Experience the beauty of Uganda on this 7-day journey, exploring lush forests, expansive savannahs,and captivating cultures.
Start in Kigali and head to Kisoro for a hike up Mount Sabinyo. Continue to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to encounter the majestic mountain gorillas (the trip’s highlight) and learn from the Batwa people before you head to Queen Elizabeth National Park for thrilling game drives.
Head to Kibale Forest for an exhilarating chimpanzee tracking experience before ending your trip to Entebbe.
SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS
- Track habituated chimpanzees in Kibale Forest, home to one of the highest primate densities in the world.
- Explore the infamous Bigodi Wetlands or opt for a Bigodi Community Experience
- Marvel at the diverse wildlife during game drives in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
- Enjoy a serene boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel, featuring close encounters with hippos and crocodiles. Witness the unique, tree-climbing lions in Ishasha.
- Experience a life-changing Gorilla Trek in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
- Engage with the Batwa community to learn about their ancient culture.
- Hike Mount Sabinyo for breathtaking views of three countries at once.
Day 1: Transfer from Kigali to Kisoro
Your journey begins with a pick-up from Kigali, Rwanda's charming capital city. After a warm welcome, enjoy a scenic drive to Kisoro, Uganda, crossing through rolling hills and lush countryside. Arrive at your lodge in Kisoro in the evening and settle in for a relaxing night.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Travelers Rest Hotel or Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge
Comfort Level: Budget/Mid-range
Day 2: Hike Mount Sabinyo
Challenge yourself with a hike up Mount Sabinyo, a dormant volcano offering spectacular views of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The trek is steep and rugged but rewards hikers with panoramic vistas and the thrill of standing in three countries at once. Return to the lodge
to relax and celebrate your accomplishment.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Travelers Rest Hotel or Lake Mulehe Safari Lodge
Comfort Level: Budget/Mid-range
Day 3: Transfer to Bwindi (Buhoma Sector)
After breakfast, depart Kisoro and drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the endangered mountain gorillas. Arrive at your lodge in the Buhoma sector and enjoy the tranquil forest ambiance from the comfort of your lodge.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Ride 4 A Woman or Bakiga Lodge
Comfort Level: Budget/Mid-range
Day 4: Gorilla Tracking and Transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park
This is the day you’ve been waiting for – a chance to stand in the presence of one of the planet’s most endangered and majestic creatures: the Mountain Gorilla. The day begins early with an energizing breakfast before heading to the park headquarters for a detailed briefing from expert
rangers. Then, it’s time to trek into the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bwindi. Every step of the journey feels like an exploration into an ancient, untouched world, with towering trees, colorful bird species, and the occasional rustle of wildlife in the underbrush. After hours of anticipation, your
patience pays off as you encounter a gorilla family in their natural habitat. Watch in awe as they play, groom, and move through the forest, their sheer presence leaving you breathless. The magic of locking eyes with a silverback is a moment that words can hardly capture. After this once-in-a-
lifetime experience, start your journey to Queen Elizabeth National Park, where you will check in later in the evening and enjoy your dinner and overnight.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Irungu Forest Safari Lodge or Aardvark Safari Lodge
Comfort Level: Budget/Mid-range
Day 5: Sunrise Game Drive, Boat Ride on Kazinga Channel, and afternoon transfer to Kibale National Park
Wake up early for a thrilling game drive, exploring the park’s diverse ecosystems. While in this beautiful part of the park, we will try our luck with predators like hyenas and leopards, along with herbivores grazing in the morning sun, as well as all nature has got to offer. Retire to a boat cruise
that will take you along the Kazinga Channel for all the wonders there is to watch, especially 100s of hippos and other wildlife that stay in and by the channel or visit to quench their thirst. Afterward, journey to Kibale National Park, renowned for its primate diversity. Arrive at your lodge in the
evening.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp or Chimpanzee Forest Lodge
Comfort Level: Budget/Mid-range
Day 6: Chimpanzee Tracking and Bigodi Wetland Walk
Start your day early with a briefing at Kibale Forest headquarters before venturing into the forest to track chimpanzees. Follow Uganda Wildlife Authority expert guides as they lead you through the dense jungle of Kibale, pointing out various primates and birds. Spend an hour observing the chimps'
fascinating behaviors and interactions. Return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, take a guided nature walk in Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary, where you’ll encounter unique flora, bird species, and cultural stories from the local community.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Kibale Forest Camp or Chimpanze Forest Lodge
Comfort Level: Budget/Mid-range
Day 7: Transfer to Entebbe
After breakfast, embark on a long drive back to Entebbe (6–8 hours). En route, stop for lunch and enjoy the changing scenery. Arrive in the evening, marking the end of your Ugandan adventure. Reflect on your journey, which was filled with wildlife encounters, cultural exchanges, and scenic
landscapes.
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
• Comfortable hiking boots and lightweight clothing.
• Rain jacket and a warm sweater for cooler evenings.
• Insect repellent and sunscreen.
• Reusable water bottle.
• Binoculars and a good camera.
• Personal medications and a small first-aid kit.
• Nature blending clothes
Included:
• Accommodation after the end of the trip
• Accommodation in budget or midrange- priced lodges and meals as indicated in the itinerary
• 1 Gorilla Trekking Permit ($800)
• 1 Chimpanzee Trekking Permit ($250)
• Government Taxes
• Clean Drinking Water and snacks for the
entire trip
• All excursions and activities as stipulated in
the itinerary under the guidance of a Bush Wander professional English-speaking guide.
