falls National Park and head to Kibale National Park, known as one of East Africa’s premier destinations for primate watching.

The road winds through the picturesque Albertine Rift Valley. Along the way, you’ll pass traditional villages, tea plantations, green hills, and the rural landscapes of western Uganda. This route allows you to experience not only the country’s natural beauty but also the daily life of small communities.

In the afternoon, you’ll arrive in the Kibale Forest area. The rest of the evening is set aside for relaxing in the tranquil atmosphere of the rainforest before your chimpanzee trek.

After an early breakfast, you’ll head to the Kibale National Park visitor center, where you’ll receive a briefing before beginning your trek. Then, accompanied by experienced guides and trackers, you’ll venture deep into the rainforest in search of chimpanzee families that are accustomed to human presence.

Once you spot the chimpanzees, you’ll have about an hour to observe them in their natural habitat. You can watch them feed, groom one another, communicate, and interact within their group. In addition to chimpanzees, the Kibale Forest is home to several other primate species, a multitude of birds, and a diverse array of tropical vegetation.

After lunch, you’ll head to Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s most popular savanna parks. It is known for its diverse wildlife, beautiful landscapes, and the famous Kazinga Channel.

Early in the morning, you’ll set out on a safari through Queen Elizabeth National Park. The route will take you through the Kaseni Plains, one of the park’s best spots for wildlife viewing. Here you may encounter lions, elephants, buffalo, Ugandan kob, warthogs, hyenas, and a variety of bird species. The morning hours are particularly well-suited for spotting predators and taking photos.

After the safari, you’ll return to the lodge for breakfast and some rest before lunch.

In the afternoon, you’ll embark on a boat safari along the famous Kazinga Channel, a natural waterway connecting Lake George and Lake Edward.
During the cruise, you’ll have the chance to see large groups of hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, and buffalo approaching the shores up close, as well as a variety of waterbirds.
In the evening, you’ll return to camp, have dinner, and rest.

After breakfast, you’ll head south through the picturesque Ishasha area, known for its rare tree-climbing lions. Be sure to keep a close eye on your surroundings along the way, as the route passes through wildlife habitats. The savanna landscapes will gradually give way to the green hills and rural areas of southwestern Uganda.

The journey will continue to Bwindi National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to the itinerary, nearly half of the world’s remaining mountain gorilla population lives here. Along the way, you’ll enjoy views of terraced slopes, dense forests, and traditional villages.
In the evening, you’ll arrive and relax amidst the forest scenery before the main adventure the next day.

The highlight of your trip to Uganda begins after an early breakfast. You’ll head to the Bwindi National Park Information Center, where rangers from the Uganda Wildlife Authority will brief you before the trek begins.

Accompanied by experienced guides and trackers, you’ll venture deep into the ancient rainforest in search of one of the mountain gorilla families that have grown accustomed to human presence. The duration of the trek depends on the animals' location and can range from a few hours to nearly a full day. The trail itself winds through one of Africa’s most biologically diverse forests.

Once the gorillas are located, you’ll have one hour to observe them in their natural habitat. You’ll be able to see the silverback male leading the family, females with their infants, and young gorillas playing and interacting with one another.
After the trek, you’ll head to Lake Bunyoni to relax.

What to Expect During the Trek:

• One hour with a family of mountain gorillas accustomed to human presence
• Guidance from professional trackers and rangers
• One of the rarest wildlife encounters in the world
• Support for gorilla conservation programs and local communities
• Photo opportunities

After an early breakfast, you’ll bid farewell to the picturesque shores of Lake Bunyoni and head back to Entebbe. The route will take you through the rolling hills of southwestern Uganda, past small villages and agricultural areas.

A stop is planned along the way at the Equator in Uganda. There will be time for lunch, souvenir shopping, and photos, after which the journey will continue toward Entebbe.

Arrival in Entebbe is scheduled for the afternoon or evening. You will then be transferred to Entebbe International Airport for your flight home. This concludes your eight-day journey through Uganda, which combined encounters with gorillas and chimpanzees, classic safaris, cruises on the Nile, and explorations of the country’s tropical forests.