Day 1: Arrival Entebbe International Airport
Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will go through the emigration process which takes about an hour or two depending on your arrival time, you meet the team leader or safari guide who will transfer you the guest house in Entebbe for overnight.
Accommodation: Boma Hotel
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast
Day 2: Full day Mabamba Wetlands Photographing the prehistoric Shoebill
We will pick you up from your hotel in Entebbe at 06:30hrs and drive to Nakiwogo landing site where we will take a motorized boat to the wetlands. The boat transfer to the wetlands takes about 35 minutes on the lake. When we get into the wetlands, we change onto the small boat which is convenient for maneuvering into the wetlands. (each small boat not more than 3 photographers)
Mabamba Wetlands is a unique and vital ecosystem situated within the Lake Victoria Basin that has diverse range of flora and fauna that hosts the rare and endangered Shoebill, African Fish Eagle, the Papyrus Gonolek, and various species of herons, kingfishers, and among others.
After the shoebill has been sighted, we will approach the location with caution, maintain minimum silence in order to observe how the shoebill hunts. Shoebill feeds on lung fish and other aquatic animals. One of the most impressive traits of the shoebill is it hunting technique where it can stay motionless for hours, when it looked onto prey, it uses its massive shoe like bill to stealthily strike at prey and with its sharp curved bill, help it to grip and hold onto its prey before its swallowed as whole in just a matter of seconds.
After your encounter with the prehistoric shoebill, you can go on looking for other birds and later get onto the big boat and then drive back to Nakiwogo where you will connect with the vehicle to transfer back to your guest house.
Accommodation: Boma Hotel
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast
Day 3: Transfer to Kibale National Park
We will pick you up from your guest house/hotel in Entebbe and transfer to Kibale national park. We recommend you have breakfast 6:30am – 7:00am so that we set off at 7:30am for the primate capital. The transfer is about 6 hours meaning that you will be arriving at your lodge in the afternoon. Un pack and we take a walk in the famous Bigodi wetlands, a community project managed by the community aimed at changing and improving the lives of the host communities.
On this walk, you might be able see some primates such as olive baboons, red-tailed/White nosed monkeys, black and while colobus monkey, several bird species and cultural encounter with the local communities will brighten your day. Later drive back to lodge for dinner and overnight at the forest edge.
Accommodations: Isunga Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 4: AM and PM chimpanzee tracking (Second Trek is optional )
After an early breakfast, you will drive to kanyanchu to join others for briefing before you head to forest with Uganda wildlife authority rangers. This is a half day activity and as your trying to locate the chimps following their calls with the help of rangers and trackers, you might also be able to find other primates such as l’hoests monkey, Red Colobus monkey, Black and white colobus monkeys and other mammal that maybe be found in this tropical rainforest.
Once chimps have been located, you will spend one hour with them which is thrilling and memorable at the same time. These primates have been said to use tools to get food, survive in the wild and your ranger guide will explain more on other behaviors. Later return to the lodge for a hot lunch as you prepare for your second trek in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight in Kibale
Accommodations: Isunga Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 5: Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
After you breakfast, we will depart from Kibale national park and drive towards the southern most parts of Uganda. The road trip is both scenic and wild as you traverse through the remort villages of Kigezi region. Depending on where you gorilla permits have been booked, you will have lunch en route and proceed to overnight at the edge of the forest.
Accommodation: Four Gorillas Lodge
Meal plan: Full board
Day 6/7: Ultimate Gorilla Trekking Experience
Today we will offer you that golden chance to trek these mountain gorillas. After your early breakfast, you will have short drive to the UWA briefing Centre. The rangers will take you through the dos and don’ts while tracking gorillas. The trekking may take 2-5 hours depending on he movements. We recommend that you to carry enough drinking water, lunch, and rain gear.
You will be led by the armed ranger guides off the forest to search for the gorillas. Once gorillas have been located, you will have 1 hour to watch their daily lives at a distance of 7-10 meters. Use your camera and phones for photography. but keep them in silence and remove the flash. After the one hour, your will trek back to the vehicle and return to lodge. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Accommodation: Four Gorillas Lodge
Meal Plan: Full board
Note: Optional second gorilla trekking in the same sector but different gorilla family. Or transfer to Mgahinga and stay in Kisoro for golden monkey tracking. (second trek and golden monkey trekking not included on the cost). See all our Uganda tours
Day 8: Transfer from Bwindi to Entebbe (optional domestic flight about 2 hours get to Entebbe)
After Breakfast transfer back to Entebbe through the rolling hills of Kigezi, endless plains of Ankole region. Several scenic stopovers along the way. including lunch en route Igongo restaurant in Mbarara city town.
