10 Day Classical Uganda

This ten day safari includes a thrilling visit with the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, chimpanzee tracking in both Kibale National Park and Kyambura Gorge, multiple game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park and boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel.

Uganda boasts some of the best bird watching in Africa, with over 1000 different species, including the rare shoebill and the remarkable grey crowned crane. Luxury accommodation, professional guides and custom-made safari vehicles – this safari will be the trip of a lifetime.

Day 1	Arrival at the airport, transferred to Hotel No.5, or similar, for overnight. Explore Entebbe.
Day 2	Domestic flight to Kihihi. Transfer to Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Day 3	Gorilla Tracking in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Day 4	Gorilla tracking again in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Walk in the rainforest or Walk through the local village, and learn about community life or Discover the traditions of the Batwa Pygmies.
Day 5	Depart Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park this morning and travel to Ishasha in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Day 6	Game drives in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Day 7	Head north to the Mweya Safari Lodge, Northern Queen Elizabeth National Park. In the afternoon enjoy a leisurely boat cruise.
Day 8	Chimpanzee tracking in the Kyambura Gorge. Drive to Kibale Forest and stay at Primate Lodge.
Day 9	Chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest.
Day 10	Depart after an early breakfast for the drive back to Entebbe.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Hotel No.5, Entebbe

On arrival at Entebbe International Airport you will be met by our representative and transferred to Hotel No.5, or similar, for overnight.

Set on the shores of Lake Victoria, Entebbe is a small town that is easy to explore on foot or local boda bodas (motorbike taxis). Explore the markets, hunt for souvenirs or crafts, meander through the Botanical Gardens or relax with a boat cruise on Lake Victoria. You’ll find a wide variety of restaurants, bars and clubs where you can sample the local beer, catch a game of football and meet the friendly locals.

Day 2: Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

This morning’s flight on a light aircraft to Kihihi airstrip takes just over an hour. Transfer through local villages and along mountain roads to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a World Heritage site (a drive of +- 90 mins).

Considered the most diverse forest in Uganda, Bwindi is one of the richest ecosystems in East Africa and home to over 120 mammals, 345 species of birds, 200 species of butterflies and 160 species of trees.

The park contains an estimated one half of the world’s population of the endangered Mountain Gorilla, making it an extremely valuable conservation site.

Nestled at the gateway to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Buhoma Lodge is one of only two lodges set within the national park, and is the perfect lodge of choice when embarking on your bucket-list Gorilla trekking adventure.

Day 3: Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Gorilla Tracking - Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

Few words can describe the thrill of today’s lifetime experience! Coming face to face with mountain gorillas is a rare wildlife encounter that is exhilarating, humbling and enthralling. Experienced guides and trackers will accompany your party on an early morning trek into the dense rain forest on the steep mountain slopes.

Please note that gorilla tracking is strenuous with treks ranging from 45 mins up to eight hours, at high altitudes in hot African conditions. The thrill of the hour you spend quietly observing these gentle giants once you find them is so worth the trek to get there! Although mountain gorillas are wild animals and sightings cannot be guaranteed, viewing success rates are over 95%.

On our scheduled departures, we typically buy permits for Buhoma & Ruhija, which are accessible from Buhoma area. One of the Buhoma families, and the Ruhija families, require a road transfer to the start point.

This does not deviate from the enjoyment of the trek (and could be considered as enhancing your trip as you are seeing a different part of the region). Your permit may be organised for day 3 or 4 of your safari - depending on availability at the time of purchase.

Head back to Buhoma Lodge for a complimentary massage after your trek, or explore the surrounding Bwindi community.

Day 4: Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Those with additional pre-purchased permits will depart for a second gorilla tracking experience. Guests not tracking have the day free to explore the Bwindi area – optional activities include forest walks, a visit to a local school/ orphanage/ hospital or Batwa pygmy village, and some local curio shopping.

Day 5: Ishasha Wilderness Camp, Southern Queen Elizabeth National Park

Depart Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park this morning and travel to Ishasha in the southern part of Queen Elizabeth National Park (a 2-3 hour drive), with a brief stop en route at a community project near Ishasha Village.

