Western Uganda Small Group Tour

Day 1 – Arrival in Uganda

Your guide will be waiting for you at Entebbe Airport when you arrive to start your Uganda small group tour. You will then proceed to your accommodation for the evening. After your flight, you are free to relax for the rest of the day.
Overnight at either Papyrus Guesthouse or Via Via Guesthouse (B)

Day 2 - Kibale Forest National Park
After breakfast, you will drive to Kibale Forest, which takes about six hours. On your arrival, you can walk around the local community (optional). The park protects several well-studied habituated communities of common chimpanzees, as well as several species of Central African monkeys, including the Uganda mangabey, the Ugandan red colobus and the L'Hoest's monkey. The park's population of elephants is commonly sighted along forest trails. Other terrestrial mammals in Kibale National Park include red and blue duikers, bushbucks, sitatungas, bushpigs, giant forest hogs, warthogs, and buffalo. Predators include leopards, African golden cats, servals, mongooses and two otter species.
Overnight at either Turaco Treetops or Guereza Canopy Lodge (HB)

Day 3 - Kibale Forest Chimpanzee TrackingQueen Elizabeth National Park
With around a 90% chance of finding chimpanzees on any day, Kibale National Park is the most popular place to track them in Uganda. There's a morning (8 am) and afternoon (2 pm) departure, and while there are plenty of hills along the trails, walking isn't difficult if you're in shape. Children aged 12 and under aren't permitted. You will do the Chimpanzee track in the morning or the afternoon. Please note that upgrading this 1-hour tracking to a 4-hour Chimpanzee Habituation Experience is also possible. This must be booked as far in advance as possible.

For people interested in primates and birds who are happy to take another walk, we can also visit the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary. It is also possible to visit the local people or the crater lakes here. There is an option to take a night walk through the forest to see the animals of the night, such as bush babies (optional).
Overnight at either Turaco Treetops or Guereza Canopy Lodge (HB)
Included today: chimp tracking, Bigodi Swamp Walk

Day 4 - 
This morning, we will transfer to the Queen Elizabeth National Park, which takes about four hours. You will stop for a photo opportunity as you pass the equator. On arrival at QEII National Park, there should be time for a game drive in the afternoon. This world biosphere reserve is a vast and rich national park filled with abundant wildlife, including the tree-climbing lions. Explore the varied habitats such as lakes, rivers, open savanna, acacia woodland, tropical forest and vast wetlands. The park supports an impressive 95 mammal species and over 600 bird species.
Overnight at either Kasenyi Safari Camp or Kikorongo Safari Lodge (HB)
Included today: game drive

Day 5 - Queen Elizabeth National Park Kazinga Channel
Enjoy a game drive in the morning and then take a boat trip on the Kazinga Channel in the afternoon. The shores of this channel draw many wild animals and birds in addition to reptiles throughout the year, with one of the largest populations of hippos in the world and plentiful Nile crocodiles.
Going for an experimental Lion Tracking (optional – book well in advance) is also possible.
Overnight at either Kasenyi Safari Camp or Kikorongo Safari Lodge (HB)
Included today: game drive, boat trip

Day 6 - Queen Elizabeth National Park Ishasha Sector
After breakfast, your tour continues as we drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park to the Ishasha sector in the South (about three hours). This sector is famous for its rare tree-climbing lions, which can easily be spotted sprawling on tree branches. It is also home to many buffalo and elephants and offers a good chance of sighting the rare shoebill on the shore of Lake Edward.

It is also possible to go chimp-tracking in Kyambura Gorge or Kalinzu Forest Reserve or take a forest walk and visit the bat caves in Maramagambo (all optional—book well in advance).
Overnight at either Ishasha Jungle Lodge or Enjojo Lodge safari tent (HB)
Included today: game drives

Day 7 - Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
You will have a final early morning game drive in Ishasha to hopefully see the tree-climbing lions. Later, you will drive to Bwindi Impenetrable. On the way, you pass through attractive villages and will view some breathtaking views of the mountains. The name Bwindi is derived from the Runyakitara word Mubwindi and means "a place full of darkness". This name comes from the extensive stands of bamboo interspersed amongst the larger forest hardwoods. Almost half of the world's mountain gorilla population, approximately 1,067 individuals, find haven here, making Bwindi a stronghold for conservation. The drive to your accommodation in Bwindi will take 2 to 5 hours as the lodge we will stay at in Bwindi depends on the group of gorillas you will track.
Overnight at lodge in Bwindi*
Included today: game drive

*Depending on the group of gorillas you will be tracking, we will choose where to sleep in Bwindi. There are four areas for Gorilla tracking in Bwindi: Buhoma, Ruhija, Nkuringo and Rushaga. Lodges we use are Buhoma: Buhoma Haven Lodge (HB), Ruhija: Bakiga Lodge (HB), Nkuringo: Gorilla Close up Lodge (HB), Rushaga: Rushaga Gorilla Camp (HB)

Day 8 – Gorilla Trek
It is an early morning departure with your ranger to search for one of the world's most exciting and endangered animals, the Mountain Gorilla. Bwindi has 17 habituated gorilla families across four distinct areas: Nkuringo, Buhoma, Ruhija and Rushaga. The gorillas here live in thick tropical forests, and tracking them can be challenging as the hillsides can be steep. It can take around 1-3 hours to reach them. Generally, the better accommodation is located in the Nkuringo and Buhoma regions, so trekking is focused here. You will spend one hour with one of our closest relatives. An experience you will never forget.
Overnight at a lodge in Bwindi (HB)
Included today: gorilla trek

Day 9 - Lake Mburo National Park
After breakfast, we start the 4-hour drive to Lake Mburo National Park. There will be time for a game drive or an optional boat trip on the lake in the afternoon. In the evening, embark on a night game drive with a high chance of seeing leopards. Lake Mburo National Park is well known for impala, though it has a vast wildlife population, including zebra, eland, buffalo, oribi, leopard, hyena, and hippo. There are no elephants or lions, so walking safaris are possible in this park.
Overnight at Rwakobo Rock or Kigarama Wilderness Lodge (HB)
Included today: game drive, night game drive

Day 10 - Entebbe
If time allows, we will have a final game drive or game walk in the morning. It is a 5-hour drive back to Entebbe, and we have some final photos at the Equator. Transfer to the airport for your departure after a memorable Uganda small group tour.
Included today: game drive or game walk

*The earliest flight departure time to book from Entebbe Airport is 18.00 hours on day 10.