Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, you will be met by our Arctic Tern Expeditions guides and be transferred to your guest house in Entebbe.

[Overnight at Airport Guest House]

Approx. 155km. 3hrs drive

After breakfast, transfer to Nakasongola from Entebbe. Continue to the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary – have lunch and in the afternoon (3pm- 6pm) do the “Walking with Rhinos” trek.

Together with a guide you will track the rhinos and observe them in their habitat at a very close and safe distance.

07:00am- Second Rhino trekking and after drive to Kibale Forest National Park.

Approx. 400km/8hrs drive.

This drive runs through Fort Portal, a town located at the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, also known as the "Mountains of the Moon." Along the way, stop for lunch and enjoy the scenic beauty of tea plantations. In the afternoon, arrive at Kibale Forest Camp, a unique property situated in the midst of the Crater Lake area and rainforest. With just twelve private cottages, the lodge offers a peaceful and secluded retreat, allowing you to connect with nature and the local community.

(B,L,D) [Isunga Lodge]

Today the forest opens for a sensational chimp tracking. Kibale Forest is reputable for having the greatest variety and highest concentration of primates in East Africa. After a pre-tracking briefing at walking distance from your accommodation, you will start your hike adventure into the forest. Follow the footsteps of a large habituated family of chimpanzees, with over 120 individuals that have made Kibale one of the best locations in Africa for chimp viewing.

Enroute your guide will explain more about the forest and the other inhabitants, including other primates and birds such as the Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Black-billed Turaco, Pied Hornbill, Chestnut winged Starlings and many more.

Upon sighting the chimpanzees, you will stay with them for one unforgettable hour as they continue their daily routine – growling, grooming, feeding, taking care of the young ones and agilely climbing up trees.  It certainly is one unforgettable wildlife encounter and the hour is always over too soon.

In the afternoon, we’ll have an image review session. And prepare the second chimpanzee trek for the next day.

(B,L,D) [Isunga Lodge]

Spend another day tracking chimpanzees in Kibale Forest National Park. By spending time in Kibale Forest, you will make a vital contribution to the community. The fees paid for the permit are managed by the UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authorities), and are used for the preservation of the forest and its inhabitants. The Kibale area is very important since it has the highest density of Eastern chimpanzees in Uganda (roughly 1,500 individuals live there). Not to mention, the number of jobs created for locals in the area (from hospitality to those protecting the forest). Spend the afternoon relaxing at your cottage at Isunga Lodge.

(B,L,D) [Isunga Lodge]

6-7 hours drive/ 350 km

After breakfast, we calmly head towards the south with a drive through spectacular crater lakes and proceed while passing the majestic foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, also known as the “Mountains of the Moon” as we proceed to Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park the land of Mountain gorillas. Evening at leisure.

(B,L,D) [Ride 4 A Woman Lodge]

Arise early today and prepare for the highlight of your safari, an unforgettable encounter with the Gentle Giants! 

Following breakfast, transfer to the national park offices where you will be allocated a gorilla family in groups of 8 as well as a gorilla tracking guide. After a pre-tracking briefing by your guide touching on the gorillas generally, your assigned gorilla family as well as appropriate safety precautions, you drive to the trailhead for the start of a thrilling adventure. Expect to walk long distances in steep and sometimes muddy conditions with rain overhead, which can be tough and require a degree of (average) fitness. However, the thrill of coming face to face with a giant Mountain Gorilla silverback completely makes up for the effort! 

Please remember to bring your passport for registration, appropriate, water proof hiking boots and a light rain coat. To protect from stinging nettles, we recommend long pants and long sleeved tops. A pair of old gardening gloves can help grabbing onto the vegetation while most hotels/lodges provide a walking stick that come in very handy especially when hiking downhill. A small waterproof backpack is an excellent idea to carry a light snack, bottled water as well as protection for your camera.

Upon sighting the gorillas, you spend the allowed one hour with them as they go about their daily life; feeding, moving, playing, and raising their young.

In the afternoon, we will have the chance to support an amazing local project - Mubare Biodiversity Conservation. Our visit to Batwa tribal lands will give us the chance see firsthand the efforts to reform poachers, protect vulnerable communities, and conserve the amazing wildlife of Bwindi all through the incredible efforts of local Batwa conservationists

(B,L,D) [Ride 4 A Woman Lodge]

After breakfast, spend sometime with the local women. Learn how to weave baskets or how to prepare traditional Ugandan local dishes. Optional second Gorilla trek or Guided forest walk in Bwindi at an extra cost.

Today, there are two optional activities in the morning: A second gorilla trek (with a different family of gorillas), the Batwa cultural experience, or a guided forest walk. These are all mutually exclusive since they take place in the morning. These activities come at an extra cost. Permit for a second gorilla trek is $800 and the guided walk is $90. Should you opt for the second gorilla trek, make sure you book it at the same time as you book your trip, as permits go very fast.

In the afternoon, you can either take it easy and relax (maybe join a cooking class at the lodge) or you might want to join an optional visit to a tree pangolin rescue centre (it’s a short drive around 15 mins from the lodge). Entrance is by donation, and the centre recommends $25 per person which you will pay directly there. (The visit to Pangolin Rescue Centre can be included in total trip price or left as an optional add-on to be decided during your expedition.)

(B,L,D) [Ride 4 A Woman Lodge]

Drive to Nkima, Lake Victoria. Approx. 570 km - 9-10 hours drive

After breakfast, transfer to the shores of Lake Victoria from Bwindi National Park with lunch enroute. Spend the night at Nkima Lodge in preparation for an exploration of Mabamba Swamp.

(B,L,D) [Nkima Lodge]

Board a local canoe and embark on a three-hour excursion in search of the prehistoric-looking shoebill bird, which feeds on fish from the moving water in the swamp. Along the way, you may also spot other birds of interest, such as African and lesser Jacanas, Pygmie goose, and Blue-breasted bee-eaters. After the lunch, embark on a second ride through Mabamba accompanied by a local scientist and conservationist of the Shoebill. Learn about the ecology of this remarkable species and the conservation challenges it faces. Afterwards, return to the comfort of Nkima Lodge.

(B,L,D) [Nkima Lodge]

Spend the morning on an shoebill trek, with opportunities to observe and photograph these magnificent birds. A local ornithologist and researcher will join us for the experience, and will give us a talk about the threads and conservation opportunities for the shoebills that inhabit the Mabamba swamps. Learn about the conservation efforts to protect this unique area and ask any questions you may have.

Leave Nkima Lodge for Entebbe. Connect with your International flight out of the country.

(B,L included)