Accommodation: None
Meal: lunch
Day 1: Pick up and transfer to Kibale Forest with optional evening Bigodi community Walk
We will pick you up from your guest house in Entebbe and transfer to Kibale national park the home of chimpanzees and the primate capital of the world. The transfer is about 6 hours through the rural areas of central and western Uganda, look out for open market, grocery stores along the road. The drive is scenic and active meaning that you will be arriving late afternoon at the lodges that’s at located near the park.
Time allowing, you can organize with your guide for Bigodi community walk or Bigodi swamp walk which is managed by the community and the walk boosts consecration of the wetland the Kibale forest the home of chimpanzees. On this walk, you will have a chance to interact with local communities and understand how they live socially, economically. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.
Accommodations: Isunga Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 2: Chimpanzee Habituation and Private Kazinga Boat cruise
After breakfast, you’ll drive to Kanyanchu for a briefing before heading into the forest with experienced rangers to track chimpanzees. Following their calls and tracks, you’ll embark on an exciting adventure to locate the chimps, where you’ll spend an unforgettable hour observing them and learning about their behavior and social structures. After a delicious hot lunch at the lodge, we drive to Queen Elizabeth National Park, where we check in and prepare for an afternoon game drive. We’ll head to the famous Kasenyi Plains, renowned for its rich wildlife, including elephants, lions, leopards, antelopes, and a variety of bird species. While on our game drive, keep your eyes peeled for the “Big Four” (excluding white rhinos), as this area is known for frequent sightings of these iconic animals. In the evening, we return to the park lodge for a delicious dinner and a restful overnight stay.
Accommodations: Marafiki safari lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 3: Morning Game drive and Transfer to Ishasha Sector (Home of tree climbing lions)
After breakfast, we’ll set off for a thrilling morning game drive across the vast Kasenyi Plains, renowned for its rich wildlife. Our journey then takes us to the Ishasha Sector, famous for its unique tree-climbing lions. Spending the night here provides a fantastic opportunity to witness these incredible lions lounging in the trees—a rare and unforgettable sight.
In the evening, enjoy a leisurely dinner at the lodge, where you can unwind and reflect on the day’s adventures. For a truly magical experience, we can arrange an evening sundowner at an additional cost, offering stunning views of the park as the sun sets over the savannah. Your overnight stay will be in Ishasha, where you’ll fall asleep to the soothing sounds of the African wilderness.
Accommodation: Embogo Lodge
Meal plan: Full board
Day 4: Morning Game Drive and Transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
After breakfast, enjoy one final game drive through the Ishasha sector, where you’ll search for a variety of wildlife, including elephants, leopards, herds of topi, Cape buffaloes, and lions, among others. This is a fantastic opportunity to capture those last memorable moments in the wild.
Following the game drive, we’ll transfer to Bwindi, with lunch en route, depending on where your gorilla permits have been booked. Upon arrival, check into your lodge at the edge of the forest, where you’ll unwind and prepare for the incredible gorilla trekking experience ahead. Spend the evening relaxing in this peaceful setting, surrounded by the sounds of the forest, as you look forward to the adventure that awaits.
Accommodation: Four Gorillas Lodge
Meal Plan: Full board
Day 5: Gorilla Habituation Experience
After breakfast, we take a short drive to the UWA briefing center, where you’ll receive an informative session on the dos and don’ts of gorilla tracking, ensuring you’re fully prepared for the adventure ahead. Once assigned to a gorilla family, you’ll join a small group of up to 8 people and head into the forest with experienced ranger guides to track down these magnificent creatures. Upon locating the gorillas, you’ll spend a full hour observing them from a respectful distance of 7-10 meters, witnessing their natural behaviors as they go about their daily routines in the wild. It’s an unforgettable experience to watch them interact in their habitat. Later transfer back to Lodge for a relaxed evening.
