12 Days Tracking Gorillas and Chimpanzees

After breakfast, depart Kampala and begin your journey north toward Murchison Falls National Park.
Your first major stop will be at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where you will take part in a guided rhino tracking experience on foot. The sanctuary protects Uganda's southern white rhinos and provides an important conservation and breeding environment.
During the walking experience, your ranger will help you understand rhino behaviour, conservation and the sanctuary's wider ecosystem. Depending on conditions, you may also encounter other wildlife such as Uganda kob, bushbuck, waterbuck, warthog, duiker and numerous bird species.
After the rhino experience, continue to Masindi for lunch before proceeding toward Murchison Falls National Park.
On arrival, visit the Top of Murchison Falls. Here, the mighty Victoria Nile is forced through a narrow gorge before plunging downstream in a spectacular display of power. The viewpoint provides dramatic views of the rushing water, spray and surrounding landscape.
Continue to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Overnight Accommodation Options
Luxury: Paraa Safari Lodge / Nile Safari Lodge
Midrange: Pakuba Safari Lodge / Sambiya River Lodge
Budget: Red Chilli Rest Camp / Heritage Safari Camp
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner

Wake up early and enjoy breakfast before setting out on a morning game drive in the northern sector of Murchison Falls National Park.
The savannah plains provide excellent opportunities to search for some of Uganda's iconic wildlife. Depending on the season, location and wildlife movements, you may encounter elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, Uganda kob, waterbucks, antelopes, warthogs and other savannah species. Lions are also present in the park, while leopards are more elusive and sightings are never guaranteed.
Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation.
In the afternoon, board a boat for a cruise along the Victoria Nile toward the base of Murchison Falls. The riverbanks attract large concentrations of wildlife, making the cruise an excellent way to observe animals from a different perspective.
Look out for hippos, Nile crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes, waterbucks and a variety of water birds. As the boat approaches the falls, you will experience the dramatic scenery created by the Nile as it moves toward the narrow gorge.
Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Full Board

After breakfast, depart Murchison Falls National Park and begin the scenic journey toward western Uganda and Kibale Forest National Park.
The drive takes you through changing landscapes, rural communities, cultivated fields, plantations and countryside scenery. Continue through the Hoima area toward Fort Portal, Uganda's tourism city, where you can enjoy lunch.
As you approach the Kibale region, views toward the Rwenzori Mountains may be visible on clear days.
On arrival in the Kibale area, check into your lodge and relax.
Depending on your arrival time, you may take an optional guided walk in the Bigodi Wetland area. The wetland is known for its rich birdlife and primates and provides an introduction to the biodiversity of the region.
Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Overnight Accommodation Options
Luxury: Ndali Lodge / Kyaninga Lodge / Primate Lodge
Midrange: Chimpanzee Guest House / Isunga Lodge
Budget: Kibale Forest Camp
Meal Plan: Full Board

After an early breakfast, proceed to the Kibale National Park headquarters for briefing before beginning your chimpanzee trekking experience.
Enter the forest with trained guides and search for chimpanzees moving through their natural habitat. Kibale is renowned for its exceptional primate diversity, and while chimpanzees are the main attraction, the forest can also provide opportunities to encounter other primates and a wide range of bird species.
Chimpanzee trekking can involve walking through different sections of the forest depending on where the chimpanzees are located. The experience offers opportunities to observe their movements, feeding behaviour, communication and interactions while maintaining the required distance and following park guidelines.
After the trek, return for lunch before continuing to Queen Elizabeth National Park.
Drive toward the Mweya area, enjoying views of western Uganda and the surrounding landscapes. Arrive in the late afternoon, check into your lodge, and relax.
Overnight Accommodation Options
Luxury: Kyambura Gorge Lodge / Mweya Safari Lodge
Midrange: Buffalo Safari Lodge / Bush Lodge / Elephant Plains Lodge
Budget: Bush Lodge Tents / Simba Camp
Meal Plan: Full Board

After breakfast, set out for a game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park.
The park contains a mixture of savannah, wetlands, woodland, lakes and forest habitats that support a wide variety of wildlife.
Your game drive may provide opportunities to see elephants, buffaloes, Uganda kob, waterbucks, antelopes and warthogs. Lions may also be encountered in suitable areas, while leopards are more elusive. The park is also an important birding destination.
Return to the lodge for lunch and relaxation.
In the afternoon, take a boat cruise along the Kazinga Channel, one of the park's most popular wildlife experiences. The channel connects Lake Edward and Lake George and attracts large concentrations of hippos and other wildlife.
Along the shoreline, you may see hippos in the water, Nile crocodiles, elephants, buffaloes and water-associated antelopes. The cruise also provides excellent opportunities for bird watching, with numerous water and wetland species using the channel.
Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Full Board

