Day 1 I Kampala

We'll meet our local contacts and embark on a journey to the city of Kampala for an initial tour, accommodation, and dinner.

Day 2 I Kampala - Source of the Nile - Jinja

This morning, we'll set out on a journey to the town of Jinja, located at the source of the White Nile. The drive to Jinja takes about 3 hours, covering 80 kilometers along the northern shore of Lake Victoria. En route to Jinja, we'll make an initial acquaintance with the rainforests near the Swazi Valley and take a short walk in the Mabira Forest. From here, we'll proceed to the beautiful Bujagali Falls area for a unique on-site activity (keeping room for surprises 😊). After the activity, we'll settle in at lodging near the White Nile River.

Day 3 I Jinja - Murchison Falls Reserve

In the morning, we'll depart for the town of Masindi. The journey on a dusty and bumpy road will take us through the heart of the country. Along the way, we'll pass through remote villages engaged in primitive agriculture. In the outskirts of the villages, we'll see locals working the land using methods that seem unchanged since the days of the hunter-gatherer, thousands of years ago. Later, we'll reach one of Uganda's most beautiful nature reserves, Murchison Falls, where we'll have the opportunity to marvel at the powerful and famous waterfalls. In the evening, we'll cross the river by ferry to our accommodation on the northern side of the reserve.

Day 4 I Murchison Falls Reserve

In the morning, we'll embark on a safari drive in the northern and wild part of the reserve. This is the most abundant area in terms of wildlife in the reserve. While patience, keen eyes, and a bit of luck usually needed to spot animals in their natural habitat, this area offers a great chance to see elephants, giraffes, impalas (including the Uganda Kob – an impressive antelope endemic to this part of Uganda), buffalos, hartebeests, topis, a variety of large birds, and, if luck is on our side, even painted dogs and possibly lions. After lunch, we'll board a local boat for a cruise to Murchison Falls, a stunning trip filled with wild animals and rare birds. Here, the river is home to the common hippopotamus and Nile crocodiles that swim among the boats. Red-tailed monkeys will leap among the tree branches of the bush, and we'll witness impressive aerial displays by birds of prey. If we're fortunate, we might observe herds of elephants and giraffes. We'll conclude the boat ride with navigation to the impressive Murchison Falls, which we'll climb on foot. Towards evening time.

Day 5 I Murchison Falls Reserve - Lake Albert - Fort Portal

In the morning, we'll embark on a southward journey towards the Rift Valley lakes and the town of Fort Portal. On the way, we'll pass near Lake Albert, one of the large lakes in the region located on the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The road traverses picturesque and colorful villages, climbing along a dusty and bumpy road through the hills of eastern Uganda. Passing through charming villages, we'll encounter friendly locals in this magical region. Later in the day, we'll reach our lodging in the vicinity of Fort Portal and prepare for the continuation of our adventure the next day.

Day 6 I Fort Portal - Kibale Forest Chimpanzee Trek - Queen Elizabeth Reserve

This morning, we'll visit one of the most enchanting nature reserves in Africa: Kibale Forest Reserve, famous for its diverse tree and fig tree species, the favorites of the chimpanzee population. In the reserve, we'll take a walking tour (through the dense forest) and, during the walk, experience the life of the African rainforest, including the possibility of observing chimpanzees. From here, we'll continue on a beautiful drive through enclosed lakes scattered among the high mountains of eastern Uganda, the crater lakes. We'll embark on an easy walking route in an area where we'll overlook the small hidden lagoons and listen to the chirping of birds in the charming pastoral landscape. We'll reach Queen Elizabeth Reserve for our evening stay on the northern side of the reserve.

Day 7 I Queen Elizabeth Reserve - Kazinga Channel Boat Ride

In the morning, we'll embark on a horseback safari in the northern and wild part of the reserve. This is the most abundant area in terms of wildlife in the reserve. As a rule, patience, keen eyes, and a bit of luck are required to see animals in their natural environment. However, in this area, there is a good chance of seeing elephants, giraffes, impalas (including the Uganda Kob – an impressive antelope endemic to this part of Uganda), buffalos, hartebeests, topis, a variety of large birds, and, if luck is on our side, even painted dogs and possibly lions. After lunch, we'll board a boat and cruise along the Kazinga Channel, providing a magnificent view of African nature at its best. Following the safari, we'll return to lodging in the Queen Elizabeth Reserve.

Day 8 I Queen Elizabeth Reserve to Kyambura Gorge

After breakfast, we'll set out for another tour in the flagship reserve of Uganda, Queen Elizabeth Reserve, and explore the southern areas of the reserve, one of the few places where you can see tree-climbing lions. From here, we'll continue southward to the edge of the Crater Lakes and small bush areas that serve as a hiding place for the savannah animals and waterholes, and then head to the gorilla reserve in Kyambura Gorge, one of the largest rainforests in eastern Africa. Here, we'll organize for the highlight of our journey, the encounter with the mountain gorillas. Accommodation and dinner in the Kyambura area.

Day 9 I Gorillas in Kyambura Gorge - Drive to Lake Bunyonyi

We will rise at dawn and, accompanied by our professional trackers and local rangers, set out for a trek on foot through the jungle in pursuit of the life of animals in the jungle and the unique and intricate vegetation of impenetrable Bwindi Forest. We will walk along the dense forest trails, the smooth trails, and with the help of experienced guides, attempt to track the footsteps of the mountain gorillas. By midday, we will reach Lake Bunyonyi, located in the heart of the mountains. The lake was formed as a result of a natural damming of channels and valleys by volcanic eruptions that blocked the flow of rivers. With our arrival, we'll embark on a drive through small canals and areas of the lake where we can observe the landscape from various and diverse vantage points. After a true taste of the area, we will disembark onto the lake and embark on a kayaking tour. Accommodation and dinner at a hotel overlooking the lake.

Day 10 I Lake Bunyuni - Drive to Lake Mburo Reserve

In the morning, we'll continue our journey to the town of Mbarara, one of the largest towns in the country. Mbarara is situated on the scenic highway from Uganda to the Tanzanian border, crossing the picturesque landscapes of the savannah. We'll pass through small villages and colorful rural markets on our way to Lake Mburo Reserve, one of the smallest reserves in Uganda but rich in variety and abundant wildlife. On a guided tour, we'll explore the savannah plains and discover a range of African wildlife, such as zebras, impalas, elands, buffalos, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of colorful birds. In the evening, we'll return to our lodging in the Lake Mburo area.

Day 11 I Lake Mburo Reserve - Equator - Kampala

In the morning, we'll head south to the town of Masaka. From here, we'll continue towards the equator and stop at the Equator line for a guided tour and unique activities related to the Earth's equator. After the visit, we'll proceed to the capital city, Kampala, where we'll explore the local markets and historical sites. Dinner and accommodation in the city.

Day 12 I Departure

Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some free time for last-minute shopping, relaxation, or optional activities. Later, we'll transfer you to Entebbe Airport for your departure flight.