• Ground transport and transfers in a 4x4 Custom Safari Landcruiser
Excluded:
• Travel Insurance
• International flights
• Visa fees and processing
• Extra activities and meals not indicated in the
itinerary
• Service tips, gratuities, souvenirs, and snacks
Uganda, deservedly dubbed the Pearl of Africa, is in the Great Lakes Region in central Africa and boasts an ecological diversity that rivals that of many larger countries. Here, the Eastern Savannah meets the West African jungle. Uganda offers visitors incredible diversity through its multitude of varying ecosystems. Bordered by the Rwenzori Mountains (often called the Mountains of the Moon, the third highest in Africa), the Virunga Mountains, and Africa's largest lake, Lake Victoria, it's a beautiful country bursting with birds and wildlife.
In no other African destination can one see a comparable variety of primates with so little effort - not just the great apes but also more than ten monkey species. And, if Uganda had primate enthusiasts grinning with satisfaction, it would have birdwatchers doing cartwheels. Uganda is, by far, the smallest of the four African countries in which more than 1,000 bird species have been recorded, and it is particularly rich in western rainforest specialists - undoubtedly the finest birdwatching in Africa.
For most, the highlight is found amongst the forests in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where facing endangered mountain gorillas in their natural habitat is one of the most profound wildlife encounters you will ever experience. Discover tree-climbing lions around Ishasha in Queen Elizabeth National Park, trek chimps in Kibale Forest or Kyambura Gorge, or snatch massive Nile perch up north at Murchison Falls, where the mighty Nile cascades through a gap just seven meters wide. Adrenaline junkies will find Jinja simply exhilarating with its white-water rafting, kayaking, and bungee jumping activities. Jinja is rapidly emerging as East Africa's answer to the more southerly "adrenalin capital" Victoria Falls.
We invite you to explore Uganda, a diverse landscape with abundant wildlife, plenty to discover, and unique experiences. When recounting your time in this jewel of a country, you'll struggle to find the words that do justice to it.
Entry Requirements:
Your passport must have a minimum of at least two full clear pages for visas and stamps and be valid for more than 6 months from the date of entry into Uganda.
Please check visa requirements prior to travel with your booking agent or Bush Wander, as requirements are regularly changed with little notice.
Most passports require a single-entry visa (US$55). Visas cannot be obtained on arrival. You must apply and pay for them online at https://visas.immigration.go.ug at least two weeks before your arrival.
You must upload clear copies of your current passport, a yellow fever certificate, and a passport photo.
Only Visa and Mastercard cards are accepted for visa payments. Once payment is made, the system will process your application and send you a barcoded email. Print out this email and bring it with you to Uganda. Upon arrival, you should present the barcoded email to the immigration officer, who will scan the barcode, take your fingerprints and photo, and place a visa in your passport.
Alternatively, the Ugandan High Commissions may issue visas where such commissions are located.
Visa Exempt Countries:
The following nationalities do not require a visa to enter Uganda: all nationalities from East African countries (Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, Burundi), all nationalities from COMESA countries (Angola, Eritrea, Malawi, Madagascar, Seychelles, Swaziland, Zambia, Comoros, Kenya, Mauritius, Zimbabwe), and passport holders from OTHERS (Antigua, Barbados, Fiji, Grenada, Lesotho, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, The Grenadines, Vanuatu, Cyprus, Bahamas, Belize, Gambia, Jamaica, Malta, Singapore, St. Vincent-Tonga and Ireland).
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East Africa Tourist Visa:
If you are planning an East Africa trip to Uganda, Rwanda, and/or Kenya, it may be better to apply for a multiple-entry visa, which is valid for 90 days for tourists only. The cost is USD100 per visa. For more information go to: https://visas.immigration.go.ug/#/apply if you are entering Uganda first, or alternatively, the Government visa site for the East Africa country you will be first entering.
Banking and Currency:
US Dollars cash is widely accepted and, in most cases, preferred as the currency that travellers should use to EXCHANGE into UGX on arrival for spending money on the road e.g. for drinks, curios, tips. Please note that USD bills older than 2009 are not accepted. Ensure your USD bills are 2009 or younger. Small USD bills are difficult to change – use Uganda shillings for small tips.
Credit Cards:
Credit cards can be used at some lodges and hotels, but a transaction fee of up to 5% may be charged. Ask first.
Travel, Transport, and Getting Around Flights:
Note that baggage allowance on all domestic flights is max 15 kgs in soft bags
Health and Medical Information
Travellers require a Yellow Fever inoculation more than 10 days prior to your departure. The certificate will be checked on arrival in Uganda. If you have a history of liver disorders (hepatitis etc.), consult your physician first.
Tetanus and Cholera inoculations are recommended but not compulsory. Hepatitis inoculation is at the discretion of the traveler.
Malaria prophylactics are a must and can be purchased from your local pharmacy. Please consult your pharmacist/doctor.
Diarrhoea / Giardia - Bottled water is readily available throughout Uganda, however, it’s advisable to bring medicine just in case.
This is a guide only. Please check with your doctor or travel clinic for the latest information