Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 — Entebbe to Kibale Forest

Depart Entebbe after an early morning briefing and drive west to Fort Portal, arriving at your lodge on the edge of Kibale Forest National Park in time for a late-afternoon guided nature walk. Overnight: Kibale area lodge.

Day 2 — Chimpanzee Tracking, Kibale Forest

After an early breakfast join a Uganda Wildlife Authority ranger for chimpanzee tracking in Kibale Forest -— home to over 1,500 chimpanzees, the highest density in East Africa. The trek takes 2–4 hours through ancient mahogany and fig trees. The afternoon is free for a primate walk or a visit to the Kibale National Park visitor centre. Overnight: Kibale area lodge.

Day 3 — Kibale to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Drive south through the scenic Crater Lakes region toward Queen Elizabeth National Park. Stop at a crater lake viewpoint for photographs, then check in to your lodge in time for an afternoon game drive on the Kasenyi Plains — prime habitat for lions, elephants, Uganda kob and buffalo. Overnight: Queen Elizabeth NP lodge.

Day 4 — Kazinga Channel Boat Cruise & Game Drive

Morning game drive in the Kasenyi sector, followed by the famous two-hour Kazinga Channel boat cruise at midday. The channel connects Lakes Edward and George and hosts one of Africa’s largest hippopotamus concentrations alongside thousands of water birds and bathing elephants. Optional afternoon game drive. Overnight: Queen Elizabeth NP lodge.

Day 5 — Ishasha Sector & Tree-Climbing Lions

Drive to the remote Ishasha sector in the south of Queen Elizabeth NP — the only place in East Africa where lions regularly climb fig trees. Spend the day game-driving in search of these rare tree lions, as well as giant forest hogs, Uganda kob and the occasional leopard. Overnight: Ishasha sector camp.

Day 6 — Ishasha to Bwindi / Gorilla Trekking

Short drive to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. After lodge check-in and a briefing from your guide, set out for gorilla trekking in the afternoon (or the following morning depending on permit allocation). Trek duration: 2–8 hours depending on the gorillas’ location. Overnight: Bwindi area lodge.

Day 7 — Batwa Cultural Trail

Spend the morning with the Batwa pygmy community on the Batwa Cultural Trail — an immersive forest walk led by former Bwindi forest dwellers who share their ancient hunting skills, herbal knowledge and traditional songs. The afternoon is free to relax or join an optional village walk. Overnight: Bwindi area lodge.

Day 8 — Return to Entebbe

Early breakfast and depart Bwindi for the drive back to Entebbe (approximately 7–8 hours). Drop-off at your Entebbe hotel or Entebbe International Airport for evening onward flights. En-route lunch stop in Mbarara town.