Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 — Entebbe to Kibale Forest

Depart Entebbe after an early morning briefing and drive west via Kampala and Fort Portal to Kibale National Park. Afternoon guided walk along the forest edge to spot red-tailed monkeys, L’Hoest’s monkeys and forest birds. Overnight: luxury Kibale lodge.

Day 2 — Chimpanzee Tracking, Kibale Forest

Full chimpanzee tracking experience in Kibale Forest — Africa’s premier chimpanzee habitat with over 1,500 individuals. Rangers use acoustic monitoring to locate chimp groups quickly. After the track, spend the afternoon on a primate-rich forest walk targeting black-and-white colobus, olive baboons and red colobus monkeys. Overnight: luxury Kibale lodge.

Day 3 — Kibale to Queen Elizabeth via Crater Lakes

Scenic drive south through the Fort Portal Crater Lakes region — a landscape of emerald volcanic craters and tea estates. Stop for a viewpoint walk above Lake Nkuruba before continuing to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Evening game drive on arrival to the Kasenyi Plains. Overnight: luxury Queen Elizabeth lodge.

Day 4 — Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise & Game Drive

Morning game drive targeting the Kasenyi Plains’ resident lion prides and elephant herds. Midday two-hour boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel — one of Uganda’s greatest wildlife spectacles, with hippos, crocodiles, elephants, pelicans and African fish eagles lining both banks. Optional afternoon bird walk in the Maramagambo Forest. Overnight: luxury Queen Elizabeth lodge.

Day 5 — Ishasha: Tree-Climbing Lions

Drive to the Ishasha sector in southern Queen Elizabeth NP — one of only two places on Earth where lions routinely climb trees. Spend the full day game-driving through Ishasha’s fig forest and open savannah searching for tree lions, as well as leopards, topi, Uganda kob and giant forest hogs. Overnight: luxury Ishasha tented camp.

Day 6 — Ishasha to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Short scenic drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Check in to your luxury lodge perched on the forest edge. Afternoon gorilla trekking briefing and a guided forest-edge birding walk. Overnight: luxury Bwindi lodge.

Day 7 — Gorilla Trekking, Bwindi

The defining moment of the safari — gorilla trekking in the UNESCO World Heritage Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Trek with an expert ranger through thick montane forest to find your assigned gorilla family. Spend a precious one hour observing gorillas at close range: silverbacks, mothers and playful juveniles. Afternoon: optional Batwa Cultural Trail or village walk. Overnight: luxury Bwindi lodge.

Day 8 — Return to Entebbe

Early breakfast and drive back to Entebbe (7–8 hours) with a lunch stop in Mbarara. Arrive Entebbe for evening international flights, or transfer to an Entebbe hotel for an overnight stopover.