Day 1: Arrival in Entebbe – The Gateway to the Pearl of Africa

Your adventure begins in Entebbe, a lakeside town nestled along the northern shore of Lake Victoria. Upon landing at Entebbe International Airport, you’ll be met by your dedicated driver-guide who will brief you on the journey ahead. Depending on your arrival time, you may choose to unwind at your hotel or enjoy optional excursions such as a visit to the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre or a stroll through the Entebbe Botanical Gardens.

Spend the night preparing for the adventure of a lifetime. Tomorrow, the safari begins in earnest.

Day 2: Transfer to Kibale Forest – The Primate Capital of the World

After breakfast, begin your scenic journey westward toward Kibale National Park, a lush tropical rainforest home to 13 primate species and more than 375 bird species. The drive offers breathtaking views of Uganda’s countryside—tea plantations, crater lakes, and distant ridges that form the edge of the Albertine Rift Valley.

Arrive at your lodge near the forest and settle in with the sounds of exotic birds and monkeys echoing through the trees. In the late afternoon, you may take a guided walk through the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, a rich community-based conservation project known for primate sightings, birdlife, and beautiful swamp flora. This serene walk also introduces you to local communities and the traditions of western Uganda.

Day 3: Chimpanzee Tracking in Kibale Forest – Face-to-Face with Man’s Closest Relative

Rise early and head into the heart of Kibale Forest, one of the best places in Africa to see wild chimpanzees. After a safety briefing at the visitor center, set off with expert trackers through dense vegetation, listening for distant hoots and rustling in the canopy. The excitement builds as you get closer to the chimpanzee troops, often found grooming, feeding, or calling high above the ground. Once located, you’ll spend an awe-inspiring hour in their presence, observing their social behavior, playfulness, and unmistakable intelligence.

After lunch, continue south through the picturesque Fort Portal-Kasese region toward Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of Uganda’s most iconic wildlife areas. Arrive at your lodge overlooking the savannah or near the Kazinga Channel, where you’ll unwind as the sky turns gold and the sounds of hippos float across the water.

Day 4: Game Drive & Boat Safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park

Today offers a classic East African safari experience. Begin with an early morning game drive in the Kasenyi plains, where you’ll encounter elephants, buffalo, Uganda kob, and—if lucky—the elusive leopard or lion. This region is known for predator activity, especially at dawn when the savannah comes to life with motion and drama.

In the afternoon, embark on a boat safari along the Kazinga Channel, a haven for aquatic and terrestrial wildlife alike. Expect close encounters with hippos, crocodiles, buffalo, elephants, and an impressive variety of birdlife, including pelicans, African fish eagles, and kingfishers. This serene two-hour cruise brings you eye-level with wildlife, offering both relaxation and some of the best photographic opportunities in Uganda.

Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and a well-earned rest under the starlit sky.

Day 5: Ishasha Sector Game Drive – Tree-Climbing Lions & Transfer to Bwindi

After breakfast, check out and enjoy a game drive through the remote Ishasha sector, a wild and less-traveled area of Queen Elizabeth known for its rare tree-climbing lions. These powerful cats can often be seen lounging on fig tree branches in the heat of the day—a surreal and unforgettable sight.

Continue your journey southwest toward the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, the highlight of your primate circuit. The landscape begins to shift from open savannah to a rugged, green world of steep hills, misty valleys, and tangled rainforest. Check in to your forest lodge near your gorilla trekking trailhead, where you’ll receive a pre-trek briefing and enjoy a peaceful evening preparing for tomorrow’s encounter with the mountain gorillas.

Day 6: Gorilla Trekking in Bwindi – A Sacred Hour in the Jungle

This is the day you’ve been waiting for. Rise early, have breakfast, and head to the Uganda Wildlife Authority park headquarters for your gorilla briefing. Groups are formed, porters arranged, and then the forest welcomes you in. Guided by skilled trackers, you’ll hike through Bwindi’s dense undergrowth, across ridges and into ravines, until you come upon your assigned gorilla family.

The moment is electric. You’ll spend one full hour observing these powerful and peaceful creatures—watching the silverback assert his dominance, young ones tumble in play, and mothers nurse in quiet stillness. Every movement is deeply intimate, every gaze unforgettable. It’s a rare, raw, and emotional experience—one that few are ever privileged to witness.

After the trek, return to the lodge for a late lunch and reflection. The rest of the day is yours to relax, journal, or simply sit in silence with the forest still humming in your ears.

Day 7: Return to Entebbe – Farewell to the Forest

After breakfast, begin your return journey to Entebbe. If time allows, stop at the Equator monument for photographs and local crafts. Depending on your flight schedule, a dayroom or short city tour can be arranged before your transfer to Entebbe International Airport for your departure.

As you board your flight home, your soul carries something new—memories not just of gorillas and chimps, but of ancient forests, golden plains, and a deeper understanding of the wild world we all share.