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! You’ve got a long travel day ahead of you, so make sure you have your favourite playlists, podcasts or some travel games queued up for the drive. Travel to Fort Portal, where you’ll spend the night. When you arrive, settle into your accommodation and relax – you’ve got an exciting day of wildlife encounters ahead of you tomorrow.

Begin your day with a safari in Queen Elizabeth National Park enroute, home to elephants, buffalo, antelope and so much more. This afternoon, led by expert trackers, you’ll set off into the dense rainforest of Kalinzu in search of chimpanzees. This hike can be challenging at times, with muddy paths and thick vegetation, but the reward of seeing these amazing creatures in their natural habitat is well worth it. Watch as they play, feed and communicate with each other in the trees high above. 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.

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 be one of the highlights 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.