Discover Uganda – known as the Pearl of Africa by British explorers – a country noted for outstanding beauty and diversity – from the ethereal Mountains of the Moon to open savannahs and impenetrable forest. Uganda is the center of Africa’s own “Great Lakes” system. All that water has produced a country of verdant landscapes and thick forests, while the dark, rich soils support all manner of life. It is in these densely packed (often called impenetrable) forests that Uganda’s most famous residents reside—the awe-inspiring mountain gorilla. These powerful and intelligent animals will often view you with as much scrutiny and curiosity as you are viewing them. It is an incredible reminder that there are still realms where humans are the visitors, and visitation is a privilege. Here is one such place.

DAY 1 : Kampala to Lake Mburo National Park

This morning set off for the safari heading to south western Uganda with a stop at the drum makers and then at the Equator for snaps and breakfast. After breakfast, drive through twisted, winding roads and lake-dotted countryside, before getting into the lower thorn and savannah scrub lands of Lake Mburo National Park; the long drive between the main road and park entrance is an excellent opportunity to see the flora and fauna, including monkeys, impala and a huge variety of birds. There is also a strong possibility that you will see zebras, as the Lake Mburo National park is the only place in Uganda where one can find zebras. It’s an adventure, arriving at your accommodation in time for lunch. In the afternoon, you will have a boat cruise in Lake Mburo where you will see the hippos and many birds. Return to your accommodation or go for a swim as you wait for supper and overnight.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Approximate driving time: 4 1/2 hours

DAY 2: Lake Mburo to Lake Bunyonyi

Set off early in the morning, driving south into the foothills of the Virunga Volcanoes then Lake Bunyonyi, also known as the “Switzerland of Africa” due to the landscape and scenery that surrounds it. Lunch en route and arrive at Lake Bunyonyi in the afternoon. In the evening you will have the opportunity to take a local dug-out canoe trip to discover the islands around the lake.

You will have a chance to take a nature walk on at least one of the islands to appreciate the landscape of the area and see the lake from a variety of different angles. You can also see the pygmies and their ways of life.

You will have one night next to the lake where you get the chance to enjoy the sunset whilst looking out for otters and the many different types of bird life that are in the  area.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Approximate driving time: 4 1/2 hours

DAY 3: Lake Bunyonyi to Bwindi

Waking up with the love songs of the birds found in this beautiful area is a wonderful experience to last a life time. After a good breakfast, continue driving through southwestern Uganda. Head up through the Kigezi hills and valleys and arrive in Bwindi early afternoon then have a well deserved lunch at your accommodation. This will be followed by a simple walk to the Batwa community and the traditional healer - these are the shortest people in Uganda (the pygmies). Return to your accommodation for relaxation, supper and overnight.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Approximate driving time: 2 hours

DAY 4: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park

Wake up in the morning, take good breakfast and collect your packed lunch, then meet with your ranger-guide before setting off into the gorilla sanctuary. The rain forest landscape is steep and densely populated with trees (you need to be physically fit) – it’s easy to see how the name of the park was derived from this forest! The park is crossed with animal trails allowing access for travellers in search of the great giants.

The trek to find the earth’s greatest primates can take up to a full day, but the thrill of discovering this gentle giant in its own habitat is rated as one of Africa’s best wildlife-watching opportunities. You will be allowed to spend one hour with the gorillas. By the time you return to your accommodation the memories will be embedded in your mind forever. Take a refreshment then supper and overnight.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5: Bwindi to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Early in the morning, after breakfast, set off from Bwindi heading for Queen Elizabeth National Park. After arriving in the park start the game drive through the savannah vegetation,giving you a memorable morning game viewing when all the animals are looking for what to eat before the sun gets very hot. You can expect to see lions, buffaloes, elephants, bushbucks, warthogs, antelopes, impalas, and more. The park has beautiful natural vegetation and landscape with over 650 bird species making it the number one national park for bird life. Break for lunch then continue with a game drive south into the remote area of the park, known as Ishasha searching for the infamous tree-climbing lions! You can often see three or more relaxing up in the tree after their heavy lunch. You will have another chance this afternoon to see elephants, leopard, buffalo, lions, waterbuck, warthogs and birds. Then drive to your accommodation for relaxation, supper and overnight.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Approximate driving time: 3 - 4 hours

DAY 6: Queen Elizabeth National Park

After breakfast, take a morning boat cruise on the Kazinga Channel situated between Lake George and Lake Edward (Great Lakes Region), where hippos, crocodiles, elephants and buffalo will be in great abundance either at the water's edge, or alongside your boat! The boat will take three hours up to the famous Kazinga Channel landing site. There are many bird species which can be seen including kingfishers, pelicans, and African Fish Eagle. Thereafter return to your accommodation where you can go swimming as you wait for lunch.

In the afternoon, drive to the crater lakes region where you will see salt mining and many animals, which are found in this area because of the availability of salty waters. You will have the whole afternoon driving around the park looking for leopards and hyenas. Return to your accommodation for supper and overnight.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7: Queen Elizabeth to Kibale

An early rise and, after breakfast, set off for Kibale National Park. Drive through Fort Portal town and take a stop along the way to view the only highest block mountain in East Africa (Mount Rwenzori). Continue with the drive up to Kibale where, depending on which accommodation you choose, you will check in before heading to the park headquarters for your Chimpanzee Trekking,

After lunch, set off for afternoon chimpanzee trekking. After a gathering and briefing by the ranger-guide you start your journey to trek man’s closest relative: the chimpanzee. With sounds from different types of flora and fauna it’s an amazing lifetime experience. The park is endowed with primates including chimpanzees, baboons, and all types of monkeys, as well as bush elephants, over 600 bird species, butterflies and much more.

After a long walk in the forest return to your accommodation for relaxation, supper and overnight.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Approximate driving time: 2 hours

DAY 8: Kibale to Murchison Falls

Have an early breakfast and set off for Murchison Falls National Park, driving through Kyenjojo up to Hioma or Masindi with a break for lunch. The road through is gifted with beautiful plants up to Murchison Falls.

If time allows, take the road to the top of the falls, where you get to experience the awesome site of the whole river getting compressed through a six-metre gap in the rocks before dropping 44 metres with a thunderous roar. It creates rainbows and plumes of spray, giving opportunities for some great photographs. Return to your accommodation for supper and overnight.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Approximate driving time: 5 1/2 hours

DAY 9: Murchison Falls

An early rise with the sun, take a cup of coffee or tea, and get on the first ferry across the river - making the most of the best hours for game viewing on the northern banks. Here you can find lions, leopard, elephants, buffalo, giraffe and many more of Africa’s big game. The game drive will take about 3-4 hours, then return to your accommodation for breakfast, relaxation or go swimming at the accommodation as you wait for an early lunch and prepare for an afternoon boat cruise on the river.

At 2 pm head for the guided boat trip on the placid Victoria Nile, upstream of the falls. En route you will see many hippos, crocodiles, waterbuck and a wide variety of birds like the unusual shoe bill stork. The boat stops about 50 metres away from the falls allowing ample time to get some wonderful photos of one of the most powerful flows of water in the world. Afterwards return to your accommodation for supper and overnight.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10: Murchison Falls to Kampala

After breakfast, set off from Murchison Falls, drive to Masindi town and take a stop at the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where you have the option of walking through a national reserve getting close to the newly reintroduced White Rhino. Lunch will be en route, arriving in Kampala in the evening.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Approximate driving time: 4 hours