10 day Uganda's Wildlife (including Gorillas & Monkeys) Small Group Tour

This itinerary requires a high level of physical fitness. Gorilla trekking on Day 9 can last between ½ hour to 7 hours depending on the location of the animals. All passengers must be able to hike unassisted at a steady pace through dense forests on uneven, often slippery slopes, at an altitude of up to 8553 feet.

DAY 1, Saturday - Depart for Uganda

Depart for Uganda

DAY 2, Sunday - Arrive Entebbe

Welcome to Uganda, the rising star of East Africa with its magnificent landscape of steamy forests, snow-peaked mountains, pristine lakes and sprawling savannahs rich with wildlife. Upon arrival in Entebbe, on the shores of immense Lake Victoria, you’ll be warmly greeted and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to rest, relax and acclimate to your new time zone

Overnight: Entebbe

DAY 3, Monday - Explore Entebbe, Murchison Falls National Park

This morning, take a tour of Entebbe with your local guide. Visit local markets, craft shops and the Botanical Gardens, established in 1898. After an early lunch at a local restaurant, transfer to the airport for your flight to Murchison Falls National Park. Upon arrival, meet your Tour Manager and proceed to the lodge. Time to settle in before attending an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager that highlights the extraordinary adventure that lies ahead. This afternoon, visit the top of Murchison Falls for a breathtaking view of the landscape before returning to the lodge. Tonight’s Welcome Dinner celebrates your arrival

Overnight: Murchison Falls National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4, Tuesday - Game Drive, Boat Trip on the Nile

Listen to the sounds of the forest as you begin the early morning game drive into the depths of this magnificent park, which hosts over 100 species of mammals and over 450 species of birds. Enjoy the natural surroundings and look for wildlife before returning to the lodge for lunch. Later, a cruise takes you down the Nile River, one of the longest rivers in the world, to the base of dramatic Murchison Falls where the Victoria Nile River surges through a narrow gap over a massive drop - truly a most impressive sight! Look for hippo and crocodile along the sandbanks, as well as large numbers of different species coming down to drink and bathe. Over dinner tonight at the lodge, share stories with your travel companions of this most exciting day

Overnight: Murchison Falls National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5, Wednesday - Kibale National Park

An early departure to enchanting and exotic Kibale National Park, home to the greatest variety and concentration of primates found anywhere in East Africa, as well as a rich diversity of exotic birds. Passing through the beautiful countryside, admire expansive views of farmlands where the best fruits and vegetables in the country are grown. After stopping for a picnic lunch, continue your drive past striking tea plantations into the Kibale tropical forest. Your lodge is tucked deep in the forest, adjacent to the starting point for the chimpanzee tracking excursions. These unique chimpanzees have an evocative call, a distinct and recognisable sound of the African forest. After a nature walk in the lush surroundings, a delightful dinner at the lodge

Overnight: Kibale National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6, Thursday - Chimp Tracking in Kibale, Queen Elizabeth National Park

Get ready for a thrilling morning on the guided forest trek in search of one of the most popular primate species in the world - the chimpanzee. Although chimp sightings are not guaranteed, the odds are good that you’ll encounter them today in the lush green forest. Perhaps you’ll also see other types of primate, including the red-tailed monkey. The hike will last approximate 2-3 hours while your expert guide shares the secrets of the forest's flora and fauna. After lunch, a drive takes you past volcanic crater lakes to stunning Queen Elizabeth National Park, commemorating Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Uganda. After settling in at your hillside lodge overlooking the vast savanna plains of the park, enjoy a late afternoon game drive, followed by dinner at the lodge

Overnight: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7, Friday - Game Drive, Kazinga Channel Cruise

Enjoy a morning game drive in Queen Elizabeth National Park, whose diverse ecosystems, including sprawling savanna, shady forests, sparkling lakes and fertile wetlands, make it the ideal habitat for classic big game, primates and over 600 species of birds. Set against the backdrop of the jagged Rwenzori Mountains, the park’s magnificent vistas encompass dozens of enormous craters carved dramatically into rolling green hills. After lunch, take a delightful cruise on the Kazinga Channel. As the boat drifts slowly along the shore, watch for hippos, crocodiles and colourful birds. This evening, sip drinks before dinner and admire the gorgeous sunset views