Located in the western arm of the Great Rift Valley, the park is home to a wide variety of wildlife including elephants, leopard, lions, hippos, buffalo, Uganda kob, baboon, and many species of birds. With both a riverine and savannah habitat, the southern Ishasha area includes the massive Maramagambo, one of the largest surviving natural forests in Uganda, and is home to the tree climbing lions typically found in the area. Afternoon game drives will be enjoyed in the Ishasha area, looking for the huge herds of buffalo, elephant, Uganda kob and of course the famous tree-climbing lion typically found in the area.

Day 6: Ishasha Wilderness Camp, Southern Queen Elizabeth National Park

Spend the day enjoying game drives in the Ishasha sector of Queen Elizabeth National Park, rounding things off with scenic bush sundowners including drinks and snacks. This is what memories are made of!

Day 7: Mweya Safari Lodge, Northern Queen Elizabeth National Park

Head north toward the ‘Mweya’ sector of the park which is rich with wildlife, visitors will find vast numbers of Uganda’s unique and strange Euphorbia, or “candelabra” tree. The many nearby crater lakes and mountain ranges provide a beautiful backdrop for your journey.

In the afternoon enjoy a leisurely boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, a 32-kilometre long natural channel linking Lake Edward and Lake George. Kazinga’s shores are dotted with herds of lazy buffalo, pods of hippos wallowing without a care, and countless bird species.

Drift past local fishing villages and soak up the peaceful tranquillity of this beautiful African day. (Cruise normally departs at 14h00, although this depends on availability when booking and is subject to change – no drinks/ snacks included on boat).

You may encounter herds of elephant, buffalos and antelopes, families of warthogs, large groups of hippos, and crocodiles basking on the shore. Kazinga’s shores are a haven for numerous birds, including many migratory species as they make their way south to warmer climates. The cruise also provides a spectacular view of the beautiful Mweya Peninsula and life in local fishing villages set along the banks.

Day 8: Primate Lodge Kibale, Kibale Forest National Park

We will have an early start this morning, with the highlight being your chimpanzee tracking in the Kyambura Gorge. The forest is alive with noise! Chimpanzees can be quite active and may move quickly through the forest canopy… or, if you are lucky, you may find them resting or eating near the forest floors. It’s an exhilarating walk, in beautiful scenery. As with gorilla tracking, sightings cannot be guaranteed even though the chimps are habituated to humans.

After this activity, 3-4 hour drive takes you to Kibale Forest, comprising an interesting blend of lowland tropical rain forest, montane forest, and mixed tropical deciduous forest. In addition to forest, you will also notice areas of grassland and of swamp. The forest is rich in wildlife and is most noted for its primate population. These include red-tailed monkey, diademed monkey, olive baboon, chimpanzee, and black and white colobus. The birdlife is also abundant, with close on 300 species identified here. The forest is also home to 144 species of butterfly and a diverse population of moths and other insects.

Day 9: Primate Lodge Kibale, Kibale Forest National Park

Your Kibale Forest chimp trek will generally take place in the morning. The forest is alive with noise! Chimpanzees can be quite active and may move quickly through the forest canopy… or, if you are lucky, you may find them resting or eating near the forest floors. It’s an exhilarating walk, in beautiful scenery. As with gorilla tracking, sightings cannot be guaranteed even though the chimps are habituated to humans. Your guides will be able to show you different bird species and will give details of the plant species within the forest. The trek allows you to spend 1 hour observing the chimps once you have found them.

Rest of the day at leisure.

Day 10: End of Itinerary

Depart after an early breakfast for the drive back to Entebbe, arriving late afternoon. (If you are departing Entebbe tonight please do not book a flight before 19h00.)

End of safari.

Download Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Hotel No.5, Entebbe
Day 2 - 4: Buhoma Lodge, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Day 5 - 6: Ishasha Wilderness Camp, Southern Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 7: Mweya Safari Lodge, Northern Queen Elizabeth National Park
Day 8 - 9: Primate Lodge Kibale, Kibale Forest National Park