Day One: Karibu

Drop into Entebbe International Airport and in minutes, find yourself at Airport Guesthouse B&B. Put down your bags and relax. Tomorrow, the adventure begins.

** Airport pick up by your guesthouse. **

Day Two: The Journey is the Adventure

Our first destination is the marvelous game reserve, Murchison Falls National Park, though we can’t resist stopping in at the reserve that reintroduced wild rhinos to Uganda, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary. With a seasoned guide, we track and observe one of the most rare and powerful creatures. Only after this appetizer for adventure do we continue to Murchison Falls where we dine and turn in at Red Chili Rest Camp.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day Three: The Majesty of Murchison Falls

Before the dew dries, we have our best chances of spotting giraffes, elephants, lions, hartebeests and a diverse assembly of birds. We unwind in the afternoon with a boat cruise on the Nile while observing hippos and crocodiles at close quarters until we disembark at the base of Murchison falls. A scenic climb to the peak of the waterfalls reveals magnificent views of the Nile winding through the sprawling park in the light of the setting sun. We return to a sumptuous meal and rest at Red Chili Rest Camp.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day Four: Into the Shadow of the Mountains of the Moon

The stunning views we glimpse on the road only hint at the beauty of our destination. Today, we arrive in Fort Portal, a divine land nested in the shadow of the fabled “Mountains of the Moon”. We press on to the dense forest of Kibale National Park. Night falls at the intimate cottages of Primate Lodge Kibale.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day Five:  The Best of Birds and Primates

We plunge into Kibale Forest in search of wild chimpanzees, red-tailed monkeys, black and-white colobus monkeys and the diversity of primates that call this forest home. We continue the trek with the Bigodi Swamp Walk, a creation of the local community and a chance for keen bird watchers to spot a few surprises.  We return to the restful cottages of Primate Lodge Kibale.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day six: In the Land of the Batooro

Today, we emerge from the depths of the forest to the lush green hills that cradle the picturesque crater lakes under a crisp blue sky. After gorging on the incredible scenery, we hike along Lake Nkuruba to meet Mahoma Falls. We journey through the villages and delve deeper into the culture and customs of our hosts, the Batooro, before returning to the cottages of Primate Lodge Kibale.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day Seven: En-Route to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Our lessons in local culture and history continue on a guided walk along the foothills of the impressive, snow-capped Ruwenzori Mountains. We travel on and the mountains fall to the backdrop as we arrive at Queen Elizabeth National Park. Tonight we dine and slumber at Simba Safari Camp.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day Eight:  Cruising Kazinga Channel

Dawn breaks on Queen Elizabeth National Park, where diverse, thriving habitats host elephants, lions, hyenas, bushbuck, and other roving antelope. We dip into the afternoon with a boat cruise along Kazinga Channel, the winding oasis that joins Lake Edward to Lake George. Its shores teem with buffalo, hippos, warthogs, and a multitude of birds; a taste of the 600 species found in the park. The day closes as we return to our base at Simba Safari Camp.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day Nine: Into the Impenetrable Forest

Our final morning in Queen Elizabeth presents an opportunity to traverse Kyambura Wildlife Reserve, a fertile gorge blanketed with tropical rainforest, in search of chimpanzees*. From there we set a course to Bwindi National Park, home of the endangered mountain gorillas, where we settle in for the night at Buhoma Community Bandas.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

*optional, not included in the price

Day Ten:  In the Presence of Gorillas

This morning we set out in anticipation of the most challenging and rewarding journey so far. Gorilla tracking may mean a brief hike or hours of burrowing into thick forests behind a seasoned tracker. But the difficulty of the hike fades into awe when we finally enter the presence of these indomitable primates as they hug, tussle, and play in the intimacy of their home.

Those that don’t take on gorilla tracking set out to explore the lush ecosystem on a guided forest walk or take pleasure in the serene Buhoma Village Walk. We return to rest at Buhoma Community Bandas.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day Eleven:  The Batwa Experience

The Batwa Pigmies have long been considered protectors of the forest, and today, they welcome us, momentarily, into their ancient culture*. The hike with the Batwa is an experience outside time. Learn how they lived, hunted, and survived for centuries using the healing powers of medicinal plants from the forest. The sun sets on our last night in Buhoma Community Bandas.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

*Revenue from these activities helps preserve the Batwa community

Day Twelve: At the Shores Second Deepest Lake in Africa

We steal away an afternoon to sprawl on the shores of the dazzling Lake Bunyonyi, the second deepest lake in Africa. Take a languid canoe trip or swim in the sunset before a peaceful night at Bunyonyi Overland Camp.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day Thirteen:  Crossing the Equator

Enjoy a day of leisure and souvenir shopping as we cross the Equator on our return trip to the capital city. Night sets on a view of the bustling city from Hotel International.

Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch

Day Fourteen: A Butterfly Hike and Sunset on the River Nile

We are awarded another taste of Uganda’s serene tropical forests when we stop over at Mabira Forest for a brisk butterfly hike, before continuing to the Source of the Nile in Jinja. Bask in a calm afternoon near the shores of Lake Victoria. Watch the sun set on the infinite River Nile from Adrift Nile High Camp.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day Fifteen: In the Rapids of the River Nile

Are you thirsty for more adventure or seeking a moment of reflection? Catch your thrill paddling against the churning rapids of the River Nile. Or take a tranquil boat cruise along the Source of the Nile and watch rafters descend at the spectacular Bujagali falls. Drink in a final golden Ugandan sunset at Adrift Nile High Camp.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day Sixteen: Homecoming

After a fleeting morning near the Nile, we return to Entebbe International Airport, loaded with souvenirs, stories, and the irreplaceable experience of Uganda’s highlights.

Meal Plan: Breakfast