Essential Uganda: Gorillas and Chimps

Ki kati! Welcome to Uganda. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm in Entebbe where you’ll meet your local leader and fellow travellers. Located near Kampala on the shores of Lake Victoria, Entebbe has a relaxed and local feel. If you arrive early, maybe stretch your legs with a stroll through Entebbe Botanical Garden or shop for souvenirs at Entebbe Craft Village. After the meeting tonight, why not head out for dinner and get to know your new travel buddies?

Today, begin your journey from Entebbe to Jinja – one of the highlights of any visit to Uganda, Jinja is a riverside retreat at the source of the Nile, also known as the adventure capital of the country. When you arrive, settle into your accommodation or relax on the banks of the nearby Nile River. If you’re keen to start exploring right away, maybe head to the Jinja Farmer’s Market and try some fresh jackfruit or local snacks. Tonight, your leader can show you where the best spots are to grab some dinner with your group.

Jinja is the place for adventurers, adrenaline junkies and eco-travellers, and you’ll enjoy a full free day here to explore at your own pace. Maybe get active with some whitewater rafting or hire a bike to see Jinja on two-wheels. You can also opt for a boat cruise along the source of the Nile, to enjoy the river from a new perspective.

Head out in search of some rolex (chapati rolled around an egg omelette, usually with added vegetables) to start the day. This is a popular street food in Uganda and is even more delicious than it sounds! After, travel to Kibale Forest National Park – a tropical rainforest home to 13 species of primates, which is more than any other forest in East Africa! Here you might see the chimpanzee, the most famous resident here, as well as the olive baboon, the blue monkey and 375 species of birds! If you’re lucky, you might even be able to spot one of the more elusive forest elephants and leopards while you’re here. When you arrive, settle into your accommodation and relax or perhaps head out to explore your surroundings with the group.

Led by expert trackers, you’ll set off into the dense rainforest of Kibale in search of chimpanzees. This hike can be challenging at times, with muddy paths and thick vegetation, but the reward is well worth it – the chance to observe these amazing creatures in their natural habitat. Watch as they play, feed and communicate with each other in the trees high above. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided walk through the Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary – a community-run initiative rich in birdlife, monkeys and different butterfly species. If you’re lucky, you might spot the great blue turaco, the bird this wetland is best known for. Later, return to your accommodation for a free evening. Maybe grab a drink or two with your new friends and toast to the incredible day of adventure.

Head south and begin your day with a game drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park, home to elephants, buffalo, antelope, and so much more. Then, continue your journey to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Take in the scenery as you pass rolling green hills, tea plantations and crater lakes, or simply relax with a book or chat with your group. You’ll also pass through a local village where you’ll have the chance to stop for lunch and coffee. Maybe get to know the Batooro and Bakiiga communities that live here with an optional local village visit, then carry on to Bwindi. When you arrive, settle in and prepare for what will undoubtedly be the highlight of your trip tomorrow – gorilla trekking!

This morning, join a local guide and experienced trackers as you climb through the rugged, mountainous terrain of Bwindi National Park in search of mountain gorillas. Your first glimpse of these creatures will be a truly beautiful moment, and visits are strictly controlled to minimise disturbance. Tracking gorillas is not an easy feat (it's called Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for a reason!). It can be wet, muddy, strenuous and uncomfortable, but the indescribable feeling of coming across a group of gorillas is worth the effort. Spend a mesmerising hour with the gorillas as they eat, sleep, groom and play as the male silverback watches over them. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the lush wilderness of the rainforest, then, return to camp where you can freshen up with a hot shower. In the afternoon, you’ll also have the chance to take an optional visit to the Batwa community to learn about their forest heritage. Tonight, enjoy a hearty dinner by the crackling fireplace.

Say goodbye to Bwindi and begin the journey to Lake Mburo. This is Uganda’s smallest savannah park, but it packs a punch with the variety of landscapes, from woodlands and rolling hills to wetlands and lakes. This afternoon, you’ll have the option to join a game drive, where you’ll have the chance to spot zebras, hippos, buffaloes and even impalas. Tonight, maybe gather your newfound friends for a final dinner and cheers to an amazing trip!

Rise early and begin the drive back to Entebbe, enjoying a game drive in Lake Mburo along the way. When you arrive, say goodbye to your trip mates as your journey will come to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to arrange additional accommodation (subject to availability).