Overnight: Queen Elizabeth National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8, Saturday - Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Travel to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a biodiverse, mountainous area that is your base for gorilla tracking; arrive in time for a late lunch and leisure time for nature walks. Bwindi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a sanctuary for colobus monkeys, chimpanzees, and many birds such as hornbills and turacos. Undoubtedly it is best known for its 340 Bwindi gorillas, half of the world's population of the critically endangered mountain gorillas. Observing the gorillas may only be done on foot, and only a limited number of viewing permits are issued, which help to protect the endangered gorilla families. Dinner and overnight at the Lodge, a peaceful and exclusive retreat on the shores of Lake Mutanda

Overnight: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9, Sunday - The Gorilla Trek

After an energising breakfast, assemble for an informative briefing by experienced rangers before embarking on the exciting culmination of your journey - the gorilla trek. Your group will be guided through the rough terrain of the rainforest in search of one of the park’s habituated gorilla families. The trek will last between 1/2 hour to 7 hours depending on the location of the animals. When a gorilla family is found, you’ll be allowed an hour in their company to watch them eat, preen and play. Imagine the extraordinary feeling of sitting in the dense forest with a few of the last remaining mountain gorillas in the world! You’ll always cherish memories of this profound and incomparable experience. At your Farewell Dinner tonight, share extraordinary tales of your journey in Uganda and bid a fond farewell to your guide and your newfound friends who shared this adventure with you

Overnight: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10, Monday - Depart Uganda

Morning transfer to the airstrip in Kisoro for a scheduled flight to Entebbe Airport; transfer to the international terminal for your departure flight. Passengers with late evening flights will have a day-use hotel room and be transferred to the airport later in the evening. Please select flights that depart no earlier than 3 PM

Day Use: Entebbe

Meals: Breakfast

Advertised pricing based on 10 Oct 2020 tour with return airfares from Sydney. Please note prices may vary and are subject to availability at time of booking. Multiple departure dates available throughout 2020.

Land only prices are available on request.

Freecall our local travel team on 1300 414 198 for more details or to book your tour.

Hotels include:

• 2 Friends Beach Hotel, Entebbe or The Boma Guesthouse, Entebbe
• Kabalega Wilderness Lodge, Murchison Falls National Park or Twiga Safari Lodge, Murchison Falls National Park
• Papaya Lake Lodge, Fort Portal
• Primate Lodge, Kibale National Park
• Elephant Plains Lodge, Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Chameleon Hill Lodge, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Mutanda Lake Resort, Kisoro

Fitness Required For This Trip

This itinerary requires a high level of physical fitness. Gorilla trekking can last between ½ hour to 7 hours depending on the location of the animals. All passengers must be able to hike unassisted at a steady pace through dense forests on uneven, often slippery slopes, at an altitude of up to 8553 feet.

Is This Trip Right for You?

Gorilla trekking on Day 9 can last between ½ hour to 7 hours depending on the location of the animals. All passengers must be able to hike unassisted at a steady pace through dense forests on uneven, often slippery slopes, at an altitude of up to 8553 feet.

Please note that visitors that are sick will not be allowed to enter Kibale Forest National Park or Bwindi Forest National Park due to the risk of spreading disease to the primates. During this tour, you may come into proximity of wild animals whose actions can be unpredictable. Certain inherent risks are involved which should be considered at your own discretion.

This program covers a lot of ground each day, and we spend many days driving over roads that are often rough and bumpy in safari vehicles that cannot be air-conditioned. Only “bush toilets” are available during game drives. We have many early mornings. Electricity for some lodges is provided by generator and may not be available 24 hours a day. Passengers travelling with CPAP machines must notify Gate 1 Travel in advance so accommodations can be made to run these machines through the night. Occasionally power and back-up generators fail and power will not be available. Many of the accommodations are built in the traditional local style and have no air-conditioning. All passengers travelling into Uganda will be required to carry proof of yellow fever vaccination, and are encouraged to consult with their health care provider regarding malaria prophylaxis. We suggest you check with your health care provider before signing up for this tour. This is a Small Group program.