After breakfast, embark on a guided forest walk in the Maramagambo Forest area.
The forest provides a different experience from the open savannah landscapes explored during the game drives. With your guide, explore the forest environment while looking for birds, primates and other forest wildlife. Depending on conditions, you may also have opportunities to observe reptiles and other species associated with the forest ecosystem.
Continue to Katwe Salt Lake, where you will learn about the traditional salt-mining practices carried out by members of the local community.
The experience provides an opportunity to understand how local communities have historically depended on the area's natural resources for their livelihoods. You may see salt-mining areas, traditional working structures and the methods used by local workers.
Return to the lodge and, depending on timing and park conditions, enjoy an evening wildlife viewing experience before returning for dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Full Board

After breakfast, leave Queen Elizabeth National Park and travel south toward Bwindi Impenetrable National Park through the Ishasha sector.
Ishasha is famous for its tree-climbing lions, and you will have an opportunity to look for these unusual lions during the journey through the sector. Sightings depend on wildlife movements and prevailing conditions.
Continue toward Bwindi through the beautiful highlands of southwestern Uganda. Along the way, enjoy views of terraced hills, banana plantations, tea-growing areas and the lush countryside of the Kigezi region.
On arrival near Bwindi, check into your lodge and prepare for the following day's gorilla trekking experience.
Overnight Accommodation Options
Luxury: Mahogany Springs / Silverback Lodge / Buhoma Lodge
Midrange: Gorilla Mist Camp / Engagi Lodge / Bakiga Lodge
Budget: Buhoma Community Camp
Meal Plan: Full Board

After an early breakfast, proceed to the park headquarters for a gorilla trekking briefing.
Your guides and trackers will explain the rules and safety procedures before you enter the forest in search of a habituated mountain gorilla group.
The trek may involve several hours of walking through Bwindi's dense forest and steep terrain, depending on where the gorillas are located. Once you find the gorillas, you will have the permitted viewing time to observe them as they feed, rest, move through the forest and interact with one another.
The experience is one of Uganda's most memorable wildlife encounters and also contributes to gorilla conservation and the protection of Bwindi's forest ecosystem.
After the trek, return to the lodge and relax.
In the evening, participate in a community experience where you can learn about the history and traditions of the Batwa community through storytelling, cultural demonstrations, music and traditional dance.
Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Full Board

After breakfast, check out and drive toward Lake Bunyonyi in the Kabale highlands.
Lake Bunyonyi is surrounded by steep terraced hills and numerous small islands, creating one of the most scenic landscapes in southwestern Uganda.
On arrival, enjoy time around the lake and take a traditional canoe ride across its calm waters. The canoe experience provides an opportunity to appreciate the scenery, visit or view some of the islands and learn about local life around the lake.
You can also enjoy bird watching and the peaceful atmosphere of the lake before returning to your accommodation.
Overnight Accommodation Options
Luxury: Birdnest Bunyonyi Resort / Arcadia Cottages
Midrange: Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort
Budget: Byoona Amagara Island
Meal Plan: Full Board

After breakfast, depart Lake Bunyonyi and begin the journey toward Lake Mburo National Park.
The drive takes you through the spectacular hills and valleys of southwestern Uganda before transitioning toward the rolling savannah landscapes of the Ankole region.
Upon arrival at Lake Mburo National Park, check into your lodge and have lunch.
Later, embark on an afternoon game drive or wildlife-viewing experience. Lake Mburo is known for its populations of zebra, impala, Uganda kob, eland, buffalo, warthog and other antelope species. Giraffes may also be seen in the park, while leopards and other predators are more elusive.
The park's wetlands and lakes also support a variety of bird species.
Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight.
Overnight Accommodation Options
Luxury: Kigambira Lodge / Mihingo Lodge
Midrange: Rwakobo Lodge / Lake Mburo Safari Lodge
Budget: Rwonyo Rest Camp / Leopard Camp
Meal Plan: Full Board

Wake up early for a final game drive in Lake Mburo National Park.
The morning provides another opportunity to explore the park and look for zebra, impala, warthog, Uganda kob, waterbuck, eland, buffalo and other wildlife.
After the game drive, begin your journey toward Kampala and Entebbe.
Stop for lunch along the way and continue toward the Equator. Take time for photographs and enjoy a final opportunity to experience one of Uganda's most recognizable geographical landmarks.
Continue to Entebbe for your airport drop-off in time for your scheduled departure flight.
This marks the end of your 12-day Uganda gorilla, chimpanzee, wildlife and cultural safari.