Accommodation: Four Gorillas Lodge
Meal: Full board
Day 6: Domestic flight from Kisoro to Entebbe
After an early breakfast, you’ll be picked up for your domestic flight from Kisoro to Entebbe, arriving by mid-morning on the only available morning flight. If your international departure is later in the day, we can arrange a day room upon request or organize an optional excursion to the Mabamba wetlands for a chance to spot the rare shoebill stork.
Accommodation: None
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Pick up from your Guest House in Entebbe and transfer to Nakiwogo landing site and take motorized boat to the Mabamba Wetlands
Your day begins with an early 06:00 hrs pickup from your guesthouse in Entebbe. From there, you’ll be transferred to the Nakiwogo Landing Site, where you’ll board a motorized boat for a scenic 45-minute ride across Lake Victoria to reach the Mabamba Wetlands. Upon arrival, you’ll switch to a smaller paddle-powered boat—ideal for quietly navigating the narrow water channels and getting closer to the incredible birdlife that calls this wetland home.
The Mabamba Wetlands, nestled within the Lake Victoria Basin, is a thriving ecosystem renowned for hosting the rare and endangered Shoebill—a must-see for bird enthusiasts and photographers alike.
As we move deeper into the swamp, you’ll also have the chance to photograph species like the African Fish Eagle, Papyrus Gonolek, various kingfishers, and herons. The highlight of the day is a respectful, close-range encounter with the Shoebill, whose prehistoric appearance and precise hunting style make it one of Africa’s most fascinating birds.
After the morning session, we’ll return by boat to the landing site and drive to Nkima Lodge, where you can recharge your camera batteries, transfer image files, or simply take a short break. Afterward, we embark on a second photography session in the late afternoon, giving you a chance to explore the wetlands under different lighting conditions. This time of day offers unique photo opportunities and an excellent chance to spot the Shoebill again, along with other wetland species in action. As the sun begins to set, we’ll board the boat once more for the return journey across Lake Victoria to Nakiwogo Landing Site.
Your driver will be waiting to transfer you back to your guesthouse in Entebbe, concluding a truly immersive and rewarding bird photography experience in one of Uganda’s most treasured wetland habitats.
Day 1: 3rd June 2026, Kigali city tour and transfer to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Your adventure begins with a pick-up from your hotel in Kigali, followed by a brief orientation on the safari ahead. Before crossing into Uganda, take a moving and informative visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a powerful tribute to the country’s history. Afterwards, continue your journey with scenic stops and enjoy a delicious hot lunch along the way. In the evening, you’ll arrive at a charming lodge on the edge of the forest, where you’ll enjoy a restful dinner and overnight stay, preparing for the exciting days ahead.
Accommodation: Bweza Safari Lodge
Meal Plan: Full board
Day 2: 2nd June 2026 Gorilla tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
After an early breakfast at 7:00 AM, you’ll embark on a short drive to the UWA briefing centre, where you’ll receive an essential orientation on the dos and don’ts of gorilla tracking. Once you’re divided into groups of 8 and assigned to a specific gorilla family, you’ll be led by expert armed ranger guides deep into the forest in search of these magnificent creatures. Once the gorillas are located, you’ll have an unforgettable hour to observe them in their natural habitat, maintaining a respectful distance of 7-10 meters. After this extraordinary experience, we’ll drive to the serene shores of Lake Bunyonyi, where you’ll spend the night at a scenic lodge overlooking the lake. Enjoy a delicious dinner and unwind for the night, surrounded by the area’s beauty.
Accommodation: Lake Bunyonyi Rock Resort
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 3:4th June 2026 Transfer from Bunyonyi to Kigali.
After a relaxed morning at Lake Bunyonyi, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy optional activities such as a canoe ride, a nature walk, or simply soaking in the peaceful ambience of the lake — often referred to as “the Switzerland of Africa.” Later, you’ll begin your scenic journey back to Kigali, travelling through rolling hills and picturesque countryside. Upon arrival in the city, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your international departure flight.
As your safari comes to a close, take with you unforgettable memories of Uganda’s breathtaking landscapes, incredible wildlife, and warm hospitality.
Accommodation: None
Meal Plan: Bed and Breakfast